NOTICE: Activities in the woods are restricted across Nova Scotia effective 4PM, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Learn More

Things to Do

Music & Events

All Categories Concerts & Festivals Live Music Visual Arts & Exhibitions Community Events Cultural & Traditional Performances Learning Opportunities Square Dances Theatre & Performing Arts

Music & Events

Cape Breton Island comes alive with music and events that celebrate its culture, creativity and community spirit. From lively concerts and local gatherings to seasonal festivals, there’s always something happening. Wherever you go, you’ll find a warm welcome and a reason to join the celebration.

113 Results

Granville Green in Port Hawkesbury
Featured

Aug

10

Granville Green in Port Hawkesbury

Port Hawkesbury

Jul 6 – Aug 10

Acoustic Roots Festival at Two Rivers Wildlife Park
Featured

Aug

29

Acoustic Roots Festival at Two Rivers Wildlife Park

Louisbourg

Aug 29 – Aug 31

Lumière Art-at-Night Festival
Featured

Sep

27

Lumière Art-at-Night Festival

Sydney & Area

Sep 27

Musicians play on stage
Featured

Oct

10

Celtic Colours International Festival

Sydney & Area

Oct 10 – Oct 18

Afternoon Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Aug

06

Afternoon Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Inverness

Jun 10 – Oct 19

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

06

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 23 – Aug 20

Charlo et Zabeth au Cap-Rouge – Mkwesaqtuk / Cap-Rouge Interpretive House

Aug

06

Charlo et Zabeth au Cap-Rouge – Mkwesaqtuk / Cap-Rouge Interpretive House

Chéticamp, Ingonish & Area, North Highlands, Northern Cape Breton, Cape Breton Highlands National Park Area

Jul 2 – Aug 27

Chad Tetford at the Bothy at the North Star

Aug

06

Chad Tetford at the Bothy at the North Star

Louisbourg

Jun 11 – Oct 15

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh

Aug

06

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh

Baddeck & Area

Jun 14 – Oct 19

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Dara Smith-MacDonald & Adam Young

Aug

06

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Dara Smith-MacDonald & Adam Young

Baddeck & Area

Jun 18 – Oct 15

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

06

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 23 – Aug 20

Evening Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Aug

06

Evening Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Inverness

May 29 – Oct 19

Fiddle Ceilidh Concert at the Barn in Margaree

Aug

06

Fiddle Ceilidh Concert at the Barn in Margaree

Margarees

Jul 9 – Aug 27

The Red Shoe Pub – Live Music Daily

Aug

07

The Red Shoe Pub – Live Music Daily

Mabou

Jun 6 – Oct 20

Daily Lunch Céilidh at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

Aug

07

Daily Lunch Céilidh at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

Judique

Jun 6 – Oct 17

Outdoor Concert Series at La Place du Pêcheur in Chéticamp

Aug

07

Outdoor Concert Series at La Place du Pêcheur in Chéticamp

Chéticamp

Aug 7 – Aug 21

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Melody Cameron & Derrick Cameron

Aug

07

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Melody Cameron & Derrick Cameron

Baddeck & Area

Jun 19 – Oct 16

KitchenRackets Summer Jam Sessions in St. Peter’s

Aug

07

KitchenRackets Summer Jam Sessions in St. Peter’s

St Peter's & Area

Jul 10 – Sep 4

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Good Lovelies

Aug

07

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Good Lovelies

Baddeck & Area

Aug 7

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

07

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 24 – Aug 21

Neil McDaniel at the Barn in Margaree

Aug

07

Neil McDaniel at the Barn in Margaree

Margarees

Jul 3 – Aug 28

Glencoe Mills Family Square Dance

Aug

07

Glencoe Mills Family Square Dance

Mabou

Jul 3 – Sep 26

Morgan Toney Band

Aug

08

Wi’kipaltimk 2025

Sydney & Area

Aug 8 – Aug 10

Living History Days in Arichat

Aug

08

Living History Days in Arichat

Isle Madame

Aug 8 – Aug 29

Chad Tetford at the Bothy at the North Star

Aug

08

Chad Tetford at the Bothy at the North Star

Louisbourg

Jun 13 – Oct 17

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Kevin LeVesconte & Neil McDaniel

Aug

08

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Kevin LeVesconte & Neil McDaniel

