Lunenburg Doc Fest

Lunenburg Doc Fest is Atlantic Canada's leading documentary festival, returning for its 13th edition to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg. Over five days, the festival screens a curated program of international documentaries ranging from award-winning features to emerging filmmaker shorts, with filmmaker Q&As and discussions that bring audiences into direct conversation with the creators.

The 2026 festival runs September 23–27 across multiple venues in Old Town Lunenburg. A signature program is the free Docs on the Dock series, which transforms Zwicker Wharf into an open-air cinema for waterfront screenings open to the public. The Dock Market, the festival's industry forum, connects Atlantic Canadian filmmakers with national and international buyers, distributors, and festival programmers.

Lunenburg's historic waterfront, colourful architecture, and intimate scale make it an ideal setting for a documentary festival — attendees can walk between venues, mingle with filmmakers at informal gatherings, and experience one of Nova Scotia's most picturesque towns during the quiet early-fall season. Full program and ticket information is available at lunenburgdocfest.com.

Make the most of your time in South Shore - pair Lunenburg Doc Fest with our South Shore guide, Family Travel Guide, and Lunenburg UNESCO guide. They're each packed with itinerary ideas, local tips, and everything you need to extend your stay.