Many a festive and eventful choice is yours in Nova Scotia! With hundreds of festivals and events in communities throughout the province, all you need to do is choose your favourite month to experience year-round fun in Canada's ocean playground. Here's just a small selection of all that we have to offer!
YEAR LONG
Annapolis Royal 300th Anniversary Celebrations, 1710 – 2010
2010 marks the 300th anniversary of the naming of Annapolis Royal and you're invited to a year of special events in and around historic Annapolis Royal. From parties, concerts and Heritage Day celebrations to reunions, and re-enactments, there's so much to see and do. For an Events Schedule, visit www.annapolisroyal.com.
Membertou 400th: Celebrating the Nation
June 24, 2010 represents the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Kji Saqamaw (Grand Chief) Membertou at Port Royale Nova Scotia. This single event signalled the peaceful intensions between the Mi'kmaq and the nations of Europe, with whom the Mi'kmaq had first met through the arrival of the French. Many unique and significant celebrations are planned involving communities across Nova Scotia.
Planters 2010 Celebration in Nova Scotia - 250th Anniversary, 1760-2010
In 2010 we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the arrival of the New England Planters (settlers) in Hants and Kings Counties in Nova Scotia. Under proclamations issued in 1758 and 1759 Governor Lawrence offered free land and attractive terms (including an elected assembly and freedom of religion) to Protestants willing to move to Nova Scotia. In 1760 the first of the New England Planters settled the townships of Newport, Falmouth, Cornwallis and Horton. Many Planter descendants still live in the area, some on the original land grants.
www.planter2010.ca
JULY
July 1-8 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax
Featuring over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers, the NS Tattoo continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world's premier cultural and entertainment events. This fast-moving, fun-filled spectacular featuring international, military and civilian performers has something for the entire family.
www.nstattoo.ca
July 1-4 Privateer Days, Liverpool
This historically based festival strives to recreate the privateering era, with re-enactments, a downtown festival, sporting events, music and more! Step back to 1780 for a celebration of the area's colourful privateering history.
www.privateerdays.com
July 3-5 Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso
An international festival of songwriters and a musical adventure that pays tribute to a great Canadian singer/songwriter. The world of folk music, jazz, celtic, gospel, bluegrass and more is yours to discover in this seaside setting. 2010 brings an enhanced and expanded site featuring new and improved onsite facilities.
www.stanfest.com
July 4-11 Antigonish Highland Games
Dating back to 1863, the Antigonish Highland Games are a mid-July tradition that welcomes visitors and participants from across the globe. Visitors will enjoy the heavy events, highland dancing, piping and drumming, concerts, ceilidhs and much more.
www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca
July 9-11 Pictou Lobster Carnival
This three-day festival celebrates the end of the fishing season in the area, maritime culture and music. The "carnie" features musical performances, beer garden, Mardi Gras parade, antique car show, derby races, boat races, mid-way, children's parade and other activities the whole family will enjoy.
www.pictoulobstercarnival.ca
July 9-17 TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival, Halifax
The groove kicks in as Halifax comes alive with an eclectic smorgasbord of jazz, world beat, blues and urban groove at this annual nine-day festival featuring the best of the East Coast alongside a strong international line-up.
www.jazzeast.com
July 14-24 Yarmouth Seafest
First celebrated in 1979, Yarmouth Seafest is a celebration of life by the sea. Events include a parade of lights, chowder cook-off, children's parade and a lobster eating challenge. Also keep an eye out for the rum-running races, the Seafest Queen pageant, Lighthouse Day and much more.
www.seafest.ca
July 18-25 Halifax Pride Week Festival
Atlantic Canada's largest LGBTQ cultural festival, Pride Week is a celebration of the best of the LGBTQ community and culture in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia.
www.halifaxpride.com
July 1-August 22 Festival de l'Escaouette
Celebrate the region's rich Acadian culture and traditions with a variety of music, dance, theatre and a parade. The highlight of the eight-week festival is Le Grand Cercle, a musical depicting the history of Acadie in a series of tableaux that brings together more than 200 local performers.
www.festivallescaouette.com
July 29-August 15 Festival acadien de Clare
Canada's largest and oldest annual Acadian cultural festival with fun-filled activities for all ages promoting our Acadian heritage.
