Pjila'si, Bienvenue, Fáilte, Welcome!
Antigonish/Nalikitquniejk is a diverse community with a vibrant culture shaped by the Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Acadian, Celtic, immigrant and newcomer people who call the area home. It's hard not to fall in love with this charming East Coast town which many call the "Highland Heart of Nova Scotia." Weaving rich traditions with global mindedness, there's something for everyone in Antigonish!
StFX campus is a stone's throw away from downtown, so no matter where you go you'll see the friendly faces of your classmates, faculty, residents and shopkeepers. A perfect little getaway right next door, Antigonish is a natural and easy place for students to hang out, find favourite spots, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Antigonish’s safe, walkable downtown streets are lined with shops, restaurants, galleries, theatres, services, and interesting places to discover. With a permanent population of just over 5,000, the town’s population more than doubles during the school year when staff and students return to campus.
Arts & culture
Both Theatre Antigonish and Festival Antigonish are housed in the ivy-covered Bauer Theatre on the StFX campus. You can catch a musical performance during the Antigonish Performing Arts Concert Series, or celebrate Scottish and Gaelic culture every summer with the longest-running Highland Games in North America! The town of Antigonish is also home to a number of art galleries and music venues and hosts the annual Antigonight: Art After Dark festival.
Food & drink
Get to know quaint, hip cafes to study in while you sip; bistros and pizzerias you can dine in or take out; and a bustling food truck scene with countless options like international cuisine and wood-fired pizzas. Plus, the Antigonish Farmers’ Market, just steps away from campus, offers fresh, locally-sourced food.
Shopping & nightlife
If a bit of shopping is on the agenda, Antigonish has you covered, with the stuff you need—like drugstores, grocery stores, variety stores, and banks—and an eclectic mix of independent shops and boutiques, including the first Peace by Chocolate store. In the evening, you can unwind with friends as you enjoy live music, dancing, or check out a brewery or pub. And remember to watch for special events and community festivals that happen after dark, too.
Community spirit
Antigonish has a number of local groups committed to community development, arts, and sustainability. So if you wanted to get involved, and feel even more connected to the town you call home, you can find the right outlet for your ambitions.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Not far out of town, you can enjoy the best of the great outdoors. Stay active on the region’s countless walking, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails; go camping or spend the day on the beach; and don’t miss Keppoch Mountain, a four-season multi-use wilderness trail. Best of all: in Antigonish, you are always only a short drive away from experiencing Nova Scotia’s stunning oceanic coastline.
