Summer Festival Guide 2023
INGOBeach Pride Festival | Ingonish, NS
Show your Pride at the first-ever INGOBeach Pride Festival at the picturesque Keltic Lodge Golf and Resort & Spa. The event features an incredible lineup made up of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and allies, wellness classes, workshops, guided hikes, comedy shows and more.
Date: June 23-25
Location: Keltic Lodge (383 Keltic in Rd, Ingonish Beach, NS B0C 1L0)
Price: Weekend pass: $85.47 / Day passes: $64.17. VIP and other ticket options are available
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: Camping is available at Ingonish Beach Campground (500 metres from the stage)
Food and beverage: Yes. There’s even a Sunday brunch at Keltic Lodge hosted by Tracy and Martina
Cavendish Beach Music Festival | Cavendish, PEI
Each year more than 60,000 country music lovers attend the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and is known to host some of country music’s biggest stars.
Date: July 6-8
Location: Behind Avonlea Village (8779 Route 6, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island)
Price: Weekend pass: $351.67 / Thursday and Friday day passes: $144.21
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: Yes, for an additional fee
Food and beverage: Yes, on-site food vendors, and pop-up stands for beverages
NL Folk Festival | Saint John’s, NL
2023 marks the 47th year of the NL Folk Festival. Bannerman Park is home to the main stage, with other performances and after-shows happening at the 2023 ECMA Venue of the Year winner, The Ship Pub.
Date: July 7-9
Location: Bannerman Park (Military Rd, St. John's, NL A1C 5M2)
Price: Adult weekend passes: $155 / Youth 13-18 and seniors 65+ weekend passes: $115 for weekend passes / Kids under 12: free. Other ticketing options are available.
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Bring your own snacks. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site
Pictou Lobster Carnival | Pictou, NS
One of the oldest festivals on this list - The Pictou Lobster Carnival, started in 1934. The three days festival celebrates the end of lobster fishing in the area with music, a carnival, parade, car show, lobster boat races and more.
Date: July 7-9
Location: The Caladh Marquee (27 Creighton St, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0)
Price: Dry weekend passes: $45 / Beer garden weekend passes: $55
Age Restrictions: All ages with 19+ areas
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
TD Halifax Jazz Festival | Halifax, NS
The 2023 ECMA winner for Event of the Year, Halifax Jazz Fest is the largest summer festival in Nova Scotia and a can’t-miss, six-day event. Each day there will be free and paid programming sprawled across HRM featuring national, local and international artists.
Date: July 11-16
Location: Various locations in Halifax. The TD Main Stage is at the Salter Lot (1521 Lower Water Street)
Price: Standard passes: $215.56. Other pass and ticket options are available. Free concerts throughout the day and the TD Main Stage show on July 13 featuring The Last Waltz Halifax are free
Age Restrictions: All ages. If you’re under 19 and want to attend a show at the TD Main Stage, you are required to be accompanied and supervised by your parent or legal guardian and agree to and complete all terms and conditions outlined in their Underage Application Form
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Food and beverage services will be available at the TD Main Stage and select other venues
BainFest | Marshville, NS
Each year about 400 festival-goers head to Marshville, Pictou County, for a fun-filled weekend on the ocean. Bainfest is a family-run festival with no line-ups and BYOB, where you can enjoy Atlantic Canadian music from your lawn chair.
Date: July 13-15
Location: 18 Wildflower Lane, River John, NS B0K 1N0
Price: Weekend Pass: $199 / Day passes start at: $75
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: Yes, included with weekend pass
Food and beverage: BYOB and food trucks on-site
Sommo Festival | Cavendish, PEI
The first-ever Sommo Festival comes from the folks who plan the massively successful country festival, Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Located on the same grounds, the festival will feature live music across two stages, celebrity chefs and delicious drinks.
