The week of June 8–14 brings a full slate of music and culture to the shores of Bras d'Or Lake, from the folk-country intimacy of The Little Church Concert Series – Lynn Miles on Friday evening to the Saturday-night fiddles and oatcakes of the Baddeck Gathering Céilidh at St. Michael's Parish Hall.
Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of traditional Gaelic culture, offering instruction in over ten disciplines, and year-round learning and fun. As a cultural destination, it will delight visitors with the unique opportunity to experience first-hand the living culture of the Nova Scotia Gaelic people.
baddeck academy band and choir-an evening of legends and adventures
A weekly gathering for people who knit, stitch, crochet, decoupage, or work on other craft projects. Held Friday afternoons from 1-3pm at Baddeck Public Library, with tea and cookies provided. Beginners can borrow materials and tools to get started, and experienced crafters can share advice or work on their own projects.
musician's circle / Jam sessions; all welcome
Singer-songwriter Lynn Miles performs June 12 as part of The Little Church Concert Series at Vicar's View in Big Baddeck. Miles has won a JUNO Award and six Canadian Folk Music Awards, including multiple awards for songwriting.
Cape Breton fiddler Rachel Davis and singer-songwriter Buddy MacDonald are beloved local artists who together deliver an evening of traditional Celtic tunes, original songs, and warm island storytelling. Davis, from Baddeck, is a member of the JUNO-nominated group Còig and a Canadian Folk Music Award winner, while MacDonald is a 2022 ECMA Stompin' Tom Award recipient whose songs have been recorded by artists around the world. Catch this celebrated pair for a night of foot-tapping Cape Breton music you won't soon forget.
This is the closing concert of the Waterfall Season series at Lower North River Falls in 2026. The location and event details are minimal in the source, and no information about time, artists, admission, or other practical details is provided.
The rewrite:
Final concert of the 2026 Waterfall Season series, held at Lower North River Falls.
A daily ceilidh held in Baddeck at 7:30pm, named after a traditional fiddle tune and dedicated to the memory of late musician Charlie MacCuspic. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children, includes tea and locally baked oatcakes, and tickets are available at the door from 5-7pm (cash only). Reservations are recommended.
Performance schedule: Daily at 10:00 p.m., Jun 13 – Jul 27 (45 performances)
Sat, Jun 13 · Sun, Jun 14 · Mon, Jun 15 · Tue, Jun 16 · Wed, Jun 17 · Thu, Jun 18 · Fri, Jun 19 · Sat, Jun 20 · Sun, Jun 21 · Mon, Jun 22 · Tue, Jun 23 · Wed, Jun 24 · Thu, Jun 25 · Fri, Jun 26 · Sat, Jun 27 · Sun, Jun 28 · Mon, Jun 29 · Tue, Jun 30 · Wed, Jul 1 · Thu, Jul 2 · Fri, Jul 3 · Sat, Jul 4 · Sun, Jul 5 · Mon, Jul 6 · Tue, Jul 7 · Wed, Jul 8 · Thu, Jul 9 · Fri, Jul 10 · Sat, Jul 11 · Sun, Jul 12 · Mon, Jul 13 · Tue, Jul 14 · Wed, Jul 15 · Thu, Jul 16 · Fri, Jul 17 · Sat, Jul 18 · Sun, Jul 19 · Mon, Jul 20 · Tue, Jul 21 · Wed, Jul 22 · Thu, Jul 23 · Fri, Jul 24 · Sat, Jul 25 · Sun, Jul 26 · Mon, Jul 27
Start the week on Wednesday evening at the Wednesday Night Ceilidh hosted by the Gaelic College in St. Ann's. Colaisde na Gàidhlig has been the keeper of Cape Breton's Gaelic traditions for decades, and these weekly céilidhs — packed with step-dancing, fiddle, and song — are among the warmest introductions to island culture a visitor can find. Make the short drive back along the lake's northern shore and settle in at Inverary Resort on Baddeck Bay, where waterfront cottages put the Bras d'Or just outside the door.
