St. Peters Pirate Days

Ahoy, mateys! Every September, the historic village of St. Peters on Cape Breton Island transforms into a swashbuckling celebration of all things pirate. St. Peters Pirate Days is a beloved multi-day community festival that draws visitors from across the island and beyond for a weekend of family-friendly fun, live music, and good old-fashioned pirate revelry along the shores of the beautiful Bras d'Or Lake.

The weekend is packed with activities for all ages. Highlights include a grand parade of pirate floats winding through the village, a Pirate Dinner with entertainment, the Party Like a Pirate Bash featuring live music and dancing, children's crafts and games, costume contests that bring out the most creative buccaneer outfits, and family activities throughout St. Peters. Local businesses and community organizations join in the fun, decorating storefronts and hosting special events that turn the entire village into a pirate-themed playground.

St. Peters itself is steeped in maritime history, making it the perfect setting for a pirate festival. The village sits on the shores of the Bras d'Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is home to the St. Peters Canal National Historic Site — the oldest operating lock canal in North America. Whether you arrive by land or by sea, the scenic drive along the Cape Breton coast and the warm welcome from the community make St. Peters Pirate Days a quintessential small-town Nova Scotia experience that keeps visitors coming back year after year.

Make the most of your time in Cape Breton Island - pair St. Peters Pirate Days with our Cabot Trail Fall Colours 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.