The Valley is Calling: Things to do in the Annapolis Valley this Spring & Summer

Spring in the Annapolis Valley announces itself dramatically. First, daffodils and lupins randomly pop up across open fields, along with the white-and-pink blush of apple blossoms that stretches across the orchards. Golf courses welcome devout players, and farmers’ markets emerge from their winter slumber. 

By June, the Valley is in full swing: farms are open, trails are buzzing, festivals are roaring, wineries have their patios set, and like all other attractions and accommodations in the area, we’re ready to welcome you with open arms.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape from Halifax, a longer Nova Scotia road trip, or you’re lucky enough to be based right here in the Valley, here’s your guide to the best of spring and summer.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

When: Late May — Kentville & Valley-wide
Website: https://www.appleblossom.com/

This is the Valley’s signature event, now in its ninth decade. This week-long spring celebration is anchored in Kentville and spreads across communities across the region, with events largely free and open to all. The Grand Street Parade – one of the largest in Canada, drawing multiple thousands of spectators along the route – is the centrepiece, alongside a Children’s Parade,

Saturday night fireworks, live concerts, craft fairs, community dinners, and barbecues. Even if you can’t make festival week itself, the orchard blossoms typically peak in mid-to-late May, and a visit to the Valley will be rewarding for that view alone.

Photo via Tourism Nova Scotia / Ian Selig

When: Late July — Civic Field, Greenwood
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyWideRibfest/

One of the biggest summer events in the Kingston-Greenwood area, the Valley Wide Ribfest takes over Greenwood’s Civic Field for a three-day weekend of competitive BBQ, live music, local craft beer, and community fun. Professional ribbers compete for best ribs and best sauce, while a dedicated tent features some of the Valley’s best local producers of craft beverages.

Past years have featured headline acts of the calibre of Sean McCann of Great Big Sea, with live music running all three days. Add a kids’ zone, a vendors’ market, food trucks, and a corn boil from Dempsey’s Orchard, and this one genuinely has something for everyone. Admission is free, and leftover food is donated to the local food bank at the end of the weekend.

• Wolfville Summer Concert Series (Sundays throughout summer): Every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 pm through the summer, the Deep Roots Music Cooperative and the Town of Wolfville team up to bring free live music to Waterfront Park.
• Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal (July): Atlantic Canada’s only summer contemporary dance festival, bringing Canada’s top dance companies, choreographers, and performers to one of Nova Scotia’s most beautiful historic towns.
• Digby Scallop Days (August): The four-day festival takes over the Digby waterfront with live music, a parade, a coronation ceremony, carnival rides, and (of course) scallops prepared every way imaginable.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

Besides offering some fantastic Annapolis Valley golf courses to tee up some outdoor adventure, the region is flanked by two mountain ranges. Among them is a network of trails ranging from easy family walks to full-day wilderness outings.

The 117 km Harvest Moon Trailway follows a former rail line from Grand Pré to Annapolis Royal, and almost right past our hotel! It’s flat, family-friendly, and ideal for cycling or a casual walk.

Photo via Tourism Nova Scotia / Acorn Art and Photography

This is the crown jewel of Valley hiking. A 13.2 km trail (with a loop option added in 2021) winds through forest and along dramatic sea cliffs before opening up to one of the most spectacular views in Nova Scotia, 180 metres above the churning Bay of Fundy. Allow 4 to 5 hours, plus time to linger and take many photos. 

The trailhead is near Scott’s Bay; arrive early on summer weekends as parking fills fast. On your way, be sure to stop at the famed “The Lookoff” that provides sweeping views of farmland and the Minas Basin.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

Just north of Canning, Blomidon Provincial Park offers some of the best views of the Minas Basin, and the towering red cliffs above it. 14 km of trails exist in the park, plus a sweeping red sand beach where you can literally walk on the ocean floor at low tide. 

The Delaps Cove trail system is one of the least crowded and most rewarding hiking destinations in the western Valley. Two short loop trails, Bohaker and Charlies, are linked by the old Shore Road Trail through 130 acres of canopied coastal forest along the Bay of Fundy. The full system is about 10 km return and takes 3 to 4 hours.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

One of the benefits of living along the Harvest Highway is that the abundance of fresh produce means local craft products are exceptional. The Annapolis Valley is Atlantic Canada’s wine country, and summer is the season to drink it all in.

