James MartinHalifax festivals are rollercoaster rides of fun, excitement, and cultural flavor! As a proud Haligonian, you know there’s never a dull moment around here.
Heck, sometimes it feels like there are more events than there are days in the week!
So, what’s a thrill-seeker like yourself supposed to do when faced with a sea of options? Simple — dive headfirst into the cream of the crop!
From Greek festivals to fancy international film shindigs, our calendars are bursting at the seams. And if you’re anything like us, you’re already dusting off your party hat and getting hyped for the festivities ahead!
Oh, and did you know that Halifax is home to the world’s longest downtown boardwalk? No wonder a lot of events are held here!
- Halifax Greek Fest
- Halifax Pride Festival
- Nova Multifest
- Halifax Fringe Festival
- Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
- Halifax Mural Festival
- Atlantic International Film Festival
- Halifax Busker Festival
- Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest and FIZZFEST
- Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival
- TD Halifax Jazz Festival
Halifax Greek Fest
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Website: https://www.novascotia.com/events/festivals-and-events/halifax-greek-fest/-2937
Address: 1146 Purcell’s Cove Road
Dates: Around the first week of June
The Halifax Greek Fest is the ultimate cultural fest and the oldest and grandest bash in town.
Just imagine mouthwatering Greek delicacies waiting to tantalize your taste buds, toe-tapping Greek beats, and some seriously impressive moves on the dance floor. Opa!
Oh, and did we mention they’ve got free Greek language classes? Uh-huh, you read that right!
It won’t be long before we’re exclaiming “Eureka!” and greeting “Ti kanis?” to everyone at the event!
But just between us, we’re actually counting down the seconds until Alessandro’s band hits the stage. And don’t even get us started on the donair, veggie moussaka, and those heavenly Greek and Souvlaki Plates!
| Pro Tip: You’ll be supporting the Greek community and their expansion plans, plus you might just snag a ticket to paradise — a trip for two to Greece! And all it takes is three bucks! |
Halifax Pride Festival
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Website: https://www.halifaxpride.com/
Dates: Around the middle of July
Halifax Pride throws one heck of a party — and the festival is strutting its stuff for a glorious 11 days! You can expect a smorgasbord of community gatherings and top-notch performances by local and national talents.
We’re talking live performances that’ll make your jaw drop, courtesy of drag superstars, musicians, and comedians. If that’s not enough, you can dive into a community market, chill out in the health and wellness zone, or challenge your pals to some lawn games!
Now, here’s the tea on parking: Forget about bringing your wheels to the party. The Sackville St and Bell Rd lots are strictly no-go zones unless you fancy a tow truck.
| Pro Tip: Don’t worry though — they’ve got three accessible parking spots in the Sackville St lot, just for you. But get there early as spots quickly fill up! |
Nova Multifest
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Website: https://multifestns.ca/
Dates: Around the middle of July
Just get ready to groove, because Nova Multifest is back and better than ever! It’s an explosion of culture and diversity, taking over the stunning Dartmouth waterfront at Alderney Landing for the epic annual Multifest bash.
You can deep-dive into a kaleidoscope of live shows bursting with color and excitement. Here, you can treat your taste buds to mouthwatering culinary delights and sip on ice-cold brews from a local brewery!
We’re talking a melting pot of Nova Scotia’s rich cultures, with music, art, and displays that’ll make your heart sing. Plus, get ready to indulge in delicacies from every corner of the globe — it’s a flavor fest for the senses!
Just dance the night away to the beats of live bands, celebrating the beauty of ethnicity and individuality, and get ready to party like never before!
| Pro Tip: Look out for the spicy Egyptian Cuisine, the delicious Sugar Marmalade, and the savory Tinape — you’re welcome! |
Halifax Fringe Festival
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Website: https://fringefestivals.com/festivals/halifax-fringe-festival/
Dates: Around the end of August to the first week of September
Halifax Fringe Festival unleashes a theatrical whirlwind that’ll make your head spin! It’s 11 days of theatrical madness, over 60 productions, and enough performances to make your calendar cry uncle.
We’re talking more drama than your average family reunion!
Formerly known as the Atlantic Fringe Festival, they’ve been slaying late August and early September in Halifax since way back in ’91. From musicals to dramas, comedies to dance-offs, they’ve got it all.
And the best part? You don’t need to sell your firstborn to snag a ticket.
They’ve got prices starting as low as $2, so you can indulge your inner culture vulture without breaking the bank!
| Pro Tip: They’ve got a new attraction: the Halifax Improv Fest. And to say we’re excited to get the giggles from the gags is just an understatement of the year! |
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
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Website: https://nstattoo.ca/
Dates: Around the end of June to July
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is where global entertainment meets the charm of Halifax. With performers from every continent, it’s a true melting pot of talent that kicks off summer in style!
From marching bands to acrobats, dancers to military displays, and everything in between, the Tattoo serves up entertainment that’ll leave you wanting more.
Oh, and did we mention it’s family-friendly? Kids 18 and under get in for free — now that’s what we call a deal!
The Tattoo isn’t just about entertainment — it’s also a registered not-for-profit charity on a mission to honor Canada’s Armed Forces, RCMP, and other first responders.
