2026 East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference

Sydney & Area, Membertou

May 20 – May 25

About

The 38th East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference will take place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, from May 20–24, 2026, and will include the East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers, along with festival performances, industry programming, and networking events. The five-day celebration will feature performances, industry conferences, and international networking opportunities, highlighting the depth and diversity of East Coast music talent. Venues all over town will be overflowing with musical talent from across the region. Stay tuned for more information on specific showcases, artists, industry events, and award presentations including the Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at Centre200 in Sydney.

Locations & Contact

456 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

40 Bentinck Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

50 Maillard Street, Membertou, Nova Scotia

252 Townsend Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

217 George Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

481 George Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

500 Esplanade, Sydney, Nova Scotia

291 Esplanade, Sydney, Nova Scotia

Social Media

All Dates

May 20 12:00 AM May 21 12:00 AM May 22 12:00 AM May 23 12:00 AM May 24 12:00 AM May 25 12:00 AM

Locals Know Blog

Dance Dance, Wherever You May Be

It is well-established that dance tradition is an important, if not defining, influence on Cape Breton's traditional music.

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