Cape Breton Island 
It’s time to get ready for the holiday season on scenic Cape Breton Island. You can choose to continue your family traditions or start some new ones with your loved ones this year. Here is a list of activities that are going on this Christmas Season around beautiful Cape Breton island.
Santa Claus Parades & Light Displays
North of Smokey Parade of Lights
Come join us for the 14th annual North of Smokey Parade of Lights. The parade runs along a 3km stretch from the top of Ingonish to the Keltic Lodge. Details
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Ingonish Outdoor Rink to Keltic Lodge
You might like to check out the All is Bright display map.
Sydney Santa Claus Parade
Bundle up, bring your holiday spirit, and get ready for floats, music, twinkling lights, and maybe even a few of Santa’s busy elves spreading cheer along the way! Details
Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Downtown Sydney – route TBA
Christmas Carols & Holiday Concerts
The Men of the Deeps: December Coal Concert
This Christmas, the jolly miners return to the Savoy Theatre with a brand-new holiday concert — December Coal. Join The Men of the Deeps as they serve up a heartwarming blend of festive favourites and original songs from their latest recording. Details
November 22, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Savoy Theatre, 116 Commercial Street, Glace Bay
$55
The Men of the Deeps-Coal Miner’s Christmas
COAL MINERS CHRISTMAS 2025 For nearly 60 years, Cape Breton’s Men of the Deeps have travelled the globe as Canadian ambassadors, singing, dancing, and storytelling their way into hearts and minds.
Details
Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 7:00 PM
SAERC Auditorium, 304 Pitt Street
$42.75
Christmas in Cape Breton
The show, starring Bette MacDonald – who Rick Mercer has called “the funniest woman on earth” – Maynard Morrison and a premier cast of multi-talented performers including Celtic stars and Beolach members, Mac Morin and Wendy MacIsaac and long-time cast member, Jordan Musycsyn. Details
Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
SAERC Auditorium, 304 Pitt Street
$43.25
Christmas In Cape Breton
The show, starring Bette MacDonald – who Rick Mercer has called “the funniest woman on earth” – and Maynard Morrison and a premier cast of multi-talented performers including Celtic stars and Beolach members, Mac Morin and Wendy MacIsaac and long-time cast member, Jordan Musycsyn. The five have been putting their musical and comedic talents to work throughout the year to create a riotous new version of the show for the upcoming Christmas season. Details
December 6 – 7, 2025
Savoy Theatre, 116 Commercial Street, Glace Bay
$54
Christmas With The Turnbull Brothers
With Special Guests Aaron and Martina Lewis. After their incredible success on *Canada’s Got Talent*, where they captured hearts and soared to a third-place finish, the Turnbull Brothers are back and better than ever! They’re ready to bring their holiday spirit to the Savoy Theatre this December with an all-new Christmas show! Join the Turnbull Brothers for an unforgettable evening filled with festive music, holiday classics, and brand-new original songs that will fill your heart with joy.
Details
December 14, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Savoy Theatre, 116 Commercial Street, Glace Bay
$39.20
CHRISTMAS AT SACRED HEART DOWNTOWN
You better watch out, you better not cry, cause the HAT is back at Sacred Heart Downtown for another classy night of gourmet catering and high-class entertainment! It’s: CHRISTMAS AT SACRED HEART DOWNTOWN!
Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire and we’ll all be home for Christmas with this musical revue full of your favourite festive delights. You’ll swoon under the mistletoe and be dazzled with every high stepping kick from our Holiday Dancers. Bring the whole family to Downtown Sydney’s classiest venue and celebrate the holidays in style. Details
November 27 – December 7, 2025
Highland Art Theatre, 40 Bentinck Street, Sydney
Tickets are free of charge, but must be booked in advance
A GUNNING & CORMIER CHRISTMAS
Cape Breton’s J.P. Cormier is a spectacular multi-instrumentalist famed for his sincere, soulful songwriting. And Pictou’s Dave Gunning is an award-winning singer-songwriter and captivating performer known for his skills as a storyteller. Details
December 17 – 18, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Highland Art Theatre, 40 Bentinck Street, Sydney
$58.50 + Service Fee
The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas – Celebrating 25 Years
Celebrating 25 years of touring their much-loved Celtic-flavoured Christmas show, the Barra MacNeils present audience favourites and special new material at The Savoy for two shows on December 20 as they wrap up their cross-country national tour. Details
December 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Savoy Theatre, 116 Commercial Street, Glace Bay
$54
A VERY MERRY HAT CHRISTMAS EVE SING-ALONG SERVICE!
Join some of your favourite HAT performers for a special night of singing and fellowship as we gather under the glow of candlelight to celebrate the season and getting halfway through the dark.