Plus, it’s all about celebrating Canadians’ contributions to peace and stability, both at home and abroad.
| Pro Tip: Tickets start at $15 but if you’re going in a group, we recommend getting the Buy 3 and Get 1 Free package! |
Halifax Mural Festival
Media credit: halifaxmuralfestival
Website: https://www.halifaxmuralfestival.ca/
Dates: July
The Halifax Mural Festival is like a big party for street artists — and everyone’s invited! Artists, both seasoned pros and fresh faces, gather ’round to splash some color on Quinpool Road and all around Halifax.
It’s a week-long fiesta where our city’s walls get a serious makeover. It’s also a great time to get to IG-worthy snaps for your audience!
Get this: local and global artists swoop in to turn forgotten corners into street art masterpieces. It’s not just about scoring likes on social media — although let’s be real, these murals are definitely double-tap-worthy.
It’s about showing the world that art is everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Because let’s face it — life could use a little more color, don’t you think?
| Pro Tip: Check out 2023’s artwork before the Mural Fest. Our favorites are the ones from Kristen De Palma but Donnie’s insane skills are a close second. |
Atlantic International Film Festival
Media credit: atlanticfilmfest
Website: https://atlanticfilmfestival.ca/
Dates: Around the middle of September
For 43 years, every September, the Atlantic International Film Festival has been jazzing up Halifax, turning it into a global arts hotspot. Filmmakers, industry bigwigs, and movie buffs swarm the streets for an eight-day film frenzy.
AIFF rolls out the red carpet, bringing you the cream of the crop in local and international cinema. From must-see screenings to juicy industry panels and swanky soirées, we’re all about keeping the film flame alive in Atlantic Canada.
So, if you’re looking for a cinematic shindig where everyone’s united by their love of movies, you’ve found your tribe at AIFF!
| Pro Tip: Tickets start at $9.99 but be warned: you can only purchase them online! |
Halifax Busker Festival
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Website: http://www.buskers.ca/
Dates: Around the end of July to the first week of August
Nova Scotia’s hottest summer shindig is back and it’s taking over the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts with a bang!
The Halifax Waterfront is your playground, with three action-packed busker stages and tasty treats from food and craft vendors. You’ll find them near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Sackville Landing (home of the infamous Wave), and Foundation Wharf.
And don’t think they forgot about their Dartmouth pals! We’re spreading the fun to Alderney Landing once again, with two performance stages, vendors, and the always-popular East Coast Amusements midway.
We’re still not over the insane skills of the guys playing with the flames though we did get a fright when we realized the statues nearby were alive!
| Pro Tip: While admission is free, show some love to the performers by tipping those hats! |
Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest and FIZZFEST
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Website: https://seaportbeerfest.com/
Dates: Around the middle of August
It’s about to get fizzy in Halifax! Just get ready for the Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest and FIZZFEST — the ultimate gathering of boozy delights!
With over 110 breweries and agents representing a whopping 300+ products, this event is like Disneyland for beer and cider enthusiasts.
And guess what? More than half of these goodies are exclusive treats you won’t find at your local liquor store!
There’s more: they’ve leveled up with ready-to-drink wonders like hard seltzers, sodas, and pre-mixed cocktails. Yes, you heard that right — it’s time to get fizzy and fabulous!
This shindig is one of Halifax’s top summer bashes and you won’t want to miss out on the fun! Just remember, this party is strictly for the 19+ crowd!
| Pro Tip: Grab your tickets in advance because VIP sessions kick off around 6 every night. |
Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival
Media credit: halifaxfilmfest
Website: https://www.hiff.ca/
Dates: Around the end of May to the first week of June
The Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is hitting up the Bus Stop Theatre, right in the heart of Halifax’s North End!
We’re talking four days jam-packed with mind-bending cinema from all corners of Canada and beyond. Brace yourself for filmmaker chats, panels, parties, and a whole lot more!
HIFF isn’t your average film fest — it’s a playground for indie filmmakers and media wizards to strut their stuff.
Since day one, they’ve been spotlighting the wildest creations from the Atlantic region and beyond, alongside some big-name flicks from visiting geniuses.
They’re all about making connections. That’s why we drag the directors straight to Halifax, giving you the chance to grill them in Q+A sessions, chew the fat in artist talks, and pick up some skills in killer workshops.
| Pro Tip: Note that everything’s on a first-come-first-served basis — passes don’t always guarantee entry to screenings, so hustle if you want in! |
TD Halifax Jazz Festival
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Website: https://www.halifaxjazzfestival.ca/
Dates: Around the middle of July
The TD Halifax Jazz Festival isn’t just any old music fest — it’s the OG of jazz fests in the Maritimes and the biggest summer bash around!
Since 1987, this festival has been rocking the house with a mix of musical goodness. They’ve got everything from international headliners to homegrown talent, all ready to blow your mind and get your toes tapping.
We’re talking top-tier talent hitting the stage, folks. Think Killer Mike, Emmylou Harris, and a whole slew of other big-name acts ready to blow your mind.
But before you go rushing to the ticket booth, take note that all passes and tickets are up for grabs online only. And while you don’t need a ticket to groove at the free events, you’ll want to snag those tickets really quick for the acts you’re dying to see!
| Pro Tip: Oh, and one more thing — this shindig is strictly for those over 19 so kiddies have to be left behind! |
