Community Festivals

Community Festivals are very common in the Annapolis Valley, almost every town, village and community has a day when they celebrate their birthday. It is only normal people take pride in their community, it is their home.

Some of these community festivals are only one day events; others will last for most of a week. Each one is very unique though and tells something about the community.

They could be agricultural communities and have events planned with a farming theme, or they may be old military town and have regimental events celebrated. There are fishing themes, Acadian themes and arts and cultural themes and even mud themes. Every community is just a little different in the events they plan for their celebrations.

That is what makes it so nice here, there are so many different festivals going on throughout the year. You can attend every one and still find new events to spark your interest.

Below is a list of the community festivals going on in the Annapolis Valley. When you find one you think you may be interested in just click on the title and the link will take to a page where you can find out more. If the title is not highlighted then it means I have not found any more information on this festival yet. I will provide you with any information I have so far.

Kingsport Gala Days

The Kingsport Gala Days are held on a weekend in mid to late June. Kingsport is a small seaside village in Kings County located just northeast of the mouth of the Habitant River, on the west side of Minas Basin. You can reach it by heading east on the 221 past Canning. It is bordered by a tidal marsh to the west and sandy beaches to the south and east.

Port Williams Days

Save the second Saturday in June to attend the Port Williams Days celebrations. Port Williams is located on the north bank of the Cornwallis River in Kings County, Nova Scotia off of hwy 358. If you enter Port Williams by the bridge which crosses the Cornwallis you can stop and catch an amazing view of the Minas Basin and the wharf.

Halls Harbour Day

The Halls 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.

Halls Harbour is located on Route 359 16 km north of Kentville, NS

Smiths Cove Good Times Day

Held on the first Saturday of July the Smiths Cove Good Times Day is a day full of fun and activities. The activities are sponsored by the Smiths Cove Fire Department and the ladies auxiliary and the majority of the events go on at the Fire Hall.

It includes a Firefighter's Breakfast and Equipment Display; Silent Auction; Baked Goods Table; Treasure Table; an afternoon tea; games of chance and a supper.

Smiths Cove is located off Hwy 101 by exit 24 or 25, it is approximately 5 minutes from Digby.

Annual Kingston Steer BBQ & Village Fair

The second weekend of July is the annual Kingston Steer BBQ festival & Village Fair. Kingston is a village in Kings County on the north bank of the Annapolis River, take exit 17 off Hwy 101. It is in the heart of the beautiful Annapolis Valley, surrounded by rich farmland and fruit orchards.

Heart of the Valley 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. Middleton is situated on the north bank of the Annapolis River in Annapolis County.

Bear River Cherry Carnival

The annual Bear River Cherry Carnival is held around the middle of July. This has always been a very popular Annapolis Valley Festival with many events going on.

Bear River is a small village situated at the head of the tidewaters of the Bear River. The river itself is the border between the Annapolis and Digby counties of Nova Scotia and thus, splits the village so that half the village is in one county and the other half in the other.

Inglewood Community Day

Inglewood will be celebrating it's Community Day at the Inglewood Community Hall on the last Saturday of July.

This community festival is organized and run by the Village of Inglewood Association. There will be events for the whole family starting with a pancake breakfast followed with Games, a Horseshoe Tournament, beer tent, penny auction, silent auction, bouncy castle, duck race, 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.

Inglewood is a small village in Annapolis County north of Bridgetown.

Mud Creek Days

The Mud Creek Days are a celebration of mud held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The week-long festival goes on every year around the middle to end of July. Wolfville is located on the northeast end of the Bay of Fundy and is a great place to observe the highest tides in the world.

Margaretsville Days

Margaretsville Days is a three-day event taking place on the first weekend of August. It is a celebration of local talent and culture that was started about 1990 as an art show and has grown every year. The little village of Margaretsville is located north of Kingston on the Bay of Fundy off the Stronach Mountain Road.

Annapolis Royal Natal Days

Our oldest settlement still knows how to party as it celebrates the town's birthday. This four-day Community Festival takes place on the civic holiday weekend the first of August and is full of traditions and activities for all ages. Annapolis Royal is a historic community nestled in the center of the Annapolis Valley along the shores of the Annapolis River.

New Minas Celebration Days

The second week of August is about the time New Minas will host its Celebration Days with a wide variety of activities. It has recently become a two day event starting on Friday evening.

For the kids there is Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Soap Slide, Wagon Rides and the famous Bouncing Castle. They hold their popular Golf Ball Drop on Friday evening. There are various concerts and live performances held throughout the two days at various locations.

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. Check the Village of New Minas website for details of this years event.

Digby Scallop Days

The town of Digby celebrates its World Famous Scallops, as it should, with a four day Community Festival full of activities around the second week of August. There are several events with a fishing theme plus all the usual favorites at a community festival. Digby is located at the mouth of the Annapolis Basin.

Freeport Days

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. Freeport is located at the end of Digby Neck on Long Island, Digby County.

East Dalhousie Community Fair

Held on the last Saturday of August this Community Festival features a full day of entertainment, delicious food a parade, a bingo, horse and ox pulls, games of chance, a pie-eating contest and a canteen.

Bishop Park Gala Day

The Round Hill & District Recreation Commission holds an annual fundraiser at Bishop Park in Round Hill on Rt#201 between Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown.

This one-day event held around the end of August will feature Ball Games, Games of Chance, Bingo, a Pork or Chicken BBQ including fixings, a Lawn Tractor Contest, a Pie Eating Contest and lots of fun for the whole family. The morning starts off with a pancake breakfast held at the Round Hill Hall.

Western Kings Community Fair

The Western Kings Community Fair is held on Labour Day weekend at the fair grounds in Tremont, south of Greenwood. This fair is a celebration and promotion of agriculture in the area.

Berwick Gala Days

You can enjoy lots of entertainment, a Midway, Craft Fair, livestock shows and a Parade at the Berwick Gala Days during the Labour Day weekend. Berwick is located in Kings County and is located in the eastern part of the Annapolis Valley on the Cornwallis River. Take exit 15 off Highway 101.

Falkland Ridge Logger's Days

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. Falkland Ridge is located south of Middleton off the #10 highway.

Bridgetown Ciderfest

The annual Bridgetown Ciderfest is a four day event held the third weekend in 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. Bridgetown is located in Annapolis County along the Annapolis River at the Head of the Tide.

There is the list of Community Festivals I have so far. When I hear about others I will add them to this list. You have to admit this is a lot of celebrating, but as I mentioned we do have a lot to celebrate here in the Annapolis Valley.

Get Your Community Festivals Listed

If your organization has an annual Community Festivals you would like included on this page please let me know about it. You do that by filling in my Annapolis Events Contact Form. It's easy to do but please remember to include as much information as you can. When I receive your submission I will go over it and I may have to contact you for more information before I list the event.

Remember I am only adding annual events to this page, but still send in other events as I will post them on my Annapolis Valley Vacation Facebook Page.

Or go back to the Annapolis Valley Festivals page to see what other festivals are happening in the valley.