There's something special about fall in Nova Scotia. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and every corner of the province has something going on. Whether you're a longtime local or new to the area, here are some of the best fall events happening from the South Shore to Cape Breton, starting with one for anyone with a home project on their mind.
Featured Pick: Halifax Fall Home Show
October 2 – 4, Halifax Exhibition Centre
Fall is a great time to tackle home projects before winter sets in, and the Halifax Fall Home Show is the place to start. You'll find experts on everything from flooring to roofing, plus ideas on what's trending in home design. Whether you're planning a renovation, sprucing up to sell, or just looking for inspiration, it's worth the trip.
South Shore
Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival
September 25 – October 12
Mahone Bay's beloved Scarecrow Festival is celebrating its 30th year, and it kicks off today! More than 250 handmade scarecrows take over the town's streets, porches, and shopfronts, ranging from classic harvest figures to the downright hilarious. Weekends bring the most activity, with a pie-baking contest, live music, kids' activities, and a pumpkin gallery. The festival is free to wander, and the whole town is an easy, flat stroll. Arrive early on weekends, because parking fills up fast.
Annapolis Valley
Kentville Pumpkin People Festival
October 3 – 25
Over 300 Pumpkin People pop up all around Kentville every October, and they're always up to something silly. For the best viewing, follow Highway 1 west to east starting at Exit 14 (Coldbrook), then continue through Park Street and Main Street. Kick things off on Saturday, October 3 at the Harvest Festival, which features a vendor market, food trucks, axe throwing, pumpkin carving, and a Pumpkin People workshop. Grown-ups can wrap up the night at the Harvest Dance at the Kentville Fire Hall.
Devour! The Food Film Fest, Wolfville
October 19 – 25
Food lovers, this one's for you. Devour! brings together food films, wine tours, chef demonstrations, tastings, and special dinners in the heart of wine country. It's the perfect excuse for a Valley getaway.
Corn Mazes and U-Picks
It's peak season for apple picking and pumpkin patches across the Valley, and corn mazes like Noggins Farm in Greenwich make for a great family afternoon.
Halifax and Area
Nova Scotia Forest Festival
October 3, Memory Lane Heritage Village
Head out to the Eastern Shore to celebrate everything our forests give us. Watch live horse logging demonstrations, try hands-on heritage activities, and catch the Golden Axe-Throwing Tournament.
Nocturne
October 16 – 19
Halifax lights up after dark during Nocturne, an outdoor art festival with installations and performances throughout the city's streets, shops, and galleries.
Cape Breton
Celtic Colours International Festival
October 9 – 17
Celtic Colours marks its 30th anniversary this year with 52 concerts and hundreds of community events in 36 communities across Cape Breton Island. The festival lands right in peak leaf season, so you get world-class music with the Cabot Trail as your backdrop. Concerts are ticketed individually, and venues can be a couple of hours apart, so plan your route ahead of time.
Home Is Where the Festivals Are
One of the best parts of living in Nova Scotia is that there's always something happening just down the road. If you've been dreaming about which corner of the province you'd love to call home, whether it's a seaside town, the Valley, or the city, let's chat. We'd love to help you find your place this fall.