Here, music and laughter are always on tap. You’ll find it in our pubs and restaurants across the island, as our friendly cheer and sense of community often brings everyone together. Explore the island this summer and take part in local festivals, cèilidhs, and events.
With the phased re-opening of the province, gathering limits may stagger in size. Some festivals and events may be canceled if another outbreak occurs. Please be prepared for last-minute changes.
Next Date: Aug 5, 2021
Region: Canada’s Musical Coast
Community: Glenville
Join us at Glenora Inn and Distillery for a daily ceilidh! Ceilidhs happen from 1PM to 3PM and from 8PM to 10PM. Safety protocols in place...
Next Date: Aug 6, 2021
Region: Cabot Trail
Community: Whycocomagh
Doing what Cape Breton does best – getting together and sharing music, beverages, and laughs in Canada’s 1st off-grid pub at Iro...
Next Date: Aug 6, 2021
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Bras d’Or
Explore the Bras d’Or/ Wjinene’n Pitu’Poq is a two week long schedule of events on and around the Bras d’Or lake / ...
Next Date: Aug 6, 2021
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Christmas Island
A Féis (faysh) is a community-based festival designed to promote the Gaelic language and culture of an area. The first Féis was held on th...
Next Date: Aug 6, 2021
Region: Cape Breton’s South Coast
Community: Grand Narrows
Beachside Concert Series Free afternoon beach-side concerts every Sunday afternoon in August. Grab a picnic table, bring a chair or enjoy fr...
Next Date: Aug 6, 2021
Region: Cabot Trail
Community: Margaree Forks
Garrett Mason is back for two back-to-back shows this coming August and joining him for Aug 7th only will be our Northern BBQ Series in coll...
Next Date: Aug 7, 2021
Region: Cabot Trail
Community: Margaree Forks
This Free Family event has been running for 25+ years and is back for another year this coming Saturday. Get creative and your own float OR ...
Next Date: Aug 7, 2021
Region: Sydney and Area / Marconi Trail
Community: Sydney
Join Brian Cathcart for some great tunes and delicious cider at Island Folk Cider House in downtown Sydney on August 7 from 3PM to 6PM. ...
Next Date: Aug 7, 2021
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Iona
Musicans TBA every week. Get a taste of local celtic music & culture with our weekly ceilidhs. Expect to see world-renowned talent &am...
Next Date: Aug 8, 2021
Region: Cabot Trail
Community: Indian Brook
Check out local music every Saturday night at Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort this summer! For more information on weekly performances, ple...
Next Date: Aug 11, 2021
Region: Cabot Trail
Community: St. Ann’s
Enjoy an evening of music with a Ceilidh at the Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College every Wednesday night starting at 7:30pm! Each we...
It simply means social visit, but here, the Cèilidh is a perennial way of life. It’s a weekly family square dance. A community gathering full of food and music. Indulge in a kitchen party and connect with our culture and heritage. Feel the rhythm of our Island through the pulse of music and warmth of our communities. Your trip to Island would not be complete with taking in a Cape Breton ceilidh or a Kitchen Party! Experience Celtic music like never before with one of these events and understand why we’ve been coined as Canada’s Musical Coast.
Arts and culture don’t have an off-season here. From winter jam sessions along Canada’s Musical Coast and to sizzling summer festivals and Acadian celebrations along the Cabot Trail. Enjoy music and comedy productions live and experience the rich art and culture that exists across the Island.
History, heritage, community—there’s always a reason to celebrate on our Island. You won’t have to travel far to find a fun festival, but with so many options why not explore the Island?
Foodie heaven? More like a culinary cloud nine. The culinary scene on Cape Breton Island is truly unlike anything you have experienced and luckily, tasting your way around our Island has never been easier. Follow the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail to a famous lunch Cèilidh. Plan your trip around a Highland lobster supper. Experience world-class shellfish, locally grown ingredients, and award-winning sips that connect our heritage to our land.
Pay ode to the Island’s coal mining history with food, fun, and festivities. Discover the roots of our Acadian communities by guided hike. Run head-on into history through a 300-year-old fortress. Our heritage is easy to learn, but even more, fun to live with each event.
Over 100 communities. Hundreds of days a year to celebrate. From seasonal festivals and annual sporting tournaments to weekly dances, discover each pocket of our Island with our unique selection of community events.
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