Annapolis Valley Festivals

One of the Great Rides Found at the Exhibition

There are plenty of Annapolis Valley festivals here in the Valley, we have lots to celebrate.

Our oldest settlement, Annapolis Royal celebrates its birthday during its Natal Days Celebrations. The world famous Digby Scallops are celebrated during the Digby Scallop Days. Bear River holds its Annual Cherry Carnival plus there are celebrations for the crops and harvests of our valley.

We have Food and meal events; and we have Sporting Events; and all kinds of music festivals going on throughout the valley all year long. You might say we are very festive people.

On this page I list the Annapolis Valley festivals and celebrations that will be going on during the summer. By checking here you will know what is going on while you are visiting our valley.

If you find one you are interested in, then follow the link to the Annapolis Events page, (at the bottom of this page), to see what the dates and timings are for that festival.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these events, I am making up their own pages with more information about them. If the title is highlighted you may click on it to read more. Where possible I have included a short history about how this festival got started, or how it has changed over the years.

I have also included a schedule of events as a guide to see what type of events are held at this festival. But I would like to point out that this schedule may not be up to date, so it is advised that you check with an up-to-date schedule for the actual festival.

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Here in the Annapolis Valley we are very proud to be Canadian. Hey, after all we were some of the first. Therefore we are big when it comes to Canada Day celebrations. Every town and community has something special going on for this very important day. So if you are going to be in the area during Canada Days you may want to know what is going on and where. You can check out some of the events by checking on this page.

One of the first Annapolis Valley Festivals of the summer is the “Spring into Summer Weekend” in Annapolis Royal. It is held on Victoria Day Weekend and fun events for the whole family are planned to celebrate the Queen's birthday.

One of the big attractions will be the opening of the Farmer's and Traders Market for the summer season. The Farmers and Traders Market has become a summer tradition in this town on Saturday mornings. The opening day for the season is sure to have lots of entertainment and wonderful items for sale from the many vendors.

Other events going on that weekend include an afternoon at the O'Dell House Museum for a Victorian Cream Tea.

The largest and best known of the Annapolis Valley Festivals is the Apple Blossom Festival held each year around the end of May to the first of June. The festival was organized to celebrate and help promote the large apple industry in the Annapolis Valley. Many of the communities up and down the valley participate in this festival by holding events based on a similar theme.

Save the second Saturday in June to attend the Port Williams Day celebrations. One of the main events is a village wide yard sale, which boasts dozens of vendors and hundreds of shoppers. Other events include a parade, entertainment, games, and displays. Part of the celebrations in 2007 included a special reunion of all of their former Apple Blossom Princesses.

A Band in the Annapolis Royal Natal Day Parade

The Kingsport Gala Days are held on a weekend in mid to late June. They hold several events including a community wide yard sale, a bake and a sweets & tea. For lunch enjoy their fish chowder with strawberry shortcake for dessert and then a chicken barbecue for supper. A parade is held during Saturday and a bingo followed by a dance at the wharf in the evening and a fireworks display. There is also the Sport & Fitness Casino, a jam session and an Ecumenical Church Service on Sunday morning.

The Hall's Harbour Day is sponsored by the Community Development Association and is held on Canada Day, July 1. Start the day off with the Fireman's breakfast, followed later with a kiddie’s parade, magic show and games, hot dog and sausage barbecue with a chicken barbecue held later. It wouldn't be Canada Day without the flag raising ceremony and Canada Day birthday cake. There will also be a Chinese auction, music entertainment and a dance ending up with a fireworks display.

Around the first week of July the community of Dalhousie takes a day to celebrate its existence with a Dalhousie Day. Most events for this celebration are held at the West Dalhousie Hall. For information on events watch the local paper or call Val Graham 902 665 4056.

Usually held around the first Saturday of July the Annapolis County Recreation Services will hold its Annual Family Fun Day at Raven Haven Family Beachside Park on Sandy Bottom Lake. This Annapolis Valley Festival has become very popular with a very fun-filled afternoon.

Events planned are Carnival Games, a Sandcastle Competition, Face Painting, Beach Volleyball, Baby Bottle Contest, BBQ, Music and Entertainment for all ages. Oh and of course there will be supervised Swimming all day. For more information on this event contact the Annapolis County Recreation Services at 902 532 2334.

Oxen Competition in Bear River

The second weekend of July is the annual Kingston Steer BBQ festival & Village Fair. Kingston has perfected the art of barbecuing a whole steer and capturing the succulent juices to create a mouth-watering taste of beef. They have also become know to have the largest steer BBQ in Nova Scotia. Besides the food there is plenty of entertainment and events happening in the village during the festival.

