Highland Village Day

Highland Village Day is Cape Breton's longest-running outdoor Gaelic concert, held each summer at the Highland Village Museum in Iona on the Bras d'Or Lakes. The day-long celebration brings together traditional musicians, dancers, and storytellers on the museum's open-air stage, set among 11 period buildings that trace Scottish Gaelic settlement from the 1770s to the 1920s. Visitors can walk the village trail between sets, watch weaving and blacksmithing demonstrations, and take in views across the Bras d'Or Lakes from the site's hilltop location.

Practical Information

Address: 4119 Highway 223, Iona, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, B2C 1A3, Canada
Phone: (902) 725-2272
Email: highlandvillage@novascotia.ca
Website: highlandvillage.novascotia.ca

Hours:

• Regular Season (June 1–October 18): Daily, 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
• Off-Season (Mid-October–May): Open by appointment only

Admission (2024):

• Adult (18–64): $12.50 + tax
• Senior (65+): $10.50 + tax
• Youth (6–17): $6.50 + tax
• Family/Group (2 adults + children under 18): $32.00 + tax
• Child (0–5): Free
• Nova Scotia Museum Family Pass accepted

Booking:

• General visits: No advance booking needed.
• Special events (e.g., Highland Village Day Concert): Strongly recommended due to limited space.
• Off-season visits: Must be arranged via email (jessica.farrell@novascotia.ca).

Accessibility: Note limitations due to the historic, hillside terrain—wheelchair access is challenging. Contact ahead for details.

Additional Tips:

• Location: ~1 hour from Canso Causeway, 4 hours from Halifax.
• Visit Duration: Allow at least 2 hours.
• Facilities: Gift shop, genealogy centre, traditional buildings, and farm animals.