You know you are in Cape Breton when you take in a lunch time Ceilidh and enjoy a delicious seafood chowder.
Just 20 minutes from the Canso Causeway along Highway 19 – the Ceilidh Trail is the village of Judique and the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre. Local musicians perform fiddle and piano in Cape Breton style Scottish music at the Lunchtime Ceilidh.
On our recent
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The chowder was delicious and the desert of warm Blueberry Bread Pudding was memorable.
Learn about the history of the area, the musicians and Scottish music. Pickup a few steps on the video tutorial on step dancing. The gift shop has a selection of books, CDs and gifts.
Next to the center the Alexander trail is a cool and shady forest trail leading down to the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail – the 70 KM trail from the Causeway to Inverness. Bikers and walkers enjoy this trail along the coastline with access to side trails leading to accommodations and food. Cape Breton’s Musical Coast is a pleasure with changing vistas of ocean and a variety of topography. Wild apples, berries, flowers changing with the seasons, small streams and bridges and coastal grasses. Good opportunity for bird watching and chance sightings of fox or deer along the way.
Festival Antigonish is celebrating its 30th year of wonderful professional theatre to enjoy this summer season. This year they are presenting The Hounds of the Baskerville, Kingfisher Days, Stage Kiss and Martha. Also there is a Summer Theatre Camps for children. Performances begin July 12 and run through August 26. Location: Bauer Theatre, St. Francis Xavier University. 
Summer Ceilidh Series at the Antigonish Heritage Museum. Enjoy fiddle, piano, vocals with a variety of local performers. Join the Ceilidh gathering Thursday evenings July 6 through August 31. 
Keppoch The Last Wake story and song, wit and humour presented by the Ships of 1801 focuses on a ceilidh house. Schwartz auditorium on STFX campus, July 6 and 8 are sold out. July 9 performance added. Get tickets soon as this is likely to sell out. 
Antigonish Art Fair. Each art fair will feature a headlining musical act. Performers include Mary Beth Carty, Former Ordinary Horse, and Andre Pettipas and the Giants. Of course artists and food trucks, a children’s fun corner are all on tap. Chisholm Park, June 23, July 7,21, August 4, 18. 6 – 9PM. 
The Antigonish Highland Games. The 154th year of the Highland Games features pipers, drummers, highland dancers from across Canada and international in addition to the athletic games. Enjoy Scottish ceilidhs, concerts and the parade with pipes and drums. The Concert Under the Stars on the Main Stage, July 7 is always a hit. Join in at the Family Round and Square Dance on July 4 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Maryvale. Competitions and entertainment will be held throughout the week of July 2-9. 
Stroll the Main Street Fair. Performance stages on the Aphrodite lawn and in front of the RBC. Special this year is the antique car show thanks to classic car owners form all over the region. Other features include displays by Riverside Speedway, a virtual hockey booth, outdoor adventure equipment, highland dancers, wine and beer tasting and, to mark our country’s birthday, a 150 ft long Canada 150 banner which will be painted right on the street in front of town hall. Main Street Antigonish. Thursday July 6. 10AM – 3PM. 
Antigonight: Art after Dark festival. A free, annual, 2-night festival of interactive and contemporary arts in Antigonish. Antigonight 2017 will take place starting Friday September 1st, 2017 in the People’s Place on Main Street, AND Saturday, September 17 in Downtown Antigonish. Events start both nights 7pm-10pm. There will also be several workshops in between these dates.September 1st-16th 2017 
Antigonish Performing Arts Series. Ariana Nasr and Curtis Thorpe sing Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel. Immaculata Hall, September 9. 
TownHouse Brewpub and Eatery . Sundays, Irish Traditional Music. Thursdays, Live Jazz. Starting 6:30 PM No cover. 
Dream Catchers Main St. Pub Music nights with Country Legends. July 19, August 30 
Stan Rogers Folk Festival – StanFest. Over 50 artists and groups gather to celebrate songwriting and to perform 100+ shows on 7 festival stages. Canso. Canada Day weekend. June 30, July 1 and 2. 
Arisaig Lighthouse Concert. Arisaig Wharf. Sunday, July 30, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Black River Music Festival. Eastern Canada’s newest music festival is proud to call Eastern Nova Scotia home! Located just outside Antigonish, in the rural community of Heatherton, Black River Music Festival takes place over three days surrounded by nature.Headliners include: Matt Minglewood, Working Class Band, Big Fish, JP Cormier, Ray Mattie and more August 4-6. 
Family Round and Sqaure Dance. Featuring Shelley Campbell. St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Hwy 245. Maryvale, August 18, 9pm to midnight.