The Strait Area hits its summer stride this week, with everything from a rousing Port Hawkesbury Ceilidh at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on Tuesday night to a powerhouse Friday performance by St. Michael's Hall — Andrea Beaton & Friends. Add free outdoor concerts, open mics, and a classic community breakfast to the mix, and there's no shortage of reasons to linger on this beautiful stretch of Cape Breton.
Live traditional music and dancing happens Tuesday nights at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, featuring fiddle, piano, bagpipes, and local performers. Shows run 7:30-9pm and cost $20 per person. All ages welcome.
Free summer concert series held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at a coastal location. Family-friendly performances feature local and regional talent. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Every Wednesday from 7–10 pm, the Carriage House in Port Hawkesbury welcomes local musicians and newcomers alike to its lively open mic night, hosted by Rob Smith. It's a relaxed, drop-in experience where singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists take the stage in a friendly lounge setting — a great way to catch authentic local talent in Cape Breton.
Weekly acoustic jam sessions run Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m., July 9 to August 27, at St. Peter's Lions Marina. Visiting musicians are invited to sit in, and singers, dancers, and listeners of all ages are welcome. Free admission with free-will donations accepted.
Andrea Beaton is an award-winning fiddler, tune composer, and recording artist from Mabou, Cape Breton, known internationally for her powerful bowing and driving traditional style. Her 2010 album "Branches" won the East Coast Music Award for Instrumental Recording of the Year. She tours and teaches internationally and is in great demand as a teacher at music camps and fiddling and dancing workshops around the world.
Acoustic trio covering rock and country hits from artists like The Tragically Hip, Tom Petty, and Stan Rogers. Features JC Johnston on drums and vocals, Noah Reashore on guitar and vocals, and Kenny Cox on bass and vocals. 8pm-12am at Carriage House.
Monthly breakfast held on the 2nd Sunday at D'Escousse. Hearty portions served to fuel your morning.
Jam session featuring Duncan Gillis. $5 admission; lunch available for an additional charge.
A visit to the Strait Area this week begins naturally in Port Hawkesbury, where Tuesday evening brings the weekly summer Port Hawkesbury Ceilidh at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Starting at 7:30 p.m., local musicians fill the Civic Centre with fiddle, piano, bagpipes, and dancing — exactly the kind of traditional Cape Breton culture visitors come here to find. Before heading over, dinner at Miller's Seafood & Chophouse sets the tone nicely, with fresh local seafood and steaks served on a summer patio overlooking the Strait. Overnight, the Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury puts guests right in the heart of town.
Wednesday offers two distinct music options. The free Concerts by the Sea - St. Peter's runs from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in St. Peter's, making it ideal for families wanting an easy evening out. Later that same night, the Carriage House — open mic with host Rob Smith kicks off at 7:00 p.m. for anyone who wants to catch — or join — a lively session. During the day, St. Peter's rewards exploration: Bras d'Or Lake Boat Tours offers a chance to cruise the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve waters, and the Lennox Passage Provincial Park on the north shore of Isle Madame provides a scenic picnic stop just a short drive away.
Thursday evening belongs to the water's edge, when the KitchenRackets Summer Jam Sessions gather at St. Peter's Lions Marina at 7:30 p.m. The acoustic jam is free, welcoming visiting players of all ages alongside local musicians — a genuinely communal Cape Breton moment. Earlier in the day, hikers will want to tackle the Ceilidh Coastal Trail, a 22-kilometre linear trail running from the Canso Canal through natural surface and beach cobble terrain, with the strait glittering below.
Friday and Saturday bring the week's biggest live music. Andrea Beaton & Friends performs at St. Michael's Hall on Friday, offering a master class in Cape Breton fiddle tradition. Saturday night, the 3 Way Stop at Carriage House at 8:00 p.m. shifts the energy toward rock, with veterans JC Johnston, Noah Reashore, and Kenny Cox sharing a stage that promises tight playing and a great room vibe. Guests based outside Port Hawkesbury might consider the Dundee Resort & Golf Club in West Bay — a lakeside property with a championship golf course, kayaking, and paddle boats that makes an excellent base for exploring the Richmond County side of the region. Those who prefer a tent to a hotel room can settle into Battery Provincial Park Campground in Saint Peter's, with 53 sites, hiking trails, and views over St. Peter's Bay just steps from the canal.
Sunday wraps the week on a warm, local note. The D'Escousse Hungrymans Breakfast opens at 8:00 a.m. — the second Sunday of the month, as the community tradition goes — fuelling visitors before a morning walk out to the Jerome Point Lighthouse, a historic tower originally built in 1883 on Isle Madame. By afternoon, the Evergreen Jam Session with Duncan Gillis at the Evergreen Seniors Club offers a relaxed $5 session with lunch available, a quintessential Cape Breton Sunday wind-down. For a final dinner before heading out, Papa's Pub and Eatery in Port Hawkesbury delivers craft pizzas, Canadian cuisine with modern flair, and an extensive wine list in a warm, welcoming space.
