Cape Breton Island 
Credit: Hike the Highlands
Nova Scotia heats up with exciting events and delicious rewards of the harvest season as the warm, sunny summer days give way to the cool autumn weather. September is a great time to visit and travel across Nova Scotia because the leaves are just starting to turn amber and gold, and there is still a lot of fun summer activities to try.
Here are just 50 things to do this September in Nova Scotia.
1. Get Lost
Who is ready to get lost in a maze! Mid to late September is the best time to visit a corn maze before the crowds fill the farms!
2. Visit Nova Scotia’s Sunflower farm
Want to get lost in a field of Sunflowers? Visit Dakeyne Farm near Windsor and take enough pictures to fill your Instagram wall or fly a kite amidst the field of flowers! Visit as early in September as possible before the last petal falls near the end of September.
3. Acoustic Roots Festival – Huntington
If you enjoy bluegrass, blues, folk, Celtic, or country music, you need to check out the Acoustic Roots Festival. This music festival features some of the best East Coast musicians. There are also a lot of other activities to keep you busy between shows at Two Rivers Wildlife Park, including swimming, observatory, petting zoo, camping, and much more.
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September 3 – 5, 2021
4. Annual Sherbrooke Show and Shine
Bring the family to the Annual Sherbrooke Show and Shine for a weekend of family fun. The weekend starts on Friday night with a concert. The rest of the weekend, you can see antique and classic vehicles, watch a road rally, and bid at the silent auction.
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September 11 – 13, 2021
5. Practically Everything Vintage Market – Enfield
If you are looking for a great piece of vintage, antique or even architectural salvage, then you should head to the Outdoor Vintage Market. The market is located at a private residence overlooking the picturesque Shubenacadie River.
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September 11, 2021
6. FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival – Halifax
The FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival is eight days of celebrating film, music, and media from across the globe. Along with international media, FIN shows many local films to showcase the unique talent and creativity of the charming Nova Scotian filmmakers.
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September 16 -23, 2021
7. Hike the Highlands – Cape Breton
For over 15 years, hikers from across North America have come to gather to Hike the Highlands. There are going to be challenging parts of the hike, so experience, proper hiking clothes and a light pack are highly recommended for those who participate.
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September 10-19, 2021
8. Hants County Exhibition – Windsor
Have fun at this 256th year old tradition! Hants County Exhibition is North America’s Oldest Agricultural Fair established in 1765. During this 16 day exhibition there will be antique engines and tractor displays, animal displays, horse show competitions, vegetable displays and competitions, art & homecraft displays, 4-H and school displays, and more for everyone to enjoy.
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September 10-26, 2021
9. Queens County Fair – Caledonia
Experience a genuine agricultural fair! Enjoy live entertainment, mechanical bull riding, roping, horse shows, and more at Queens County Fair Grounds.
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September 21 -25, 2021
25 Outdoor Things to Do this Summer in Liverpool and Queens County
Photo Credit: Celtic Music Centre
10. Lunch Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Centre – Judique
Experience the famous Lunch at the Celtic Music Centre and listen to authentic live Celtic music while you enjoy Nova Scotian signature dishes. The fully licensed bar serves local craft beers, craft ciders, wines, and old-fashioned floats. The seasonal menu takes full advantage of local farms and fisheries to make amazing dishes.
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11. Honey Harvest Fest – Avondale/Newport Landing
Celebrate Nova Scotian honey and support local beekeepers and businesses at the Honey Harvest Festival. Head to the Avon Spirit Shipyard to meet and mingle with the local beekeepers, wineries, brewers, and artisans. The Lydia and Sally cafe will be serving yummy honey-inspired dishes during the event.
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September 11, 2021
12. Hot on the Harbour Party Cruise! – Halifax
The hottest harbour cruise in Halifax leaves on Saturday nights at 9:30 pm sharp. DJ Cruise and DJ LeeMix will be spinning summer’s hottest country tunes, while you enjoy a night on the Harbour. Cash bar on board if you want something to drink to cool off.
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Until October 1, 2021
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13. Whirligig & Weathervane Festival – Shelburne
Whirligigs are a part of Nova Scotian culture. They are both art and woodworking. During the Whirligig & Weathervane Festival, you can see hundreds of these unique decorations and find out the story behind them.
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September 18 – 19, 2021
Photo Credit: Valley Ghost Walk
14. Kentville Ghost Walk
Be prepared for 2 hours of scares when you buy your Kentville Ghost Walk tickets. Jerome the Grave Keeper and his ghostly friends will explain Kentville’s dark past. The walks take place rain or shine, so remember to wear warm clothes when going on this night tour.