- Middleton is the place to be for the Heart of the Valley Festival around the middle of July. This three-day event is jammed packed full of fun-filled activities. There is a Grand Street Parade, Strongman Competition, Dances, BBQs, 4-H Woodsman Competition, Rubber Duck Race and a Dog Show. Check out all the fun you can have at this Annapolis Valley Festival.

March of the Flags, Sunset Ceremony

The annual Bear River Cherry Carnival is held around the middle of July. This has always been a very popular Annapolis Valley Festival with its Grand Street Parade, Children's Parade, Games and Entertainment for the kids, Rubber Duck Race, Community Fire Hall Dinner and the Fireworks display that night. Watch the papers and flyers for a complete list of events or contact Jim Nixon at 902 467 3521 for more information.

The Mud Creek Days are a celebration of Wolfville then and now and they are held in Wolfville for a week around the last week of July. The week of this Annapolis Valley Festival is full of activities concerning History, Art, Family Fun, Concerts and more. Watch the local papers or call the Town of Wolfville at 902 542 7000 for a full schedule of events.

Every summer the Tupperville School Museum holds its Annual Old Fashion Ice Cream Festival around the end of July. This annual event will feature fun for the whole family. Besides the many flavors of ice cream served there will be a BBQ, Games and an Auction. Marion Inglis will be happy to give you more information at 902 665 2427.

-Inglewood will be celebrating it's Community Day at the Inglewood Community Hall between 1 - 5 p.m. on the last Saturday of July. There will be events for the whole family with Games, Horseshoe Tournament, Potluck Supper and a BBQ. It is free admission and you can call Edith Cromwell at 902 665 2606 for more information on this Annapolis Valley Festival.

Dog Agility Demonstration at a Local Festival

Our oldest settlement still knows how to party as it celebrates the town's birthday. This four-day Annapolis Valley Festival is full of traditions and activities for all ages. Friday starts it all off with the Opening Ceremonies and Introduction of the Princesses and it does not stop all weekend.

Annual favorites include the Military Encampment on the grounds of Fort Anne, the Grand Street Parade and Children’s Doll Carriage Parade, the Annual Fun Run, the Sun Set Ceremony and the spectacular Fireworks. There are also lots of Children’s Activities including the Teddy Bear Tea, and demonstrations like the Dog Agility Competition, plus the 74th Crusaders Motorcycle Drive By and plenty of Entertainment for the whole family.

The Annapolis Royal Natal Days always happens on the Civic Holiday weekend, or the weekend proceeding the first Monday of August. Watch the papers and flyers for a complete list of the activities or call the Town Hall at 902 532 2043.

The first weekend of August has the Margaretsville Days going on for three days. Some of the highlights include a Hodge Podge Supper at Forest Glade Hall, a children’s parade followed by a hot dog lunch and a "Round the Square" yard sale and a Sunday Brunch at the Margaretsville Community Hall. Watch the local papers for a complete schedule of events for this Annapolis Valley Festival.

Noah Checking Out the Cattle Barns

The town of Digby celebrates its World Famous Scallops, as it should, with a four day Annapolis Valley Festival full of activities around the second week of August. Events include a Grand Street Parade, a Scallop Shucking Competition, Fun Run, Games, Entertainment, Dances, BBQs and a Fireworks display. A full schedule of events will be in the local paper closer to the date, or you can call Norm Lockyer at 902 245 4531.

The second week of August is about the time New Minas will host its Celebration Days with a wide variety of activities. There will be Musical Entertainment, a Street Dance, Car Show, Magic Show, Clowns and Fireworks.

Also held in conjunction with this Annapolis Valley Festival; New Minas Recreation Department hosts the Atlantic Provinces largest Soccer Tournament with over 160 teams competing. For more information on either the festival or the soccer tournament call the Recreation Department at 902 681 6577.

The Annapolis Valley Exhibition is a week long agricultural exhibition held in Lawrencetown, Annapolis County. The exhibition is another one of the larger Annapolis Valley Festivals showcasing many aspects of the farming occupation including displays, demonstrations and competitions. It boasts several display buildings; a youth arena; show rings; a riverside stage; a meal hall and the Bill Lynch Shows Fair.

Freeport Days is celebrated on the third weekend of August each year. There are several local events going on including entertainment, competitions and a grand street parade.