The eastern Valley, centred around Wolfville, is home to more than a dozen award-winning wineries. Names like Benjamin Bridge, Lightfoot & Wolfville, Luckett Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré, Gaspereau Vineyards, and L’Acadie Vineyards have put this region on the national and international map. Nova Scotia’s own Tidal Bay appellation – a crisp, bright white wine unique to the province – was born here.

Want to see (and taste) a bunch of wineries in one day? Park the car and hop on the Magic Winery Bus for an unforgettable experience. 

Beyond wine, the cidery and craft beer scenes are equally strong. Roof Hound Brewing Co. (just down the street from us!), plus Spurr Brothers in Falmouth and Lunn’s Mill Beer Company in Lawrencetown are standouts.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

Summer in the Valley means fresh food at every turn! The u-pick season runs from June through early fall, with strawberries and blueberries followed by peaches and apples. Dempsey Corner Orchards, just a quick drive from us, is particularly beloved for its full farm experience. Think live music, a petting zoo, tractor rides, and festivals like Peachy Palooza. Spurr Brothers Farms and Nichols Farm & U-Pick are other local favourites.

Don’t miss out on all the farmers’ markets that bring together a variety of wares, all in one spot. Our very own Kingston Farmers’ Market runs on Thursday afternoons, and you can visit other Annapolis Valley farmers markets on almost every day of the week.

History runs deep here, and for the sites listed below, the Aurora Inn sits right in the middle. Plan a night with us and take trips in both directions to see everything.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grand Pré sits just outside Wolfville on land where the Acadian people built their community from 1682 until the tragic Deportation of 1755. The landscape of dyked farmland, shaped by extraordinary ingenuity and preserved for centuries, is strikingly beautiful in spring and summer. The interpretive centre tells a story that is at once deeply local and internationally significant.

Photo via Tourism Nova Scotia / Acorn Art and Photography

Right in the heart of Annapolis Royal, Fort Anne is Canada’s oldest national historic site, offering sweeping views of the Annapolis Basin and self-guided exploration across beautifully kept historic grounds. In the evenings, the popular Candlelight Graveyard Tour is atmospheric, surprisingly funny, and books up fast in summer (be sure to plan ahead).

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

A reconstructed Acadian farmhouse, rose collection, maze, herb gardens, and a peaceful café tucked along the tidal river valley across 17 acres of heritage plantings. Open spring through fall, and lovely at any point in the season.

Photo via Dalene Heck @hecktictravels

Across the Annapolis Basin, Port Royal is a recreation of one of the earliest colonial settlements in North America. The space is quiet, contemplative, and well worth the short detour from Annapolis Royal.

14 Wing Greenwood of the Royal Canadian Air Force is right on our doorstep. The Greenwood Military Aviation Museum was inaugurated in 1995 and actively preserves the rich narrative of the base dating back to its establishment in 1942. 

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

At the western end of the Valley, the waters off Brier Island sit at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, and they are the summer home to up to 12 species of whales, including humpback, finback, and minke, along with dolphins, seabirds, and the occasional rare right whale. Tours (from several operators onsite) run from mid-June through mid-October; July and August are the most active months.

Brier Island is reached by driving Digby Neck and taking two short ferry crossings. Allow a full day, and stop for Digby scallops on the way back to your room at the Aurora Inn.

Photo via Tourism Nova Scotia / Dean Casavechia

No visit to the Annapolis Valley is complete without seeing the Bay of Fundy tides in action. Up to 16 ms of water flood in and retreat twice daily, and the Valley’s North Mountain shore gives you front-row access to this natural phenomenon. As already mentioned, you can walk along the ocean floor (when the tide is out) at Blomidon, or hit up these other two hot spots.

Head here for the most iconic tidal experience available. This tiny fishing community north of Kentville is famous for one image in particular: wooden fishing boats sitting completely grounded on the ocean floor at low tide, waiting for the sea to return. 

The tidal swing here ranges widely; arriving at low tide and returning at high tide gives you a before-and-after that is genuinely hard to believe. The Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound and Restaurant sits right at the water’s edge, making it one of the best places in Nova Scotia to pair a fresh lobster dinner with a tidal spectacle. Make note of the tide level when you head into the restaurant, and then where it is when you exit, the difference will blow your mind! 

