Fortress of Louisbourg Paranormal Investigations Weekend

Dare to explore the darker side of Louisbourg? The Fortress of Louisbourg — the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortress in North America — hosts its annual Paranormal Investigations Weekend on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, 2026, after dark. Legend has it the site is one of Nova Scotia's most haunted places; this is your chance to search for proof, guided by candlelight and by the Cape Breton paranormal team Haunts from the Cape.

Friday evening is an all-ages experience: gates open at 5:00 pm, a 45-minute Dark History Tour at 6:00 pm walks through the murders, mayhem, and madness of the Fortress past, and from 7:00 to 11:00 pm groups rotate through haunted buildings using professional ghost-hunting equipment. Saturday is the ultimate haunted experience, restricted to guests 19 and over: paranormal investigations from 7:00 pm to midnight, a campfire at the King's Bastion, a pre-set tent for the night, and departure by 8:30 Sunday morning. The Storehouse Tavern pours until 10:00 pm both nights.

Tickets are $30 for youth and $40 for adults on Friday, and $75 per guest for the Saturday overnight (tents are provided for groups of 4 or 6 — bring your own sleeping bags, mats, and chairs). Book through the Fortress Louisbourg Association, and pair the weekend with a daytime visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg itself — the reconstructed streets take on a very different character once the candles are lit.

Make the most of your time in Cape Breton Island - pair Fortress of Louisbourg Paranormal Investigations Weekend with our Cabot Trail Fall Colors guide, Family Travel Guide, and puffin-watching guide. They're each packed with itinerary ideas, local tips, and everything you need to extend your stay.