Family Fun Festivals in Nova Scotia

Photo Credit: Festival Acadien De Clare

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. From family music festivals to food and fun, you will find plenty of ways to have fun regardless of the season!

Listed below are the family festivals in Nova Scotia for your family to enjoy.

Les Rendez-Vous De La Francophonie

Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) involves a host of activities that will be of interest to young and old across the country.

During this period, more than 3 000 activities are taking place across Canada: community gatherings, multicultural meetings, ceremonies, shows, film viewings, games, contests, educational activities—in short, a whole series of events that provide an excuse for celebrating. Les Rendez-Vous De La Francophonie

March 1 to 31, 2019

Across Nova Scotia

Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival

Photo Credit: Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival

The Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival is a springtime celebration of the valley’s traditions and agricultural heritage. The aim is to promote the best family events for all Valley communities and visitors making it the leading festival in Atlantic Canada. Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival

Wednesday, May 29 to June 3, 2019

Various Venues Annapolis Valley

Cold Waters Seafood Festival

The cold clear waters of the Eastern Shore yield some of the best seafood in the province, and now you can sample it at its freshest: Lobsters, Mussels, Clams, and Haddock served a variety of ways, along with traditional heritage foods such as Chowder, Fishcakes and Beans, and Smoked Fish.

Family activities and skills demonstrations such as paint-your-own-buoy, dory rides, net knitting, and lobster trap building. Sample traditional foods such as Solomon Gundy, Herring and Potatoes, and hot smoked fish. This is a rain or shine event. Cold Waters Seafood Festival

June 1 to 2, 2019

5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte, B0J 1Y0, Eastern Shore

Rhubarb Festival

Come and enjoy mouth-watering rhubarb dishes, homemade with love, while listening to great live local music! There’s no better way to spend a late spring afternoon! Rhubarb Festival

June 6, 2019

91 Old Church Road, Lower West Pubnico, Nova Scotia

Roots to Boots Festival

A unique blend of entertainment to please everyone: storytelling, hiking, food, local-flavour, concerts, songwriters’ circle and late night square dances! Roots to Boots Festival

June 13 to 16, 2019

15584 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp, B0E 1H0, Cabot Trail

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’s 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! Details

June 29 – July 6, 2019

Scotiabank Centre, 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 contests and competitions such as: the Best Lobster Chowder, Jumbo Lobster Contest, Rope Coiling and Splicing, Trap Stacking, Lobster Banding, Survival Suit Competition, Row Boat Races, 3k Mud Dash, Fish Tub Derby, Lobster Crate Run, Trap Hauling, Parade of Lights, and the popular Washer Toss Tournament. Lobster Bash

July 5 to 7, 2019

Water Street, Digby

Dominion Day “Old Time” Village Fair

A festive day celebrating the coastal villages in the Lake Charlotte area.
Enjoy a free freshly made donut from vintage Belshaw Donut Robot, then join in the traditional 1940s games and races with the kids, or try panning for gold. Come see dozens of remote-controlled model boats in action on the Dufferin Pond. Dominion Day

Note: Memory Lane Heritage Village has free-roaming farm animals on site and does not allow pets within the Village grounds.

Canada Day

5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte, B0J 1Y0, Eastern Shore

Halifax Lebanese Festival

The Lebanese festival is a yearly celebration of the Lebanese culture that proudly receives the Lebanese community of the HRM as well as people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Halifax Lebanese Festival

July 11 to 14, 2019

2304 Hunter Street, Halifax

Glendale Ceilidh Days

Gaelic Cultural Festival, workshops, and annual Scottish Concert. The Glendale Ceilidh Days culminates on Sunday with a popular outdoor concert from 2-5 pm that draws some of Cape Breton’s finest fiddlers, dancers, pipers, and Gaelic singers. Glendale Ceilidh Days

July 5-7, 2019

4248 Hwy 105, Glendale

Pictou Lobster Carnival

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 84 years!

The event features musical entertainment at the main stage, beer garden, Mardi Gras parade, children’s parade, antique car show, derby races, lobster boat races, mid-way rides, modified boat races, fireworks over the waterfront and many other activities. Pictou Lobster Carnival

July 5 to 7, 2019

Front Street, Pictou

Rural Summer Festival

The events will take place in Louisbourg to Marion Bridge & surrounding communities. Some of the events include: Family Beach Days, Summerfest Breakfast, Teddy Bear Picnic, Antique Car Display & Concert, Mini Olympics, Louisbourg Playhouse Performances and much, much more! Rural Summer Festival

July 13th to 21st, 2019

Louisbourg

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 will be back for this year’s festival. New Waterford Coal Dust Days

July 12 to July 21, 2019

Colliery Lands Park, 3696 Ellsworth Ave,
New Waterford

AFRIFEST Africa Festival of Art and Culture

Photo Credite: AFRIFEST Africa Festival of Art and Culture

The Africa Festival of Arts and Culture is an annual festival that showcases the unique cultural heritage and artistic works of people of African descent living in Nova Scotia. Major events of the festival include arts, crafts, visual and performing arts of people of African descent. Artists participating in the festival include those from Montreal, Toronto, Nigeria, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, the Caribbean and Italy. Artistic work includes arts and craft, drumming, Jazz, hip-hop, gospel music, stand-up comedy, literature, food, and lots more. AFRIFEST Africa Festival of Art and Culture

July 19 to 21, 2019

Lower Water Street, Halifax

Free

South Shore Exhibition (The Big Ex)

South Shore Exhibition is the largest agricultural exhibition in Nova Scotia. We have been around since 1891 and are located on 42 acres. The Big EX offers good, old-fashioned horse & oxen pulls daily, light horse competitions, show horse events, arts & crafts, 4-H, beef & dairy displays, rabbit & poultry displays, petting barn, music and performances from local groups. South Shore Exhibition (The Big Ex)

July 23 – 28, 2019

50 Exhibition Drive, Bridgewater

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!

