This Week’s News & Events Updates (for week starting August 16, 2025)
Here is a summary of news and events from across Canada and around the world for the week ahead.
Canadian News and Events
Nova Scotia
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Halifax: The city is preparing for a series of open-air concerts at Grand Parade, with local artists performing throughout the week.
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Annapolis Valley: The annual Apple Blossom Festival continues with local farmers’ markets and community gatherings.
New Brunswick
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Fredericton: The New Brunswick Summer Music Festival concludes this week with a final gala performance at the Fredericton Playhouse.
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St. Andrews: The town’s historic marine research station is hosting a public open house weekend, offering a chance to learn about local marine life.
Prince Edward Island
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Charlottetown: The Prince Edward Island Jazz Festival is in full swing, with performances at various venues across the city.
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Cavendish: The Anne of Green Gables musical has a full slate of performances at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
Newfoundland and Labrador
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St. John’s: The George Street Festival wraps up this weekend, known for its lively pub scene and live music.
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Gros Morne National Park: Guided hikes and nature talks are scheduled to explore the park’s unique geological formations and wildlife.
Quebec
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Montreal: The city’s famous Just For Laughs festival is featuring a number of comedy showcases at various theatres.
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Quebec City: The Old Quebec Summer Festival is bringing live music and street performances to the historic district.
Ontario
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Toronto: The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) opens this week, featuring a wide range of food, entertainment, and exhibits.
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Niagara Falls: The annual Peach Festival is celebrating the local harvest with food vendors, craft stalls, and live music.
Manitoba
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Winnipeg: The Folklorama festival continues its celebration of diverse cultures with pavilions showcasing food, music, and dance from around the world.
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Brandon: The Summer Fair is hosting its final days, with agricultural displays and family-friendly events.
Saskatchewan
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Saskatoon: The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is concluding its run with free outdoor concerts and special ticketed events.
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Regina: The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is offering special tours and educational talks on the province’s natural history.
Alberta
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Calgary: The GlobalFest fireworks festival is lighting up the sky with a series of spectacular pyrotechnic shows.
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Edmonton: The Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival is showcasing a variety of independent and alternative theatre productions.
British Columbia
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Vancouver: The PNE Fair is open, offering a wide array of rides, live shows, and food options.
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Victoria: The annual Symphony Splash event is taking place, with a free concert by the Victoria Symphony in the Inner Harbour.
Yukon
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Dawson City: The Discovery Day celebrations are scheduled, commemorating the start of the Klondike Gold Rush with historical events and re-enactments.
Northwest Territories
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Yellowknife: The Long John Jamboree is hosting summer events, including a kite festival and community barbecue.
Nunavut
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Iqaluit: The Alianait Arts Festival is celebrating Inuit culture with traditional music, storytelling, and art exhibitions.
World Travel News of Interest to Seniors
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Growing Travel Trend: A recent survey shows that people over 50 are continuing to travel internationally with shorter booking windows and are maintaining or increasing their travel budgets. Canada is noted as a preferred destination for this age group, with the Arctic also becoming more popular.
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Accessible Tourism Surge: The United States is leading a global movement to improve accessibility for travellers with disabilities. Countries like Spain, Germany, Australia, Sweden, UAE, and Italy are also investing in better infrastructure, including ramps, lifts, and accessible walking paths.
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Health and Safety Advisories: The CDC has issued travel health notices for outbreaks of chikungunya, poliovirus, and mpox in various international locations, including parts of Bolivia, the Indian Ocean region, China, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It is recommended that all international travellers ensure their polio and measles vaccinations are up to date.
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Popular Destinations: Europe remains a top destination for older travellers, with Italy, Great Britain, France, Ireland, and Spain being particularly popular. Mexico tops the list for Latin American and Caribbean travel.
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Wellness and Immersion: Trends for 2025 include a greater focus on wellness travel (e.g., retreats in Thailand and Bali) and cultural immersion. Travelers are seeking more authentic experiences through local homestays and community-led programs rather than traditional tour buses.