Fall is quickly approaching and although it’s getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and seasonal businesses are starting to close, there is still so much to do on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. From festivals to celebrating heritage and more. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate the fall season on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
Oktoberfest in Lunenburg
Lunenburg has a strong German history as many of its first settlers came from there. Because of that there might be no better place in Nova Scotia to celebrate Oktoberfest. Taking place this year on October 3rd, 2026 from 1pm to 11pm on the Lunenburg waterfront. There will be a beer garden featuring local Nova Scotian Craft beer, a German-style oompah band, a Nova Scotia Loyal Market and even German food for sale from pretzels to sausage aka wurst, sauerbraten, lemonade, desserts and more. There will also be fun for the family with inflatables, German arts and crafts, face painting and pumpkin painting too.
Be sure to visit http://www.southshoreoktoberfest.com/ for a schedule of events.
The Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival
Now in its 30th year the Mahone Bay Scarecrow festival takes over the town every fall. This year hundreds of scarecrows can be found throughout the town from Sept 25th to Oct 12, 2026. However, it is more than funky and unique scarecrows to be seen, there are also community events, a fruit pie baking competition, a nighttime display of 100+ craved and lit pumpkins, a giant book sale, yard sales, a pottery market and more.
Be sure to visit www.festivalsofmahonebay.com for a schedule of events.
The Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival and Regatta
The Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival and Regatta is a not to be missed event in fall in Nova Scotia. Taking place along the Shelburne waterfront for its 5th year on Oct 10, 2026. Come see some of the biggest pumpkins grown in Nova Scotia, see them get weighed in to see who wins for growing the biggest, see them get carved and then watch as a bunch of people jump in them for the regatta and row them back and forth along the Shelburne waterfront. See who sinks and who wins!
During the festival there will also be events like pumpkin racing, pumpkin carving, the farmers market at the Shelburne Guild Hall Market with fall and pumpkin specific vendors, there will be food trucks, a scarecrow competition with businesses throughout the town and more.
Be sure to visit https://www.facebook.com/novascotiagiantpumpkinfestivalandregatta for a schedule of events.
