April 2008
Cape Breton International Drum Festival
April 26-27
Glace Bay - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB
This diverse festival encompasses culture and rhythmic performances from around the world and right here at home ... education through performance!
view details | website
May 2008
2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships
May 1-14
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Come and see the worlds greatest hockey players represent their countries in this top tier championship!
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Liverpool International Theatre Festival
May 14-18
Liverpool - Lighthouse Route
This bi-annual festival is recognized worldwide for superior theatrical presentations!
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Blue Nose Marathon
May 16-18
Halifax - Halifax Metro
A city wide international marathon staged including a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Race, 5K Run Walk, Team Relay Marathon and 4.2km Youth Run.
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Truro International Tulip Festival
May 16-19
Truro - Glooscap Trail
Four days of family fun including an antique market, craft fair, bluegrass concert, entertainment "in the tent", Maritime Marionettes, garden tours and more!
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Studio Rally
May 31 - June 1
Province-wide
Arts and crafts studios open their doors for a province wide open house! The coffee is on and demonstrations are given. Pick up a map and plan a route!
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Lobsterpalooza
May 25 - June 30
Various venues - Cabot Trail
A mouth-watering, fun-filled learning and cuisine experience that showcases Maritime traditions and celebrates all things seafood - led by our lobster heritage!
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Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival
May 28 - June 2
Kentville - Evangeline Trail
The valley's in full bloom and this festival showcases the traditional and agricultural heritage of the area with special concerts, barbecues, art shows and a grand street parade.
view details | website
June 2008
2008 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League AGM & Entry Draft
June 4-8
Sydney - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB
18 teams will vie to add the top prospects in the game to their roster for the upcoming season! Activities for hockey fans young and old alike to get up close and personal with the hockey stars of the future!
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Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival
June 13-15
Dartmouth - Halifax Metro
Celebrating diversity and friendship, this festival features over 25 ethno-cultural groups.
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Museum Weekend
June 14-15
Province-wide
Be captivated by the fun facts and learn something new - explore a Nova Scotia museum near you!
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Ride the Lobster Unicycle Race
June 16-20
Province-wide
International teams of unicyclists will race over 800 kilometers in 5 days from one end of the Province to the other in the longest, most grueling race of it's kind!
view details | website
July 2008
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
July 1-8
Halifax - Halifax Metro
This fast moving, exciting, fun-filled spectacular event featuring international, military and civilian performers is for the entire family.
website
Privateer Days
July 3-6
Liverpool - Lighthouse Route
This historically based festival strives to recreate the privateering era with reenactments, a downtown festival, sporting events, music and more! Step back to 1780 for a celebration of the area's colourful privateering history.
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Pictou Lobster Carnival
July 4-6
Pictou - Sunrise Trail
Honouring the lobster industry! Events include entertainment, daily contests (boat races, lobster trap hauling, etc.), parades, buskers, yacht races, lobster dinners and much more!
website
Stan Rogers Folk Festival
July 4-6
Canso - Marine Drive
A musical adventure that pays tribute to a great Canadian singer/ songwriter. The world of folk music, jazz, celtic, gospel, bluegrass and more is yours to discover in this seaside setting.
website
Halifax Pride Week Festival
July 10-20
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Atlantic Canada's largest pride celebration with a number of events leading up to the big parade at week’s end.
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TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival
July 11-19
Halifax - Halifax Metro
The groove kicks in when Halifax comes alive with an eclectic smorgasbord of Jazz, World Beat, Blues and Urban Groove at this annual 9 day festival featuring the best of the east coast alongside a strong international line up.
Loyalist Landing 2008
July 11-26
Shelburne - Lighthouse Route
Celebrating the 225th anniversary of the "first" landing of United Empire Loyalists in Canada with historical, multi cultural, contemporary and participative events.
