30th Annual · Sept 25 – Oct 12
Scarecrow
Festival
250+ handmade scarecrows fill the best small town in Canada. Free to wander, all season long.
Where the town comes alive
For three decades, neighbours have hand-built life-sized scarecrows that turn every porch and lamppost into a gallery. What began as a handful — a way for shops and restaurants to keep the season going after summer wound down — has grown into one of Nova Scotia’s most-loved fall traditions.
Today, 250+ handmade scarecrows fill the streets all around town: pop-culture icons and original characters alike, designed and painted by artists and volunteers who spend hours sewing, painting and constructing them. A stroll turns up something new around every corner.
More than scarecrows
Across the season you’ll find the Pumpkin Path, the Nova Scotia Pottery Market, a quilt show and sale, the pie baking contest, a giant book sale, live music, kids’ crafts, and tours of the iconic Three Churches waterfront — the most-photographed view in the province.
“Summer sort of ends and then the Scarecrow Festival kicks in. It really keeps that steady flow you’d expect in summer going just a little bit longer.”
It’s a marquee shoulder-season event that draws an estimated 30,000 visitors at its peak into a town of about a thousand — handmade, neighbourly, and free for everyone.
Schedule
Day-by-day community events. Scarecrow displays run the full festival window.
All festival long
- The Mahone Bay Museum Free admission
Scarecrow fun and activities for kids; open for all.
Friday · Sep 25
2 events- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMWorld of Colour: 2026 Quilt Show and Sale Arts Market Ticketed $6Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street
Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild exhibit of quilts, plus the artisan boutique.
- 7:00 PM–8:30 PMPumpkin Patch Gallery Family After dark FreeJubilee Park
A magical dusk display of 100+ artfully carved pumpkins.
Saturday · Sep 26
11 events- 9:00 AM–2:00 PMYard Sale and Bake Sale Community MarketSt. John's Lutheran Church, 89 Edgewater Street
See and taste what they have on offer.
- 10:00 AM–3:00 PMAnnie's Attic Yard Sale Community MarketSt. James' Church Hall, 14 Parish Street
Find a treasure at this Mahone Bay Museum annual fundraiser.
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMMahone Bay Centre Giant Book Sale Community MarketLarge Conference Room, 45 School Street
A ginormous sale of books for all ages; a local favourite in support of the Mahone Bay Centre.
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMWorld of Colour: 2026 Quilt Show and Sale Arts Market Ticketed $6Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street
Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild exhibit of quilts, plus the artisan boutique.
- 12:00 PMFamous Town Corn Boil Food Music FreeFamous Town Pie Shop, 16 Orchard Street
Free corn on the cob for all, while supplies last, plus a free Diggin' Up Grubs concert outdoors. Fair-weather event.
- 12:00 PM–2:00 PMBean Luncheon Food Ticketed Adults $15 / kids $8Trinity United Church, 101 Edgewater Street
Bean luncheon with all the fixin's.
- 1:00 PM–4:00 PMFamily Day: The Fast and the Furious Toy Boat Squadron Family FreeJubilee Park (portable pond)
Build a boat of your own design and float it in the portable pond. Adult accompaniment for under-12s.
- 1:00 PM–4:00 PMFamily Day: Eye Spy Family FreeBaseball field & Jubilee Woods
Walk the trail and find all the scarecrows and hidden objects; a treat awaits children who complete the task.
- 2:00 PM–4:00 PMFamily Day: Fun on the Bay to Bay Trail Family FreeBay to Bay Trail at Jubilee Woods (near Hawthorn Road)
Contribute to a painted rock creature, build a natural birdfeeder, try geo-caching, and see the updated trail.
- 1:00 PM–4:00 PMDoors Open for the Three Churches HeritageMahone Bay waterfront
Hosted by the Three Churches; a Heritage Trust Nova Scotia program.
- 7:00 PM–8:30 PMPumpkin Patch Gallery Family After dark FreeJubilee Park
100+ carved pumpkins at dusk.
Sunday · Sep 27
6 events- 9:00 AM–1:00 PMBrunch Food Ticketed $13Mahone Bay Legion
A popular event for good reason — it's delicious.
