Town of Antigonish
Visit the Town of Antigonish
Antigonish is a beautiful, historic, university town situated in the ‘Highland Heart of Nova Scotia’ and serves as the primary cultural, retail and service centre for this area. Take a stroll through the downtown core and enjoy a refreshing break at one of the many cafes, bistros or tearooms that you will encounter along your way. Antigonish offers a host of options for great dining experiences. Be sure to visit the local art studios and galleries and the Antigonish Heritage Museum which is located in the Old Train Station. St. Ninian’s Cathedral features romanesque architecture, hand-painted frescoes and fine woodwork, and is a provincially-registered heritage property and is also in the Canadian Register of Historic Places. As you travel through the town, take note of the ‘Echoes of our Past’ Wooden Sculptures – unique statues carved from dying elm trees, and stop to view the cairns, built in honour of our ancestors, at the Field of Cairns, located near Whidden’s Bridge.
During July and August treat yourself to live, professional theatre at Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre, performed at the Bauer Theatre, which is located on the StFX University campus. Treat yourself to a free outdoor evening concert, each week during the month of July, when Music on Main hosts a variety of talented musical artists from the Atlantic region at Columbus Field. Take part in the famous Antigonish Highland Games or attend the ‘Gathering of the Arts’ which take place each year during the second full week of July, or the ‘Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition’, which takes place each year at the end of August.
During the fall and winter take in a performance of Theatre Antigonish, our local university/community theatre company, at the Bauer Theatre, or attend a performance as part of the Antigonish Performing Arts Series at Immaculata Auditorium (except as noted). The Bauer Theatre and Immaculata Auditorium are both located on the StFX University campus.
On Saturday mornings, from May to December, visit the Antigonish Farmers’ Market, which is located at the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition Grounds, behind the Antigonish Arena. From late spring to late fall, enjoy both the scenic countryside and a round of golf from the rolling hills of the Antigonish Golf & County Club in Cloverville. The Antigonish Golf Club overlooks the town of Antigonish
And year-round, on every second Saturday afternoon, the Antigonish Ceilidh Association hosts a ‘Ceilidh at Piper’s Pub’ from 2 to 5 pm!
Antigonish is home to St. Francis Xavier University and the Coady International Institute. In addition to the Bauer Theatre and Immaculata Auditorium, you will find the following entertainment and recreational facilities on the campus of StFXU: Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre, Alumni Aquatic Centre and Oland Centre. Please check the StFXU Events Calendar for a schedule of events, including X-Sports and Alumni events.