Cape Breton Island 
Photo Credit: Festival de I’Escaouette
If you are looking for a whole month of fun, Nova Scotia has you covered. Along with the famous attractions to visit, August is full of great events, festivals, art exhibits, and concerts happening. From family fun festivals to food and drink festivals and live concerts, there is something for everyone.
Listed below are just 50 of the many things to do during August in Nova Scotia.
1. Festival Acadien De Clare
Celebrate the Acadian heritage and culture at the oldest Acadian festival in the world. Each day of the Festival Acadien De Clare is filled with activities for all ages. Enjoy live music at one of the many concerts during the festival. Join in and show your Acadian pride during the Tintamarre and the annual parade.
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July 31 – August 7 and August 15, 2021
2. Music & Magic
Sadly the Halifax International Busker Festival is not taking place in 2021, but Music and Magic will take its place this year. All across the Halifax Waterfront, you will find top Nova Scotian musicians and magicians showcasing their skills.
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July 31 – August 2, 2021
3. Festival de I’Escaouette
This is a weekend packed with wholesome family fun. The Festival de l’Escaouette celebrates the local traditions and old customs of Cheticamp and the Acadians. This Festival is a great way to connect with your family and friends while making new acquaintances.
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July 29 – August 1, 2021
4. Gaelic Concert Series
Celebrate Gaelic music this summer during the Gaelic Concert Series. Taking place on Tuesday evenings in July and August, this bilingual Gaelic-English concert sees Cape Breton’s finest musicians and emerging local talents share center stage.
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Photo Credit: Digby Scallop Days
5. Digby Scallop Days
Gather your family and spend the weekend celebrating all things ‘Scallop’ at the Digby Scallop Days. 2021 is the 45th year for Scallop Days and it is the longest running festival in Digby. Events include a Scallop BBQ, a huge car show, games of AquaGolf, and live demonstrations. Spend some quality family time listening to the local artists or exploring the waterfront.
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August 7 – 8, 2021
6. “Beaux Vendredis” Lobster, Clam and Crab Suppers
Enjoy a supper of fresh lobsters, snow crab and steamed clams on the Belliveau Cove wharf at the St. Mary’s Bay. “Beaux Vendredis” Lobster, Clam and Crab Suppers are held every Friday evening at 6pm until 9 pm. You will learn how to eat a lobster like the locals, listen to stories, and share some deep belly laughs. Each supper is served with melted butter and rolls, while listening to live local music.
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Until September 3, 2021
7. Cape Breton Jazz Festival
The best place to find great jazz, the Cape Breton Jazz Festival has taken place for the past seven years and it just keeps getting bigger and better every year. The festival is presenting an exciting program of free outdoor events and ticketed shows.
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August 25 – 28, 2021
8. Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
The Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival is a vibrant East Coast experience. It takes place over three days in early August and showcases music and dance from a wide range of cultures. It is the longest-running music festival in Nova Scotia and one of the oldest music festivals in Canada. You can also enjoy the numerous shops, museums, galleries, pubs, and restaurants between shows in this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town.
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August 6 – 8, 2021
9. Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival
The Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival takes place in towns from Amherst to Truro, Parrsboro to Tatamagouche and along the Kempt Shore. There is a huge selection of events taking place in each town. During this 2 week festival, you can enjoy live music, picnics, blueberry suppers, U-picks, and so much more.
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August 20 – September 4, 2021
10. Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour
Prepare for some scares when you join a Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour. During the tour, you will find out if the many legends of ghostly hauntings are true along with the dark past of Halifax and the fort. The tours are offered every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings starting at 8:30 pm.
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Until November 6, 2021
11. Helly Hansen Chester Race Week
Spend a week watching boat races, and hanging out with friends and family during the Chester Race Week. Along with the races, each night of race week four amazing bands will take the stage. You can also enjoy great food served by the food trucks on-site.
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August 11 – 14, 2021
12. Camp at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
The best way to experience Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is to stay overnight at one of the campsites. You can bring your own tent or trailer or stay at one of the new accommodations options. Make sure to spend some time at night outside stargazing since Keji is the best place in Nova Scotia because it has no light pollution.
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Photo Credit: Family Ranch Adventure
13. Halifax Pride
Break out your rainbow themed items because Halifax Pride is back this year. This year there is a blend of over 150 in-person and online events for all to enjoy.
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August 12 – 22, 2021
14. Festival Antigonish
All summer long the Bauer Theatre stage is home to many shows and artistic presentations. Robin Hood: The Great Escape is the main show for August 2021.
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15. Blueberry Festival
Celebrate the blueberry harvest with delectable, freshly home made desserts. Enjoy local live music while sipping coffee or tea with an afternoon blueberry snack.
