Events & Tickets 2024

Esther Fest
October 18-30, 2024

Details on how to get tickets are listed
with each of the events here on the website.

Click the event title below for full details


Fifth Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Friday, Oct 18 – Wednesday, Oct. 30

Celebrate the fall season with a road trip to Amherst for our annual Scarecrow
Stroll!


Ghost Hunt with Paranormal Phenomena Research & Investigation

Friday, Oct. 18 – 6:30-9:30 p.m. 
The Old Train Station (Bambino’s) 27 Station St., Amherst

Tickets for this event will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m.

Please note:
This investigation is upstairs so the space is not accessible to all. 

Experience the thrill of the unknown as you join Paranormal Phenomena Research & Investigation (PPRI) for an exclusive, hands-on ghost hunt.


Paranormal Conference

Saturday, Oct. 19 – 1 – 4 p.m.
Scotia Music Room, Travelodge, 1539 Southampton Rd., Amherst

Three one hour talks by experts in the world of the paranormal: Elliott Van Dusen on Ghosts; Laura Warren on spirit and Chris Styles on UFOs

Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery
A Staged Reading

Featuring David McClelland, who played Walter Hubbell in the world premiere
Saturday, Oct. 19 – 7 – 9 p.m.
Scotia Music Room, Travelodge, 1539 Southampton Rd., Amherst

Charlie Rhindress’s hit play, Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery has not been staged locally in over 30 years. Please join us to hear the play read aloud by a talented group of performers


Scary Movies at the Amherst Theatre

Sunday, Oct. 20

An afternoon of thrills for scary movie fans of all ages. Tickets are $6 plus tax and are available in advance online at amhersttheatre.ca

    • Scoob! – Kid-Friendly – 3 p.m.
    • Friday the 13th (2009) – No kids allowed – 3:30 p.m.
    • Annabelle – Kids allowed with guardian –  4 p.m.


This is When
presents Ghosts of Nova Scotia on CFTA

Monday, Oct. 21 – Friday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Local radio personality, Norman Albert Code, will present spooky stories from Darryll Walsh’s best selling book, Ghosts of Nova Scotia, on CFTA, 107.9 FM every day, Oct. 21-25.


The Great Amherst Ghost Walk

Monday – Wednesday, Oct. 21-23 and 28-30 – 6-7 p.m.

Join Charlie Rhindress on a walk through downtown Amherst to hear about the town’s haunted history, including the story of The Great Amherst Mystery.


Ghost Hunt with ParaSight

Tuesday to Thursday, Oct. 22-24 – Two investigations per night

The ParaSight team will explain their ghost hunting tools and techniques, then lead a scary investigation, looking for proof that ghosts really exist.


Monster Mash Youth Dance

Thursday, Oct. 24 – 7-9 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, 47 Laplanche St., Amherst NS

Music by: DJ Hand Man
Esther Cox, you are mine… to dance with! Get together with your friends, put on your best costume and come out to celebrate all things SPOOKY and have a CHILLING good time with great music, dancing, prizes and fun!


Messages from Spirit

with medium Angela MacLellan
Thursday, Oct. 24 – 6-8 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Cumberland Room, Travelodge, 1539 Southampton Rd., Amherst

Join renowned medium, Angela MacLellan, for a healing evening of Messages From Spirit! 


Campfire Ghost Stories and Witch Dance

Friday, Oct. 25 – 6:15-7:30
Victoria Square, 60 Victoria St., E., Amherst

Gather ‘round the campfire to hear submitted local ghost stories read aloud by host Charlie Rhindress and share your own. Bring a ghost story, as well as a chair or a blanket to sit on.
The event will begin with a Witch Dance featuring witches from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This event is free


Halloween Drag Show 2.0

Friday, Oct. 265, Mystic Sea Pub, 10 Gerard Ave, Amherst
VIP 6:30 p.m. Doors Open: 7 p.m. Show: 8-10 p.m.

Hosted by Melody Sage
19+ Event with Costume Contest


Haunted House

Friday Oct 26 and Saturday October 27
At dusk – Approximately 6:15 p.m.

1 Penny Lane, Amherst

Wander through a haunted house for a uniquely scary experience! 
This event is a fundraiser for Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia (FANS) and admission is by donation. 


Great Amherst Street Party and Vendor Market

Saturday, Oct. 26 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Victoria Square

Don’t miss the Great Amherst Street Party for loads of family fun! We’ll have Bouncy Castles, a Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, Vendors, Live Music, Horse and Wagon Rides, Games, Food and more!


Psychic Fair

Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27 – 12-5 p.m.
Cumberland County Museum

Come out to see what the future has in store for you! Featuring six respected mediums and palm or tarot card readers.


My Bloody Wedding – A Live Murder Mystery

Saturday, Oct. 26 – 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Presented by Eddie May Murder Mysteries and The Amherst Legion 

Join Canada’s longest running producers of murder mysteries for a LIVE GAME OF CLUE. Interrogate the suspects, examine the evidence, test your wits against your friends.   
You’ll have the crime of your life!!


The Great Amherst Halloween Terror Ball

Saturday, Oct. 26, Travelodge, 1539 Southampton Rd

This is one Halloween Costume party you don’t want to miss! 
Grab your friends, put on your costume and dancing shoes, and get ready for a hauntingly good time.


Check out local businesses for window displays celebrating the Great Amherst Mystery and the Paranormal.

Esther Fest is a project of the Great Amherst Cultural Society and is made possible with the generous support of the Town of Amherst.

We would also like to thank our volunteer committee and all of the other businesses and organizations who helped to make this year’s festival possible. 

A very special thank you is extended to the government organizations who are supporting Esther Fest for the first time:

Canadian Heritage – Province of NS – Municipality of Cumberland



For more information about Esther Fest
email estherfest@hotmail.com
or call (902) 614-BOOO (2666)