Page 80 - 2026-2027 Travel Guide to Canada

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Special Events JANUARY
• DOWNTOWN DARTMOUTH ICE FESTIVAL
FEBRUARY
• LOBSTER CRAWL FESTIVAL, BARRINGTON
TO PEGGY’S COVE
• NOVA SCOTIA WINTER WINE FESTIVAL
JUNE
• PRIVATEER DAYS, LIVERPOOL
• EASTERN SHORE COLD WATERS
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
JULY
• ANTIGONISH HIGHLAND GAMES
• HALIFAX PRIDE FESTIVAL
• PICTOU LOBSTER CARNIVAL
• STANFEST: STAN ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL,
CANSO
• TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL
AUGUST
• CHESTER RACE WEEK
• HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BUSKER FESTIVAL
• FESTIVAL ACADIEN DE CLARE
• LUNENBURG FOLK HARBOUR FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER
• WHARF RAT RALLY, DIGBY
• DEEP ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, WOLFVILLE
• FIN ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM
FESTIVAL, HALIFAX
• GRAN FONDO, BAIE SAINTE-MARIE
• HIKE THE HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL,
CABOT TRAIL
OCTOBER
• CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL, CAPE BRETON ISLAND
• DEVOUR! THE FOOD FILM FEST, WOLFVILLE
• NOCTURNE: ART AT NIGHT, HALIFAX
DECEMBER
• EVERGREEN FESTIVAL, HALIFAX
• FATHER CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL,
MAHONE BAY
• MIRACLE ON DOCK STREET, SHELBURNE
novascotia.com/events
After all, events like Festival acadien de
Clare (www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca/en)
and the Musique de la Baie concert series
(www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com/en
/things-to-do/view/musique-de-la-baie)
are tuneful testaments to the strength of
francophone culture here. Mi’kmaq com-
munities carry on the legacy of this land’s
original residents through powwows and
other special programs (www.nova
scotia.com/travel-info/our-culture), while
contributions made by new arrivals are
celebrated at the moving Canadian Museum
of Immigration at Pier 21 (www.pier21.ca).
Quick Fact
THE PROVINCE HAS A LONG RICH
TRADITION OF GROWING GRAPES FOR
WINE THAT DATES BACK TO THE 1600S,
WHEN THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
AREAS TO CULTIVATE GRAPES IN NORTH
AMERICA. THE CLIMATE AND SOIL
CONDITIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA FAVOUR
UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE GRAPE
VARIETALS, LEADING TO THE CREATION
OF CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY
APPELATION WINE, TIDAL BAY. TASTE
VARIETALS SUCH AS L’ACADIE BLANC,
SEYVAL BLANC, LUCIE KUHLMANN, NEW
YORK MUSCAT, AND BACO NOIR ON A
PATIO OVERLOOKING A VINEYARD.
MUST SEE, MUST DO
Nova Scotia is home to a diverse range of
premium quality seafood, from their world-
famous lobster and coldwater shrimp, to snow
crab, scallops, oysters, clams, haddock, halibut
and more. From traditional lobster suppers
and roadside restaurants to fine dining rooms,
you’ll find seafood topping menus everywhere
(www.tasteofnovascotia.com).
Ogle Lunenburg’s Old Town. Hundreds of
heritage buildings have earned this port
community’s downtown core recognition
from UNESCO (www.explorelunenburg.ca).
Explore the Fortress of Louisbourg National
Historic Site. Turn back time to the mid-18th
century at North America’s largest historical
reconstruction (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
louisbourg).
Snap a picture at Peggy’s Cove. It’s almost
obligatory to visit this seaside hamlet where
one of the world’s most iconic lighthouses
sits atop a slab of wave-blasted rock
(www.peggyscoveregion.com).
Hugging the South Shore for 339 km (211
mi.), the Lighthouse Route boasts over 20
postcard-perfect beacons, including those at
Peggy’s Cove and Cape Forchu. Charming
towns like Mahone Bay and Lunenburg make
ideal stopovers.
Follow the Good Cheer Trail. On the first
winery, cidery, craft brewery, meadery and
distillery trail of its kind in Canada, you can
sip beverages from dozens of local producers
(www.goodcheertrail.com).
The 291-km (181-mi.) Evangeline Trail
connects Yarmouth and Mount Uniacke.
Named for Longfellow’s tragic narrative,
Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, it showcases the
scenery that inspired his setting.
Tap your toes to old tunes. Be entertained the
traditional way at a Cape Breton ceilidh or opt
for the francophone alternative, a rousing
Acadian soirée (www.novascotia.com/
things-to-do/festivals-events/music).
SCENIC DRIVES
The Cabot Trail delivers one of the most
dramatic drives anywhere. The 298-km
(186-mi.) road runs straight through Cape
Breton Highlands National Park and, in
places, rises and falls like a roller coaster as
it follows the Atlantic coast.
FAMILY FUN
Animated by buskers, glass-blowers and
tour-boat operators, Halifax’s working
waterfront has proven kid appeal. Along it
lies the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
(maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca), the
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
(www.pier21.ca), plus the hands-on Discovery
Centre (www.thediscoverycentre.ca). When
hunger hits, refuel at the Halifax Seaport
Farmers’ Market (www.halifaxfarmers
market.com). Experience the Bluenose II on
a 2-hour cruise in Lunenburg or Halifax
(bluenose.novascotia.ca).
EAST COAST SURF SCHOOL, EASTERN SHORE • TOURISM NOVA SCOTIA/DEAN CASAVECHIA