Be sure to request a copy of Inverness County’s Summer/Fall Events Brochure with festival schedules, special events, dances, concerts & ceilidhs and outdoor events.  These brochures will also be available at all visitor information centres on Cape Breton Island  in May. 

Throughout our website and literature you will often see the word "ceilidh". This word is pronounced  'kay - lee'.  Ceilidh is a Gaelic word.  Translated into English it means “kitchen party” or informal gathering, usually with a mix of traditional fiddle and piano music, guitar, step dance and singing.  Be sure to fit at least one ceilidh into your visit to Inverness County!

Please scroll down to find the dates and locations for festivals that we have received information on to-date.  This page will be updated as we receive information from the festival organizations.

MAY - JUNE

Lobsterpalooza  "Feastival"

Communities in and around the Cabot Trail - the Margarees, Cheticamp, and Pleasant Bay
Date(s): May 25 - June 30, 2008

Website:    www.lobsterpalooza.ca

Cape Breton's newest festival - Lobsterpalooza - offers 185 miles of seafood and seafaring traditions presented during 35 days of springtime feasts and fun. The Cabot Trail is launching the second annual unique event which has something from the sea for visitors and residents alike!

While Lobsterpalooza runs from May 25th - June 30th, 2008 at multiple sites along the Cabot Trail, seafood related events begin with the start of lobster fishing season and continue well into the fall. And lobsters are not all we have to offer - mussels, clams, crab, oysters - our coastal communities have it all. Visit the Cabot Trail this spring, we promise a feast for all of your senses!

Be sure to check out the website for the calender of events and 101 Things to Do on the Cabot Trail. www.lobsterpalooza.ca

JULY:

Festival De L'Escaouette

Cheticamp, Cabot Trail
Date(s): July 1 – August 24
Le Festival de l'Escaouette is the only Acadian summer festival in Inverness County. It is a celebration of Acadian culture and traditions in the Acadian region of Chéticamp.

It is hoped that Le Festival de l’Escaouette 2008 will entice our many parents, friends and neighbours to come home and join in the fun and frolic of these celebrations. We hope that these festivities will provide an opportunity to discover our cultural heritage, to renew old acquaintances and to develop closer bonds of friendship.

Information 902-224-2642 / 902-224-1876 or www.festivallescaouette.com

NE Margaree Firefighter’s Fun Days

NE Margaree, Cabot Trail
Date(s): July 4 - 6

Community celebration includes variety concert at Cranton's Crossroads Community Centre, parade, children’s activities, lumbermen’s competition, adult dance and duck race.  Fun for the whole family!

Lake Ainslie Firemen's Ceilidh Days

Scotsville, Highway 395
Date(s): July 8 - 12

On the grounds of the Lake Ainslie Fire Hall, located near beautiful Lake Ainslie. Activities include an adult square dance, merchandise bingo, a pub night featuring local talent, Maragh & Ham supper, parade, followed by fun and games.

* Information for this year's Judique On the Floor festival can be found in August.

Port Hood Annual Lobster Picnic

Port Hood, Ceilidh Trail (Hwy 19)
Date(s): July 12

Email: lobsterpicnic@hotmail.com

Website: www.porthood.ca

Phone: 902 787 2083

Come bring your whole family to our 2nd Annual Lobster Picnic. The picnic will take place on the grounds of the Al MacInnis Sports Centre "by-the-sea." Take a boat or zodiac tour to Port Hood Island or just sit back and listen to the Ceilidh, all while taking in our beautiful breath taking scenery. Lots to do for the whole family, including children's games, horseshoe tournament, tug-of-war, boat tours, musical entertainment, a farmers market and of course delicious lobster! A day designed for all ages!!

Whycocomagh Summer Festival

Whycocomagh, Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive (Highway 105 TC)
Date(s): July 11 -13

Website: www.whycocomagh.com
Situated at the head of the Bras d'Or Lakes, it is ideal for water activities, boat tours and ceilidhs featuring traditional Scottish and Mi'kmaq talent. There are Maragh suppers, craft shows, princess pageant, dances, kiddie games and a wide variety of sporting events for all ages. For more information on specific events call 945 - 2677.

Mabou Ceilidh Festival

Mabou, Ceilidh Trail (Hwy Route 19)
Date(s): July 17 - 20
Various activities throughout the community including teen dance, boat parade, square dance, road race, street parade, ecumenical service, children’s games, old fashioned tea, outdoor gala, crafts, beer garden, milling frolic, Pioneer Mass, roast beef dinner, and special concert at Strathspey Place to wrap the week's activities. 

