Every autumn, something magical happens in Mahone Bay. As the leaves turn and the air cools, the town fills with hundreds of handcrafted, whimsical, and wonderfully weird scarecrows. They pop up on street corners, hang from balconies, sit on benches, and pose for photos—each one with a personality all its own.Welcome to the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival—one of Nova Scotia’s most beloved fall events, where creativity, community, and small-town charm collide in the best way possible.
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What To Expect
🎃 Hundreds of Life-Size Scarecrows: From pop culture characters to classic Halloween figures, these creations are built by locals, businesses, and community groups.🛍️ Scarecrow Village Market: Browse handmade crafts, local goods, and fall treats from vendors across the region.🎠 Family Fun & Activities: Face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, and live music fill the weekend with joy.📸 Endless Photo Ops: Trust us—you’ll want your camera ready. Every street corner is a chance to capture something unforgettable.🍂 Fall Colours + Festival Energy: Crisp air, cozy sweaters, and the vibrant beauty of autumn make this the perfect seasonal escape.👻 Fun Fact: Some of our scarecrows have become local celebrities. Visitors return each year just to see their favourites in a new scene or costume!
2025 Dates
🗓️ September 26 – October 13, 2025This year’s festival runs for nearly three weeks, giving visitors plenty of time to plan their perfect fall getaway. While key events and markets are centered around the weekends, the scarecrows themselves remain on display daily throughout the town.
A Festival Like No Other
What began as a fun community project has grown into one of the most anticipated events on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. The Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival draws thousands of visitors each year—and yet, it’s still delightfully local, wonderfully weird, and completely original.It's a love letter to creativity, small-town pride, and the magic of fall in The Best Small Town in Canada.