www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca
July 29-August 1 Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival
A family festival celebrating Mahone Bay's heritage as a wooden boat building community. See classic boats in the water and on the wharf, participate in workshops and enjoy the parade, fireworks and entertainment.
www.mahonebayclassicboatfestival.org
July 30-August 1 New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee
Known as a mainstay of tourism in Pictou County and a signature music event in Nova Scotia, this three-time Music Nova Scotia Event of the Year recipient and East Coast Music Association Event of the Year nominee continues to be one of the best entertainment values in Atlantic Canada. From its scenic outdoor setting on the East River, the jubilee promises music lovers the most intimate and engaging music experience of its kind. Each year’s outstanding lineup continues to deliver on the jubilee's proud tradition of setting the stage for this region's rising stars to perform alongside seasoned East Coast, Canadian and international acts.
www.newglasgow.ca
July 20-August 2 Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival, Halifax
Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth, a time when citizens, former citizens, guests and visitors celebrate our civic holiday. Take in parades, live entertainment, sporting activities, family events and the biggest, most elaborate fireworks display of the year!
www.natalday.org
AUGUST
August 5-9 Digby Scallop Days
Celebrate one of the world's largest scallop fleets with musical events, scallop shucking competitions, parades and more! Come taste how many ways succulent scallops can be prepared.
www.digbyscallopdays.com
August 5-8 Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
Celebrate roots and traditional music at its best! An intimate festival experience not to be missed as musical memories are made by the sea.
www.folkharbour.com
August 5-15 Halifax International Busker Festival
Street performers from all over the world come to town for this 11-day event with music, magic and fun for the whole family along the Halifax waterfront.
www.buskers.ca
August 20-September 4 Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival, Fundy/Northumberland
Enjoy a variety of events sharing the wild blueberry theme as communities throughout the region celebrate the harvest of Nova Scotia's provincial berry with live music and theatre, farm markets, community suppers and pancake breakfasts, cooking competitions and bake sales, pie-eating contests, a blueberry mash and more!
Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition, www.wildblueberryfest.com
Click here to view events from September to December 2010
For more information on the best of festivals and events
Halifax has to offer, go to:
And for more information on all that you can see and do
throughout Nova Scotia, go to:
Annapolis Royal 300th Anniversary Celebrations, 1710 – 2010
2010 marks the 300th anniversary of the naming of Annapolis Royal and you're invited to a year of special events in and around historic Annapolis Royal. From parties, concerts and Heritage Day celebrations to reunions, and re-enactments, there's so much to see and do. For an Events Schedule, visit www.annapolisroyal.com.
Membertou 400th: Celebrating the Nation
June 24, 2010 represents the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Kji Saqamaw (Grand Chief) Membertou at Port Royale Nova Scotia. This single event signalled the peaceful intensions between the Mi'kmaq and the nations of Europe, with whom the Mi'kmaq had first met through the arrival of the French. Many unique and significant celebrations are planned involving communities across Nova Scotia.
Planters 2010 Celebration in Nova Scotia - 250th Anniversary, 1760-2010
In 2010 we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the arrival of the New England Planters (settlers) in Hants and Kings Counties in Nova Scotia. Under proclamations issued in 1758 and 1759 Governor Lawrence offered free land and attractive terms (including an elected assembly and freedom of religion) to Protestants willing to move to Nova Scotia. In 1760 the first of the New England Planters settled the townships of Newport, Falmouth, Cornwallis and Horton. Many Planter descendants still live in the area, some on the original land grants.
www.planter2010.ca
JULY
July 1-8 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax
Featuring over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers, the NS Tattoo continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world's premier cultural and entertainment events. This fast-moving, fun-filled spectacular featuring international, military and civilian performers has something for the entire family.
www.nstattoo.ca
July 1-4 Privateer Days, Liverpool
This historically based festival strives to recreate the privateering era, with re-enactments, a downtown festival, sporting events, music and more! Step back to 1780 for a celebration of the area's colourful privateering history.
www.privateerdays.com
July 3-5 Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso
An international festival of songwriters and a musical adventure that pays tribute to a great Canadian singer/songwriter. The world of folk music, jazz, celtic, gospel, bluegrass and more is yours to discover in this seaside setting. 2010 brings an enhanced and expanded site featuring new and improved onsite facilities.