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August 12, 2021
16. Acadian National Holiday
Le Village welcomes everyone to celebrate the National Acadian Holiday. It will be a day packed with live music. There will be traditional rappie pie and hot dogs available for sale at lunch.
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August 15, 2021
17. Nova Scotia Backyard Kitchen Party
Every Sunday afternoon, the lawn of the Cumberland Country Museum & Archives comes alive with music. Taste traditional Nova Scotian food, cooked on the new wood-fired outdoor oven or explore the farmers market. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the party.
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Until October 10, 2021
18. Digby Lighthouse Tour
It’s always a good day to see a lighthouse. This tour will take you to all 8 lighthouses in the Digby Area. Take a selfie at each light house and return to the Digby Visitor Information Centre to receive a Digby area souvenir keychain.
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Until October 11, 2021
19. Bluenose 100, Centennial Anniversary: 1921 – 2021
The Canadian Icon, the Bluenose is celebrating its 100th year with a summer packed with sailing and events. Go aboard the Bluenose II and hear the history of this iconic schooner. Lunenburg is also hosting Bluenose events throughout the summer and into early fall.
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Until October 31, 2021
20. Blas Math Lunchtime Ceilidhs
Make plans to go to one of the Blas Math lunchtime ceilidhs at the Gaelic College. You will get a taste of lively music and dance, while you enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal. Tap your toes to the sounds of fiddles, pianos, bagpipes, Gaelic songs, and more.
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Until September 3, 2021
21. KitchenFest!
KitchenFest is the annual celebration of Cape Breton-based Gaelic music. Fiddles and bagpipes, concerts and céilidhs, food and drink, Gaelic language and song, informality and hospitality, this is Cape Breton’s biggest kitchen ceilidh.
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August 27 – September 4, 2021
22. Wine & Yoga
Spend a Wednesday evening relaxing with yoga in the Planters Ridge vineyard and sipping wine. Laura Jacobs, a certified yoga instructor, will lead the class. Following the class, head to the patio for a glass of wine as you relax and watch the sunset.
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Until September 15, 2021
23. Sackville Summer Concert Series
Every Sunday evening, sweet music sounds will be coming from Acadia Park during the free Sackville Summer Concert Series. Each Sunday, there will be a different artist or band taking to the stage. Remember to bring your own blanket or chairs, so you can relax and enjoy the concert.
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Until August 29, 2021
24. Patio Sunsets
Enjoy a glass of wine on the patio while watching the gorgeous sunset at Planters Ridge. Their patio is open of Friday evenings. Along with wine, there will also be tasting flights, local food boards, and fresh oysters.
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Until September 24, 2021
25. Family Ranch Adventure
Get ready for a farm themed day of family fun. Drop in to Shelby Ranch for unlimited pony rides, mechanical bull rides, hanging out on the sticky wall, and spend some time at the petting farm with the cute animals.
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Until August 29, 2021
26. Yarmouth Shark Scramble
Did you know that there are sharks in the waters around Nova Scotia? At the Yarmouth Shark Scramble, you will see huge sharks that local fishermen catch in the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia. The party continues at the award banquet and dance on the waterfront.
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August 18 – 21, 2021
27. Black Excellence Boat Cruise
Dance your way on board the Tall Ship Silva for an evening inspired by Black Excellence. Over the two hours, there will be food music and fun on the Halifax Harbour.
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August 7, 2021
28. Patio Lanterns Festival
Across HRM, local businesses are lighting up the summer and fall with live music, food, and drinks, fun activities and more patio magic.
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From October 11, 2021
29. Thursday Evenings at Memory Lane
You better run when you hear the supper bell ringing at Memory Lane on Thursday evenings. Each Thursday evening, The Cookhouse will be featuring a different meal alongside their regular supper menu. During supper, there will be illustrated talks by local history experts and enthusiasts.
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Until August 26, 2021
30. Halifax Ghost Walk
Prepared to be scared when you go on North America’s oldest Ghost Walk. Meet at the Old Town Clock at Citadel Hill. You will hear the dark stories of city while walking through Halifax’s historic city blocks. Details
31. McNabs Island Guided Heritage and Nature Tours
Throughout August, you can discover McNabs Island on this tour. Hike around the island while learning why the island played a huge role for Mi’kmaw people, the early French settlers and the British. Along the way, you can spot Nova Scotia’s provincial bird, and endanger animals and plants.
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August 8, 15, and 22, 2021
32. Taste Halifax Food & Beer Tours
Taste your way around Halifax on the ever-popular Beer Bus. Stopping at food trucks, trendy restaurants, wineries and breweries, the tour is a must for foodies who are beer lovers.
