Rejigged Festival Halifax 2025 | Event Information & Guide

Musician playing Celtic fiddle at the Rejigged Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, celebrating traditional music from Ireland and Europe.

Celtic culture has long shaped the historic identity of Halifax, and it can be felt in the local pubs, music, and traditions. Each autumn, these traditions culminate in the Rejigged Festival.

Held across the harbour in Dartmouth, the Rejigged Festival has become the premier Celtic festival in Atlantic Canada, promising a weekend of dance, music, and song, and a stay at Cameo Hotel & Suites puts you at the centre of it all.

Begin planning your visit to the Rejigged Festival with this event guide.

Rejigged Festival Halifax 2025: General Information

Rejigged has grown over 16 years into Nova Scotia’s leading Celtic festival. Each October, it brings musicians and dancers from across the Celtic diaspora, filling Dartmouth’s church halls with music, movement, and stories that connect past and present.

The festival stands out for its balance of experiences. Concerts feel intimate, céilidhs turn into lively community gatherings, and workshops invite you to step in and try it yourself. For festival-goers, Rejigged isn’t just another music festival but a lively celebration promising cultural experiences on all levels.

Event Dates

  • Rejigged Festival Dates: Oct. 23–25, 2025

The Rejigged Festival is traditionally held the fourth weekend of October. This year’s festival runs from October 23–25, 2025.

Location

  • Concerts: Christ Church Sanctuary & Hall
  • Workshops: Christ Church Hall, Sanctuary, and MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning

The festival makes use of intimate venues known for their acoustics and welcoming atmosphere, creating the perfect stage for Celtic music and dance. While these charming settings enhance the traditional experience, they also fill up fast. Be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Rejigged Festival 2025 are on sale now. With limited venue capacity, early booking is strongly recommended.

Concerts

  • Thursday (Tunes & Strùpag): $50 CAD
  • Friday (Celtic & Mi’kmaq Connections): $40 CAD | Front Row $50 CAD
  • Saturday (Seamus Egan Project Finale): $40 CAD | Front Row $50 CAD
  • Concert Bundle (Fri + Sat): $65 CAD

Workshops

  • $35 CAD each
  • Discounts: 15% off 3 (code Celtic3), 20% off 4 (code Celtic4), 25% off 5+ (code Celtic5)
Traditional Celtic instruments including fiddle and flute on stage at the Rejigged Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, showcasing cultural heritage and musical innovation.

Rejigged Festival 2025: Schedule & Highlights

The Rejigged Festival blends concerts, workshops, and céilí gatherings into one immersive weekend. Each event highlights a different side of Celtic culture, from intimate performances to opportunities for hands-on learning.

Tunes & Strùpag (Thursday, October 23)

Location: Christ Church Hall, Dartmouth
Doors: 7 PM | Show: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $50 CAD

This opening night captures the heart of Rejigged: music, community, and connection. “Strùpag” is a Gaelic word tied to comfort and hospitality, and the evening delivers just that with intimate performances, homemade dessert squares, and tea shared among friends.

Performers

  • Tim Edey – celebrated multi-instrumentalist known for his spontaneity
  • Mairi Rankin – Cape Breton fiddler and step dancer (rare solo set)
  • Patricia Murray – Gaelic singer
  • John Pellerin – Cape Breton step dancer

Celtic & Mi’kmaq Connections (Friday, October 24)

Location: Christ Church Sanctuary, Dartmouth
Doors: 6:45 PM | Show: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $40 CAD | Front Row $50 CAD | Concert Bundle (Fri + Sat) $65 CAD

Friday night brings together Celtic and Mi’kmaq traditions in a concert built on music, dance, and shared storytelling. The evening moves between the delicate sound of fiddle and harp, the pulse of Cape Breton step dance, and the fresh energy of Mi’kmaltic, a fusion that bridges cultures.

It’s a chance to experience how different traditions speak to one another while creating something new, reminding us how music connects people across generations.

Performers

  • Jenna Moynihan & Màiri Chaimbeul – fiddle and harp duo shaped by Scottish and Appalachian influences
  • Morgan Toney Trio – blending Celtic and Mi’kmaq styles into “Mi’kmaltic”
  • Marielle Lesperance – acclaimed highland dancer
  • John Pellerin – Cape Breton step dancer

Workshops With Masters (Saturday, October 25)

Locations: Christ Church Hall & Sanctuary (61 Dundas St) and MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning (50 Queen St)
Time: Daytime sessions (see full schedule)
Price: $35 CAD each | Discounts: 15% off 3 (Celtic3), 20% off 4 (Celtic4), 25% off 5+ (Celtic5)

Saturday is dedicated to learning, with workshops that open the door to Celtic music, dance, language, and song. These sessions are small, hands-on, and led by some of today’s most respected artists. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s a chance to dive deeper into the traditions and try them for yourself.

Music Workshops

  • Bodhrán (Beginner) – Mark Currie
  • Cape Breton fiddle (Intermediate/Advanced) – Rachel Davis
  • Flute (Intermediate/Advanced) – Seamus Egan
  • Fiddle (Intermediate/Advanced) – Jenna Moynihan
  • Harp (Intermediate/Advanced) – Màiri Chaimbeul
  • Mandolin (Intermediate/Advanced) – Darren McMullen
  • Gaelic song (All levels) – Cathy Ann MacPhee
  • Tin whistle (Beginner) – Michael Roddy

Dance Workshops

  • Percussive dance (Intermediate) – Matt Olwell
  • Cape Breton basics (Beginner) – John Pellerin
  • Cape Breton step dance (Intermediate/Advanced) – John Pellerin
  • Old-style Irish step (Intermediate/Advanced) – Rebecca McGowan
  • Irish sean-nós step (Intermediate) – Rebecca McGowan
  • Ulster-style sean-nós step (All levels, online) – Jonathan McCloy

Workshops fill quickly, so booking early is the best way to secure a spot.

Grand Finale & Post-Concert Céilí (Saturday, October 25)

Location: Christ Church Sanctuary, Dartmouth
Doors: 6:45 PM | Show: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $40 CAD | Front Row $50 CAD | Concert Bundle (Fri + Sat) $65 CAD

The festival closes with a finale that brings together some of the most respected names in Celtic music and dance. From the intricate sound of the Seamus Egan Project to the energy of Cape Breton’s Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen, the night builds into a celebration that feels both powerful and personal.

After the concert, the celebration carries on with a late-night céilí in Church Hall. Follow the jack-o’-lanterns and join the community on the dance floor to close out the weekend.

Performers

  • Seamus Egan Project – led by Seamus Egan, pioneer of Irish traditional music
  • Jenna Moynihan – fiddle
  • Yann Falquet – Québécois guitar
  • Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen – Cape Breton duo, award-winning album Home
  • Matt Olwell & Rebecca McGowan – percussive dancers blending sean-nós, Appalachian flatfooting, and contemporary movement

Plan Your Festival Stay

Make the most of your weekend by booking a room at Cameo Hotel & Suites, where comfort and convenience keep you close to the festival venues. With Rejigged drawing strong crowds every year, accommodations fill quickly, so booking early is the best way to secure your stay.

Keep in mind that October is also one of the most beautiful times to visit Nova Scotia, with crisp evenings, fall colours, and cozy pubs perfect for winding down after the festival. Be sure to check out our Fall Guide and complete Halifax event calendar when planning your visit.