Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival

250+ handmade scarecrows take over the charming town of Mahone Bay for the 30th annual Scarecrow Festival. This beloved South Shore tradition transforms the town's three iconic churches streetscape into an immersive outdoor gallery of creative, quirky, and sometimes hilarious scarecrow displays.

Running for nearly three weeks from late September through Canadian Thanksgiving, the festival features a packed schedule of community events including the legendary pie contest and sale, the Nova Scotia Pottery Market, town-wide yard sales, open houses at local shops and galleries, and community breakfasts and luncheons. Visitors can stroll the waterfront, vote for their favourite scarecrows, and enjoy the peak fall foliage that makes the South Shore one of Atlantic Canada's most scenic autumn destinations.

The festival is free to attend and attracts thousands of visitors each year. It's a perfect day trip from Halifax (1 hour) or a weekend getaway paired with exploring nearby Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove, and the South Shore coastline - and since the scarecrow season overlaps peak South Shore fall colour, it's worth building a whole foliage weekend around it. The Windsor Pumpkin Regatta on the second Sunday of October brings the Annapolis Valley's own brand of pumpkin mania, and our Nova Scotia in Fall guide covers the rest of the season's festival calendar month by month. The 30th anniversary edition promises the biggest display yet.

Make the most of your time in South Shore - pair Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival 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.