Winter Festivals in Nova Scotia to Enjoy This Season

Best Winter Festivals in Nova Scotia 

From food festivals to snowy events, these six winter festivals celebrate the best of the season in Nova Scotia. Whether you’re a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for something fun and new to do, these festivals are worth adding to your winter plans. 

Lobster Crawl 

📅 Dates: February 1–28, 2025
📍Location: South Shore (from Peggy’s Cove to Barrington)
🔗 Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl

February is peak lobster season on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl. 

This month-long festival highlights everything lobster, wirh creative lobster dishes on menus everywhere to a Lobster Roll competition and a Lobster Chowder Showdown, featuring the region’s top chefs.

The festivities kick off with Lucy the Lobster, the South Shore’s answer to the groundhog, who predicts either an early spring or six more weeks of winter. 

The celebration continues with plenty of family-friendly activities, including lobster-inspired scavenger hunts and events along the South Shore.

Throughout the festival, you’ll find lobster on nearly every menu, from classic favourites to inventive creations like lobster poutine. 

Whether you’re trying the classics or sampling creative twists, the festival is the perfect excuse to explore charming coastal communities and indulge in Nova Scotia’s iconic seafood.

Dine Around Halifax

📅 Dates: February 1–28, 2025
📍 Location: Halifax
🔗 Dine Around Halifax

There’s nothing better to beat the winter blues than treating yourself to a delicious dinner out, and Halifax Dine Around is the perfect excuse. All February long, participating local restaurants feature curated menus with fixed prices ranging from $10 to $60. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite or a multi-course meal, there’s something for every appetite. Check out the participating restaurants and menus here.

While it’s nice to get out for a meal, many restaurants also offer takeout options, so you can enjoy the event from the comfort of home. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses, and try out new spots you’ve been curious about.

Personally, I love this event because it gives us an excuse to leave the kids at home and try out restaurants we wouldn’t usually visit. Personally, I love this event—it’s the perfect excuse to leave the kids at home and treat ourselves to a fun night out trying a new restaurant that we might not usually visit. 

👉 Dine Around is one of the many ways to enjoy the winter season in Halifax. For more ideas, check out our guide to things to do in winter in Halifax.

Dartmouth Ice Festival 

📅 Dates: January 31–February 2, 2025
📍 Location: Portland Street, Downtown Dartmouth
🔗 Downtown Dartmouth Ice Festival

The Dartmouth Ice Festival is a unique winter event and one that you shouldn’t miss!

Taking place over the last weekend in January each year, Portland Street is transformed into a winter wonderland as blocks of ice are set up and carved into incredible sculptures. Using chainsaws and ice picks, carvers create stunning designs—think animals like squirrels, wolves, fish, and even a mug of beer. It’s absolutely fascinating to watch.

This festival is one my family looks forward to every year. It’s more than just the ice sculptures—there’s live music, activities, and games for all ages. One year, the boys even took part in juggling lessons as part of the family-friendly programming. With the street closed to cars, it’s a fun, walkable event that brings the community together to celebrate the season.

Whether you’re looking for something unique to do with the kids or just want to experience the creativity and energy of downtown Dartmouth in winter, this festival is a must. Bundle up though – it’s usually pretty chilly!

Ice Wine Festival

📅 Dates: February 14–16, 2025
📍 Location: Luckett Vineyards
🔗 Nova Scotia Ice Wine Festival

Winter is a fun time to explore Nova Scotia’s wine country, and the Nova Scotia Winter Wine Festival offers the perfect way to experience it. Held at the stunning Luckett Vineyards, the festival highlights the province’s exceptional wines and icewines.

Icewine is a unique dessert wine made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The Annapolis Valley’s cool climate provides ideal conditions for producing high-quality icewines, making it one of Canada’s notable regions for this specialty.

Spend the day sampling a variety of local wines at afternoon or evening tasting events, which cost $55 per person. Between sips, unwind by an outdoor fire or take a peaceful winter walk through the vineyard. It’s a relaxed yet elegant way to spend a winter day.

Whether you’re a fan of icewine or looking for something unique to do this winter, this event is worth the trip.

Sackville Snow Days

📅 Dates: February 14–17, 2025
📍 Location: Lower Sackville
🔗 Sackville Snow Days

If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate winter with the family, Sackville Snow Days is a can’t-miss event. This festival usually falls over the February long weekend, and every year we’ve been, there’s been plenty of snow—perfect for tobogganing and outdoor play.

There’s so much to do, from building snow creations and snowshoeing to taking a storybook walk through Acadia Park. My kids especially love the free hot chocolate that’s always available during the activities. And the weekend ends with an evening fireworks display on Sunday, which is such a fun way to wrap up the festivities.

Whether you’re skating, sledding, or just enjoying the winter vibe, Sackville Snow Days is a perfect mix of outdoor fun and family-friendly events. It’s definitely worth bundling up and heading out for some snowy adventures.

Truro Winter Long John Festival

📅 Dates: February 14–17, 2025
📍 Location: Downtown Truro
🔗 Truro Winter Long John Festival

The Truro Winter Long John Festival has been on our list for years, and we’re finally planning to check it out this year. This fun-filled event celebrates winter with plenty of outdoor activities, live entertainment, and cozy vibes—although we’ll definitely be wearing more than just our long johns!

One of the highlights is the night market at the Truro Farmers’ Market, complete with live music, shopping, and free hot chocolate. Civic Square is another highlight, with more than 25,000 lights strung throughout the trees, an illuminated library light show, and outdoor ice skating under the lights. For those who love outdoor adventures, there are guided night hikes, fat biking, and other winter activities to keep you moving.

It looks like such a fun way to celebrate winter in downtown Truro, and we’re excited to check it out this year. Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate or skating under the lights, this festival makes the most of winter in Nova Scotia.

👉 Truro is a great spot for a winter getaway—why not turn your visit into a weekend escape? Check out our guide to winter getaways in Nova Scotia for more ideas.