Thursday morning is well spent at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in the heart of Baddeck. Bell spent his most productive summers on these shores, and the museum's interactive exhibits trace everything from the telephone to the Silver Dart, the first powered aircraft to fly in Canada. That evening, the Baddeck Academy-gymnasium — baddeck academy band and choir-an evening of legends and adventures offers something different: the school's band and choir taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. for a program of legends and adventures — the kind of community performance that feels genuinely local.
Fuel up Friday morning at Highwheeler Cafe & Bakery, a from-scratch bakery and coffee roastery in central Baddeck that draws a loyal crowd for good reason. The afternoon opens up for a hike on the Uisge Ban Falls Trail, an easy forest walk that leads to a 15-metre waterfall tucked in a mossy gorge — quietly spectacular. Back in town, the Friday Crafternoon at the Baddeck Public Library at 4:00 p.m. is a welcoming, low-key way to meet locals over tea, cookies, and crafts. Come 5:00 p.m., the Bras d'or Yacht Club-Tiller & Wheel Lounge — musician's circle / Jam sessions opens its doors to anyone who wants to play or listen. The evening's centrepiece is The Little Church Concert Series – Lynn Miles at 7:30 p.m. in Big Baddeck — a songwriter of Lynn Miles's calibre in an intimate rural church is the kind of evening visitors remember long after the ferry home.
Saturday begins with a noon trip to North River Falls Provincial Park for the Waterfall Season Closing Concert at Lower North River Falls, the final performance of the 2026 Waterfall Season series. Pack a lunch and plan to linger. Nearby, McNaughton's Falls in Wagmatcook is worth the moderate 4-kilometre walk for its 15-metre cascade and 300-metre elevation — a different energy from the afternoon's music, but equally rewarding. Dinner at Baddeck Lobster Suppers sets things up perfectly: all-you-can-eat mussels, chowder, and a whole lobster with the lake as backdrop. The night closes with the Baddeck Gathering Céilidh at St. Michael's Parish Hall at 7:00 p.m., where traditional music and oatcakes have made this a beloved nightly fixture of Baddeck summers.
Sunday is a natural day on the water. The Adventure Centre at Inverary Resort rents kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats from its dockside on Bras d'Or Lake — the lake's calm, tidal waters make for easy paddling and big horizons. Whycocomagh Provincial Park on Skye Mountain at the lake's western end is a fine alternative for those who'd rather walk above it all, with sweeping views down to the water below. For a casual evening meal, Tom's Pizza Restaurant in downtown Baddeck has been a family-owned fixture since 1985, serving fresh pies alongside live music most nights.
Uisge Ban (Gaelic for "white water") tumbles 15 metres down a slate cliff into a fern-lined amphitheatre near Baddeck. The most popular route is the 3-kilometre Falls Trail through old hardwood forest with several brook crossings on small bridges. A second loop, the River Trail, adds another two kilometres for those wanting a longer outing. The provincial park is signed off Highway 105 via Baddeck Forks; the final stretch is gravel.
A 15-meter waterfall on Wagmatcook First Nation land, reached by a 4-km moderate hike that takes about 2 hours. The trailhead is on Humes Rear Road, 750 m from the parking area near a school and baseball field off the Trans-Canada Highway between St. Patrick's Channel and Nyanza. Partial cellphone coverage available.
A wooded provincial park on Salt Mountain (Skye Mountain) overlooking Whycocomagh Bay, an arm of the Bras d'Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere.
37 overnight sites: 27 unserviced and 10 with water and electrical. Yurts available with beds, propane BBQs and decks. Flush toilets, showers, dump station, playground, boat launch, cooking shelters, dish and laundry stations, wood and ice on site. Wheelchair-accessible washrooms.
Families and travellers staging between the Causeway and the Cabot Trail. Solid mid-tier RV option with provincial-park calm.
Reservations 1-888-544-3434 or parks.novascotia.ca. 2026 season June 5 – October 19. Walk-ups accepted but call ahead in summer.
Salt Mountain hike (panorama of the Bras d'Or), the Highland Village in Iona, and Glenora Distillery (35 min).
Overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake in Baddeck, the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site explores the inventor's wide-ranging career—telephones, hydrofoils, kites, aviation, and his deep ties to the deaf community. Highlights include the original HD-4 hydrofoil and a full-size replica of the Silver Dart, the first powered aircraft to fly in the British Empire (Baddeck Bay, 1909). Bell's Beinn Bhreagh estate is visible across the bay.
All-you-can-eat mussels, fish chowder, and a whole boiled lobster on the Bras d'Or Lake. A Baddeck institution that draws cruise-ship visitors and Cabot Trail road-trippers in equal numbers, served family-style under one roof.
Watercraft and activity rental centre dockside at Inverary Resort in Baddeck. Rents stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, bicycles, and pontoon boats for exploring the Bras d'Or Lake and surrounding area at your own pace. The site includes a lakeside patio with food and drinks, plus a nightly bonfire.
Be inspired by the fascinating life and work of Alexander Graham Bell – inventor, scientist, teacher, and devoted family man. Wake up your own spirit of innovation through diverse experiences, as you explore his inventions that helped shape our modern world. Marvel at full-scale replicas of the Silver Dart airplane and HD-4 watercraft, take the White Glove Tour for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the genius of Bell, or Come Fly a Kite overlooking the beautiful water views of Baddeck Bay. Bell’s interest in unique shapes and designs comes to life at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. The inspiring architecture guides all visitors through exhibits and multimedia displays that are wheelchair accessible via ramps, and offer ample space to explore, reflect, and discover. The site sits in the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. The Bells fell in love with the natural beauty of the island first known as Unama’ki, and their story is interwoven with that of the many settlers and cultures that continue to thrive here today. More than the telephone! Did you know that Bell’s career began as a teacher of deaf and hearing impaired people? His curiosity and determination would lead to Canada’s first powered flight, the world’s fastest watercraft, advanced recording technology, giant tetrahedral kites and, of course, the telephone. Many of these remarkable inventions first took flight (literally!) in the scenic community of Baddeck, with the support of his wife Mabel Hubbard Bell and a group of innovators they inspired around them. Family fun Do you love to discover new things? Think you might be the next big inventor in technology and science? Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site offers fun and inspiring experiences, perfect for young geniuses and the young at heart. Ask one of the friendly Parks Canada staff to enroll you in the Xplorers program or Club Parka, learn about hands-on experiments you can do at home, and let your imagination take flight with our popular kite programs. Bell’s legacy tells us to embrace playfulness and creativity at every age. Archival photos show the whole Bell family, from children to grandchildren, sharing in the fun of exciting experiments. Make your own family memories that will last a lifetime! Admission for youth aged 17 and under is free! Accessibility The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site features a single accessible building surrounded by terraced green spaces, inclined paved pathways, with accessible parking to the left of the main entrance. Inside, ramps guide visitors from the lobby to the mezzanine of the Water Hall, where various exhibits, including family-friendly workshops and artifact tours are accessible. An elevator is located in the Water Hall, which takes visitors to the lower level that houses both the Hydrofoil and Silver Dart replica. The site also offers accessible washrooms on the mezzanine of the Water Hall and in the freestanding building adjacent to the left of the main entrance. Outdoor experiences Discover Mabel Bell’s historic contributions in Mabel’s Gardens, new interpretive gardens developed in collaboration with Ecosystem Health and Food Security researcher Dr. Alana Pindar and the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation. Learn about the innovative practices Mabel used at the original gardens at Beinn Bhreagh and how you can create your own sustainable garden through this new, interactive space on the grounds of the museum. The museum’s rooftop viewing deck provides a panoramic view of the Bells’ beloved "Beinn Bhreagh" (Gaelic for "beautiful mountain") home still owned by their descendants and Baddeck Bay, part of the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Take a moment to reflect at the First Peoples exhibit, located on the museum’s rooftop, overlooking Pitu-paq: the Bras d’Or Lake. Get a glimpse into the long history and living culture of the Mi’kmaq, as you take in the natural beauty of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island). Picnic tables, including one accessible for mobility-impaired visitors, are located adjacent to the rooftop viewing deck. Savour local flavours from the Tetra Café located inside the museum or enjoy take-out from one of the many restaurants within walking distance. Don’t forget to capture a picture-perfect moment in the iconic Parks Canada red chairs overlooking Baddeck Bay. Relax and enjoy the water views, lush gardens, and unique architecture of the museum, inspired by Bell’s tetrahedral kites. Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell was an early believer in climate change? In 1914, Bell used the term “greenhouse effect” to describe the heating of the earth due to foreign particles in the atmosphere. He also advocated for replacing coal and oil with cleaner forms of energy. You can follow Bell’s vision of a greener future when you use our electric vehicle charging stations to “fuel” the next part of your trip. White Glove Tours The Canadian Signature Experience is the stamp of quality that the international tourism marketplace recognizes. There are eight Canadian Signature Experiences in Nova Scotia including the White Glove Tour. Get an exclusive look into the lives of Alexander Graham Bell and his loving and trailblazing wife Mabel Hubbard Bell. With a passionate guide leading a small group, this behind-the-scenes tour uncovers more of their inspiring story. See fascinating objects and artifacts up close, like Bell’s personal notebook and walking stick. Museum Store The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association, a non-profit co-operating organization, operates the Museum Store. Products include books, kites, educational toys, souvenirs, and other items that relate strongly to Bell, his work and the themes of the site. Tetra Café The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association operates the Tetra Café serving coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as delicious baked goods. The café offers free wireless internet service. Browse, snack, and get connected within unique architectural design elements, plenty of natural light, and a stellar view of Baddeck Bay, part of the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Parks Canada Discovery Pass Get ready for exciting new experiences with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass – 450 000 km2 of memories await! Get the pass that provides access to all Parks Canada-administered sites for 12 full months from date of purchase. Get curious about natural and cultural treasures in Canada, hear stories from Indigenous cultures, or explore hidden gems. Do it all with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass. To purchase online visit: https://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/en/decouverte-discovery
Highwheeler is the closest thing Baddeck has to a third-place café. They roast their own coffee, bake bread and pastries on-site, and tolerate laptop users politely outside of peak breakfast/lunch hours.
Wi-Fi is free for customers, the morning rush (8-10 a.m.) and lunch hour (12-1 p.m.) get crowded so plan around it. Outdoor seating in summer adds another dozen tables. Open seasonally — generally May through October, with reduced hours on shoulder months.
Inverary Resort is a year-round lakeside destination nestled on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake in Baddeck, Cape Breton. Just steps from the start of the Cabot Trail, Inverary blends Cape Breton hospitality with modern comfort, offering the perfect escape for couples, families, and adventure seekers alike. Set on 11 acres of waterfront property, the resort features a range of accommodations—from cozy lodge rooms and waterfront cottages to accessible suites—many newly refurbished to reflect the warmth and charm of its surroundings. Guests can enjoy a full range of amenities including an indoor pool, hot tubs, sauna, fitness centre, and on-site spa. Dining at the Lakeside Restaurant showcases fresh local seafood and seasonal flavours, while live music and bonfire nights at the Narrows Café & Bar create unforgettable evenings. During the warmer months, guests can paddle the lake by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or rent a pontoon boat to explore the beauty of Baddeck Bay. Winter transforms Inverary into a hub for snowmobiling and snowshoeing, while golf lovers can take advantage of stay-and-play packages at Bell Bay Golf Club from spring through fall. Inverary also offers more than 5,000 square feet of event space, ideal for weddings, retreats, and conferences—with a dedicated events team on site. Deeply rooted in Cape Breton’s history and storytelling tradition, Inverary continues to evolve under family ownership, offering both comfort and connection. Whether you’re here to explore the Island or simply unwind by the fire, Inverary Resort welcomes you like one of our own.
TOM’S PIZZA is a small family owned and operated, licensed pizza restaurant. Located right in the heart of Baddeck, Cape Breton. Serving fresh quality pizzas since 1985. We also have regular live music evenings & are proud to serve locally brewed beer!
Whether the draw is a waterfall concert at noon, a céilidh after dark, or simply a morning paddle on one of the world's largest saltwater lakes, Baddeck and Bras d'Or offer a week's worth of reasons to stay longer than planned. The calendar is set — all that's needed is the drive north.
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