Cape Breton Island 
Mark your calendar and have a rollicking time at these family-fun festivals in Nova Scotia! Nova Scotia’s family festivals are an excellent place to learn about the history and culture of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces.
Photo Credit: Festival Acadien De Clare
From family music festivals to food and fun, you’ll find plenty of ways to have a great time, regardless of the season!
Listed below are the family festivals in Nova Scotia taking place during the 2026 summer and fall season for your family to enjoy.
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Shelburne County Lobster Festival
The Shelburne County Lobster Festival is four days of fun events and culinary lobster delights on the south shore of Nova Scotia! The festival is a way to celebrate the end of the lobster season, which runs from the last Monday in November to the end of May. Details
June 2 to 7, 2026
Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
Roots to Boots Festival
A unique blend of entertainment to please everyone: storytelling, hiking, food, local talent, concerts, the songwriters’ circle and late-night square dances!
Details
June 11 to 14, 2026
15584 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is a week-long event held every year. The two-and-a-half hour family show is fast-paced – every scene only lasts about 3-6 minutes, so there is always something new to see and experience. There are bagpipes, highland dancers and military traditions. The Tattoo also features innovative acrobatic acts, modern music, contemporary dancing, trampoline routines and cutting-edge videos. This is a ‘must-do’ festival!
Details
July 1 to 5, 2026
Various locations, Halifax
Free and Ticketed events
Lobster Bash
The Lobster Bash is a celebration to promote the lobster industry in Sou’West Nova. The three-day festival is full of events for all ages, and includes concerts, Parade of Lights, and more!
Details
July 3 to 5, 2026
Water Street, Digby
Pictou Lobster Carnival
Since it started in 1934, the Pictou Lobster Carnival has become a Signature event in Nova Scotia. This three-day festival celebrates the end of the fishing season in the area, Maritime culture and music and has been ongoing for 93 years!
The event features parades, amusement rides for all ages, musical entertainment at the main stage & beer garden, Antique Car Show, Lobster Boat Races and other competitions, Lobster Dinners, Fireworks Over the Waterfront and Much More!
Details
July 3 to 5, 2026
Front Street, Pictou
New Waterford Coal Dust Days
Established in 1983, Coal Dust Days is an annual festival that celebrates New Waterford’s Rich Coal Mining Heritage and embraces New Waterford’s Community Spirit. All your favourites, including the Annual Antique and Custom Car Show, Teddy Bear Picnic, Tavern Tour and Cape Breton’s Biggest Block Party…..Plummer Ave Day, plus lots more!
Details
July 12 to 19, 2026
Colliery Lands Park, 3696 Ellsworth Ave, New Waterford
South Shore Exhibition (The Big Ex)
South Shore Exhibition is the largest agricultural exhibition in Nova Scotia since 1891. The Big EX offers good, old-fashioned horse and oxen pulls daily, light horse competitions, show horse events, arts and crafts, 4-H, beef and dairy displays, rabbit and poultry displays, a petting barn, music, and performances from local groups.
Details
July 27 to August 2, 2026
50 Exhibition Drive, Bridgewater
Nova Multifest
Alderney Landing is home to this popular annual Nova Multifest celebration. Enjoy the colour and excitement of live shows, savour culinary delights, and explore the interesting exhibits from Nova Scotia and around the world. Dance the evening away with live music and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of our community.
Details
July 24th-26th, 2026
2 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth
Festival Acadien De Clare
The Festival Acadien de Clare (the oldest Acadian festival in the world!) has always been a celebration of Acadian culture and heritage. Thousands of people from all over the world gather in Saint Mary’s Bay every year for a week filled with activities for all ages, like the lumberjack competition, the parade, the bazaar, and so much more!