Wharf Rat Rally in Digby, Nova Scotia

The Digby County Exhibition is held annually near the end of August at the Bear River Exhibition grounds. This is an agricultural Exhibition full of demonstrations, displays and competitions to represent many aspects of the farming community. Bake goods, fruits & vegetables, arts & crafts, small and large livestock are all judged and displayed during the weeklong event. Big attractions include light horse shows and heavy horse and oxen pulls. Check out this Annapolis Valley Festival.

Held on the last Saturday of August this Annapolis Valley Festival features a full day of entertainment, delicious food a parade, a bingo, horse and ox pulls, games of chance and a canteen. Contact Arthur or Janice Wilson at 902 547 2314 for more information on this event.

The Round Hill & District Recreation Commission holds an annual fundraiser at Bishop Park in Round Hill. This one-day event held around the end of August will feature Ball Games, Games of Chance, Bingo, a Pork BBQ and lots of fun for the whole family. You can call Allen Cress at 902 532 7988 for more information.

The Western Kings Community Fair is held on Labor Day weekend at the fair grounds in Tremont, south of Greenwood. Events run all day and evening include a hot dinner and supper, a beef and dairy show, light horse show, horse and ox pulls, children and pet parades, men's and ladies' cross-cut competitions, live music, arts & crafts competition and display and a fruit and vegetable competition and display. Jim Marshall will be happy to provide more information on this Annapolis Valley Festival is you call him at 902 765 9442.

The Shriners Participate in all the
Annapolis Valley Festival Parades

The Sheffield Mills Harvest Fair is held on the first Saturday of September at the Sheffield Mills community Hall. Here you find something fun for the whole family while celebrating this wonderful time of year and the fall harvest.

The Golden Age Seniors Club is host to the Falkland Ridge Logger's Days on the second weekend of September. There is a lot to see and do at this event and many delicious meals to attend. Contact Andy Hustoft for more information at 902 547 2063.

CFB Greenwood host the Heart of the Valley Highland Games during a weekend in mid September. Enjoy the Scottish Traditions with the heavy competition and Celtic entertainment. Also going on during the weekend is the junior games. Call Jamie Peppard at 902 825 1796 for more information on these games.

This is a fairly new Annapolis Valley Festival, but one that has caught on big time and is considered an International-Level Bike Rally. It will be held in Digby during the Labor Day weekend and the schedule of events include a Show & Shine, Vendors & Product Fair, Stunt & Show, Loud Pipes and Burnouts, Tattoo Competition and Biker Games.

Other non biker events include a Community Breakfast, Scottish Highland Heavyweight Games, a Fire Truck Pull, a Pool Tournament, Beer Belly Contest, Car Show, Jet Ski Stunt Show, Concerts, Competitions and Fireworks. Watch the local papers or call the Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association at 902 245 4702 for more information.

You can enjoy lots of entertainment, a Midway, Craft Fair and a Parade at the Berwick Gala Days during the Labor Day weekend. There will also be Horse and Ox Pulls and a Much Music Dance and many more events during the weekend. Call the Berwick Recreation Department for more information on this Annapolis Valley Festival at 902 538 8616.

Equestrian Events are Very Popular at the Festivals

The annual Bridgetown Ciderfest is a four day event held in mid September celebrating the harvest of the apples. This great Annapolis Valley Festival is full of Parades, Competitions, Demonstrations, BBQs, Entertainment and Games for the whole family.

The St. James Anglican Church is holding a Quilt & Rug Show in conjunction with the Ciderfest schedule. Watch the local paper or contact Bronson Rafuse at 902 665 2915 for more information on the events.

The Melvern Square Harvest Festival is held Saturday afternoon mid to late September at the Melvern Square Hall. Several events are held open to the whole family during the afternoon. Call Marilyn Wilkins at 902 765 8158 for more information.

The western end of the Annapolis Valley from Kentville to Windsor have joined together to provide a full month of pumpkin fun and harvest festivals. There will be over thirty pumpkin events going on including the popular Kentville Pumpkin People to the fun and exciting Annual Windsor - West Hants Pumpkin Regatta, which has acquired recognition across the country. Included in this huge event are the Kentville Harvest Festival; the New Minas Family Fun Fall Harvest Fest; The Wolfville Harvest Festival; Hantsport Harvest Festival; the Grand Pre Wine Fest and the Windsor Fall Harvest Festival.

Valley Festivals Usually End With a Fireworks Display

There I told you we have lots of Annapolis Valley Festivals and celebrations didn't I? This is not all of them; check out the other pages for the music festivals, arts festivals, and community-sponsored meals, Canada Day Celebrations and sports events. Remember to check out the link below to the Annapolis Events page to find out the dates and times of these Annapolis Valley Festivals.

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