Baddeck & Area

Jun 27 – Oct 10

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

08

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 25 – Aug 22

Howie MacDonald & Beverly MacLean at the Barn in Margaree

Aug

08

Howie MacDonald & Beverly MacLean at the Barn in Margaree

Margarees

Jun 27 – Aug 29

Margaree Highland Games

Aug

09

Margaree Highland Games

Margarees

Aug 9 – Aug 10

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

09

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 26 – Aug 23

Sunset Series – Poet of the Common Man: A Tribute to Merle Haggard

Aug

09

Sunset Series – Poet of the Common Man: A Tribute to Merle Haggard

Inverness

Aug 9

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

09

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 12 – Aug 23

West Mabou Family Square Dances

Aug

09

West Mabou Family Square Dances

Mabou

Jun 14 – Oct 12

Mabou Farmers’ Market

Aug

10

Mabou Farmers’ Market

Mabou

Jun 1 – Oct 12

text superimposed on detail of antique cars

Aug

10

15th Annual Show ‘n’ Shine

Iona & Area

Aug 10

CrestCrush Adventures

Aug

10

CrestCrush Adventures

Bras d'Or & Boularderie Area

Aug 3 – Oct 31

Joan Jonas Painting

Aug

10

Joan Jonas: We Come from the Sea at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Inverness

Aug 10 – Oct 12

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

10

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 13 – Aug 24

Joan Jonas Painting

Aug

11

Joan Jonas: We Come from the Sea at Eltuek Arts Centre

Sydney & Area

Aug 10 – Oct 12

people gathered on Chebucto Street in Baddeck

Aug

11

Festiville Baddeck

Baddeck & Area

Aug 11

Central Park Ceilidhs in Port Hood

Aug

11

Central Park Ceilidhs in Port Hood

Port Hood

Jul 7 – Aug 25

Intimate Musical Soirees In the Park

Aug

11

Intimate Musical Soirees In the Park

Chéticamp, Ingonish & Area, North Highlands, Northern Cape Breton, Cape Breton Highlands National Park Area

Jul 14 – Aug 18

Neil McDaniel in the Music Room at the Barn in Margaree

Aug

11

Neil McDaniel in the Music Room at the Barn in Margaree

Margarees

Jun 30 – Oct 20

Adult Square Dance in Brook Village

Aug

11

Adult Square Dance in Brook Village

Mabou

Jul 28 – Oct 14

Cape Breton Exhibition

Aug

12

Cape Breton Exhibition

North Sydney & Area

Aug 12 – Aug 16

man playing the fiddle

Aug

12

27th Annual Gaelic Concert Series: Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig [Up With the Gaelic]

Iona & Area

Aug 12

Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs

Aug

12

Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs

Mabou

Jul 1 – Aug 19

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

12

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 29 – Aug 26

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

13

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 30 – Aug 27

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

13

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 30 – Aug 27

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

13

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 30 – Aug 27

Rock the Fiddle: Thursday

Aug

14

Rock the Fiddle: Thursday

Sydney & Area

Aug 14

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

14

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 31 – Aug 28

Acadian Day at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Aug

15

Acadian Day at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg

Aug 15

illustration of people in front of a bandshell-type structure adorned with a flag of india

Aug

15

India’s Independence Day Celebration

Sydney & Area

Aug 15

Rock the Fiddle: Friday

Aug

15

Rock the Fiddle: Friday

Sydney & Area

Aug 15

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Abigail MacDonald & Malcolm MacNeil

Aug

15

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Abigail MacDonald & Malcolm MacNeil

Baddeck & Area

Jul 25 – Sep 26

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

15

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Aug 1 – Aug 29

text superimposed on blue sky

Aug

16

2025 Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling

St. Ann's Bay & North Shore

Aug 16

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

16

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Aug 2 – Aug 30

29th Annual Louisbourg Race Through Time

Aug

16

29th Annual Louisbourg Race Through Time

Louisbourg

Aug 16

Rock The Fiddle: Saturday

Aug

16

Rock The Fiddle: Saturday

Sydney & Area

Aug 16

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

16

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 19 – Aug 30

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Aug

17

Theatre Baddeck presents Ed’s Garage

Baddeck & Area

Jul 20 – Aug 17

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen

Aug

17

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen

Baddeck & Area

Aug 17

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Aug

18

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Baddeck & Area

Aug 18 – Aug 25

feis an eilein logo

Aug

19

35th Annual Féis an Eilein

Iona & Area

Aug 19 – Aug 23

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Stephanie MacDonald & Susan MacLean

Aug

19

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Stephanie MacDonald & Susan MacLean

Baddeck & Area

Jun 17 – Sep 30

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Aug

19

Theatre Baddeck presents He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin

Baddeck & Area

Jul 22 – Aug 19

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Scott Thompson at the HAT

Aug

20

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Scott Thompson at the HAT

Sydney & Area

Aug 20

photos of two male comedians

Aug

20

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Nick Beaton Does New at the Red Bar’N

Sydney & Area

Aug 20

log

Aug

21

Louisdale Summer Fest

Isle Madame

Aug 21 – Aug 25

faces and text superimposed on background photo of audience

Aug

21

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Improv Night at the Red Bar’N