The harbour also has a rocky beach for exploring, a boardwalk with interpretive panels about the tides and the area’s history, and studios featuring work from more than 35 local artists at Parker’s General Store.

Photo via Tourism Nova Scotia / James Goode

A very short drive from our hotel, head out to the lovely village of Margaretsville, a favourite spot for locals. Visit the historic lighthouse, walk along the beach to a scenic waterfall, and shop for local art at the aptly named Art Shack near the wharf. Watch for the upcoming shows at the surprisingly active Evergreen Theatre on the east end of town – it’s worth planning a visit just for that, while taking advantage of our package deal.

Photo via Pete Heck @hecktictravels

• Watch the tides. The Bay of Fundy’s tidal cycle runs roughly six hours apart. Check tide tables before visiting Blomidon, Hall’s Harbour, or anywhere along the Fundy shore — the difference between high and low tide is dramatic.
• Drive Highway 1, not the 101. The 101 is faster, but Highway 1 through the heart of the Valley takes you past farms, villages, and scenery you’ll regret missing. For a bit more tranquillity on the road (but no less stunning scenery), consider a spin on the 221 as well.
• Start hikes early. Cape Split’s parking lot fills up by mid-morning on summer weekends. An early start means solitude on the trail and more time at the Split itself.
• Bring layers. The Bay of Fundy keeps the Valley cool even in summer, especially along North Mountain and any time you’re on the water.
• Book whale watching early. Summer tours at Brier Island sell out, especially in July and August. Reserve as soon as your dates are confirmed.

What is the best time of year to visit the Annapolis Valley?

Spring and summer are both wonderful, each for different reasons. Late May is peak apple blossom season and festival time. June through August brings warm weather, u-picks, open patios, whale watching, and the full farmers’ market season. Many visitors find late June through early September to be the sweet spot with warm days, full farm stands, and all attractions open.

What festivals happen in the Annapolis Valley in spring and summer?

The Valley has a festival nearly every month of the warm season. The Apple Blossom Festival runs in late May in Kentville. The Wolfville Summer Concert Series offers free live music every Sunday afternoon through summer. Valley Wide Ribfest happens in late July. FODAR (Atlantic Canada’s only contemporary dance festival ) comes to Annapolis Royal each July.

What is the Apple Blossom Festival in the Annapolis Valley?

The Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival is an annual spring celebration held at the end of May, now in its ninth decade. Centred in Kentville, it features the Grand Street Parade (one of the largest in Canada), a Children’s Parade, fireworks, concerts, community events, and craft fairs, most of which are free. It draws visitors from across Nova Scotia and beyond.

What are the best hikes in the Annapolis Valley?

The most iconic is Cape Split Provincial Park, a 13.2-kilometre trail (with a loop option) to dramatic sea cliffs; allow four to five hours to complete it. Blomidon Provincial Park is another favourite, with stunning Bay of Fundy views and beach access at low tide. For easier walks, the Harvest Moon Trailway and Miner’s Marsh in Kentville are excellent choices.

Where can I go whale watching near the Annapolis Valley?

The best whale watching is off Brier Island, reached by driving Digby Neck and taking two short ferry crossings. Tours run from mid-June through mid-October, with July and August being the most active months. Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises is the most established operator, now celebrating its 40th year.

Is the Annapolis Valley good for families?

Absolutely. Highlights for families include u-picks (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples throughout the summer), the Apple Blossom Festival’s Children’s Parade, the Harvest Moon Trailway for easy cycling, Blomidon Provincial Park for beachcombing, the Kingston Farmers’ Market with its dedicated kids’ area, and the whale watching tours at Brier Island.

What historical sites are in the Annapolis Valley?

The Valley has outstanding heritage attractions: Grand Pré National Historic Site (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal (Canada’s oldest national historic site), Port Royal National Historic Site, and the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. The Candlelight Graveyard Tour in Annapolis Royal is a popular summer evening experience.

How far is the Annapolis Valley from Halifax?

Wolfville, at the eastern end of the Valley, is approximately one hour from downtown Halifax via Highway 101. Kingston is about 90 minutes; Annapolis Royal and Digby are roughly 2 to 2.5 hours. While it may seem like an easy day-trip, there is so much to do in the area that at least one overnight stay is highly recommended.