Halifax Festivals
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Festivals in Halifax, Atlantic Canada.
What is going on in Halifax, Atlantic Canada? Check out this list of festivals: film, music, food, theatre, art and family-friendly festivals. If it is happening in Halifax, it is listed here.
If we are missing your festival in Halifax it only takes a few minutes to add a complimentary listing.
May 09 to May 20
Regional and National acts take center-stage at this ten-day event in downtown Halifax. Music acts, comedians and theater performances are just some of the highlights of the festival.
Regional and National acts take center-stage at this ten-day event in downtown Halifax. Music acts, comedians and theater performances are just some of the highlights of the festival.
- Neptune Theatre Address: 1593 Argyle Street Halifax NS Canada B3J 2B2
Jun 07 to Jun 10
Halifax's Greek community welcomes visitors to this cultural celebration. Hosted by the St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre, the event features live music, church tours, dance performances, language classes, food vendors and wine tastings.
Halifax's Greek community welcomes visitors to this cultural celebration. Hosted by the St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre, the event features live music, church tours, dance performances, language classes, food vendors and wine tastings.
- St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre Address: 38 Purcell’s Cove Rd. Halifax NS CAN B3N 1R4
Jul 05 to Jul 09
Since 1950 fiddlers and other musicians and dancers have gathered in Halifax to perform and compete in the Maritime Fiddle Festival. Workshops for fiddlers, guitar players and pianists are available, and musicians and step dancers all compete for a number of prizes. Events occur at the Akerley Campus as well as Prince Andrew High School, located next to Akerley.
Since 1950 fiddlers and other musicians and dancers have gathered in Halifax to perform and compete in the Maritime Fiddle Festival. Workshops for fiddlers, guitar players and pianists are available, and musicians and step dancers all compete for a number of prizes. Events occur at the Akerley Campus as well as Prince Andrew High School, located next to Akerley.
Jul 06 to Jul 14
This annual Jazz festival features an impressive line-up of Canadian and International Jazz performers. Performances range from large-scale stage shows to intimate jam sessions. Hopeful attendees should get their tickets early, since the event usually attracts around 65,000 people.
This annual Jazz festival features an impressive line-up of Canadian and International Jazz performers. Performances range from large-scale stage shows to intimate jam sessions. Hopeful attendees should get their tickets early, since the event usually attracts around 65,000 people.
Jul 14
The Halifax Dragon Boat Festival brings competitors and audiences out by the thousands in support of the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund. The event features over 70 teams of 20 paddlers, plus a drummer to keep the paddle-rhythm, competing in a number of fun and friendly races.
The Halifax Dragon Boat Festival brings competitors and audiences out by the thousands in support of the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund. The event features over 70 teams of 20 paddlers, plus a drummer to keep the paddle-rhythm, competing in a number of fun and friendly races.
Jul 22 to Jul 29
Halifax's Pride Week celebrations offer events and activities that are accessible to everyone. All visitors are invited to enjoy movie screenings, youth art exhibits, drag shows and workshops, softball challenges, an AIDS walk, brunch and silent auction, cabaret nights, club nights, a Pride Parade and more.
Halifax's Pride Week celebrations offer events and activities that are accessible to everyone. All visitors are invited to enjoy movie screenings, youth art exhibits, drag shows and workshops, softball challenges, an AIDS walk, brunch and silent auction, cabaret nights, club nights, a Pride Parade and more.
Aug 02 to Aug 06
Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival celebrates the civic holiday dedicated to the communities in and around Halifax and Dartmouth. Events and activities include a parade, live entertainment, sporting events, festival tents, family games, a huge fireworks display and more.
Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival celebrates the civic holiday dedicated to the communities in and around Halifax and Dartmouth. Events and activities include a parade, live entertainment, sporting events, festival tents, family games, a huge fireworks display and more.
Aug 02 to Aug 12
The annual Busker Festival is a haligonian favourite, and always manages to attract many well-known street performers and buskers from around the world. Vendors, food, beer gardens, children's activities and a surplus of lively performances are available at this large festival.
The annual Busker Festival is a haligonian favourite, and always manages to attract many well-known street performers and buskers from around the world. Vendors, food, beer gardens, children's activities and a surplus of lively performances are available at this large festival.
TBA
Theatre performances by an eclectic group of artists throughout Canada, the US and the UK. This week long event offers entertainment that is fresh and off-beat.
Theatre performances by an eclectic group of artists throughout Canada, the US and the UK. This week long event offers entertainment that is fresh and off-beat.
- Dalhousie University Accommodations Address: Room 1023, Risley Hall, 1233 LeMarchant Street Halifax NS Canada B3H 3P6
Sep 13 to Sep 22
The Atlantic Film Festival's aim is to build a strong film industry in Atlantic Canada, promote local films and filmmakers and bring regional and international films to a local audience. A variety of movies made by filmmakers across the world are presented during the course of the festival.
The Atlantic Film Festival's aim is to build a strong film industry in Atlantic Canada, promote local films and filmmakers and bring regional and international films to a local audience. A variety of movies made by filmmakers across the world are presented during the course of the festival.
Sep 23
Available activities at this literary event include panel discussions, celebrity author readings, book signings, an exhibitor marketplace and a children's area.
Available activities at this literary event include panel discussions, celebrity author readings, book signings, an exhibitor marketplace and a children's area.
