Things to Do This Fall in Nova Scotia – 2026 Events, Activities & Festivals

Nova Scotia is a magical place where it is easy to escape the huge buildings of the cities into a world of beautiful, vibrant colours. When fall comes, there are many things for visitors to do around Nova Scotia.

No matter if you are looking to pick your own fruits and veggies, visit corn mazes, or go on hikes, there is definitely something for you to do.

Listed below are some ideas for things that you can do this fall in Nova Scotia.

I. Events & Festivals

Hike NS Fall Guided Hike Series

Explore the amazing forest and trails across Nova Scotia with Hike Nova Scotia and the 30 host organizations. The Hike NS Fall Guide Hike Series is made up of 58 hikes, which are led by locals. Most of the hikes are free, but some have pre-registration requirements.
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Valley Ghost Talks

Join Jerome the GraveKeeper for a tour of the Valley and its dark past. Valley Ghost Talks are stationary, sit-down, outside, 1.75-hour, family-friendly, historical productions with Jerome the Gravekeeper and his ghostly friends. The talks are a spooky way of learning about the history of the area. To reduce the chills, make sure to bundle up as the Valley Ghost Talks takes place rain or shine. The 2026 Ghost Walks & Ghost Talks will rotate between: Wolfville, Kentville, Windsor, Halls Harbour, Landscape Grand Pré View Park, & more.
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Various dates, until November 7, 2026

Magnetic World Music Festival

Join us for Magnetic World, an interstellar EDM and Hip Hop experience at Citadel Hill. With a world-class lineup, prepare for a cosmic journey through sound.
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September 25 – 26, 2026

Garrison Grounds, Halifax

Halifax Magic Festival

Experience a full day of illusion, comedy, mystery, and live variety entertainment at the Halifax Magic Festival 2026.

The one-day festival transforms Dartmouth’s historic Sanctuary Art Centre into a world of wonder, featuring family-friendly magic, full-length theatrical performances, close-up encounters, comedy, mentalism, and an immersive evening showcase.
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September 19, 2026

The Sanctuary Art Centre, 100 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth

East Coast Ukrainian Festival

The East Coast Ukrainian Festival 2026 will celebrate contemporary and future-oriented Ukraine as well as traditional roots.
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September 27, 2026

Steele Wheels Motor Museum, Halifax

Prismatic Arts Festival

The Prismatic Arts Festival is a national, multidisciplinary arts festival that showcases and celebrates innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada. Enjoy vibrant, boundary-pushing new works in theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts, media arts, and spoken word this fall in Halifax.
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September 26 – October 4, 2026

Varies (free and ticketed)

Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival

Mahone Bay comes alive for autumn during the 30th Annual Scarecrow Festival, one of the South Shore’s signature fall traditions. More than 250 life-sized, handmade scarecrows appear on porches, along streets, outside businesses, and throughout gardens around town. Created by local artists and volunteers, the displays range from familiar pop-culture characters to imaginative original creations, turning Mahone Bay into a walkable outdoor gallery.
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September 25 to October 12, 2026

Varies (free and ticketed)

Parrsboro Film Festival

Enjoy three days of short film competitions, speakers, and film viewing at the 15th annual Parrsboro Film Festival.
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October 2 – 4, 2026

44 King Street, Parrsboro

The Deep Roots Music Festival

Wolfville is full of music during The Deep Roots Music Festival. This year, the festival takes place over 3 days.
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September 24 – 27, 2026

Wolfville

Nova Scotia Forest Festival

Dress in your best plain and head to the woods for an exciting a day at the Nova Scotia Forest Festival. The festival highlights how Nova Scotians connect to forests through livelihood, housing, recreation, food, and heritage. The event concludes with the Golden Axe-throwing Tournament, where local businesses compete for the top spot.
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October 3, 2026

5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte

South Shore Oktoberfest

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, celebration, and East Coast energy at the South Shore Oktoberfest Concert! Hear Canada’s most iconic hip-hop artists — Classified! Don’t miss this lively Oktoberfest celebration in the scenic town of Lunenburg!
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September 26 – 27, 2026

68 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg

Kentville Pumpkin People Festival

If you visit Kentville in October, you will see over 300 pumpkin people and dozens of displays set up all around the town. Who knows what kind of crazy antics you will see these gourd-headed guys getting up to! To make sure you don’t miss a display, make sure to download the Pumpkin Person Map.
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October 3 – 25, 2026

Kentville

Windsor Pumpkin Regatta and Build Your Own Boat Race

Head to the Windsor waterfront for the famous Pumpkin Regatta, where racers cross Lake Pisiquid in giant carved-out pumpkins. Festivities begin with a community parade around 10:00 a.m., followed by people-powered, motorized and creative pumpkin races. First held in 1999, this quirky Windsor tradition is recognized as the world’s first organized pumpkin boat race and fall celebration.
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October 4, 2026

Lake Pisiquid, Windsor

Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta

Enjoy giant pumpkin weigh-ins, carving, local vendors, family activities and plenty of seasonal fun. The highlight is the unforgettable regatta, where paddlers race across Shelburne Harbour in decorated, hollowed-out giant pumpkins as spectators cheer from shore along the waterfront.
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October 9 & 10, 2026

Dock Street, Shelburne

Celtic Colours International Festival

Celtic Colours International Festival is a unique celebration of Cape Breton’s living traditional culture. The nine-day festival is packed with hundreds of activities and events across Cape Breton (mostly online this year). Celtic Colours has grown to be one of Canada’s premiere musical events and cultural highlights, which continues to grow with each passing year.
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October 9 – 17, 2026

Various locations, Cape Breton Island

Devour! The Food Film Fest

Devour! The Food Film Fest is the largest culinary film festival in the world. Gather your ‘Foodie’ friends and celebrate together at the festival with great local wines and scrumptious food. Wolfville has been called Canada’s Secret Foodie Destination’ by The Hollywood Reporter, since it is surrounded by many wineries, farmers and other producers. There are over 90 events that make up this popular festival.
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October 19 – 25, 2026

Wolfville

Nocturne 2026

Nocturne: Ground is a must-see event. Each October, this popular festival brings art and energy to the streets of Halifax/K’jipuktuk. It is an independent, free, contemporary art festival in that showcases contemporary and celebrates the visual arts scene in Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia.
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October 15 – 18, 2026

Halifax

Hal-con

If you are a geek, nerd, or love sci-fi, horror, comics, or pop culture, then you need to make your way to Hal-con this October. It is a weekend filled with great panels, and vendors, and you can meet some of your favorite stars at this Halifax convention.
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November 6 – 8, 2026

Halifax Convention Center, Halifax

Christmas in the Country

Returning for the fourth year, you can get a jump on your Christmas shopping. Make sure you dress warmly because most of the vendors are outside. There will also be a local photographer doing photos with Santa, live music, and a food truck on-site.
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November 7, 2026

1582 Black Rock Rd, Waterville

Fall Fun Weekends at Dempsey Corner Orchards

During the fall, Dempsey Corner Orchards is the place to be for u-pick apples, pears, peaches, blueberries and other farm fresh fruit and vegetables. Depending on weekend, there could be fun harvest activities going along with their U-pick. Check out their Facebook page to find out whats happening at the orchard.
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2717 Highway 221, Aylesford

RiverBreeze Fear Farm

When night falls on the RiverBreeze Farm, the ghouls and monsters come alive. Find your way through the farm to make it out alive before what goes bump in the night gets you. Are you brave enough to enter the four haunted houses and two mazes at the fear farm?
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Friday & Saturday nights, October 3 – 31, 2026

660 Onslow Road, Truro

4 Way Stop Live

Take a trip through the golden years of rock and roll when 4 Way Stop returns to Stage1 at Mill Cove Brew Pub. The band delivers a nostalgia-filled live show built around timeless favourites from artists including The Beatles, Elton John, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, The Eagles, and Elvis Presley. Expect familiar melodies, vocal harmonies, classic-rock energy, and plenty of opportunities to sing and dance along. Details

October 2 & December 11, 2026

Mill Cove Brew Pub, 961 Bedford Highway, Bedford

Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour

The Halifax Citadel and the city has a long, dark past that is full of things that cannot be explained. The Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour takes you to the areas in the city that are claimed to be haunted. The tours are offered on select dates and times in summer and fall.
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Nova Scotia Music Week

Over the course of four days, this event showcases artists, music enthusiasts, and industry professionals who come together from Nova Scotia and beyond, crafting an exceptional musical experience.
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November 12-15, 2026

Yarmouth

LOUD WOMEN Fest Halifax

Turn up the volume at LOUD WOMEN Fest Halifax 2026, an evening celebrating women and non-binary artists from Nova Scotia, across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Built around DIY music, community, and artists doing things on their own terms, the festival is part of an international movement dedicated to putting more women and gender-diverse musicians on stages around the world.
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October 24, 2026

Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax

Dumpling Fest Halifax

Experience different restaurants and tastes that may include Chinese soup dumplings, Indian kofta, Korean mandu, Mexican empanadas, Nepalese momos, Vietnamese potstickers and more. The evening tasting extravaganza is on Wednesday, October 7, from 5 pm until 9 pm.
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October 7, 2026

Halifax

See Some of Nova Scotia’s Largest Vegetables

Fall is just not fall without pumpkins of all sizes and Howard Dill’s Pumpkin Farm grows some of Nova Scotia’s largest. Make sure to bring a camera since there are lots of photo opportunities around the farm.
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September & October | Daily | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

400 College Road, Windsor

Valley Harvest Marathon

Celebrating its 31st year, the Valley Harvest Marathon is a cherished Thanksgiving weekend tradition in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. This event beautifully captures the spirit of the region, known as the agricultural hub, apple capital, and winery haven of Atlantic Canada.
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October 10 & 11, 2026

Town of Wolfville

Acadia Christmas Craft Expo

The Acadia Craft Expo is the longest-running Christmas Craft Fair in Nova Scotia and has become an established tradition for generations of makers, crafters, and the public.
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November 20 – 22, 2026

550 Main Street, Wolfville

Halloween and Fall Project Workshop

Make your own Halloween and Fall decor at Urban Rustic DIY Studio. They just got new fall designs for you to make and customize. They also offer private workshops, so why not plan a fun family day and make amazing fall memories.
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Various dates

Urban Rustic DIY Studio, 534 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville

Antigonish Jazz Festival

Enjoy three days of music across the Town of Antigonish showcasing the musical talents of local, regional, and international artists and ensembles.
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November 5 – 7, 2026

Antigonish

Pictou Christmas Light-up

Join us in Pictou at Market Square for the annual Christmas Light-up event, marking the start of the holiday season.
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2026 dates TBA; November 28, 2025

40 Water Street, Pictou

Sherbrooke Village Old Fashioned Christmas

Sherbrooke Village’s Old Fashioned Christmas is a festive celebration for the whole family. Enjoy a lit Christmas tree, fireworks, Santa, craft sales, parades, entertainment, and more! The village will be beautifully illuminated by 65,000 lights each evening from 6 to 10 pm, continuing until early January.
Details

TBA; November 28 – 30, 2025

Sherbrooke, Eastern Shore

Outdoor Activities

U-picks

Rendell’s Farm – Point Aconi, Mill Creek

Rendell’s Farm is best known for their strawberry u-pick, but they grow more than just strawberries on their farm. They also grow pumpkins, and you can walk the pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin. They also grow a giant pumpkin every year.

Vista Bella Farm Orchard and Apiary – Malagash

During September and October, you can pick your own apples at the Vista Bella Farm Orchard and Apiary. There are kid-friendly activities to keep them entertained at the farm. There is a cidery for adults to check out, and their store sells hard cider, honey, and seasonal vegetables.

Morse’s Farm Ltd. – Berwick

Located in Berwick, Morse’s Farm is a popular location for u-pick strawberries and pumpkins, along with fresh potatoes. From mid-September until Halloween, they offer a wide variety of pumpkins, squash, and gourds.

Boates Farm – Woodville

Boates Farm has been open since 1960. Today, they grow a variety of apples and pears. Boates uses as few chemical inputs as possible, so you can trust your fruit is good for you.  They also sell picked fruit, vinegar, and sweet cider.

Elderkin’s Farm Market and U-pick – Greenwich

Right outside of Wolfville is Elderkin’s Farm Market and U-pick. They offer u-pick apples, pears, strawberries, and pumpkins. You can buy pre-picked fruits and veggies at their store, along with Elderkin’s hard apple cider, fresh baked goods, and soft-serve ice cream.

Foote Family Farm – Woodville

On the North Mountain in Woodville is the lovely Foote Family Farm. They grow cherries, plums, pears, and apples. You can spend a day with the family picking your own apples, then after picking you can relax and enjoy a glass of freshly pressed apple cider.

Oakview Farm – Kingsport

Oakview Farm is a no-spray farm that offers u-pick fruits and vegetables, along with many varieties of flowers. You can check their Facebook page to see what fruits and vegetables are in season, along with the days and times when their U-picks are open.

Stonehenge Farm – Aylesford

During a visit to Stonehenge Farm, you can also pick a variety of apples. 2026 season opening TBA.

Willowbank Upick Farm – Port Williams

Willowbank Upick Farm opens the second weekend in September and is open until the end of October. There are apples and pumpkins ready for you to pick. While you are there, be sure to go on the wagon rides and visit the petting zoo.

Terra Beata Cranberry Farm – Lunenburg

Located in Lunenburg, the Terra Beata Cranberry Farm allows you to pick your own cranberries or buy them. They also have gourmet cranberry preserves in the Bog Store. They are one of the largest cranberry farms in Nova Scotia.

Howard Dill Enterprises – Windsor

Howard Dill was the four-time World Champion pumpkin grower, and on his farm, you can see the huge pumpkins that they still grow there. The farm also has a pumpkin patch with regular-sized pumpkins that they pick and display around the farm, so you can pick one to buy and take home.