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15. Lunenburg Doc Fest
The Lunenburg Doc Fest promotes local, national, and international filmmakers by showing their documentary films to enrich, inspire, educate, and entertain the public. The four-day festival is a celebration of factual storytelling. The documentaries cover a range of subjects, styles, points of view, and forms.
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September 23 -29, 2021
16. Foodie Walking Tour – Yarmouth
Yarmouth is known for its amazing local foods and some of the freshest seafood in Nova Scotia. On this popular Foodie Walking Tour, you will meet Carole who will take you to restaurants that serve scrumptious seafood, local craft beer and wine, and much more.
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17. Blas Math Lunchtime Ceilidhs – Englishtown
Enjoy a scrumptious home-cooked meal with live music and dance at the Blas Math Lunchtime Ceilidhs. Get ready to tap your toes to Gaelic songs and traditional maritime music when you attend a Lunchtime Ceilidh.
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18. Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour
Get ready for 70 minutes of scary stories and exploring candlelit tunnels, prison cells, and restricted areas of the Citadel. The Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour guides tell the story of Canada’s most haunted historic site through true accounts of unexplained events.
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19. Lumiere – Cape Breton
Lumiere is an interactive, engaging, educational and accessible festival that showcases the importance of cultural democracy and public participation. There are over 40 projects and events that will be showcased during the festival.
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September 12 – 25, 2021
20. Deep Roots Music Festival – Grand-Pre
The Deep Roots Music Festival is back in and around Grand-Pre. This year welcomes a diverse group of performers and the activities center around music and well-being. Make sure to get your festival passes early as there is a lot to do and see over the 3 days.
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September 24 – 26, 2021
21. Ocean Floor Tour – Noel
Take the family on a tour of the ocean floor to learn about the delicate ecosystems that call the tidal pools and mudflats home from knowledgeable and experienced guides. The Ocean Floor Tours are about 1 hour and 15 minutes long and will take you 1 to 2km at a slow pace across the beach.
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22. Harvest Festival – Pubnico
Celebrate the harvest by enjoying freshly made baked goods at the Le Village Historique Acadien. There will also freshly made preserves for sale.
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September 16, 2021
23. Go Camping
With so much of the great outdoors to explore in Nova Scotia, it makes sense to make your base in the great outdoors. Enjoy the last bit of summer outdoors and go camping before Old Man Winter comes knocking.
24. The Wellness Escape – Annapolis Valley
Escape to this first-of-its-kind wellness festival in the Maritime. Spend a day doing yoga, meditation, Pilates, aroma tasting, and much more. Kick start your journey to a heather, greener lifestyle at this festival.
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September 18, 2021
25. Tobeatic Hiking, Camping, Stand Up Paddle Wilderness Adventure
Explore the Tobeatic Wilderness by land and water on a mild wilderness adventure. This three-day adventure comes with everything you need for a self-supported mild wilderness adventure.
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September 11 – 13, 2021
26. Patio Lanterns Festival
Across Nova Scotia, patios are lighting up the evening and nights all summer and fall long. Some restaurants are offering food and drinks specials and live music events.
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Until October 11, 2021
Photo Credit: Friends of Point Prim
27. Digby Lighthouse Tour
Grab your map and travel to all 8 of the Digby Area Lighthouses this September. Take a selfie at each and use the #digbylights to enter to win the grand prize. You can also visit the Digby Visitor Information Centre after visiting the lighthouses to receive a Digby Area keychain!
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Until October 11, 2021
28. Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival
20 artists from across the Maritimes come together to put their skills to the test by painting the picturesque sea and landscape of the Parrsboro Shore. Along with the work of the 20 sectioned artists, there is a Sunday Quick Draw event for all artists.
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September 16 – 19, 2021
29. Patio Sunsets – Port Williams
Every Friday night, the patio at Planters Ridge is welcoming guests for wine by the glass, local food boards, and fresh oysters. No reservations are required, first come, first served.
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Until September 24, 2021
30. Lobster Bash – Digby
Celebrating lobsters and how delicious they are, Lobster Bash is a weekend packed with good eating, along with events celebrating lobster fishing like trap stacking, lobster crate run, and lobster banding. Along the waterfront, you will find vendors with lots of lobster and sea-themed items.
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September 4 – 6, 2021
31. Paranormal Investigations Weekend – Louisbourg
Join the Haunts from the Capes as they use their ghost-hunting skills and specialized equipment to connect with passed-on Louisbourg residents. The Overnight Experience offers a full evening of activities and camping inside the Fortress. You will hear the dark stories of the fortress as you tour the site.