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Until October 31, 2021
Photo Credit: Magic Winery Bus
33. Magic Winery Bus
The double Decker bus you can spot in downtown Wolfville is the iconic Magic Winery Bus. Take a magical ride to four memorable Annapolis Valley’s wineries. Taste amazing local wines while taking in the most majestic views of the valley.
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Until October 31, 2021
34. Crack Your Way along the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail
Get crack on the way to the many stops along the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail. Feast on fresh lobsters and get inspired by local chefs creations. On the Lobster Trail, you will find traditional lobster dinners, lobster rolls and much more.
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35. Dining on the Ocean Floor
The event the broke the internet in 2019 has returned for the 2021 season. Make sure to wear your rubber boats as you walk on the beach at Burntcoat Head Park. During low tides, you can walk on the ocean floor. The 3 course dinner will highlight local indigents and Nova Scotia Tidal Bay wine.
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Until September 30, 2021
36. Go Camping in a Provincial Park
Pack up your camping gear, and get ready for a wonderful outdoor adventure. Nova Scotia is home to many great parks that offer camping spots. Stay close by of take a longer trip and explore a new area.
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37. Visit a Lighthouse
From international known lighthouses like Peggys Cove lighthouse to less known gems, Nova Scotia is home to plethora of lighthouse. Many are still in operation, now unmanned, while others have been moved inland.
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38. Joggins Fossil Cliffs
The Joggins Fossil Cliffs are a historic site for working in rocks, stretching back to mining days. These days you can take tours to look for awesome rocks, and you might just find a fossil to add to their collection.
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39. Visit Hatfield Farm
Hatfield Farm is a fascinating location because you really can customize your experience with a wide variety of activities. Whether it’s petting the animals, pelting people with paint balls, taking a wagon ride, or just chowing down on great food, there are a lot of activities for you to do down on the farm.
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40. Get Lost in a Sunflower Maze
Blooming in August, Sunflowers are a gorgeous sunny remainder that summer is coming to an end. Nova Scotia is the perfect place to see sunflower mazes pop up. From the Instagram famous Dakeyne Farm’s maze to Elderkin’s Sunflower U-pick, there are sunflowers waiting for you to take photos with.
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41. Shakespeare By The Sea
On sunny Summer Days, Shakespeare By The Sea turns Point Pleasant Park into a wonderful stage. The company’s 2021 lineup features A Midsummer Night Dream.
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42. Watch a Movie Under the Stars at the Valley Drive In
See two movies under the stars at one of the last drive in theatres in Atlantic Canada. The Valley Drive In is the place to be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The drive-in show 2 new release movies each night for just one admission price.
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43. Cool Off at Atlantic Splash Adventure
Cool off by taking a dip at Atlantic Splash Adventure. Zip down the waterslide, or take a dip in the pool. If staying dry is your thing, take a ride on the 42-foot coaster, Ferris wheel, or Tilt-a-Whirl. There is something for everyone and fun to be had for all ages at this popular amusement park.
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44. Travel back in time at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Feel the ground shake and see French soldiers march down the street at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Play 300-year-old games, chat with fishermen, sailors, and guards, and watch meals be prepared over an open-hearth fire.
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45. Explore the Cabot Trail
Drive the famous Cabot Trail. The trail runs through the beautiful Cape Breton Highlands. While you could drive the trail in a day, it is best experienced over 3 to 5 days depending on what you do and the way you are driving.
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46. Visit a Farmers Market
August is harvest month for most produce grown around Nova Scotia. Across the province, you can find lovely locally run farmers markets offering farm fresh produce, yummy hot meals, and artisan items.
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47. Chase Waterfalls
Nova Scotia’s unique landscape creates some magnificent waterfalls for you to find. Some are on the beaten path, while others will take you off paths to find them. Wear some comfort shoes as it can be a hike to reach the viewing areas.
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48. Oaklawn Farm Zoo
An animal adventure that is fun for all ages. Around the 50 acre, you can spot exotic, endangered and rescued animals from across the globe. There is a petting area for you to get close with some deer, and farm areas.
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49. Stay at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Restore
Meet Yogi Bear and his friends at the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Restore and stay overnight at one of the 146 overnight sites or in a camp cabin. Kids and adults alike will have a blast jumping on the giant jumping pillow, playing a round of mini-golf, trying archery, or taking a dip in the pool.
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50. Pick Your Own Fruit and Vegetables at U-Pick Farms
It is a well-known fact that Nova Scotia farmers grow some of the most amazing fruits and vegetables. Along with buying freshly picked produce at one of the many farmer’s markets around the province, you can pick your own fruit and vegetables during August. There are many U-pick farms across Nova Scotia where you can pick more than one variety of fruit.
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Quite a variety of activities, but didn’t notice any classical music concerts.