Things to Do

Upcoming Events

All Categories Community & Festivals Music & Performance Arts & Culture Culinary & Food Sports & Recreation Workshops & Learning Outdoor & Adventure

Upcoming Events

From the rhythmic pulse of céilidhs, theatre and live music to the rugged thrill of guided hikes and coastal adventures, Cape Breton Island’s culture takes center stage. Savour the Island through harvest events and local markets, or explore our Mi’kmaq, Gaelic and Acadian roots at galleries and artisan shows. Whether joining a seasonal festival, community sport or hands-on workshop, you will find a welcoming spirit where every event makes you feel like a local.

101 Results

text
Featured

Sep

04

13th Acoustic Roots Festival at Two Rivers Wildlife Park

Louisbourg & Area

Sep 4 – Sep 6

music
Featured

Apr

08

2027

2027 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Sydney & Area

Apr 8 – Apr 11

3 Works by Ryan Josey

Jul

25

3 Works by Ryan Josey

Sydney & Area

Jun 26 – Sep 5

On The Boardwalk

Jul

25

On The Boardwalk

Sydney & Area

Jul 11 – Sep 5

Exterior of Building

Jul

25

Sydney Public Market

Sydney & Area

Apr 18 – May 1

Oysters

Jul

25

Sip & Shuck on the Lakeside Patio

Baddeck & Area

Jul 2 – Aug 30

three women sitting on the floor sharing a bottle

Jul

25

Theatre Baddeck Presents Myth of the Ostrich by Matt Murray

Baddeck & Area

Jul 2 – Jul 25

Drinks

Jul

25

Saturday Sessions at the Seal Cove Restaurant & Lounge

Isle Madame

Jul 18 – Oct 18

fiddler and piano player plauing to a crowd in a pub setting

Jul

25

from
$5

Céilidh Matinee at the Frolic’n Folk

Iona & Area

Feb 8 – Dec 19

Dried peas and flowers on a cracker.

Jul

25

from
$185

Experience Table Doucet

Chéticamp & Area

May 19 – Nov 1

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh

Jul

25

Baddeck Gathering Céilidh

Baddeck & Area

Jun 13 – Oct 18

Midsummer Music Series: Maxim and Gervais Cormier at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Jul

25

from
$25

Midsummer Music Series: Maxim and Gervais Cormier at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Baddeck & Area

Jul 25

illustration of a an acoustic guitar headstock plus text

Jul

25

Summer Concert Series at Two Rivers Wildlife Park

Louisbourg & Area

Jul 4 – Aug 29

West Mabou Family Square Dances

Jul

25

West Mabou Family Square Dances

Mabou & Area

Jun 13 – Oct 11

Mabou Farmers’ Market

Jul

26

Mabou Farmers’ Market
4.4

Mabou & Area

Jun 7 – Oct 11

Ross Ferry Farm Gate Market

Jul

26

Ross Ferry Farm Gate Market

Bras d'Or & Boularderie Area

Jul 5 – Sep 27

Inverness Raceway – Live Harness Racing

Jul

26

Inverness Raceway – Live Harness Racing

Inverness

May 31 – Oct 25

Lunch Ceilidh

Jul

26

Lunch Ceilidh

Judique

May 18 – Oct 18

Sunday Ceilidhs at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

Jul

26

Sunday Ceilidhs at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

Judique

Jun 7 – Dec 6

crowd gathered in front of outdoor stage

Jul

26

70th Broad Cove Scottish Concert

Jul 26

a group of people playing musical instruments

Jul

26

Cape Breton Celtic Trad Sessions at the Frolic

Iona & Area

Jun 22 – Dec 27

Poster

Jul

26

Granville Green 2026

Port Hawkesbury & Area

Jul 5 – Aug 9

Nicolas Denys Days and Swim the Canal

Jul

27

from
$25

Nicolas Denys Days and Swim the Canal

St Peter's & Area

Jul 27 – Aug 2

Central Park Ceilidhs in Port Hood

Jul

27

Central Park Ceilidhs in Port Hood

Port Hood

Jul 7 – Aug 31

an assortment of lego bricks

Jul

28

Lego Tuesday at the North Sydney Library

North Sydney & Sydney Mines Area

Jan 27 – Dec 29

Grandmother Moon at Broad Cove Beach

Jul

28

Grandmother Moon at Broad Cove Beach

Jul 28

Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs

Jul

28

Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs

Mabou & Area

Jun 30 – Aug 18

text

Jul

28

Port Hawkesbury Ceilidh at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre

Port Hawkesbury & Area

Jun 30 – Oct 6

Acadian Evenings

Jul

29

Acadian Evenings

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 1 – Aug 26

text

Jul

29

Summer Concert Series at The Frolic and Folk Pub

Iona & Area

Jul 1 – Aug 26

festival mascot dressed in hat and acadian themed t-shirt

Jul

30

Festival de l’Escaouette in Chéticamp

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 30 – Aug 3

Le Thé à Mémère – – An Acadian High Tea Experience – Festival de L’Escaouette

Jul

30

Le Thé à Mémère – – An Acadian High Tea Experience – Festival de L’Escaouette

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 30

Harbourfest 2026

Jul

30

Harbourfest 2026

Isle Madame

Jul 30 – Aug 2

yarn and knitting

Jul

30

Fibre Lunch at the North Sydney Library

North Sydney & Sydney Mines Area

Jan 29 – Dec 17

Official Opening – Festival de L’Escaouette

Jul

30

Official Opening – Festival de L’Escaouette

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 30

Festival Talent Night

Jul

30

Festival Talent Night

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 30

Festival Crafts & Games for Kids – La Pirouette

Jul

31

Festival Crafts & Games for Kids – La Pirouette

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 31

Music at Les Trois Pignons – Festival de L’Escaouette

Jul

31

Music at Les Trois Pignons – Festival de L’Escaouette

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 31

illustrations of various crafts

Jul

31

Friday Crafternoon at the Baddeck Public Library

Baddeck & Area

Jan 23 – Dec 19

Festival Gala – Tribute to André Aucoin: Tu seras toujours là

Jul

31

from
$15

Festival Gala – Tribute to André Aucoin: Tu seras toujours là

Jul 31

Festival Gala After Party

Jul

31

Festival Gala After Party

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 31

Les Hookeuses Cultural Experience

Aug

01

Les Hookeuses Cultural Experience

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 1

Children’s Festival Parade

Aug

01

Children’s Festival Parade

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 1

Festival Bonanza Golf Tournament

Aug

01

Festival Bonanza Golf Tournament

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 1

Family Fun Afternoon

Aug

01

Family Fun Afternoon

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 1

65th Annual Highland Village Day Concert

Aug

01

65th Annual Highland Village Day Concert

Iona & Area

Aug 1

Festival Party

Aug

01

from
$10

Festival Party

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 1

La Course de l’Escaouette

Aug

02

from
$25

La Course de l’Escaouette

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 2

Festival Parade

Aug

02

Festival Parade

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 2

Festival Finale – Festival de L’Escaouette

Aug

02

Festival Finale – Festival de L’Escaouette

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 2

Swim the Canal

Aug

02

from
$25

Swim the Canal

St Peter's & Area

Aug 2

Crise Musicale – Live Theatre

Aug

02

from
$26

Crise Musicale – Live Theatre

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 2

Festival Acadien Petit de Grat

Aug

06

Festival Acadien Petit de Grat

Isle Madame

Aug 6 – Aug 9

a man and woman in formal dress with glasses of champagne looking very unhappy against a backdrop of celebratory balloons

Aug

06

Theatre Baddeck presents The Golden Anniversaries by Mark Crawford

Baddeck & Area

Aug 6 – Sep 4

Poster

Aug

07

from
$25

A Century of Music – The Barra MacNeils

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 7 – Aug 8

3 men posed with musical instruments

Aug

07

3 Way Stop at the Ashby Legion

Sydney & Area

Jan 17 – Dec 4

Pop Up Summer Markets at the Hub!

Aug

08

Pop Up Summer Markets at the Hub!

Bras d'Or & Boularderie Area

Jul 11 – Oct 10

Margaree Highland Games

Aug

08

from
$10

Margaree Highland Games

Margarees

Aug 8 – Aug 9

Storm the Fortress

Aug

08

from
$22

Storm the Fortress

Louisbourg & Area

Aug 8

Midsummer Music Series: Pianist Jennifer King at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Aug

08

from
$25

Midsummer Music Series: Pianist Jennifer King at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Baddeck & Area

Aug 8

Falls

Aug

09

from
$50

Cape Breton Cultural Walk Series: Gaelic Language and Lore – Aug 9

Iona & Area

Aug 9

FestiVille Baddeck

Aug

10

FestiVille Baddeck

Baddeck & Area

Aug 10

Poster

Aug

11

from
$45

Donair: The Musical

Glace Bay & Area

Aug 11

five people gathered around an upright piano playing musical instruments

Aug

11

from
$50

Barra MacNeils 40th Anniversary Tour at The HAT

Sydney & Area

Aug 11

Star Party at Mkwesaqtuk / Cap-Rouge

Aug

12

Star Party at Mkwesaqtuk / Cap-Rouge

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Aug 12

Kitchen Parties at La Rigouèche in Chéticamp Campground

Aug

13

Kitchen Parties at La Rigouèche in Chéticamp Campground

Chéticamp & Area

Jul 16 – Aug 27

Star Party at Bog Trail

Aug

13

Star Party at Bog Trail

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Aug 13

Star Party at Black Brook

Aug

14

Star Party at Black Brook

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Aug 14

Poster

Aug

15

from
$68

The Little Church Concert Series – John McDermott with Drew Jurecka & Jason Fowler