Date: July 14-15
Location: Behind Avonlea Village (8779 Route 6, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island)
Price: Weekend GA passes start at: $179 / GA day passes start at: $99. VIP options are available
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: Yes, for an additional fee
Food and beverage: Culinary stages with celebrity chefs, on-site food vendors, and pop-up stands for beverages
Stan Rogers Folk Festival | Canso, NS
Stan Rogers Folk Festival - Canada’s Songwriter Festival hosts 3,000 people each day and is a tribute to the legendary folk musician Stan Rogers.
Date: July 20-23
Location: 104 Queen Street Canso, NS B0H 1H0
Price: Weekend passes start at: $145 / Day passes are available. Thursday evening kick-off with Alan Doyle is a separate cost.
Age Restrictions: All ages. Any child 12 or younger can enter the festival grounds at no cost
Camping: Yes, various camping sites are available for an extra fee
Food and beverage: Food and beverage services are available on site
Halifax Pride | Halifax, NS
Each year, Halifax Pride Festival draws more than 150,000 participants to its various events, including Canada’s 4th largest Pride Parade in Canada, which will take place on Sunday, July 23. More details about the 2023 event will be announced soon.
Date: July 20-30
Location: Garrison Grounds and other various locations around Halifax
Price: Free and paid events. Lineup TBD
Age Restrictions: Certain events are all ages. Others are 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
Trunk 7 Music Festival | Porters Lake, NS
The largest festival on the Eastern Shore, Trunk 7 Music Festival takes place in Porters Lake, NS.
Dates: July 21-22
Location: Porter’s Lake Superstore parking lot (5240 Hwy #7, Porters Lake, NS B3E 1J7)
Price: Weekend pass: $50 / Day pass $30
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
Sweltering Songs | Fredericton, NB
The third edition of Sweltering Songs takes place this July in downtown Fredericton along the Wolastoq River.
Date: July 22-23
Location: Various locations in Fredericton
Price: Weekend passes: $60 / Day passes: $35.
Age Restrictions: All tent shows are wet/dry and open to people of all ages. All shows at The CAP are limited to patrons 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
Rock the Lot | Dominion, NS
Organizers of Rock the Lot promise that this year is going to be bigger and better than last year and is bringing two full nights of music. VIP tickets are already sold out, but there are still GA tickets available.
Date: July 28-29
Location: The Sandbar Restaurant and Lounge (117 Mitchell Ave 117 Mitchell Avenue Dominion, NS B1G 1M7)
Price: GA per night: $50
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes, beer tent on-site
Crescendo Fest | Halifax, NS
The first annual Crescendo Fest takes place in Halifax August 4-5. The event celebrates Black music and artists and promotes education, networking, empowerment and culture.
More information on this event to be announced. VISIT CRESCENDOFEST.COM FOR UPDATES.
New Glasgow Jubilee | New Glasgow, NS
An August long weekend tradition, the New Glasgow Jubilee takes place at Glasgow Square Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre on New Glasgow's riverfront.
Date: August 4-6
Location: Various venues in Downtown New Glasgow. The main stage is located at the Glasgow Square Theatre (155 Riverside Pkwy, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5E1)
Price: GA weekend pass: $139 / Day passes: $60. VIP options available.
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors on-site
Area 506 | Saint John, NB
Since 2016, Area 506 has been transforming the Saint John waterfront during New Brunswick Day long weekend to highlight music, culture and goods.
Date: August 4-6
Location: Waterfront Container Village (85 Water St, Saint John, NB E2L 0B1)
Price: GA weekend passes: $229 / Day passes start at: $99. VIP options available
Age Restrictions: All ages. The VIP area is for 19+ only
Camping: No
Food and beverage: There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors on-site
Sappyfest | Sackville, NB
Sappyfest 18 features music and several interactive art projects, a Sappy Street Market featuring regional food, craft and artisanal goods. This all takes place in downtown Sackville during the August long weekend.
Date: August 4-6
Location: Bridge Street, Sackville, NB
Price: Weekend pass: $135
Age Restrictions: 18 and under are admitted free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult with a pass. Select off-site venues are 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Beer garden and vendor market on-site
Rock the Boat Music Fest
Rock the Boat Music Fest is presented by the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. This year is the 9th year of the festival, which is a fundraiser in support of the small community of Tyne Valley. This year the concert features co-headliners Alan Doyle and Tim Hicks.
