About Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show
Atlantics premier gem, mineral, fossil, and jewellery event running since 1966, with over 30 exhibitors, workshops, gold panning, and family-friendly geological programming in Parrsboro.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show
Since 1966, the small town of Parrsboro on the Bay of Fundy shore has hosted Atlantic Canada's premier gem, mineral, fossil, and jewellery event. The Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show draws over 30 exhibitors and thousands of visitors each August for a three-day celebration of geological treasure that has become one of the most popular family events on the Fundy coast.
The show is organized by the Parrsboro Rock Shop Society and has run continuously for nearly six decades. Its longevity speaks to both the quality of the displays and the unique setting: Parrsboro sits on one of the most geologically significant stretches of coastline in North America, where the world's highest tides expose fossils, minerals, and rock formations that date back hundreds of millions of years.
The Exhibits
Over 30 exhibitors set up in the Lions Recreation Centre on Kings Street, filling the arena with tables of spectacular gems, minerals, jewellery, and metalwork. The specimens on display range from common quartz and amethyst to rare Nova Scotian minerals that are difficult to find elsewhere. Many exhibitors are collectors and artisans who travel from across the Maritimes and beyond to participate.
Beyond the sales floor, the show offers workshops and demonstrations where attendees can learn to identify minerals, work with gemstones, and shape metalwork designs. Gold panning demonstrations are a perennial favourite, connecting visitors to the region's mining history and the Fundy shore's mineral heritage. The participatory programming makes the show more than a marketplace.
Parrsboro and the Fundy Shore
Parrsboro sits on the Bay of Fundy, where tides that rise and fall up to 16 metres twice daily expose rock formations and fossil beds that are among the most important in Canada. The nearby Fundy Geological Museum shares the region's 350-million-year history with exhibits on fossils, stones, and dinosaur bones, and guided beach tours take visitors to exposed fossil beds accessible only at low tide.
Parrsboro itself is a quiet, walkable town with a harbour, a handful of restaurants, and the kind of Nova Scotia hospitality that makes visitors feel like guests rather than tourists. Many attendees combine the gem show with a visit to the museum, a walk along the Fundy shore, or a drive along the scenic Route 242.
Practical Information
Event Name: Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show
Organizer: Parrsboro Rock Shop Society
Official Website: novascotiagemshow.com
Dates: August 21 to 23, 2026 (typically held the third weekend of August)
Location: Lions Recreation Centre, 210 Kings Street, Parrsboro, NS
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, Friday through Sunday
Admission: $7.00 per day, or a weekend pass for $15.00. Children 12 and under are free.
Facilities: An ATM is available on-site. Various food vendors operate during the event.
Getting There: Parrsboro is approximately 2.5 hours from Halifax via Trunk 2 and Route 242. From the Annapolis Valley, take Route 221 through the Cobequid Pass.
Tip: Arrive early on Saturday for the best selection. Sunday is typically the quietest day, ideal for families.
At a Glance
| What it is | Atlantic Canada's premier gem, mineral, fossil and jewellery event, held in Parrsboro each August since 1966 |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | August 21 to 23 (typically the third weekend of August), Friday through Sunday |
| Hours | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily |
| Admission | $7.00 per day or a $15.00 weekend pass; children 12 and under free |
| Location | Lions Recreation Centre, 210 Kings Street, Parrsboro, on the Bay of Fundy shore |
| Programming | Over 30 exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations on minerals, gemstones and metalwork, plus gold panning |
| Organizer | Parrsboro Rock Shop Society; ATM and food vendors on site |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show?
Atlantic Canada's premier gem, mineral, fossil and jewellery event, held in Parrsboro each August since 1966. The Parrsboro Rock Shop Society organizes the three-day show, which draws over 30 exhibitors and thousands of visitors to the Bay of Fundy shore.
When and where is the show held?
August 21 to 23 in 2026, typically the third weekend of August, running 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday through Sunday. Exhibitors set up in the Lions Recreation Centre at 210 Kings Street in Parrsboro.
How much does admission cost?
Admission is seven dollars per day or a fifteen dollar weekend pass, with children 12 and under admitted free. An ATM is available on site, along with various food vendors.
What can you see and do at the show?
Tables of gems, minerals, jewellery and metalwork ranging from common quartz and amethyst to rare Nova Scotian minerals, plus workshops and demonstrations on identifying minerals, working with gemstones and shaping metalwork designs. Gold panning demonstrations are a perennial favourite.
Why is the show held in Parrsboro?
Parrsboro sits on one of the most geologically significant stretches of coastline in North America, where the world's highest tides rise and fall up to 16 metres twice daily, exposing fossils, minerals and rock formations that date back hundreds of millions of years.
What else can I combine with a visit?
The nearby Fundy Geological Museum shares the region's 350-million-year history with fossils, stones and dinosaur bones, and guided beach tours reach fossil beds accessible only at low tide. Parrsboro itself is a quiet, walkable town with a harbour and restaurants, so many attendees combine all three.
