Festivals & Events

“There's a piper in the corner. There's a dancer on the floor. Friends around the table, there's one who calls for more. And there's Gaelic in the fiddle like the Gaelic in the Glen and the songs take on new meaning boys it's getting dark again” from Getting Dark Again sung by John Allan Cameron (lyrics by Buddy MacDonald).

From small kitchen ceilidhs to our live music venues, there is always something happening here. We welcome you to experience our vibrant community festivals concerts, theatre and local pubs, sure to entertain families, couples and singles alike.  

Mabou Farmers’ Market

Date: Sunday, June 2 2024 to Sunday, October 13 2024

The Mabou Farmers’ Market brings you the fruit of our land, our seas, and our hands! We are home to over 50 vendors who produce a wide variety of local vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, eggs, jams and jellies, baked goods, sausages, oysters, grass-fed meats, beer and spirits. A vibrant community gathering place, we have professional musicians each week. Tap your toes to the music or mix and mingle with friends and neighbours all while enjoying lunch or a delicious snack.…

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Saturday Afternoon Fiddle Matinee

Date: Saturday, June 8 2024 to Saturday, October 26 2024

Join us every Saturday afternoon from 2-6pm (3pm start in the off-season) for our world-renowned fiddle matinee. World-class fiddlers accompanied by pianist and occasionally a guitarist and dancers will entertain you like never before and leave you wanting more!

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West Mabou Family Square Dance

Date: Saturday, June 29 2024 to Saturday, October 26 2024

West Mabou Family Square Dances have been held for over 30 years and are a well-established attraction of Cape Breton Island’s Celtic music scene. These dances are attended by locals and visitors alike and feature the island’s best-known traditional musicians. Our Inverness County square sets are easy to learn.  At the start of each dance, we will offer one guided square set for newcomers. Come join the fun!  All ages welcome!  

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Afternoon Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Date: Tuesday, July 23 2024 to Sunday, October 20 2024

The Washback Pub offers a wide selection of Glenora's single malt whisky. Sit and compare all of our favourites! Come and attend a traditional Cape Breton Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), or a gathering. In Cape Breton this gathering is most often centred around music, storytelling, food and beverage and local Cape Breton music is featured daily in the Washback Pub.

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Evening Ceilidh at Glenora Inn and Distillery

Date: Tuesday, July 23 2024 to Sunday, October 20 2024

The Washback Pub offers a wide selection of Glenora's single malt whisky. Sit and compare all of our favourites! Come and attend a traditional Cape Breton Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), or a gathering. In Cape Breton this gathering is most often centred around music, storytelling, food and beverage and local Cape Breton music is featured daily in the Washback Pub.

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Port Hawkesbury Ceilidhs

Date: Tuesday, August 13 2024 to Tuesday, October 8 2024

The Port Hawkesbury Ceilidhs are held Tuesday nights at the Civic Centre and feature local artists performing fiddle, piano, song, bagpipes, dancing, and more. Free tea and oatcakes... while they last. August 13 – Andrea Beaton / Troy MacGillivray / Myles Davidson / the MacArthur DancersAugust 20 – Donna Marie DeWolfe / Allan Dewar / Joe MacLean / Steve MacIntyreAugust 27 – Rodney MacDonald / Jackie Dunn-MacIsaac / James MacLean / Robert BouchardSeptember 3 – Howie MacDonald / Beverly MacLean…

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Talent Night at the Doryman

Date: Thursday, August 29 2024 to Thursday, October 31 2024

The Doryman Pub & Grill is a well-known music venue in Chéticamp on the Cabot Trail. Home of the Saturday afternoon fiddle matinee, the popular pub has been the place to go for good food, good music, and good times since 1966. Thursday is Talent Night so come on over to the Doryman Pub & Grill from 8-11pm for a great evening of music. All guests who wish to join in on stage are welcome!