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Yarmouth Seafest
July 16-20
Yarmouth - Evangeline Trail
This festival of the sea features a pageant, giant sidewalk sale, open air concerts, the Great Nova Scotia Fishfeast, parades, dory and rum running races and more!
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Antigonish Highland Games
July 18-20
Antigonish - Sunrise Trail
A traditional Scottish Highland Games including clan gatherings and concerts, piping, dancing, drumming and heavy event competitions, along with one of Canada's finest outdoor tattoos and the Concert Under The Stars.
website
Louisbourg Encampment 2008
July 25-27
Louisbourg - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the second siege of Louisbourg with an encampment of military and civilian French, British and Native re enactors and sutlers - a truly unique opportunity to experience life inside an 18th century town and fortress.
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Festival Acadien de Clare
July 26 - August 15
Municipality of Clare - Evangeline Trail
Canada's largest and oldest annual Acadian cultural festival with fun filled activities for all ages promoting our Acadian culture.
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Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival
July 31 - August 3
Mahone Bay - Lighthouse Route
A family festival celebrating Mahone Bay's heritage as a wooden boat building community. See classic boats in the water and on the wharf, take in the workshops and enjoy the parade, fireworks and entertainment.
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Riverfront Music Jubilee
July 31 - August 3
New Glasgow
A celebration of music from Country to Celtic, Rock to Blues, Children's entertainment and even some alternative musical styles, there is something for every music lover whatever their taste.
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Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival
July 31 - August 4
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth ... a time where citizens, former citizens, guests and visitors celebrate our civic holiday. Take in parades, live entertainment, sporting activities, family events and the biggest, most elaborate fireworks display of the year!
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August 2008
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
August 7-10
Lunenburg - Lighthouse Route
Celebrate roots and traditional music at its best! An intimate festival experience not to be missed as musical memories are made by the sea.
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Digby Scallop Days
August 7-10
Digby - Evangeline Trail
Celebrate one of the world’s largest scallop fleets. Come and taste how many ways succulent scallops can be prepared. Musical events, scallop shucking competitions, parades, and more!
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Halifax International Busker Festival
August 8-17
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Street performers from all over the world come to town for this 11 day event. Music, magic and fun for the whole family along the waterfront.
view listing | website
Atlantic Fringe Festival
August 28 - September 7
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Theatre that goes for the edges, presses the form, takes risks, is offbeat and fresh! New work from emerging / established artists from across Canada, the US and the UK.
view listing | website
Wharf Rat Rally
August 29 - September 1
Digby - Evangeline Trail
An action packed weekend for motorcycle enthusiasts!
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September 2008
Atlantic Film Festival
September 11-20
Halifax - Halifax Metro
A juried 10 day festival offering current films from the Atlantic region, Canada and around the world.
view listing | website
DRUM!
September 12 - October 11
Halifax - Halifax Metro
One of Nova Scotia's finest musical productions, featuring our four founding cultures – Aboriginal, Black, Celtic, and Acadian – in a heart-pumping spectacle of music, dance, rhythm, and song.
website
Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival
September 12-14
Wolfville - Evangeline Trail
A blending of the music of our founding cultures with modern roots music from across North America and around the world.
view listing | website
October 2008
Maritime Fall Fair
October 3-12
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Mark your calenders for Halifax’s premier family fall event - bringing the country to the city!
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Celtic Colors International Festival
October 10-18
Various Cape Breton venues
Autumn is the time when the sounds of fiddles, pipes and voices in song echo over the island with Celtic Colours International Festival. An event to remember with over 250 musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers at venues across the Island.
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Halifax Pop Explosion
October 14-18
Various Halifax venues - Halifax Metro
One of Canada's most respected festivals of new and emerging music, art and culture.
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November 2008
Father Christmas Festival
November 29 - December 7
Mahone Bay - Lighthouse Route
Larger than life Father Christmas figures are wonderfully adorned throughout the village - it's a winter wonderland of Christmas festivities!
view listing | website