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September 10 – 11, 2021
32. Bluenose 100: Centennial Anniversary – Lunenburg
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Bluenose. The Bluenose II will be sailing around Nova Scotia during the summer. There are also online events and special activities taking place in Lunenburg.
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Until October 31, 2021
33. Supernova Market – Halifax
Showcasing some of Halifax’s most talented artisans, the Supernova Market is taking place outdoors in the city’s downtown entertainment district. There will be art, crafts, unique items, and a variety of food for you to discover at this market.
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September 25, 2021
34. The Halifax Ripper
Do you have the skills to catch a killer? Explore the Fredericton to find clues and solve the case. Each ticket admits a team of 2 to 6 players so gather up your friends and have a ‘catch the killer’ night out.
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September 4, 2021
35. The Halifax VegFest Support Local Box
Though cancelled for 2021, Halifax VegFest is offering a curated collection of some of the best locally-made vegan products—plus discounts, coupons and samples from your favourite plant-based and wellness brands.
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36. 14th Annual Lebanese Cedar Festival – Halifax
Savour the sights, sounds, and tastes of everything Lebanese at this fun festival. Enjoy a weekend of authentic Lebanese cuisine, cultural music, and amazing company in Clayton Park.
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September 24 – 26, 2021
Photo Credit: LaHave Folk Festival
37. LaHave Folk Festival – Maitland
Loads of great music, breathtaking scenery, and great food vendors will be At The Artmaze. Bring your tent and lawn chairs to be comfortable while listening to the eight local arts and bands that will be performing at the festival
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September 5, 2021
38. Halifax Wanderers FC
Cheer on Canadian Premier League’s newest member and enjoy watching a game of professional soccer.
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Various dates
39. Community Fall Fair – Halifax
Back for its third year, this Community Fall fair is a great way to get to know the Halifax community. This week-long event is a hybrid of in-person and online activities. There is lots of fun to be had all week long.
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September 9 – 16, 2021
40. BINGO! At the Farm – Ashdale
Break out the bingo dabbers for a fun night of bingo on the farm. You could win the jackpot, gift cards, farm prizes, and more. There are 10 games plus a bonus round to play.
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September 11, 2021
41. Halifax Oyster Festival Pop-Up
Pop-uping at Birch & Anchor, Halifax’s largest beer garden is the Halifax Oyster Festival. Enjoy fresh Nova Scotia and PEI oysters alongside the wonderful drinks and food from Birch & Anchor.
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September 25 -26, 2021
42. Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo End of Summer Yard Sale – Dartmouth
After 40 years of shows, it is time for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo to clean out the costume shop and warehouse. There are lots of treasures for you to find on the racks. This is happening rain or shine.
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September 11, 2021
43. Brookside Cemetery – Bridgewater
Renowned local historian Peter Oickle will be hosting a tour of the Brookside Cemetery. Join Peter and delve deep into Bridgewater’s history by sharing his collection of stories.
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September 11, 2021
44. Halifax Colour Festival
Dance to the music and play with colours at the annual Halifax Colour Festival. You could win prizes at the Tug of War and Beat the Beans contests.
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September 11, 2021
45. Great Halifax Hunt
Have a fun time when you take part in the biggest scavenger hunt of the year. Explore the waterfront and find the items on your list to try to win prizes.
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September 11, 2021
46. Chef Probst’s Craft Draught Showdown: Lake City Cider vs. Maritime Express Cider
Find out who makes the best cider as Lake City Cider and Maritime Express Cider go head to head. Chef Mathias Probst will prepare a 5-course meal to highlight the two ciders served with each course. At the end of the course, you vote on the best pairing. The winner will be declared at the end of the evening.
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September 29, 2021
Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia
47. Pick Your Own Apples
September is the start of apple season and when many of the apple u-picks open for the season. Gather up your family or friends for a fun day on a farm. Some farms even have wagon rides for you to get to the orchards.
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48. Explore Nova Scotia Food Trails
Nova Scotia is famous for seafood, and the culinary trails created by Taste of Nova Scotia help you experience so much of it. Grab a passport from the site and set out on a search for either chowder or lobster-based dishes.
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49. Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park
Cooler days are some of the best times to visit the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park because the animals tend to be more active. The Park is home to many animals from Nova Scotia, alongside other exotic that live at the park.
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50. Relax with a Fall Getaway
While summer is the most popular to take a getaway, fall offers less crowded resorts and there are often specials. Across Nova Scotia, you can find breathtaking views and world-class resorts.
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