Photo Credit: Nova Scotia Ice Wine Festival
Nova Scotia’s culinary scene has taken off in the last decade, thanks to Nova Scotia’s location, climate, and history. There are many local producers who are creating unique, tasty meals and drinks. Each region of Nova Scotia brings its own flair to new and traditional items.
One of the best ways of exploring Nova Scotia is by enjoying the local food, beer, and wine. There are many festivals during the year across the province to pick from. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Nova Scotia’s Food, Beer, and Wine Festivals.
Eat Drink Halifax
Eat Drink Halifax is the ultimate all-inclusive evening of local food, craft beer, cider and live music. Hosted by Curated Magazine Halifax. Details
January 16, 2020
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hote, l1919 Upper Water St, Halifax
$75 – $90
Nova Scotia Icewine Festival
February 16, 17, 23, 24, 2019
Lightfoot & Wolfville Winery, Wolfville, NS
$40
NSLC Festival of Whisky
Discover new flavours, tastings, great food and much more! Details
February 28-March 2, 2019
Various Venues, Halifax
$25 – $150
Halifax Burger Week
Burger Week has become a local favorite and Haligonians go nuts for this special week every year. Restaurants across Halifax create special burgers that you can try at some seriously discounted prices and complete to see who has the best burger in the city. Details
Around Halifax, NS
March 28 to April 3, 2019
Annual Easter Egg Hunt Wine Tour
Join in the fun on this special tour to celebrate Easter! The tour includes a private wine tasting in a divine setting at Avondale Sky Winery and a private tour and wine tasting at our newest winery Lightfoot & Wolfville. Also, visit Grand Pre Wines to enjoy a wine tasting of 6 wines, each one paired with decadent chocolate! At each winery, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. Find the most chocolate eggs and win a bottle of wine! This tour is limited to just 12 seats, so book early. Details
April 20, 2019
Uncork Nova Scotia Wine Tours, Wolfville
$87 per person plus HST
The NSLC Bordeaux Week
As one of France’s oldest and largest wine-making regions, Bordeaux is home to a broad range of wines and some of the finest vineyards in the world. Best known for its ruby red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Bordeaux’s specialties also include its light and lively whites that combine Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
Get to know the most famous wine region in the world through Bordeaux Week.Details
April 23 to 27, 2019
Various Venues, NS
Free and ticketed events
Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week
Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week, hosted by the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, is the largest celebration of craft beer in eastern Canada. It features over 15 events hosted all over Nova Scotia and draws craft beer enthusiasts from across Canada and the United States.Details
Main Event: May 4, 2019
Various Venues, NS
Free and ticketed events
Cold Waters Seafood Festival
The cold clear waters of the Eastern Shore yields 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.
So, enjoy the 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. Details
June 1 – June 2, 2019
5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte, B0J 1Y0, Eastern Shore
Festival Pass: $5/person, under 12 years are free
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 6 – 9, 2019
Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
Rhubarb Festival
June 6, 2019 | 1:00 PM to 03:00 PM
91 Old Church Road, Lower West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Lower West Pubnico, B0W 2C0, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
$5 – $6
Lunch Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Centre
Stop in and experience a famous Lunch Ceilidhs in the Ceilidh Pub featuring authentic live Celtic music with some of Cape Breton’s best up and coming and seasoned musicians, 7 days a week. The menu features Nova Scotia favourites including seafood chowder, traditional lobster sandwich, fish cakes, Seafood linguini, a variety of grilled sandwiches, burgers, fresh salads, tasty desserts and more, all house made with local ingredients. There is a fully licensed bar offers a variety of local craft beer including Big Spruce & Breton Brewing, local craft cider, local wine, coolers and spirits, old fashioned floats and more. Details
June 3-October 13, 2019
5471 Highway 19, Judique
Cocktail Festival
This premier event celebrates and supports the cocktail industry in Halifax. Featuring bottomless educational opportunities, unfathomable experiences, and showcasing the best of Nova Scotia product and talent, Drink Atlantic brings together the drinker, the maker, and the crafter, to concoct a holistic beverage experience and entice Halifax to drink better. 19+. Cocktail Festival