Baddeck & Area

Aug 15

Medicine Walk

Aug

16

from
$50

Cape Breton Cultural Walk Series: Mi’kmaw Medicine Walk – Aug 16

St. Ann's Bay & North Shore

Aug 16

illustration of carnival rides with text

Aug

19

The Cape Breton Exhibition

North Sydney & Sydney Mines Area

Aug 19 – Aug 22

text superimposed on a choir singing

Aug

19

Men of the Deeps at the Miners Museum

Glace Bay & Area

Jun 10 – Sep 16

closeup shots of people playing bass, guitar and drums

Aug

22

3 Way Stop at the Main Event

Glace Bay & Area

Jan 10 – Dec 27

Flag

Aug

23

from
$50

Cape Breton Cultural Walk Series: Echoes of Acadie – Aug 23

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 23

Grandmother Moon at Chéticamp Campground

Aug

28

Grandmother Moon at Chéticamp Campground

Chéticamp & Area

Aug 28

Parka’s Great Sleepover

Aug

29

Parka’s Great Sleepover

Louisbourg & Area

Aug 29 – Aug 30

Poster

Sep

10

from
$50

The Little Church Concert Series – Valdy

Baddeck & Area

Sep 10

closeup shots of people playing bass, guitar and drums

Sep

19

3 Way Stop at Carriage House

Port Hawkesbury & Area

Jan 24 – Jan 1

Candles

Sep

20

Autumn Equinox Magick Market

Mabou & Area

Sep 20

Cape Breton Pro Rodeo

Sep

24

Cape Breton Pro Rodeo

Sydney & Area

Sep 24 – Sep 27

Paranormal Investigation at the Fortress – all ages event

Sep

25

Paranormal Investigation at the Fortress – all ages event

Louisbourg & Area

Sep 25

Paranormal Investigation at the Fortress – 19+ overnight event

Sep

26

from
$75

Paranormal Investigation at the Fortress – 19+ overnight event

Louisbourg & Area

Sep 26 – Sep 27

Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddle

Oct

09

Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddle

Judique

Oct 9 – Oct 17

blue and green logo on white background

Oct

09

Celtic Colours International Festival

St. Ann's Bay & North Shore

Oct 9 – Oct 18

Celtic Colours community event: Pumpkin Carving

Oct

11

Celtic Colours community event: Pumpkin Carving

Chéticamp & Area

Oct 11

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Acadian Trail

Oct

12

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Acadian Trail

Chéticamp & Area

Oct 12

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Corney Brook

Oct

13

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Corney Brook

Chéticamp & Area

Oct 13

Celtic Colours: Weaving Our Tales

Oct

13

from
$27

Celtic Colours: Weaving Our Tales

Chéticamp & Area

Oct 13

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Aspy Trail

Oct

14

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Aspy Trail

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Oct 14

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Warren Lake

Oct

15

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Warren Lake

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Oct 15

Celtic Colours / Huckle Buckle Festival Pumpkin Carving

Oct

15

Celtic Colours / Huckle Buckle Festival Pumpkin Carving

Ingonish & Area

Oct 15

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Franey Trail

Oct

16

Celtic Colours Guided Hike: Franey Trail

Ingonish & Area

Oct 16

Cape Breton Fiddlers Marathon Event

Oct

17

from
$45

Cape Breton Fiddlers Marathon Event

Sydney & Area

Oct 17 – Oct 18

Candles

Oct

25

Samhain Magick Market

Mabou & Area

Oct 25

Spectacle – Zachary Richard

Nov

01

from
$25

Spectacle – Zachary Richard

Isle Madame

Nov 1

Poster

Nov

17

Grand Slam Of Curling National

Sydney & Area

Nov 17 – Nov 22

Poster

Nov

20

from
$44

The Little Church Concert Series – Harry Manx

Baddeck & Area

Nov 20

poster

Nov

27

from
$1

Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

Glace Bay & Area

Nov 27 – Nov 29

Fortress Noël

Dec

05

Fortress Noël

Louisbourg & Area

Dec 5

Gene Simmons Band

Dec

12

Gene Simmons Band

Sydney & Area

Dec 12

Festival Chocolat Chaud

Feb

12

2027

Festival Chocolat Chaud

Chéticamp & Area

Feb 12 – Feb 14

Locals Know Blog

Top 10 Things to Do This Fall — as Told by a Local

Fall is the best-kept secret on Cape Breton Island. From golden hour on the Skyline Trail to oysters, fiddle nights and a dram at Glenora, here are the ten stops worth building a trip around, plus...

6 Minute Read

Top Fall Events on Cape Breton Island in 2026

Fall 2026 on Cape Breton Island brings a 30th anniversary Celtic Colours, the Island's first pro rodeo and a full slate of festivals and championships running September through November.

3 Minute Read

How to Eat Lobster Like a Local

On Cape Breton Island, lobster isn't a delicacy you eat with polite restraint. It's a bib-on elbows-on-the-table kind of meal, and it's not one to rush. Here's how to do it like a local, and how...

5 Minute Read
See All Local Tips & Insider Insights