This 22-km trail runs from the Canso Canal to Chisholm's Brook along the eastern shore, with surfaces ranging from gravel to hard-packed beach. Cell service is available, and dogs are permitted on leash. The route passes through tide-washed sections, abandoned rail bed, and coastal views with interpretive panels about local history and culture.
This square wooden lighthouse was built in 1883 and rebuilt in 1956 without its original attached dwelling. It marks the entrance to St. Peter's Canal National Historic Site, where tidal locks connect the Atlantic Ocean to Bras d'Or Lake. The lighthouse sits at Battery Provincial Park on Highway 4 near the St. Peter's swing bridge.
Located on the North Shore of Isle Madame, this provincial park has a saltwater beach, picnic areas, and 2 km of walking trails. An operating lighthouse is open to visitors. Swimming, kayaking, and biking are available in summer; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible in winter, though the park is unserviced then and parking is at the gate only.
A 7.5 km crushed stone and natural surface trail along the Strait of Canso with interpretive panels about the historic Inverness and Richmond Railway (1901-1980s). The narrow route between the causeway and water can feel exposed when wind and waves are heavy. Dogs are permitted off-leash.
Casual dining with a professional touch. Adjoining Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury, Miller’s offers a casual relaxed atmosphere, with summertime patio dining. Our menu features a variety of local flavours. Start with a delicious seafood appetizer, such as our homemade seafood chowder or crab cakes. Then choose from the wide variety of dishes on our main menu – from steaks and ribs to salmon and mussels – or opt for the nightly feature, carefully chosen and prepared by our culinary team. Port Hawkesbury is a perfect base from which to start your Cape Breton vacation, and Miller’s offers meals for every taste along with the professional, friendly service you will come to expect in Nova Scotia.
Cruise the UNESCO-designated Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere from the historic St. Peter's Canal. A relaxed, narrated tour through one of the largest inland seas in North America, with eagles, seals, and history at every turn.
Dundee Resort & Golf Club is located in West Bay, Cape Breton Island where you are surrounded by rich forests, lush lawns, a championship golf course and the brilliant Bras d’Or Lakes. Spend the day golfing at our world-class course or visit our onsite Lakeside Adventure Centre and enjoy paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, tennis, volleyball and beach swimming. We are just a short drive from the legendary Cabot Trail and the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a preserved and recreated French fortification dating back 300 years. Our accommodations include 61 hotel rooms (Queen, King) with balcony (view of golf course or the Bras d’Or Lakes), some with fireplace or jacuzzi; 38 one- and two-bedroom cottage units (Twin, Double; light housekeeping facilities) with a large deck, lake view; and all with 4-piece bath. No cribs; however, we do have playpens. Cots are available for rooms in the hotel only. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi (in hotel rooms only). Enjoy complimentary scheduled summer recreation activities (July – August) including canoeing and kayaking from our lakeside adventure centre. Guest features include dining room and pub; pro shop; banquet and conference facilities; 18-hole golf course; indoor and outdoor pools; sauna; walking trail; canoe, kayak, and paddleboats; and barbecues. Small pets are permitted in the cottages at a minimal charge. Check out our golf, family and all-inclusive packages! All major credit cards are accepted.
Battery Provincial Park is situated on a hillside overlooking St. Peter’s Bay adjacent to the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site. The park entrance is on the east side of the bridge at the canal. Battery features a small saltwater beach (unsupervised), an interpretive display, picnic area with ocean frontage, and 3.4 km / 2.1 mi of hiking trails. Jerome Point Lighthouse is located on the entrance road to Battery Provincial Park. Nearby: Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park, Nicolas Denys Museum (St. Peters), and LeNoir Forge Museum (Arichat). Campground accommodations include: 53 open and wooded overnight sites (4 with electrical service, 3 with electrical and water, 46 unserviced). Park amenities include: flush toilets, showers, disposal station, fire grills, wood, and ice. Boat launch nearby. Wireless Internet access available at the administration building. This is a Campground Host park. Leashed pets permitted. Detailed Information: Outdoor activities: Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, SnowshoeingDirections: On east side of Canal Bridge.
4-star property in Port Hawkesbury with a guest rating of 4.2/10 (927 reviews).
Amenities include Wheelchair accessible, Conference space, Cross-country skiing nearby, Hiking/biking trails nearby, Breakfast available (surcharge), Laundry facilities, Garden, Free newspapers in lobby.
Bookable directly through CapeBretonFirst.
Our restaurant offers a unique dining experience that will leave your taste buds tantalized. Our cuisine is inspired by the best of both worlds – traditional Canadian dishes with a modern flare. Our cuisine is sure to leave you wanting more. Our chefs have crafted a unique menu that includes everything from Starters, Main Course to Dessert. Our wine list is extensive and includes both local and international wines. Our Papa’s Pub and Pizzeria is located in a beautiful town of Port Hawkesbury. Our wait staff is attentive and polite and our atmosphere is warm and inviting. We look forward to serving you and making your dining experience a memorable one.
The Strait Area in July moves at a pace that's busy enough to feel alive and unhurried enough to feel like a genuine escape. Pull up a chair at a waterfront concert, follow a coastal trail to a lighthouse, and let the fiddle music find you — this corner of Cape Breton has a way of making visitors feel right at home.
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