A Broadway revue, a beloved waterfront car show, and a free outdoor concert series all converge on Sydney this week, making August 3–9 one of the busiest stretches of summer in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Broadway JR: Raise Your Voice opens the curtain mid-week at Highland Arts Theatre, while the Hot August Nights Car Show — Sydney rolls in Friday evening in support of Make-A-Wish.
A Broadway revue featuring songs from classic shows including Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins, produced by Highland Arts Theatre's summer program. Staged at the theatre's downtown Sydney location in the former St. Andrew's Church.
Trivia contest held Thursdays 6–8 PM at Breton Brewing. Teams compete for two hours with a $5 donation per person, which supports a different local charity each month. Space is limited; reservations recommended.
Free weekly concerts at Wentworth Park in downtown Sydney run July 9 through August 6, starting at 6pm each night. Lineups include Joel Plaskett Emergency, JRDN, Jah'mila, Tim Baker, and Dave Sampson across five Thursdays. Food trucks, local crafters market, and community activations on site.
A Broadway revue featuring songs from classic shows including Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins, produced by the Highland Arts Theatre's summer program. Staged at the theatre's downtown Sydney location on Bentinck Street.
Local and traveling musicians perform at Breton Brewing from 4pm to 7pm on Friday. This week features Bandit, and there's no cover charge.
Hot August Nights is an annual classic car show held in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. The August event draws restored classics, vintage muscle, hot rods, and modified cars from across the Maritimes to a Sydney venue. Awards include People's Choice, Best in Class, and a Top Pick reserved for organizers' favourites. Spectator admission is by donation. A 50/50 draw and concession run all evening. Family-friendly; bring lawn chairs.
An acoustic trio featuring local musicians JC Johnston (drums, vocals), Noah Reashore (guitar, vocals), and Kenny Cox (bass, vocals) covering songs from artists like The Tragically Hip, Tom Petty, Santana, and Stan Rogers. 7-11pm.
Start the week on Wednesday by catching Broadway JR: Raise Your Voice at Highland Arts Theatre on Bentinck Street. The Highland Arts summer program has assembled a lively revue drawing on beloved titles like Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins — a genuine treat for families and musical theatre fans alike. Before the show, settle in for dinner at Governors Pub & Eatery, where elevated comfort food is served inside a restored 19th-century building in the heart of downtown Sydney.
Thursday brings a double bill worth planning around. From 6–8 p.m., Thursday Night Trivia at Breton Brewing draws locals and visitors alike for a $5-donation-entry evening that supports a different local charity each month — a fun way to meet people and discover what's brewing on tap. Then head to Wentworth Park for Makin' Waves presented by Sydney Credit Union, the free weekly concert series at the bandshell that has become a Sydney summer institution. The Thursday show starts at 9 p.m. and showcases a mix of local and touring artists across genres.
On Friday, make the most of the longer evening light. Spend the afternoon at Dominion Beach Provincial Park, a long Atlantic-facing strand near Glace Bay with dunes and a coastal boardwalk — ideal for a pre-weekend walk or a swim. Back in the city, Friday – Music on Tap at Breton Brewing runs from 4–7 p.m. with live music and no cover, making it a natural place to regroup before the bigger evening events. The Hot August Nights Car Show — Sydney starts at 6 p.m. and turns downtown into a showcase of classic and vintage automobiles, all in aid of a worthy cause. Later, acoustic trio 3 Way Stop at the Ashby Legion offers a relaxed, neighbourhood-pub atmosphere at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138 from 7 p.m.
For a quieter interlude over the weekend, Petersfield Provincial Park offers picnic grounds with sweeping views over the south arm of Sydney Harbour — a short drive from the city centre and a rewarding afternoon stop. Alternatively, the calm freshwater shores of Big Pond Beach on the Bras d'Or Lake make for an easy day trip to the village made famous by Rita MacNeil. Guests looking for waterfront accommodation will find The Simon Hotel Sydney well placed on the harbour boardwalk, while Cambridge Suites Hotel Sydney sits steps from the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion for those who prefer an all-suite setup downtown. For a pint and a meal before or after any of the week's shows, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse on downtown Sydney's main strip has been the city's go-to for Irish pub fare and live music since 2013.
A kilometre-long sandy beach on the Atlantic coast between Sydney and Glace Bay, with a wooden boardwalk behind the dunes and lifeguards in summer. The water is cold year-round but the wide foreshore is excellent for long walks and beachcombing, especially at low tide. Facilities include change rooms, picnic tables, and a summer canteen; the boardwalk is wheelchair-accessible.
Big Pond Beach is a sheltered, warm freshwater swim on the Bras d'Or Lake near East Bay. The park has a long sandy frontage, picnic tables, and a small boat launch. Visit on a summer afternoon and pair with a stop at the Rita MacNeil Tea Room a short drive away.
This picnic park overlooks Sydney Harbour's south arm and features 7 km of trails, picnic tables, and interpretive signs covering four centuries of cultural history from the late 1700s to mid-1900s. Located off Route 239, it's open seasonally and offers winter activities, though facilities and services are limited.
Ben Eoin Provincial Park offers a long sandy beach on the warm waters of East Bay, plus picnic tables and a popular boat launch. The adjacent Ben Eoin Marina and ski hill make this a four-season recreation hub. Across the highway, the Lakes Golf Club is one of the top courses in Atlantic Canada.
The Simon Hotel Sydney comes complete with 144 non-smoking suites/rooms with air conditioning, flat screen TV’s, digital cable, mini fridge, and microwave. Large wheelchair accessible main floor suite with separate bedroom and living area, lowered queen size bed and roll-in shower. Amenities include parking, free WiFi, breakfast, on-site restaurant and lounge and roof top patio, fitness centre, and free YMCA access. We are pet friendly. Located on the beautiful harbour boardwalk within walking distance to shops, banks, restaurants and attractions, we are the only suite property located in downtown Sydney.
Pub and restaurant in a restored 19th-century building in downtown Sydney serving elevated comfort food with Maritime-inspired daily features. The wood-and-brick interior has high ceilings and big windows; it draws both locals and visitors. Reservations recommended for dinner, family-friendly through dinner service, open year-round.
Visit Cape Breton’s authentic Irish Pub located in the heart of downtown Sydney. Opened in 2013, The Old Triangle has become a downtown mainstay, a must-dining destination, and an entertainment magnet. Whether it’s a business lunch, a celebratory party in our private room (Finnigan’s Snug), or to sing and dance along with some of the best musicians the Maritimes has to offer, we fit the bill. Here, we live by our philosophy: "Food for the Body, Drink for the Spirit and Music for the Soul".
All-suite hotel right on the Sydney waterfront, steps from the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion and the world's largest fiddle. The pick if you want to walk to dinner, the boardwalk, and the cruise terminal without moving the car.
This hotel in Sydney offers standard lodging with fitness facilities, wheelchair accessibility, and conference space. Nearby activities include golfing and both downhill and cross-country skiing. Rooms are bookable through CapeBretonFirst.
Sydney and Cape Breton Regional Municipality are firing on all cylinders this week — pull up a chair at a free outdoor concert, cheer on the Broadway JR cast, or just park yourself somewhere beautiful along the Bras d'Or and let the summer do the rest. August in CBRM is worth every kilometre of the drive.
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