Concerts take place every year, with music genres varying from Acadian, Cajun and even Bluegrass. The Festival ends on August 15th (National Acadian Day) with a Tintamarre, a traditional celebration where we go from one end of the region to the other while making the most noise possible! Festival Acadien De Clare

July 27 to August 3, 2019

Yarmouth & Acadian Shores

Halifax International Busker Festival

Photo Credit: Lacey Davey

Every summer, the Halifax Busker Festival entertains thousands across Halifax’s beautiful and historic downtown 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. Halifax International Busker Festival

July 31 to August 5, 2019

1601 Lower Water St., Halifax

Annual Louisbourg Crabfest

The Louisbourg Crab Festival is more than an event…it’s an experience. Whether you’re looking for the best seafood, the best entertainment or the best of friends – you’re part of the experience – you are the experience. Louisbourg Crab Festival

August 2 to 3, 2019

Louisbourg

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 gift, this is the place to be. Meet the artists, and chat about their art and inspirations. Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival

August 4, 2019

Green Street, Lunenburg

Digby Scallop Days

Digby Scallop Days is a 4-day celebration that takes place during the second weekend of August. This festival reflects on the local scallops and the fishermen who harvest them. Scallops from Digby, the Scallop Capital of the World, are known worldwide for their unique and succulent taste. The events include AquaGolf, DSD Scallop BBQ, 50/50 Draw, costume pet show, scallop shucking and demonstration events, children’s activities, lots of vendors with locally crafted items of all kinds, a huge car show and an awesome fireworks display to celebrate. Come enjoy some of the many events planned for children of all ages. Bring a lawn chair to listen to one of the many bands that will be playing, watch the kids activities, or try to shuck a scallop fresh from the water while talking to one of our scallop fishermen about life on the sea harvesting the World Famous Digby Scallops. Take a stroll along the waterfront, visit the wonderful shops and enjoy the scallop specials from one of the many local restaurants and enjoy the festivities. Details

August 8 to 11, 2019

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.Margaree Highland Games

August 9-11, 2019.

1181 East Margaree Road, Margaree

Marble Mountain Family Weekend

Get out with the family during the Marble Mountain Family Weekend. The weekend is full of free family activities like the community dinner, games, the marine poker run, and much more.Marble Mountain Family Weekend

TBA

5643 Marble Mountain Road, Marble Mountain

Tintamarre of the Festival Acadien de Clare

The oldest Acadian festival in the world. Tintamarre of the Festival Acadien de Clare has always been a celebration of the unique Acadian heritage and culture. The noise parade or the Tintamerre is the most popular events of the Festival Acadien de Clare, and there is a concert at Universite Sainte-Anne. Tintamarre of the Festival Acadien de Clare

August 15, 2019

Church Point

Barrington Municipal Exhibition

The Big Little Ex! Enjoy local fruits and vegetables. So, enjoy the amazing food, and see the work of local artists. There is live entertainment all weekend long, including Ox hauls and petting zoos. Barrington Municipal Exhibition

August 15 – 18, 2019

Barrington

$3 – $8

The Colchester Highland Games and Gathering

The Colchester Highland Games and Gathering is not just a traditional Scottish Highland Games it is a multicultural gathering of the peoples of Colchester & beyond. The games include all the traditional elements of a Highland Gathering including Heavyweights, Highland Dancers, and Pipes & Drums.The Colchester Highland Games and Gathering

September 7, 2019

73 Ryland Ave, Truro

Hammer In: Blacksmithing Festival

Blacksmithing is an ancient art that creates amazing items. Children 8 and up can learn how blacksmithing works, and what items can be created using this ancient art at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. There is also the Fortress of Louisbourg to explore. Hummer In: Blacksmithing Festival

August 31 – September 1, 2019

58 Wolfe Street, Louisbourg

Annual Starlight Festival

Celebrate the window to the universe. The clear and dark skies of Southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada, allow for jaw-dropping views of the night time sky and Milky Way! Along with the amazing skies, there is also the rest of Acadian Skies and Mi’kmaq Lands to explore.Annual Starlight Festival

August 19 to 25, 2019

Argyle, Clare, and Yarmouth Municipalities

St. Peter’s Pirate Days

Ahoy matey’s – 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!

September 12 to 15, 2019

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 us for 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. Harvest Fest

October

Kentville, NS

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.Celtic Colours International Festival

October 11 – 19, 2019

Baddeck, Cabot Trail

Did we miss any? Leave a comment below!

Nova Scotia Forest Festival

Reconnect with nature at the Nova Scotia Forest Festival. There are many hands-on activities, and demonstrations to learn about the forest and the logging industry. The Cookhouse will be serving up traditional lumberjack meals, cooked and served the traditional ways. Nova Scotia Forest Festival

October 26, 2019

Memory Lane Heritage Village, 5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte

Christmas at the Causeway

The annual Winter Festival of Lights is a celebration of both Christmas and a kick off for the Lobster Season. A must see attraction is the giant Lobster Trap Christmas Tree decorated with buoys of present day fishermen and in memory of those fishermen who have passed on and/or who have been lost at sea. The festival is kicked off with the lighting of the Lobster Trap tree and a spectacular display of fireworks over Barrington Bay! Also check out the wonderful parade of lights. Christmas at the Causeway

November 21 – December 14, 2019