Celtic Music Venues, Step Dance and Other Local Entertainment
The communities up and down our “Musical Coast” are known for their Scottish-roots musical kitchen parties known as Ceilidhs (pronounced “kay-lees”). Here fiddle music, harp, guitar, step dance and story telling take center stage. For generations, these fun-filled musical celebrations have helped local folks survive the area’s harsh winters and trying times.
For music and step-dance lovers, there are a number of excellent Celtic music and dance venues within a 10, 20 and 45 minute drive. Click on the links below for details:
Live Celtic Music
Enjoy outstanding home-cooked, locally-inspired food while taking in live fiddle, guitar, and piano at the always-popular Red Shoe Pub.
The Celtic Music Interpretive Center. Judique - 20 minutes away
Top-notch live musical performances, weekly Sunday afternoon Ceilidhs and occasional dining events.
Take in live Celtic music during summer and fall at the North America's first single-malt whisky distillery.
Performance Hall at Inverness County Center for the Arts, Inverness - 30 minutes away
The ICCA is a great spot for live Celtic music concerts, exhibitions and workshops
A great line up of live Cape Breton music, Ceilidhs, story telling and more, year round.
Cape Breton Kitchen Parties - Ceilidhs
Cape Breton Ceilidhs (pronounced '"kay-lees") are a huge part of local culture. The Gaelic term means "gatherings" and is often described as a fun "kitchen party". They are a "must see" for any new visitor to Cape Breton and usually feature a few fun-filled hours of fiddle music, guitar, step dancing and story telling and more. Click on the play button below for a great sample.
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Sunday Afternoon Ceilidhs at The Celtic Music Interpretive Center. Judique - Every Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm, year round - 20 minutes away
Cape Breton Step Dance
A cultural treasure of the area is step dancing, a highly energenic, percussive form of dance inspired by fiddle music. Dive into the culture, join others on the dance floor, listen and let the music take hold and guide you.
Click on links for adresses and latest schedules (as many events are seasonal)
Take a deep dive into this truly fun part of Cape Breton's culture with a multi-day step-dance work shop which will have you dancing with a smile in no time. Click on links for more information and videos.
KitchenFest - June 26 to July 6th, 2024
This annual ten-day celebration gives locals and visitors insights into the distinct and vibrant Gaelic culture of the island, bringing the kitchen-céilidh feel to the forefront. This festival features an array of concerts and céilidhs, pub nights and square dances at a range of locations.
Tickets & Info can be found at: kitchenfest.ca
Celtic Colours International Music Festival - October 11-19, 2024
For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with Celtic music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate our rich culture. The festival features 50+ concerts across Cape Breton island plus dances, workshops and community suppers, This is an action-packed set of cultural events against a gorgeous backdrop of autumn colour.
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Tickets & Info can be found at: celtic-colours.com
Useful Website Links For Music and Culture
Celtic Music, Ceilidhs and Step Dancing Venues
Click on underlined text below for more info and latest schedules:
Mabou - 12 minutes away
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The Red Shoe Pub - Live Music - Live music is usually on tap at between 5-7 pm Mon/Tues/Wed and then in the evenings Thurs/Fri/Sat during the summer/fall.
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Strathspey Performing Arts Centre - Home to live music, arts and culture
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West Mabou Hall - Saturday Night Family Square Dance / Step Dance (Year Round)
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The Celtic Interpretive Music Center -- Live music, Ceilidhs, occassional dining events
Inverness - 30 minutes away
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Performance Hall at Inverness County Center for the Arts - The ICCA is a vibrant venue featuring live concerts, exhibitions and workshops
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Inverness Miner's Museum - Occasional live music inside a gem of a museum
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The Annex Restaurant - Live music along with great food and drink
Creignish - 30 minutes away
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Creigniish Hall - Friday night square dances and music (click link to Facebook page).
Port Hawkesbury - 45 minutes away
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Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre - Live music, Ceilidhs, story telling and more
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Cape Breton Celtic Music Events Calendars
The links below provide detailed schedules for the areas below, courtesy of Music Cape Breton.com
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​Upcoming Musical Events for Mabou, Port Hood, Judique, Creignish and Port Hawkesbury
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Upcoming Musical Events for Cheticamp, Grand Etang, Petit Etang
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