Featuring a collection of some of our favourite Christmas and secular holiday songs, you’ll be sure to know all the words but just in case, we’ll have the lyrics projected for everyone so you can follow the bouncing ball. Details
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Highland Art Theatre, 40 Bentinck Street, Sydney
Presented Free of Charge Courtesy of Radical Access; Register
Holiday Theatre
Down at MacLean’s: A Holiday Special
Written, directed and produced by Kathryn McIntyre, Down at MacLean’s is based on a small store, in a sparsely populated area, on Christmas Eve, where the store has always been the centre of the action. Two estranged brothers, who have long made Christmas Eve another bone of contention, end up at the store together, their poor wives in the middle. Why they are estranged and how the community both supports and pushes them is guaranteed to keep you wondering how Christmas will ever be the same. This show has lovable, familiar characters and shows the strength and resilience in a rural community in the quiet of a harsh winter. Details
November 29, 2025 | 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
Strathspey Performing Arts Centre, 11156 Nova Scotia Trunk 19, Mabou
$25 + fees and tax
Charles Dickens writes A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens is in trouble. His miserly publisher demands a finished manuscript by morning… or else. But it’s Christmas Eve, and Dickens has writer’s block—not that it matters, since no one seems to care about Christmas anymore. With only his imagination and inspiration from a band of wandering carollers, Dickens brings to life the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his fateful night of ghostly visitations. Infused with beautiful Victorian carols, lots of humour and tender moments, this play will delight and inspire this Christmas season. You may have experienced our staged reading of this unique Canadian adaptation, but this year, for the first time, Theatre Baddeck will be bringing you this holiday favourite (with local talent rounding out a professional cast) as a spectacular full production!
Details
December 4-14, 2025
Greenwood United Church, 98 Twining Street, Baddeck
$23.25 – $33.25 + fees and HST
Stars On Ice
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, Stars on Ice has the ultimate holiday gift – figure skating legend Elvis Stojko is coming to town and he’s bringing friends! Canada’s premier figure skating show is bringing its dazzling, award-winning show to fans across Canada. The special holiday-themed edition of Stars on Ice, featuring some of the most accomplished figure skaters in the world, is set to visit Sydney on Thursday, December 4th for a 7pm performance at Centre 200. Details
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Centre 200, 481 George St, Sydney
Tickets start at $45.00 (service charge applies)
Christmas Chaos at “The Home”
When Provincial budget cuts pose a threat on the Christmas Season at the local Glace Bay Seniors’ Facility, residents have no choice but to take matters into their own hands. “Well, us ladies will take it on because we know them men won’t know how” says resident Margaret-Anne MacDonald. Join Margaret-Anne, Sadie, and da boyz as they not only try to save Christmas at the Home, but also Nurse André’s music career!! Details
November 15, 20 – 22, 27 – 30, December 3 – 6, 10 – 13, 17 – 20, 2025
Savoy Theatre, 116 Commercial Street, Glace Bay
$75
A Christmas Carol
Re-live the magic of Highland Arts Theatre’s beloved stage adaptation of this timeless tale. Cape Breton’s finest conspire to transport you to Christmas past, present, and future with theatre, dance, and music. This annual fundraiser for the Highland Arts Theatre is the perfect gift or holiday family tradition!
Featuring a cast of over 50 local actors, singers, and dancers plus the musical underscoring of Belkolora. Details
December 10 to 14, 2025
Highland Art Theatre, 40 Bentinck Street, Sydney
Adult Admission: $49.34 (+ HST & Service Fee); Ages 23 & Under Admission: $35.30 (+ HST & Service Fee)
Other Holiday-Themed Events
Christmas Festival of Crafts
‘The Big One’ is coming to Centre 200! It’s the Christmas Festival of Crafts, November 14th to 16th. Everything from Holiday Decor to Sweet Treats! Details
November 14 – 16, 2025
Centre 200, 481 George St, Sydney
Admission $3; Children under 12 are Free when accompnied by an adult
MacDonald Family Christmas Tree
Details
19 Gabarus Lake South, Gabarus Lake
Green Hills Farm
Round up the family and go to Green Hills Farm to find the perfect balsam or pine tree for your family this holiday season. Frankie and Holly, the friendly farm dogs, greet every visitor that comes to Green Hills Farm. Best of all, the farm is fully pet-friendly, so you can bring along your furry kids too.
Details
486 Hills Road, Albert Bridge
Christmas at the Port
Join us for a festive weekend filled with local artisans, handmade crafts, holiday treats, and the sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas.
Details
November 21 – 23, 2025
John Harriss Cruise Oavillion, 74 Esplande, Sydney
Please bring a non-perishable food item or donate at the door supporting Loaves & Fishes.
Merry & Bright Holiday Market
November 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Flying Kite Artisan Shop, 507 Chebucto St., Baddeck
HOHOHoliday 5k
November 29 – December 31, 2025
Nationwide/Virtual Run
Register
Merry & Bright 2025
It’s a night when everyone comes downtown to listen to music in the streets, have a hot drink, browse the shops and get into the holiday spirit as you run in to friends and neighbours. Details
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown North Sydney
Free
Festive Seasons Painting Series in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Join us at the Chéticamp Visitor Centre in Cape Breton Highlands National Park for a fun and relaxing afternoon of guided painting with local artist Mathieu Lebrun. Inspired by the changing seasons and the beauty of the Highlands, each session explores a new theme, from spirits and northern lights to love and Acadian traditions. Details
Various dates
16 Chemin Robin Road, Cheticamp
$40 per person (tax included)
Baddeck Christmas Market
Get your shopping done at the Baddeck Christmas Market. Details
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Iniside Alexander Graham Bell HNS, 559 Chebucto Streetm, Baddeck
Free
Christmas With the Chorale – Holiday Wine and Dine
Save the date and be sure to join us for an evening of concert. Details
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Church of Christ the King, Sydney
Winter Activities
As the temperature drops, Cape Breton becomes a breathtakingly beautiful winter wonderland. Get ready for cool activities and warm up at Ceilidhs. Break out your warmest clothing and get ready to embrace the coastal winter like an Islander. Enjoy winter activities during Christmas Holidays.
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