Sydney & Area

Aug 21

faces and text superimposed on background photo of audience

Aug

21

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Margaree Mic Drop

Margarees

Aug 21

faces and text superimposed on background photo of audience

Aug

21

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: St. Peter’s In Stitches

St Peter's & Area

Aug 21

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: CBC Laugh Out Loud with Ali Hassan

Aug

22

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: CBC Laugh Out Loud with Ali Hassan

Baddeck & Area

Aug 22

faces and text superimposed on background photo of audience

Aug

22

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Naughty N Nice Show

Sydney & Area

Aug 22

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Aug

23

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Baddeck & Area

Aug 23 – Aug 24

faces superimposed on background image of audience

Aug

23

Cape Breton Comedy Fest: Gala Finale at the HAT

Sydney & Area

Aug 23

Fête de Saint-Louis at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Aug

25

Fête de Saint-Louis at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg

Aug 25

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Aug

25

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Glace Bay & Area

Aug 25 – Aug 29

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Howie MacDonald & Beverly MacLean

Aug

26

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Howie MacDonald & Beverly MacLean

Baddeck & Area

Jun 24 – Oct 7

text superimposed over photo of Grand Narrows bridge

Aug

30

Mawio’mi Tewitk

Iona & Area

Aug 30

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Aug

30

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Glace Bay & Area

Aug 30

Parka’s Great Sleepover at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Aug

30

Parka’s Great Sleepover at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg

Aug 30 – Aug 31

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Aug

30

Come From Away at the Savoy Theatre

Glace Bay & Area

Aug 30

Sunset Series at ICCA

Aug

30

Sunset Series at ICCA

Inverness

Aug 30

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Lennie Gallant

Sep

05

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Lennie Gallant

Baddeck & Area

Sep 5

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Sep

06

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Baddeck & Area

Sep 6 – Sep 7

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Margie Beaton & Dawn Beaton & Jason Roach

Sep

08

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Margie Beaton & Dawn Beaton & Jason Roach

Baddeck & Area

Sep 8

close-up of antique car grill

Sep

12

Cape Breton Classic Cruisers Fall Classic Show & Shine

Sydney & Area

Sep 12 – Sep 13

22nd Annual Hike the Highlands Festival

Sep

13

22nd Annual Hike the Highlands Festival

Ingonish & Area

Sep 13 – Sep 19

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Mckayla MacNeil & Myles Davidson & Harold Davidson

Sep

13

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Mckayla MacNeil & Myles Davidson & Harold Davidson

Baddeck & Area

Sep 13 – Sep 14

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Sep

15

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Baddeck & Area

Sep 15 – Sep 22

male and female duplicated and posed with instruments

Sep

18

An evening with the Red Dirt Skinners

Sydney & Area

Sep 18

Fête du chocolat at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Sep

20

Fête du chocolat at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg

Sep 20 – Sep 21

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Sep

20

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Baddeck & Area

Sep 20

Table set for dinner

Sep

27

Pjila’si Unama’kik – A Great Taste of Canada Experience

Louisbourg

Sep 27

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen

Sep

27

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen

Baddeck & Area

Sep 27 – Sep 28

Paranormal Investigations at the Fortress of Lousiburg

Oct

03

Paranormal Investigations at the Fortress of Lousiburg

Louisbourg

Oct 3 – Oct 5

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Madison Violet

Oct

03

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: Madison Violet

Baddeck & Area

Oct 3

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Oct

04

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald

Baddeck & Area

Oct 4 – Oct 5

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Oct

06

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Gillian Head & Jason Roach

Baddeck & Area

Oct 6 – Oct 13

The South Haven Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Fibre Festival

Oct

11

The South Haven Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Fibre Festival

Baddeck & Area

Oct 11 – Oct 13

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Mckayla MacNeil & Myles Davidson & Harold Davidson

Oct

11

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Mckayla MacNeil & Myles Davidson & Harold Davidson

Baddeck & Area

Oct 11 – Oct 12

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis & Buddy MacDonald & Darren McMullen

Oct

18

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh: Rachel Davis & Buddy MacDonald & Darren McMullen

Baddeck & Area

Oct 18 – Oct 19

Sinister Soiree at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Oct

25

Sinister Soiree at the Fortress of Louisbourg

Louisbourg

Oct 25

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol [Preview Performance]

Dec

04

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol [Preview Performance]

Baddeck & Area

Dec 4

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Dec

05

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Baddeck & Area

Dec 5 – Dec 6

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Dec

06

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Baddeck & Area

Dec 6 – Dec 13

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Dec

07

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Baddeck & Area

Dec 7 – Dec 14

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Dec

09

Theatre Baddeck presents Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

Baddeck & Area

Dec 9 – Dec 13

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: The Once

Dec

13

Little Church in Big Baddeck Concert Series: The Once

Baddeck & Area

Dec 13