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMMahone Bay Centre Giant Book Sale Community MarketLarge Conference Room, 45 School Street
A ginormous sale of books for all ages, in support of the Mahone Bay Centre.
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMWorld of Colour: 2026 Quilt Show and Sale Arts Market Ticketed $6Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street
Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild exhibit of quilts, plus the artisan boutique.
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PMReally Awesomely Bad Portraits Fundraiser Family Ticketed $10Main St & Edgewater, beside Northern Sun
A hilarious fundraiser for the Signature Festivals — sit for a portrait, then rate it on the Portrait-O-Meter. Look for the tent.
Sponsored by Northern Sun Gallery and Gifts
- 12:00 PM–4:00 PMMahone Bay United Old Country Fair Family FundraiserMahone Bay Centre Field
An afternoon of fun for the kids, supporting the Mahone Bay United Soccer Program.
- 1:00 PM–4:00 PMDoors Open for the Three Churches HeritageMahone Bay waterfront
Hosted by the Three Churches; a Heritage Trust Nova Scotia program.
Friday · Oct 2
1 event- 11:00 AM–2:00 PMThe Tale Makers Open House ArtsThe Bay Hive
A group of creators working with Kate Church, open house across the weekend (Fri–Sun).
Saturday · Oct 3
1 event- 11:30 AM–2:00 PM4th Annual Nova Scotia Fruit Pie Baking Contest & Sale Food Contest Ticketed Pie $6/slice, $36/wholeTrinity United Church Hall, 101 Edgewater Street
Enter your baking for a chance at cash prizes; watch celebrity judges while you enjoy a chowder lunch and a slice. Awards at 1:30 PM. Chowder luncheon (fish or corn) available for purchase — dine in or take out.
Sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia
Sunday · Oct 4
2 events- 10:00 AM–4:00 PMFirst Annual Nova Scotia Pottery Market Arts Market Free admissionMahone Bay Centre Gym, 45 School Street
25+ curated ceramic artists from across NS and the Maritimes.
- 1:00 PMThe Shantymen of Mahone Bay Music FreeThe Bandstand
Traditional sea shanties and songs of the sea.
Around town
Neighbour-run events happening around Mahone Bay during the festival — hosted by local churches, guilds and makers.
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A World of Colour — Quilt Show & Sale Sept 25–27 -
Fall Yard & Bake Sale Sat, Sept 26 -
Church Bean Luncheon Sept 26 & Oct 3 -
Really Awesomely Bad Portraits Sun, Sept 27 -
Nova Scotia Fruit Pie Baking Contest & Sale Sat, Oct 3 -
Nova Scotia Pottery Market Sun, Oct 4
Highlights
Moments from the festival.
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pop-culture stars
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works of art
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made by hand
Plan your visit
Parking
Free street and lot parking around town and the waterfront. Arrive early on weekends — the town fills up fast.
Getting around
The scarecrows are dotted all around town — a gentle, flat stroll to take them all in. Drivers go slow and courteous.
Where to eat
Cafés, bakeries and restaurants line the route. See our Great Places to Eat guide.
TODO: link “Great Places to Eat” PDFWhere to stay
Inns and B&Bs book up early for leaf season. See our Great Places to Stay guide.
TODO: link “Great Places to Stay” PDFGood to know
How much does it cost?
Nothing — the Scarecrow Festival is free to wander all season long. Donations are always welcome.
When is the best time to come?
The scarecrows are up for the full window (Sept 25 – Oct 12, 2026). Weekends are liveliest with markets and activities; weekdays are quieter for a peaceful stroll.
Is it accessible and family-friendly?
Yes. The scarecrows are spread around a flat, walkable town centre and it's very family-friendly. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome outdoors.
Where do I park?
Free street and lot parking is available around town and the waterfront. Arrive early on weekends.
Neighbours supporting a tradition
Our partners
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- Chris' Convenience
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Keep the tradition glowing
Your gift keeps the festivals free and the tradition alive — years of handmade magic in a town of 1,000 that the whole province comes out to see.