Details
August 1-15 2026
Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Halifax International Busker Festival
Credit: Lacey Davey/Silver Elvis
Every summer, the Halifax Busker Festival entertains thousands across Halifax’s beautiful and historic downtown waterfront, and this year events will also be held on the Dartmouth waterfront. Featuring the hilarious, wacky, and breathtaking entertainment that can only be found at the annual Halifax Busker Festival, crowds are treated to mind-blowing shows from the world’s top street performance artists as they showcase their unique talents and skills with acrobatics, music, visual arts, comedy, fire shows, and so much more.
Details
July 29– August 3, 2026
1601 Lower Water St., Halifax
Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival
Over 50 amazing Nova Scotian artists are featured at the Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival. If you are looking for unique art pieces or gifts, this is the place to be. You can also meet the artists and chat with them about their art and inspirations.
Details
August 2, 2026
Green Street, Lunenburg
Digby Scallop Days
Digby Scallop Days is a four-day August festival celebrating the region’s world-famous scallops and fishing heritage. Events include shucking demos, live music, kids’ activities, vendors, a car show, and fireworks. Visitors can meet local fishermen, explore the waterfront, enjoy fresh scallop dishes, and experience a lively, family-friendly atmosphere rooted in community and coastal tradition.
August 6 to 9, 2026
Water St, Digby
Margaree Highland Games
Margaree Highland Games are one of Cape Breton’s most exciting new events. Hosted in the beautiful Margaree River Valley – a meeting place of Scottish, Irish and Acadian cultures – the games blend traditional heavy events with bag-piping & highland dancing, running races, children’s games and much more.
Details
August 7-9, 2026
1181 East Margaree Road, Margaree
Wharf Rat Rally
The Wharf Rat Rally is one of Canada’s largest motorcycle rallies, attracting thousands of motorcycles, riders and spectators to Digby Nova Scotia since 2005. The 1.2 km stretch of the main street is closed to nothing but motorcycles and foot traffic, with events taking place in both the streetscape and the surrounding area.
Details
September 3–6, 2026
Digby
Acoustic Roots Festival
The best country, folk, blues, bluegrass, and Celtic on the East Coast can be found at the Acoustic Roots Festival. The Festival is taking place at the wonderful Two River Wildlife Park. Dance the days and evenings away and meet the friendly animals at the petting zoo.
Details
September 4–6, 2026
4581 Grand Mira North Road, Huntington
St. Peter’s Pirate Days
Ahoy mateys – St. Peter’s is the place to be for Pirate Days celebrations! Find your inner pirate at this event. The weekend is full of fun activities for the whole family. Pirates are coming from near and far. But keep your wits about you — you don’t want to be shanghaied!
Details
September 10 to 13, 2026
Grenville Street, St. Peter’s
Kentville Pumpkin People Festival
Harvest Festival launches the appearance of Pumpkin People all through Kentville! Bring the whole family for some small town harvest fun! Join in the fun with the Pumpkin People building workshop, food vendors, flea market, live music, face painting, and pumpkin carving. There are other events like the Pumpkin walk, u-picks, and concerts during the rest of the month.
Details
October
Kentville
Celtic Colours International Festival
The Celtic Colours International Festival is a unique celebration of Cape Breton Island’s living traditional culture. For nine days in October, there are hundreds of events and activities taking place in communities around the Island for families to enjoy.
Details
October 9-17, 2026
Baddeck, Cabot Trail
Nocturne
When the sun goes down during Nocturne, Halifax becomes a spectacular work of art. Nocturne brings art and energy to the streets of this vibrant city showcasing and celebrating the visual arts scene of this beautiful province. Throughout the city, you can find outdoor and indoor exhibitions that will make you feel ‘all’ the emotions.
Details
October 15-18 2026
Halifax
Nova Scotia Music Week
Each year, Music Nova Scotia brings together artists, fans, and the music industry from across Nova Scotia and around the globe to experience the best talent the province has to offer. Over the course of three days, more than 150 acts will take the stage.
Details
November 12-15, 2026
Truro/We’kwampekitk