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Address: 1675 Lower Water Street Halifax NS B3J 1S3
TBA
Nocturne: Art at Night is a festival bringing art and energy to the streets of Halifax between 6:00 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, October 18th. The completely free, first annual event showcases and celebrates the exciting arts scene in Halifax. The Nocturne program and bus will be a guide to a variety of exhibitions in galleries and public spaces throughout the city. The signature event, designed and planned by volunteers within the community, will be an opportunity for everyone to experience the art of Halifax - in a whole new light.
Nocturne: Art at Night is a festival bringing art and energy to the streets of Halifax between 6:00 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, October 18th. The completely free, first annual event showcases and celebrates the exciting arts scene in Halifax. The Nocturne program and bus will be a guide to a variety of exhibitions in galleries and public spaces throughout the city. The signature event, designed and planned by volunteers within the community, will be an opportunity for everyone to experience the art of Halifax - in a whole new light.
- Halifax Address:
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Held every October in a variety of venues throughout Halifax, this festival began in 1993. Music enthusiasts will find well over 100 musical acts to enjoy over the course of this five day event. Past performers of the Halifax Pop Explosion include, the Arcade Fire, Stars, Jason Collett and Cat Power.
Held every October in a variety of venues throughout Halifax, this festival began in 1993. Music enthusiasts will find well over 100 musical acts to enjoy over the course of this five day event. Past performers of the Halifax Pop Explosion include, the Arcade Fire, Stars, Jason Collett and Cat Power.
TBA
Atlantic Canada’s first and only international flamenco festival. This unique cultural, educational and artistic event enriches the community life of the city and region. The festival features both distinguished Spanish artists and renowned local groups. The festival also offers a number of related events and outreach programs, such as the free library concert series in conjunction with HRM Public Libraries, exhibitions at PIER 21 (Canada’s Immigration Museum), workshops and screenings.
Atlantic Canada’s first and only international flamenco festival. This unique cultural, educational and artistic event enriches the community life of the city and region. The festival features both distinguished Spanish artists and renowned local groups. The festival also offers a number of related events and outreach programs, such as the free library concert series in conjunction with HRM Public Libraries, exhibitions at PIER 21 (Canada’s Immigration Museum), workshops and screenings.
TBA
The annual Halifax International Writers' Festival features readings by several authors. For a complete schedule, workshop and masterclass information, and ticket information please see the festival website.
The annual Halifax International Writers' Festival features readings by several authors. For a complete schedule, workshop and masterclass information, and ticket information please see the festival website.
- Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites Halifax Address: 1515 South Park St. Halifax NS B3J 2L2
TBA
The Savour Food & Wine Festival runs in February and celebrates cuisine and wine from Nova Scotia with jazz brunches, art and wine expos, cooking demonstrations, winery tours and more.
The Savour Food & Wine Festival runs in February and celebrates cuisine and wine from Nova Scotia with jazz brunches, art and wine expos, cooking demonstrations, winery tours and more.
TBA
Performers, teachers and adjudicators from across Canada and the United States converge on Nova Scotia each may for the largest band festival on the East Coast. Over 3000 musicians in concert bands, choirs, orchestras, chamber choirs and jazz and brass bands gather together for clinics and performances at this educational festival.
Performers, teachers and adjudicators from across Canada and the United States converge on Nova Scotia each may for the largest band festival on the East Coast. Over 3000 musicians in concert bands, choirs, orchestras, chamber choirs and jazz and brass bands gather together for clinics and performances at this educational festival.
TBA
This gala event showcases the culinary creations of local chefs and features cuisine from around the world. The fund-raising event features a formal sit-down dinner, a silent auction and a special guest speaker.
This gala event showcases the culinary creations of local chefs and features cuisine from around the world. The fund-raising event features a formal sit-down dinner, a silent auction and a special guest speaker.
- World Trade & Convention Centre Halifax Address: 1800 Argyle St. Halifax NS CAN B3J 2V9
TBA
Highlights of this five-day event include a motorcycle show-and-shine, poker rallies, concerts, dances and bike games. An awards ceremony, dinners and a farewell gathering are offered to all registrants.
Highlights of this five-day event include a motorcycle show-and-shine, poker rallies, concerts, dances and bike games. An awards ceremony, dinners and a farewell gathering are offered to all registrants.
TBA
One of the most popular events of its kind in Canada, the Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival celebrates Scottish history and culture. The event includes piping, drum, pipe band and highland dancing competitions, heavyweight challenges, country dancing demonstrations, concessions, food vendors, beer gardens, Celtic wares vendors, music and more.
One of the most popular events of its kind in Canada, the Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival celebrates Scottish history and culture. The event includes piping, drum, pipe band and highland dancing competitions, heavyweight challenges, country dancing demonstrations, concessions, food vendors, beer gardens, Celtic wares vendors, music and more.
TBA
This event unites the colourful fans of the popular British soap and longest-running TV show in history, Coronation Street. The name 'Pingfest" originally came from a misspelling of the word 'Pintfest', and now the word is common vocabulary to corrie lovers throughout the world. Pingfests often feature stars of the show.
This event unites the colourful fans of the popular British soap and longest-running TV show in history, Coronation Street. The name 'Pingfest" originally came from a misspelling of the word 'Pintfest', and now the word is common vocabulary to corrie lovers throughout the world. Pingfests often feature stars of the show.
- Halifax Address:
