now - Nova Scotia

2016 Don’t Miss Events
15
Come celebrate with us at these top-notch events in 2016!
Get details on these and many more at novascotia.com.
Specific event information may change from time of printing, so please confirm dates
online before finalizing your plans.
Antigonish Highland Games, Antigonish
July 3–10
Held annually for over 150 years, “The Games” are a true
showcase of Scottish culture. The week-long schedule of
events blends spirited competition featuring athletes, pipeand-drum bands, and highland dancers from across the country
and around the world, with Scottish-flavoured ceilidhs, clan
activities, and concerts. antigonishhighlandgames.ca
June
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax
June 30–July 7
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is one of the world’s
premiere indoor cultural and entertainment events, featuring
over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and
civilian performers. nstattoo.ca
July
Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso
July 1–3
Some of the finest songwriters and performers in North
America gather at this international festival to celebrate the
lasting contributions Stan Rogers has made to folk music.
Discover the worlds of folk, jazz, Celtic, gospel, and bluegrass
in the picturesque seaside setting of Canso. stanfest.com
KitchenFest! | Féis a’ Chidsin!,
various locations around Cape Breton
July 2–9
Nova Scotians are known for our hospitality and throwing a
good down-home kitchen party. Take in one of the dozens
of concerts and events happening around Cape Breton
and kick off the summer while kicking up your heels!
gaeliccollege.edu/kitchenfest
The oldest jazz festival
and largest summer festival in the Atlantic region,
marking 30 years in 2016,
features the best of the
East Coast alongside
a strong international
lineup. Our stages
proudly present jazz—
the heart and soul of our
programming—as well as
TD Halifax Jazz Festival
its counterparts: world,
blues, Latin, and much more. halifaxjazzfestival.ca
Halifax Pride Festival, Halifax
July 14–24
Join more than 150,000 participants at Canada’s fourth-largest
and Atlantic Canada’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ Pride
Festival. This celebration is reflective of the best of the LGBTQ+
community and culture in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia.
Come out and celebrate the community with cruises, an interfaith service, the Halifax Pride Parade, and, to close out the
celebration, a dazzling fireworks display. halifaxpride.com
Halifax International Busker Festival, Halifax
July 27– August 1
Historic Halifax waterfront comes alive with entertaining, actionpacked shows. Featuring street performers from all across the
globe, this event is a family-oriented, free-to-attend festival
event with music, magic, and fun for all tastes. buskers.ca
Don’t Miss Events
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
TD Halifax
Jazz Festival, Halifax
July 13–17
The distinctive venue of the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee
provides a truly unique experience for music lovers. Setting
the stage for the region’s rising stars to perform alongside
seasoned local and international musicians, the event is an
eclectic mix of rock, blues, folk, and country music.
jubilee.ns.ca
Halifax Pride Festival
novascotia.com
New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee, New Glasgow
July 29–31
Photo: Chris Smith
16
Festival acadien de Clare
Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie
August
Festival de l’Escaouette, Chéticamp
August 3–7
The festival celebrates the rich Acadian culture and traditions
with a variety of music, dance, theatre, kitchen parties, a parade,
and many more activities for all ages. cheticamp.ca
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Lunenburg
August 4–7
The Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival celebrates roots and
traditional music at its best. Nova Scotia’s longest-running folk
festival brings the best in traditional and contemporary music
to scenic Lunenburg, showcasing great Nova Scotian and
international talent. folkharbour.com
Seaport Beerfest, Halifax
August 5–6
Enjoy “beer on the pier” at Atlantic Canada’s largest gathering
of craft beer, cider, and imports. With over 100 producers on
hand from all over Canada and the world, don’t miss your
chance to sample a variety of brews, including those crafted
right here in Nova Scotia! Delicious food and toe-tapping
music round out the festival. seaportbeerfest.com
Don’t Miss Events
Festival acadien de Clare, Clare
August 7–15
The modern marries with the traditional at the oldest Acadian
festival in the world. Celebrate with concerts featuring
Acadian, Cajun, bluegrass, and contemporary music. Take in
art and quilt expositions, enjoy a nature hike showcasing the
beauty of Baie Sainte-Marie, and experience the Tintamarre, a
noise parade and walk on National Acadian Day on August 15.
festivalacadiendeclare.ca
Chester Race Week, Chester
August 10–13
The Chester area is no stranger to yacht racing. With firm
roots in sailing dating back to more than 150 years ago, this
quintessential Nova Scotia village welcomes dozens of racers
to Canada’s largest keel racing regatta each year. Enjoy lots of
action both on and off the water! chesterraceweek.com
novascotia.com
Shelburne Kayak Festival, Shelburne
August 19–21
Calling all paddlers! Bring your sea kayak and enjoy two days
of workshops, clinics, entertainment, campfires, demonstrations, and of course, guided paddles of the picturesque
Shelburne Harbour. Fun for paddlers of all abilities and ages.
shelburnekayakfestival.ca
September
Atlantic Film Festival, Halifax
September 15–22
The Atlantic Film Festival is an eight-day celebration of film,
media, and music from around the world in Halifax. It features
Halifax Pop Explosion
screenings, industry panels, events, receptions, special
presentations, and awards ceremonies in a charming and
historical coastal city setting. atlanticfilm.com
Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival, Wolfville
September 23–25
The festival celebrates Nova Scotia’s rich and diverse musical
traditions, blending the music of our founding cultures with
modern roots music from across North America and around
the world. Activities, including ones especially for young
people, take place throughout the festival. deeprootsmusic.ca
Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie
September 24–25
Participants will be challenged by the Gran 117-kilometre
loop while novice cyclists may prefer the shorter 35-kilometre
Piccolo Fondo ride or split the difference with the 67-kilometre Medio Fondo. Cyclists will navigate rolling inland
roads and pass by towering wooden churches along the
panoramic coastal route that hugs beautiful Baie Sainte-Marie.
Acadian culture is highlighted during the social event on the
Saturday before the ride. granfondobaiesaintemarie.ca
October
Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton
October 7–15
Autumn is the time when the sounds of fiddles, pipes, and
voices in song echo over the Island. This festival is an event
to remember, with over 250 musicians, dancers, singers, and
storytellers at venues across the Island. celtic-colours.com
Nocturne: Art at Night, Halifax & Dartmouth
October 15
This fall festival brings art and energy to the streets of Halifax
and Dartmouth. Take in dozens of displays of visual art in
galleries and public spaces throughout the city. Be sure to
download the app or pick up your map before heading out.
This event is completely free. nocturnehalifax.ca
Halifax Pop Explosion, Halifax
October 19–22
One of Canada’s most respected festivals of new and
emerging music, art, and culture, the Halifax Pop Explosion
is a festival and conference celebrating cutting-edge music,
culture, and media. halifaxpopexplosion.com
November
Devour! The Food Film Fest, Wolfville
November 2–6
This international festival celebrating cinema, food, and wine
culture attracts top-notch chefs from around the globe to the
picturesque town of Wolfville, nestled in Nova Scotia’s wine
country in the Annapolis Valley. Festival-goers enjoy food films,
wine tours, farmers’ market events, special dinners, chef
demonstrations, tastings, and pop-ups. devourfest.com