Date: August 5-6
Location: 361 Green Park Rd, Tyne Valley, PE, C0B 2C0
Price: Day passes start at: $54.95 / Weekend passes: $119.95. VIP options available.
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes, many options will be available on-site
Rock the Fiddle | Sydney, NS
The inaugural Rock the Fiddle takes place this summer on the Sydney Waterfront, Port of Sydney, bringing talent from the island alongside other talented Canadian artists.
Date: August 10-12
Location: Port of Sydney (90 Esplanade, Sydney, NS, B1P 1A1)
Price: Weekend pass: $170 / Single day pass: $170. Other VIP options are available. Kids under the age of 3 are free
Age Restrictions: All ages with 19+ area
Camping: No, but most attendees stay at Mount Allison dorms
Food and beverage: A number of food trucks have partnered with the event
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival | Lunenburg, NS
Nova Scotia’s longest-running folk music festival, 2023, is Lunenburg Folk Habour Festival’s 38th year. The festival includes a conference, free voice, music and dance workshops and, of course, traditional and contemporary folk music.
Date: August 10-13
Location: Various venues in Lunenburg
Price: Festival passes: $175 / Day passes: $75. Other ticket options are also available. People 25 and under save 50% on tickets.
Age Restrictions: All ages. Any child 12 or younger can enter the festival for free
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Most venues are alcohol and smoke-free, including the main stage tent
Blacktop Ball | Merigomish, NS
The 2023 rendition of The Stanfield’s annual BYOB party features two nights of camping and one night of music. Special guest announcements coming soon.
Date: August 11-12
Location: Blacktop Ball (3707 Shore Rd Merigomish, NS B0K 1G0)
Price: Tickets starting at: $50.52
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: Yes, for an extra fee
Food and beverage: BYOB
RiverFest Rock the Bush | Aylsford, NS
This all-ages festival has been around since 2004. Rock the Bush is a non-profit event with proceeds (after costs) going towards two local charities based in the south shore of Nova Scotia.
Date: August 11-12
Location: Fox Mountain Camping Park (6128 Aylsford Road, Aylsfod, NS, B0P 1C0)
Price: Weekend passes: $70
Age Restrictions: All ages with 19+ area.
Camping: Yes, included with weekend passes
Food and beverage: BYOB, canteen on-site
Churchill Park Music Festival | Saint John’s, NL
Churchill Park Music Festival is a four-night event taking place over two weekends and is bringing big-name talent. Selling out one of the nights, the fest announced a second Alanis Morissette show and more announcements are on the way.
Date: Aug 11-12 & Aug 18-19
Location: Churchill Park (180 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's)
Price: Day passes only. Tickets range from $99.50 - $224.50. The festival also offers an interest-free installment option with Afterpay.
Age Restrictions: The festival is a licensed 19+ event that will also offer general admission all ages (alcohol-free) area.
Camping: No
Food and beverage: There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors on-site.
Nova Scotia Summer Fest | Antigonish, NS
A celebration of Nova Scotian music and food, Nova Scotia Summer Fest features a free cookout on Thursday and music on Friday and Saturday.
Date: August 17-19
Location: Columbus Field (121 Main Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2N8)
Price: Weekend passes: $125 / Day passes: $70.
Age Restrictions: All ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and charged $1 for entry.
Camping: Yes, for an extra fee.
Food and beverage: There will be alcohol-designated areas restricted to 19+ areas. There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors on-site.
Blueberry Jam | Mabou Ridge, NS
Taking place at a 170-year-old heritage farm, Blueberry Jam 2023 will be the 5th annual event. Formed through a collaboration between Big Belle Farm and local musician Rankin MacInnis, the festival celebrates and promotes the wild blueberry industry and music in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia.
