Christmas Tour of the Shore with Cailin
One of the best places to celebrate the holidays in Nova Scotia is along the South Shore, from Barrington (The Lobster Capital of Canada) to Peggy’s Cove. From celebrating with Christmas markets and parades, Christmas trees made out of lobster traps and buoys, and more. Here are some of the top reasons why you’ll need to add the South Shore of Nova Scotia to your Bucket List of Christmas celebrations!
Christmas Markets Galore
There are Christmas markets all along the South Shore of Nova Scotia beginning around the start of November and into the first couple of weeks of December. Most of these Christmas markets feature unique creations by local vendors, with everything from folk art to Christmas ornaments, knitted lobster hats, Christmas cards, woodwork, wreaths and more. They also feature locally made food products like sea salt, spice mixes, honey, chocolates and even jams and pickles.
Explore the community event Christmas in Petite where there are Christmas sales and pop-ups all throughout the Petite-Riviere area. Shop til you drop at the Lunenburg Craft and Food Festival. Enjoy the Tantallon Holiday Craft Market, the Merry Mahone Bay Market, Miracle on Dock Street in Shelburne, Christmas in the Country at Ross Farm and so much more.
Catch a Parade
There are several Christmas parades along the South Shore of Nova Scotia as well. If you are lucky you might also get the chance to see Santa! From Lightup Lunenburg to Christmas on the LaHave Parade of Lights and the Christmas Parade of Lights in Barrington Passage. Bundle up, dawn your Christmas apparel, grab a hot chocolate and enjoy the lights!
Take Photos with Lobster Trap Trees
A great tradition that has popped up in Nova Scotia in recent years is Christmas trees made out of lobster traps. From small to large, made of old and new lobster traps they are quite the sight to see. Covered in beautiful Christmas lights and often fishing buoys too. In Barrington their Lobster Trap Christmas tree has buoys that are also used in memorium for those lost at sea, fishermen that have passed away and in recognition of those still fishing.
Dine on all of the lobster
The last Monday of November is the first day of the south shore lobster fishing season. There is nothing more Nova Scotian than a festive meal of fresh lobster. Be sure to find a tasty lobster dinner or dine on a lobster roll along the south shore while enjoying all of the holiday festivities. Also don’t forget to make your way back to the south shore for the Lobster Crawl all February long!
Find your perfect Christmas tree
Lunenburg county on the south shore of Nova Scotia is quite literally the Balsam Fir Christmas Tree Capital of the World. Not only are these beautiful Christmas trees shipped around the world but you can visit some of the tree farms and cut your own. Take the family and search for the perfect tree to call your own!
Gorgeous Snowy Winter Getaways
White Point Beach Resort is a winter wonderland on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. The resort is always decorated and full of Christmas cheer, with wild bunnies hopping about, live music, s’mores by the fire and more. However, there are many more other fabulous Christmas accommodation options on the South Shore.
Be sure to also check out the Boulder Cove cottages near Shelburne. They too have fluffy bunnies everywhere that you can feed, as well as your own private snowy cottage getaway and offer delicious lobster packages with homemade brown bread to enjoy as well.
Another great cozy winter getaway along the South Shore of Nova Scotia is a cozy B&B like the River Ridge Lodge in Mahone Bay. At River Ridge Lodge you are close to beautiful hiking trails and you can even borrow snow shoes to explore. They also hold events like Christmas wreath-making workshops.
Whatever you manage to take in along the South Shore during the holidays you are sure to have a wonderful time. Drive safe, bundle up and may you enjoy all of the delicious lobster this holiday season!
A big South Shore thank you to Cailin O’Neil for being such an amazing guide of all things South Shore and creating this Bucket List of Christmas adventures for you!
Cailin O’Neil is a full-time travel writer and content creator currently focusing on her site NovaScotiaExplorer.com where she shares all of the best things to see, eat and do in Nova Scotia year-round. Follow her on social media @NovaScotiaEpxlorer for more adventures around the province.
