Every fall Cape Breton Island explodes with the world’s finest Celtic talent. One of Canada’s premiere musical events, you’ll find concerts everywhere during Celtic Colours International Festival. From the smallest of halls to the largest arenas of our communities, see world-class musicians share the stage with the Island’s finest singers, dancers, players, and storytellers.
Since 1997, Cape Breton Island has attracted world-wide audiences to our shores with this 9-day music festival. Featuring energy, talent, and an iconic fall backdrop, it’s the perfect way to experience the rich culture of our Island through song, art, and dance.
From community halls and churches to modern theatres and arenas, you’ll find festival venues in communities across the Island. But, don’t be fooled. No matter how small the hall, there’ll be big talent alongside our finest singers, dancers, players, and storytellers.
More than 300 cultural experiences take place Island-wide during Celtic Colours. Immerse yourself in our communities with workshops, farmers’ markets, artist’s series and more throughout the festival.
Beer, cheer and good company. The Colaisde Na Gàidhlig (Gaelic College) plays host to festival-goers and artists alike as it turns into a bustling after party. Join in nightly after the scheduled evening concerts for a laidback musical showcase in an informal setting.
Want to show off your Cape Breton adventure? Read through this blog to find your new favourite instagram hot spot this summer. Trust us, nothing says natural more than a nature photo.
3 of Cape Breton Island's museums are here for you to tour virtually from the safety of your own home!
The annual Guitar Summit concert serves as an obvious showcase for these world-class pickers, but this wealth of talent inevitably shines through in concerts throughout each Festival.
The Gaels celebrated their culture not in huge buildings or sculptures but in their songs. Their songs told the stories of the people, the land, good times and bad, love's lost and yearned for.
There’s nothing better than watching two musicians who just love playing music together.
It is well-established that dance tradition is an important, if not defining, influence on Cape Breton's traditional music.
There are direct flights to Sydney from Toronto and Montreal and from other North American and European cities via Halifax. If traveling by ground, the Trans-Canada Highway 104 leads to Cape Breton Island.
Getting Here and Around