Inverness Gathering

Inverness, Ceilidh Trail (Highway Route 19)
Date(s): July 21– 27

This lovely community by-the-sea celebrates their annual week long festival with fun for all ages. Dances, street parade, children’s activities, golf tournament, special art exhibit, princess pageant, casino night, fishermen’s picnic on the waterfront, pancake breakfast, special horse races and much more. Something for the whole family! Take a stroll on the local boardwalk, beachcomb for mermaid tears along the sandy beaches and experience some of Inverness County's awesome sunset's.

Annual Broad Cove Scottish Concert

Broad Cove, Ceilidh Trail, (Highway Route 19

Date:  Sunday, July 27,  3pm

Open air concert.  The people of Broad Cove invite you to celebrate their 52nd Annual Broad Cove Scottish Concert. On the grounds of St. Margaret's Parish just off Route 19, the Ceilidh Trail, 3km north of Inverness.  The best of Scottish talent including violins, stepdancing, singing, highland dancing and much more. Ample parking, canteen, washrooms, professional security. Always the last Sunday in July.  Tickets at the gate only.

Belle Cote Days

Belle Cote, Cabot Trail
Date(s): July 23 - 27
Where the Margaree River meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this coastal community celebrates their annual community festival the last week of July. Activities include a golf tournament, triathlon, ecumenical service and outdoor concert, seniors card play, crab and wraps up on Sunday with a Chicken BBQ and Strawberry Shortcake. 

AUGUST:

Chestico Days Summer Festival

Port Hood, Ceilidh Trail (Highway Route 19)
Date(s): July 28 - August 3
Week-long summer festival with events such as golf tournament , horse race, road race, dances, concerts, ceilidhs, BBQ, beer gardens, boat and street parades, boat rides, lobster supper, games, fireworks, stepdancing showcase, traditional Celtic music, stepdancing workshops, children's parade, sand sculpture competition, beach volleyball tournament, food and craft show, strong man competition, and teen dances.  The festival wraps up with fireworks on Sunday.

Annual Stepdancing Festival - Saturday, August 2

Dance Friday Night:  Music by Matt Anderson

Dance Saturday Night: Music by Crossfire

Margaree Summer Festival - Celebrating 40 Years!

Margaree Forks, Cabot Trail
Date(s): August 8 - 10
Three unique and entertaining events over the course of 2 days: 1. "Anything That Floats & "The Fast & the Furious”race at Doyles Bridge 2. Theatre performance at Cranton Crossroads Community Centre.   3. Outdoor Concert and Children's Activities in Drs. Coady Tompkins Library Park.  Special guest performer.   Bring the whole family. Lots of fun for all ages!

Marble Mountain Annual Family Festival and Poker Run

Marble Mountain, Bras d'or Lakes Scenic Drive (off Hwy 105 TransCanada)

Date(s):  August 8 - 10

Marble Mountain is a small picturesque village that perches high above Clark Cove on the Bras d'Or Lakes between Port Hawkesbury and the 105 Trans Canada Hwy.      Games Night at the Marble Mountain Communty Hall on Friday. On Saturday enjoy a day at the beautiful marble chip beach and treat the family to a Potluck Supper at the Community Hall.  On Sunday the Poker Run begins at noon at the Marble Mountain Wharf.  A great time for the whole family.  Events sponsored by the Marble Mountain Wharf Preservations Society.

Judique On the Floor Days

Judique, Ceilidh Trail (Hwy Route 19)
Date(s): August 15& 17

Judique Recreation Grounds, River Denys Rd. Activities include a 5km road race, street parade, children’s games, barbeqie dinner, pub and softball tournament. Outdoor dances at the tennis court (19 and over – IDs required) both Friday and Saturday night. In case of inclement weather, dances will be held at the Judique Community Centre.

Dance August 15 - TBA

Dance August 16 - Music by the band"Pogey"

SEPTEMBER:

Glencoe Day

Glencoe Mills, Ceilidh Trail (Highway  Route 19)
Date(s): Sunday, August 31
Glencoe Mills Parish Hall. Community celebration with games of chance, horseshoes, Mass at St. Joseph's followed by a dinner and square dance at the Glencoe Mills Hall.

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West Bay Road Fall Fair

West Bay Road, off the TransCanada Highway 105
Dates: September 19 - 21

Variety concert, parade, games of chance, bingo followed by BBQ supper at the West Bay Road Fire Hall.

Celtic Colours International Music Festival

Cape Breton Island Wide
Date(s): October 10 - 18

Website: www.celtic-colours.com or Call 1 877 - 285 - 2321
You are invited to experience the only living Celtic culture in North America! Now in its 11th year, Celtic Colours is a Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Island-wide festival featuring approximately 44 performances over nine days as well as a nightly festival club. Each year, over 300 artists from all over the Celtic world, including Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Brittany, Spain and Canada perform at over 30 venues around the island, with several in Inverness County alone. Besides the nightly events, there is a school program, visual arts series and a full schedule of workshops that allows the visitor to be an active participant in the Celtic culture.