The Festival and Community Event Development Program helps sustain, grow, or improve unique community festivals and events across Nova Scotia. The program does not fund entire events but provides support for specific projects or components within an event.

This is a competitive funding program. Applications are assessed and scored by a panel of industry professionals, and not all applications will be successful. Successful applicants will not necessarily receive the full amount requested. In 2025, the average amount allocated was $3,200.

Eligible Expenses (Examples):

• Marketing or public relations assistance
• Nova Scotia artist fees
• Training for staff or volunteers

Ineligible Expenses:

• Infrastructure (buildings, renovations, permanent signs, plaques, monuments, gardens)
• Fireworks
• Fundraisers
• Family reunions
• Political or religious events
• League, club, sports training camps, or tournaments
• Business conventions, conferences, workshops, or meeting-related gatherings
• Events that are solely an artisan fair, craft fair, tea, or supper
• Alcoholic drinks
• Membership fees
• Parades
• Travel costs or performance fees for non-Nova Scotia-based artists

Key Requirements:

• Applicants can apply for one festival or event per fiscal year
• Event must take place between April 1 and March 31 of the upcoming fiscal year
• Event revenue cannot be solely from this program
• Combined government funding (municipal, provincial, federal) should not exceed 50% of total event revenue
• Applications cannot be submitted for events that have already taken place