June 6 – 8, 2019
The Port NSLC, 5485 Clyde St, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Savour the Sea Harbour Tours and Wharfside Dinner
This foodie adventure begins with a tour of Yarmouth Harbour. Your guides—and local lobster fishermen—will share stories of life on the water and get you clapping along to local tunes. Docking at Yarmouth Bar, you’ll enjoy a wharfside, three-course lobster dinner, made with local ingredients, paired with Nova Scotia wine and beer, and complete with live music and dancing! Offered on Wednesdays from June 13 to September 12. Details
2019: TBA//June 13 – September 12, 2018
96 Water Street, Yarmouth
$129.99
East Coast Cider Festival
Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2901 Windsor Street, Halifax
$30 to $35
Yarmouth Craft Beer Festival
Celebrate craft brewing in the Maritimes. Two tasting sessions and The HOP Run! Over 15 breweries and cideries this year to be serving up almost 100 different varieties of amazing craft beer and cider. Details
June 1, 2019
417 Main St, Yarmouth
$10 to $45
Highland Lobster Supper
June 16, 2019
4382 Rte 337, Lakevale
2018: $8 – $20
East Coast Craft Beer Festival
This event replaces the Cask Beer Throwdown while capturing the spirit of the wildly popular East Coast Cider Festival. Guests can expect a good mix of craft breweries from the east coast and special guest, Dominion City from Ottawa. A variety of cask beers will also be available at this event. Craft Beer Festival
June 29, 2019 | 6:00 PM 9:00 PM
Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre
$35
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. Details
July 5 to 7, 2019
Water Street, Digby, B0V 1A0, Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley
Halifax Ribfest
Photo Credit: Rib Fest Halifax
Enjoy finger licking good ribs along with fun entertainment, live music and more! Along with pork ribs there will be beef ribs, chicken, corn, french fries, kettle corn, ice cream,gluten free options and much more. Details
June 28 – July 1, 2019
Halifax waterfront at 1521 Lower Water Street.
free admission
“Beaux Vendredis” Lobster, Clam and Crab Suppers
June 28 – August 30, 2019
3255 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove
$12 – $20
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. Details
July 5 – 7, 2019
Front Street, Pictou
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. Details
August 2 – August 3, 2019
Louisbourg
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.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 – 11, 2019
Water St, Digby
Halifax Seaport Beerfest
Atlantic Canada’s largest gathering of Craft Beer, Specialty, Import & Cider! Breweries and agents representing over 110 producers will be on hand to sample and discuss over 300 unique products. Special pavilions from regions such as BC, ON, QC & Ireland highlight Craft Beer not normally found in NS. Plenty of local Craft Beer as well, including the new TAP LOCAL! Pavilion. Details
August 9 & 10, 2019
961 Marginal Road, Halifax
$45 – $70
Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival
Enjoy a HUGE schedule of events including live music, community picnics, teas, suppers and pancake breakfasts, farmers markets, pie eating and baking contests, quilt fairs, exhibitions, children’s activities, U-Picks, processing tours, blueberry wine fest, beer gardens, kitchen parties and more! Details
August 16 – 31, 2019
Amherst, Truro, Oxford, Parrsboro, Tatamagouche, and Kempt Shore
Halifax Oyster Fest
One of late summer’s marquee events on the Halifax waterfront, the Halifax Oyster Festival showcases the Maritimes’ best oysters, craft brew, spirits and wine. Enjoy All-you-can-sample raw oysters from Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunwick, A selection of chowder, bbq, fries and clams for purchase, Wine, craft beer, cider, and caesar drink samples for purchase
Shuck n’ learn station the Back Bay Board, annual Nova Scotia Oyster Shucking Competition and more! Details
October 4 & 5, 2019
Halifax Waterfront
Harvest Fest
The 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 u-picks, special meals, and beer and wine tastings during the rest of the month. Details
October
Annapolis Valley
Celtic Oktoberfest
Cape Breton’s all inclusive craft beer, local food and Celtic music gathering!
The festival showcases the best of Nova Scotian craft beer and Cape Breton food. The addition of a local winery broadens the appeal of the event which attracts approximately 400 people each year. Details
October 12, 2019
Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre
Cape Breton Beer Fest
November 30, 2019
Sydney