Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton 8th annual festival celebrates diversity of the Island

SYDNEY, N.S. – Cape Breton’s largest multicultural festival, Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton, returns for its eighth year this November, bringing together residents, newcomers and visitors to celebrate the many cultures and communities that call the Island home.

Presented by the New Dawn Newcomer Centre, the festival creates opportunities for people to gather and connect through music, dance, food and cultural traditions, while celebrating the contributions of newcomers and the communities that have shaped Unama’ki – Cape Breton.

The 2026 festival will take place on November 7 from 1-6 pm at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion on the Sydney waterfront, and will feature live music and cultural performances, local food vendors serving dishes from around the world, and opportunities to experience and learn about the many cultures represented in Cape Breton. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are excited to welcome the entire community to join us for this year’s multicultural festival and celebrate the richness of our island’s diversity. That is one of the things that makes our island so special,” Nadine Paruch, Manager of the New Dawn Newcomer Centre, says.

“All of us at the Newcomer Centre encourage everyone to stop by, bring their family and friends, and be part of a celebration that promotes a strong sense of belonging. We look forward to seeing many people come and celebrate with us, continuing the tradition of community connection found at our previous festivals.”

The New Dawn Newcomer Centre works year round to support newcomers as they establish their lives in Cape Breton, helping individuals and families navigate essential services, find employment, build relationships and participate in community life.

The festival builds on that work by creating a welcoming space where people can share their cultures and traditions with the wider community, while learning more about the people and experiences that contribute to Cape Breton’s evolving identity.

“We feel community events such as this one are vital to our community. The festival is about bringing people together who may not otherwise have the opportunity to meet and engage; it is about sharing stories, making meaningful connections, and celebrating traditions. It is important for folks new to Unama’ki – Cape Breton, who have chosen to come here, to feel a sense of welcome and belonging by sharing pieces of their story. It is equally as important for long time Cape Bretoners to share their rich culture and traditions with newcomers who now call Cape Breton home,” Paruch says.

Dozens of community volunteers help bring Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton to life each year, contributing their time, skills and enthusiasm to make the event possible. From preparing for the festival to welcoming attendees and helping activities run smoothly, volunteers play an essential role in creating a celebration that brings people together and reflects the generosity and diversity of the Cape Breton community.

Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton is made possible in part through support from the Government of Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

For more information about the festival, including programming and event details, visit newdawn.ca/immigration/kweunamaki/.

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Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton 2026 Festival | Quick Facts

WHAT: An annual multicultural festival celebrating the people, cultures and traditions that
make Unama’ki – Cape Breton home.

WHEN: November 7 from 1 to 6 pm

WHERE: Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion, 74 Esplanade, Sydney

ADMISSION: FREE, Open to the public

FEATURING: Live music, dance and cultural performances, local food vendors serving dishes from around the world, cultural displays, family-friendly interactive activities and opportunities to learn about different cultures and traditions

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ardelle Reynolds
Manager, Community Engagement, New Dawn
(902)304 0170
areynolds@newdawn.ca

ABOUT NEW DAWN

New Dawn is Canada’s oldest Community Development Corporation. Since 1976, we’ve been working to create a more just, healthy, and self determined community by responding to local needs and driving long-term, systems-evel change. Today, New Dawn continues to focus on self-reliance, resilience, and community-led transformation.

Every day, we engage thousands of community members and employ over 150 Cape Bretonersthrough programs and services that are practical, creative, and grounded in care. Our work spans health and social care, housing, the arts, youth, immigration, and community development. Some of these services generate revenue, which we reinvest into our organization, fueling sustainability and deepening community impact.

ABOUT THE NEW DAWN NEWCOMER CENTRE

The New Dawn Newcomer Centre is a settlement services provider located in downtown Sydney, Cape Breton – Unama’ki, dedicated to welcoming and supporting all newcomers to the region. Its core mission is to help orient, connect, and advocate for immigrants, refugees, and international students to ensure their successful settlement and integration into the community. For ten years now, the Newcomer Centre has been providing a comprehensive range of settlement and integration services designed to
support all newcomers in establishing a successful life in their new community. This is the eighth year they are hosting Kwe’ Unama’ki – Hello Cape Breton.