Festivals & Events

Classification of Festival & Events on novascotia.com

Festivals and Events in Nova Scotia are classified for our visitors into one of three categories:

1. Signature Festivals and Events
2. Don't Miss Festivals and Events
3. Community Experiences Festivals and Events

1. Signature Festivals and Events:

Signature Festivals and Events are annual or re-occurring and inspires visitors to travel to Nova Scotia. Signature Festivals and Events align with our Nova Scotia Tourism Plan, brand attributes and core experiences: seacoast, outdoor, culture, cuisine, heritage and urban.

To be classified as a Signature Event, the event should include the following components:

• Promoted to attract visitors from outside of tourism region
• Be two or more full, successive days in duration
• Have attendance levels greater than 10,000
• Have a business plan with dedicated marketing budget of at least $25,000
• Implement marketing initiatives targeting markets outside Nova Scotia
• Have the ability to raise positive awareness and/or attract local and non-local media coverage
• Have the ability to lengthen the stay and spending in the community by visitors
• Provide a high quality experience for participants and spectators
• Be open for public without pre-registration or membership in a club or group
• Event and festival date determined a year in advance

2. Don't Miss Festivals and Events:

These festivals and events celebrate a special anniversary, commemoration or milestone. These also include national and/or international sporting events or championships. Don't Miss Festivals and Events have the unique ability to draw visitors from outside of Nova Scotia and provide direct tourism benefits from revenue generation to national and international media exposure. These events also align with our Tourism Plan, brand attributes and core experiences: seacoast, outdoor, culture, cuisine, heritage and urban.

To be classified as a Don't Miss Festival and Event; the event should include the following components:

• Provide a high quality experience for participants and spectators
• Be two or more full successive days in duration;
• Have anticipated attendance levels greater than 10,000
• Implement marketing initiatives targeting markets outside Nova Scotia
• Have a business plan with dedicated marketing budget of at least $25,000
• Have significant community support and private sector participation
• Have the ability to generate positive local and non-local media exposure
• Be open for public without pre-registration or membership in a club or group

3. Community Experiences:

These events bring the community together for a specific reason or celebration. They generate strong local community interest and demonstrate the unique character of the community or region. Some events or festivals may have a broader appeal and attract visitors from other regions of Nova Scotia and beyond, but the primary focus is on the community and not as a tourism travel motivator. Community events should also align with our Nova Scotia Tourism brand attributes and core experiences: seacoast, outdoor, culture, cuisine, heritage and urban.

To be classified as a Community Event, the event should include the following components:

• Quality experience that is community- based with strong community support
• Promotional activities that will generate awareness within the community and surrounding region
• Welcoming to visitors and open to the public without pre-registration or membership in a club or group
• Is time specific and include a start and end date
• Is held in a physical location that can be accessed by the public