Canada Day Festivities Return to Downtown Bridgewater 

Multicultural Festival, Family Fun, Food and More! 

JUNE 26, 2026, BRIDGEWATER, NS — Canada Day festivities are returning to Downtown Bridgewater this year, with a full day of programming that offers something for locals and visitors of all ages to enjoy. Running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 1st, the day is jampacked with live music, activities for all-ages, a special Kids Zone, street market, food truck party and lots more. 

New this year will be a community picnic taking place on the Old Bridge, which will be closed to traffic along with a section of King Street, for the full day. Picnic tables will span the bridge, and visitors are invited to bring a packed lunch, or stop by one of the many food trucks that will be onsite. 

“We are always looking for new, fun ways to bring our community together,” said Donna Hatt, the Town’s Economic Development Manager. “On top of all the amazing things we have scheduled for the day, we wanted to offer a chance to slow down, have a chat and maybe even make a new friend or two.”

A major highlight of the day will be the South Shore Multicultural Association’s 13th annual Multicultural Festival taking place from 10:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Pijinuiskaq Park.

“We’re lucky to have such a vibrant community here on the South Shore, and Canada Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our diversity,” said Bridgewater Town Councillor and Events Committee Chair, Cheryl Fougere. “The South Shore Multicultural Association has put together a fantastic lineup of performers and will also be hosting an array of activities, including henna and chalk artists and face painting by the South Shore Waldorf School.”

With everything from intricate dancing by the Nova Scotia Chinese Culture & Arts Club, and booming rhythms of the Lunenburg Tharangam Chenda Group, to the young voices of the Three Wishes Youth Band, downtown Bridgewater will be alive with music and sound.

There will be many activities for kids and families, including bouncy castles, face painting, a 70’ obstacle course, fun with firetrucks (with the Bridgewater Fire Department) and lots more. Expanding past Downtown, there will be a free swim at the Michelin Bridgewater Outdoor Pool from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and a free screening of the movie GOAT, at HB Studios beginning at 5 p.m.

The official opening ceremonies will take place at 1 p.m. with a performance of the Mi’kmaq Honour Song, greetings from local officials and the Town of Bridgewater’s Built Heritage Recognition Awards. Afterwards, attendees can enjoy a walkabout to the featured Downtown buildings.

To make joining the festivities easy, Bridgewater Transit will be free and run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those with vehicles, free parking is available at the South Shore Centre.

Inclement weather won’t ruin the fun. If poor weather is on the way, the festivities will move to an indoor location, with the decision being announced on Monday, June 29th.

To learn more, see a map of events and plan your day, visit Bridgewater.ca/Canada 

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Media Contacts:

Donna Hatt 
Economic Development Manager, Town of Bridgewater 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
902-530-4099

Bronwyn MacFair 
Communications & Public Relations Officer, Town of Bridgewater 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
(902) 930-1382