Date: August 18-19
Location: Big Belle Farm (891 SW Ridge Road, Mabou, NS, B0E 1X0)
Price: Weekend passes: $130 / Day passes starting at: $70
Age Restrictions: You can bring infants that are dependent (3 or less) but is a +19 event so access to older children is restricted.
Camping: On-site tent and RV camping available for extra cost
Food and beverage: Yes
Rock the Harbour | Dartmouth, NS
New in 2023, Rock the Harbour is a three-day, outdoor classic-rock festival held at Alderney Landing.
Date: August 18-20
Location: Alderney Landing (2 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4W1)
Price: Weekend passes: $231 / Single day passes: $82
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
Acoustic Maritime Music Festival | Kempt Shore, NS
The Acoustic Maritime Music Festival is held every year during the third full weekend of July at the Kempt Shore Ocean View Campground. The four-day event features musicians playing “acoustically as possible,” open mics, jam sessions and workshops.
Date: August 18-20
Location: Kempt Shore Ocean View Campground (5701, NS-215, Newport, NS B0N 2A0)
Price: Festival pass: $150 / Day passes: $54 / Children under 16 get in free with parents
Age Restrictions: All ages.
Camping: Yes, included with festival pass
Food and beverage: Yes
YQM COUNTRY FEST | DIEPPE, NB
YQM Country Fest is an annual event that celebrates the spirit of country music with big name artists.
Date: August 24-26
Location: Musiquart Site (475 Notre-Dame Street, Dieppe, NB, Canada, New Brunswick)
Price: GA Weekend passes starting at: $599
Age Restrictions: All ages
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes, there will be on-site vendors
Tata Fest | Tatamagouche, NS
Tata Fest is organized by the Grace Jollymore Joyce Arts Centre and features a variety of music genres.
Date: August 25 - 27, 2023
Location: 31 Creamery Road, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0
More information on this event to be announced. VISIT TATFEST.XYZ FOR UPDATES
Giantstock | Merigomish, NS
New this year, Andre Pettipas and the Giants are hosting the first Giantstock festival: three days of music, camping and Pettipasitivity. Held at the same site as Blacktop Ball, the festival takes place during Labour Day weekend and features music, mini-games (beach volleyball, washer toss), a bonfire and is BYOB.
Date: September 1-4
Location: Merigomish (3707 Shore Rd 3707 Shore Road Merigomish, NS B0K 1G0)
Price: $100
Age Restrictions: 19+
Camping: Yes, included in the ticket price
Food and beverage: BYOB and food trucks on-site
Harvest Music Festival| Fredericton, NB
Harvest Music Festival is a six-day festival featuring over 400 musicians on 27 stages across Fredericton. The festival has been around since 1991 and is known for bringing large international acts to the region.
Date: September 12-17
Location: Various locations in Fredericton
Price: Festival pass: $325 / Day passes range from $80-130
Age Restrictions: All ages. Select shows are 19+
Camping: No
Food and beverage: Yes
COUNTRY ROCKS THE FARM |Wolfville, NS
New this year is Country Rocks the Farm - a one day event that is run by non-profit organization GLS Society for Health and Life, who is dedicated to giving back to their community. Net proceeds from the event will go towards fighting food insecurity in schools around the Annapolis Valley.
Date: September 16
Location: Noggins Corner Farm (10009 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R2)
Price: $69.95
Age Restrictions: All ages with 19+ area
Camping: Accommodations nearby for an extra cost
Food and beverage: Yes
Wolfville Deep Roots Festival | Wolfville, NS
Hosted by the Deep Roots Music Cooperative, their mission is to create meaningful connections between cultures, community groups, artists and audiences by offering music-related events and programs. Wolfville Deep Roots Festival is their largest annual event and is held each year when Acadia University students are back on campus. Full lineup announcement coming on July 1.
Date: September 22-24
Location: Various locations in Wolfville.
Price: Festival pass: $120 / Under 25 and students: $75. Free programming is available for all ages.
Age Restrictions: All ages.
Camping: RV camping is available if you buy two or more passes.
Food and beverage: Home-cooked meals are available for $12 a meal for pass holders at the festival kitchen.
