CBRM News

Ring in 2026 - NEW YEAR'S EVE on the Waterfront

December 23, 2025

Cape Breton Regional Municipality rings in 2026 with milestone New Year’s Eve celebration of 30 years of CBRM

SYDNEY, NS — The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will welcome 2026 in spectacular fashion with a free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Sydney, marking the municipality’s 30th anniversary with a full evening of music, entertainment, food, and unforgettable moments at the Sydney harbour waterfront.

Festivities will take place across multiple indoor and outdoor venues, including City Hall and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), offering something for all ages as the community comes together to celebrate the past, present, and future of CBRM.

“This New Year’s Eve is about more than counting down to midnight, it’s about celebrating who we are as a community,” said CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke. “For 30 years, CBRM has been built by people who show up for one another, and this celebration reflects that spirit. We invite everyone to come downtown, enjoy the music and activities, and help us ring in the next chapter together.”

A highlight of the evening will be a drone show over Sydney harbour at 8:45 p.m., followed by a midnight fireworks display to ring in the New Year.

Live Music & Entertainment

The City Hall mainstage will feature an all-star lineup of artists throughout the evening, including:

6:00 p.m. Jimmy Rankin
7:00 p.m. Heritage African Drummers
7:30 p.m. WAM-PUM
8:00 p.m. Nicole Ariana
9:00 p.m. Emma Stevens
9:40 p.m. Adam Baldwin
10:30 p.m. The Town Heroes
11:15 p.m. Matt Minglewood

At the NSCC: Outdoors families can enjoy a free carnival featuring an expo wheel (Ferris Wheel), carousel, food trucks, and live performances on the Carnival Stage, including Duncan Wells, Carmen Giorno’s Magic Show, and Maritime Marionettes.Inside the NSCC, guests can warm up with a retro roller arcade, music by DJ Breezy, and live broadcasts watch parties of the World Junior Hockey Championship, including:

7:00 p.m. – USA vs. Sweden
9:30 p.m. – Canada vs. Finland

Food, Transit & Accessibility

Food trucks will be available at City Hall and throughout the festival site. The food trucks require payment for food purchases.

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC), through its Safe Ride Program, is partnering with Transit Cape Breton to offer free rides on New Year’s Eve. Free transit rides will be available from 5:00 p.m. until the end of service, with an additional trip at 12:30 a.m. on January 1 departing from the George Street and Pitt Street bus hub. This initiative encourages safe, responsible celebrations by reducing impaired driving and promoting public transit during one of the busiest nights of the season. More details about Transit Cape Breton service on New Year’s Eve will be available on the CBRM website and Facebook page in the coming days.

Parking is available at Open Hearth Park and Centre 200, with shuttle service running continuously to transport guests to and from the celebration areas throughout the evening. Parking is also available throughout downtown Sydney, but there is no parking on the event site.

Accessible drop off: Vehicles may enter the site at Falmouth Street, drop off on Esplanade at former Farmers Market or City Hall location (northbound lane), exit north via Esplanade.

A Celebration for the Whole Community

This New Year’s Eve celebration reflects the spirit of CBRM: vibrant, welcoming, and community-driven, while honouring three decades since the municipality’s formation.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to dress warmly, arrive early, and celebrate responsibly. Those unable to attend in person are able to see the evening’s show on the livestream. The link will be available on Facebook @CBRMgov and on www.cbrm.ns.ca