www.stanfest.com
July 4-11 Antigonish Highland Games
Dating back to 1863, the Antigonish Highland Games are a mid-July tradition that welcomes visitors and participants from across the globe. Visitors will enjoy the heavy events, highland dancing, piping and drumming, concerts, ceilidhs and much more.
www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca
July 9-11 Pictou Lobster Carnival
This three-day festival celebrates the end of the fishing season in the area, maritime culture and music. The "carnie" features musical performances, beer garden, Mardi Gras parade, antique car show, derby races, boat races, mid-way, children's parade and other activities the whole family will enjoy.
www.pictoulobstercarnival.ca
July 9-17 TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival, Halifax
The groove kicks in as Halifax comes alive with an eclectic smorgasbord of jazz, world beat, blues and urban groove at this annual nine-day festival featuring the best of the East Coast alongside a strong international line-up.
www.jazzeast.com
July 14-24 Yarmouth Seafest
First celebrated in 1979, Yarmouth Seafest is a celebration of life by the sea. Events include a parade of lights, chowder cook-off, children's parade and a lobster eating challenge. Also keep an eye out for the rum-running races, the Seafest Queen pageant, Lighthouse Day and much more.
www.seafest.ca
July 18-25 Halifax Pride Week Festival
Atlantic Canada's largest LGBTQ cultural festival, Pride Week is a celebration of the best of the LGBTQ community and culture in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia.
www.halifaxpride.com
July 1-August 22 Festival de l'Escaouette
Celebrate the region's rich Acadian culture and traditions with a variety of music, dance, theatre and a parade. The highlight of the eight-week festival is Le Grand Cercle, a musical depicting the history of Acadie in a series of tableaux that brings together more than 200 local performers.
www.festivallescaouette.com
July 29-August 15 Festival acadien de Clare
Canada's largest and oldest annual Acadian cultural festival with fun-filled activities for all ages promoting our Acadian heritage.
www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca
July 29-August 1 Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival
A family festival celebrating Mahone Bay's heritage as a wooden boat building community. See classic boats in the water and on the wharf, participate in workshops and enjoy the parade, fireworks and entertainment.
www.mahonebayclassicboatfestival.org
July 30-August 1 New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee
Known as a mainstay of tourism in Pictou County and a signature music event in Nova Scotia, this three-time Music Nova Scotia Event of the Year recipient and East Coast Music Association Event of the Year nominee continues to be one of the best entertainment values in Atlantic Canada. From its scenic outdoor setting on the East River, the jubilee promises music lovers the most intimate and engaging music experience of its kind. Each year’s outstanding lineup continues to deliver on the jubilee's proud tradition of setting the stage for this region's rising stars to perform alongside seasoned East Coast, Canadian and international acts.
www.newglasgow.ca
July 20-August 2 Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival, Halifax
Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth, a time when citizens, former citizens, guests and visitors celebrate our civic holiday. Take in parades, live entertainment, sporting activities, family events and the biggest, most elaborate fireworks display of the year!
www.natalday.org
AUGUST
August 5-9 Digby Scallop Days
Celebrate one of the world's largest scallop fleets with musical events, scallop shucking competitions, parades and more! Come taste how many ways succulent scallops can be prepared.
www.digbyscallopdays.com
August 5-8 Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
Celebrate roots and traditional music at its best! An intimate festival experience not to be missed as musical memories are made by the sea.
www.folkharbour.com
August 5-15 Halifax International Busker Festival
Street performers from all over the world come to town for this 11-day event with music, magic and fun for the whole family along the Halifax waterfront.
www.buskers.ca
August 20-September 4 Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival, Fundy/Northumberland
Enjoy a variety of events sharing the wild blueberry theme as communities throughout the region celebrate the harvest of Nova Scotia's provincial berry with live music and theatre, farm markets, community suppers and pancake breakfasts, cooking competitions and bake sales, pie-eating contests, a blueberry mash and more!
Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition, www.wildblueberryfest.com
Click here to view events from September to December 2010
Halifax has to offer, go to:
And for more information on all that you can see and do
throughout Nova Scotia, go to:
Halifax, Nova Scotia is a modern port city teeming with culture and heritage, situated on the second largest natural harbour in the world. A year-round tourism destination, Halifax offers an abundance of entertainment options & from festivals in every season to an impressive array of museums, galleries and historic sites to fine restaurants and vibrant nightlife to outdoor adventures along our rugged seacoast.
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