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Happy Hour at the “The Creig” Pub and Patio

Date: Friday, September 6 2024 to Friday, October 25 2024

Creignish Recreation Center is a full-service community hall that hosts a variety of events in beautiful Creignish. Happy Hour at The Creig Pub and Patio features live local music every Friday from 6-9pm. Enjoy the beautiful sunset over St. George Bay while sipping on The Creig’s signature drink, "The Creignish Sunset", and listening to some of the finest performers around. Food is also available.September 6: Mike MacInnis, 6-9pmSeptember 13: Shane Savouy, 6-9pmSeptember 20: Kenny Petitpas, 6-9pmSeptember 27: Matty MacNeil, 6-9pmOctober 4: Jeremy White,…

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Sunday, September 15 2024 to Sunday, October 27 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Tuesday, September 17 2024 to Tuesday, October 22 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Wednesday, September 18 2024 to Wednesday, October 23 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Thursday, September 19 2024 to Thursday, October 24 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Friday, September 20 2024 to Friday, October 25 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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William Hess Exhibition at Inverness County Centre for the Arts

Date: Saturday, September 21 2024 to Saturday, October 26 2024

From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of the work of singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in 1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm

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Lyndsay Hubley: Journeys Home – an exhibition at J. Franklin Wright Gallery

Date: Tuesday, October 1 2024 to Saturday, November 23 2024

Lyndsay Hubley is an artist living in St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia. Being a native of Cape Breton, she is inspired to create as a way of honouring the beauty of the land and culture of her home. Living away, it has become tradition to return to Cape Breton each summer with her children to share the landscapes, coastal views and places of importance from her own childhood. In her Journeys Home collection, Lyndsay shares her unique point of view…

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Cabot Trail Writers Festival: Sunday Afternoon and Evening in the Highlands

Date: Sunday, October 6 2024

Once a year, in wild, beautiful Unama’ki (Cape Breton), writers and readers come together and experience the magic power of stories to connect us and create community. The Cabot Trail Writers Festival continues through Sunday afternoon and concludes in the evening with events in the Chéticamp area including a walking tour of Cap-Rouge and Supper in Grand Étang at Centre de la Mi-Carême.3:30-9:30pm

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Eastbound at Whit’s Public House

Date: Sunday, October 6 2024 to Sunday, October 20 2024

Eastbound—a husband and wife duo made up of Krista and Jay Luddington—were brought together through their love of music. With their beautifully in-sync harmonies and wide range of songs and genres, from East Coast Celtic Folk to Country and everything in between, you are sure to be kept entertained at one of their shows. The duo has played from Coast to Coast together, and their shared passion continues to guide them in ways they never could have imagined. 8-11pm

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Blueberry Jam Harvest Series: Big Country / Elyse Aeryn

Date: Friday, October 11 2024

Blueberry Jam organizers are breaking a few traditions with this opening night lineup for the Harvest Series. Usually they never invite a band to do back to back events, but, Big Country did such an absolute killer job kicking off the summer event that there was no choice but to invite them back to kick off the Harvest Series in the big barn! Not only are they back, but they will be bringing a very special surprise guest. Joining opening…

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Blueberry Jam Harvest Series: Slowcoaster / Abbey Mullendore & the Luxtones / Voodoo Sometimes

Date: Saturday, October 12 2024

Saturday nights alright for absolutely rippin… The Harvest Series is stoked to welcome Slowcoaster to their first ever Blueberry Jam show. Legends!! Also appearing Saturday is the ever powerful Abbey Mullendore with her new outfit, the Luxtones, and returning to Big Belle for their Harvest debut, Voodoo Sometimes. $65 (Premium seating) / $50 (General Admission) [+ tax & fees) | 7pm-midnight | 19+

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Blueberry Jam Harvest Series: A MacInnis Reunion

Date: Sunday, October 13 2024

Night three of Blueberry Jam Harvest Series will feature a whole MacInnis reunion with Rankin MacInnis & the Broken Reeds with Peter MacInnis, Mike MacInnis, Neil MacInnis, Cullen MacInnis and Mary Elizabeth MacInnis plus Blueberry Jam Harvest Series first guest from Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Rodgers. $65 (Premium seating) / $50 (General Admission) [+ tax & fees) | 7pm-midnight | 19+

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