Plan your festive season in Halifax with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you know Halifax like the back of your hand or are discovering it anew, our guide has the festive season covered.
One of the must-see events is the Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting, which brings the city to life with twinkling lights and joyous merriment. Another highlight is the Halifax Festival of Lights, featuring dazzling displays and spectacular illuminations. And the Halifax Christmas Parade of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its vibrant floats and festive music parading through the streets. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Halifax
- Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting
- Halifax Festival of Lights
- Halifax Christmas Parade of Lights
- Halifax Evergreen Festival
- Symphony Nova Scotia Yuletide Spectacular
- Holiday Market at the Brewery
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show
- Christmas at the Forum Craft Show
- Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour
Halifax Holiday Light Displays
Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Lighting of a giant tree from Nova Scotia's forests
Description:
Halifax's Grand Parade square transforms as a towering evergreen from Nova Scotia's lush forests takes center stage. This annual tradition dates back to 1971, symbolizing the city's gratitude to Boston for aid during the Halifax Explosion. Spectators gather to witness the moment when thousands of lights illuminate the tree, accompanied by a chorus of carols. You can join in singing traditional holiday tunes as the tree blazes to life, marking the official start of the holiday season in Halifax.
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Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting
Halifax Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations throughout the city
Description:
Halifax's waterfront and downtown core sparkle with innovative light installations during this captivating festival. Artists from across Canada contribute their luminous creations, turning the city into a canvas of color and creativity. Stroll through the streets to discover light sculptures that respond to movement and sound. This event, inspired by similar festivals in Europe, began in Halifax in 2015. Visitors can participate in guided light tours to learn about the artistic process behind each installation.
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Halifax Christmas Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
As darkness falls, Halifax's streets come alive with a procession of dazzling floats. This nocturnal parade features intricately designed vehicles adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. The event pays homage to Halifax's maritime heritage with many floats incorporating nautical themes. Listen for the cheerful sounds of marching bands as they accompany the illuminated spectacle. Spectators can warm up with hot chocolate sold by local vendors along the parade route, a tradition started by community groups in the 1980s.
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Halifax Christmas Parade of Lights
Halifax Holiday Markets and Shopping
Halifax Evergreen Festival
What to Expect:
Celebration of Nova Scotia's evergreen industry
Description:
The Halifax Evergreen Festival spotlights Nova Scotia's rich forestry heritage. Local artisans showcase handcrafted items made from evergreen materials, from wreaths to furniture. The air is filled with the crisp scent of pine and fir. This event, established to support local tree farmers, has grown into a beloved holiday tradition. Visitors can try their hand at wreath-making workshops led by experienced crafters, learning techniques passed down through generations of Nova Scotian families.
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Holiday Market at the Brewery
What to Expect:
Craft market held in a working brewery
Description:
The Holiday Market at the Brewery combines local craftsmanship with craft beer in a unique shopping experience. Held in the atmospheric setting of a working brewery, vendors display their wares amidst gleaming fermentation tanks. This event, started by local artisans seeking unconventional venues, has become a favorite among Halifax's creative community. Shoppers can sample limited-edition holiday brews while browsing handmade gifts, connecting the city's brewing heritage with its artistic present.
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Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show
What to Expect:
Showcase of high-end, juried Nova Scotian crafts
Description:
The Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show elevates holiday shopping with a curated selection of premium handcrafted items. This juried show features the province's most skilled artisans, presenting works that range from fine jewelry to avant-garde furniture. Established in 1975, this event has played a crucial role in promoting Nova Scotia's craft industry. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, gaining insight into the meticulous processes behind these exquisite creations.
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Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show
Christmas at the Forum Craft Show
What to Expect:
Massive craft show in a historic ice hockey arena
Description:
The Halifax Forum, a landmark ice hockey arena built in 1927, transforms into a bustling marketplace for the Christmas at the Forum Craft Show. Hundreds of vendors fill the expansive space, offering a vast array of handmade goods. This event, which began in the 1980s, has become one of the largest craft shows in Atlantic Canada. Explore aisles of unique gifts while surrounded by the arena's rich sporting history, visible in the vintage photographs adorning the walls.
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Christmas at the Forum Craft Show
A Dickens' Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Victorian-era themed Christmas market
Description:
Step back in time at Halifax's Dickens' Christmas Market, where vendors and performers recreate the atmosphere of 19th-century London. Stallholders dressed in period costumes offer Victorian-inspired gifts and treats. This event, inspired by the works of Charles Dickens, began as a small gathering and has grown into a beloved Halifax tradition. Visitors can try their hand at traditional Victorian parlor games, experiencing holiday entertainment as it was in Dickens' time.
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Spryfield Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Community-focused craft fair supporting local initiatives
Description:
The Spryfield Christmas Craft Fair embodies the neighborhood's strong community spirit. Local crafters and community groups come together to offer handmade gifts and baked goods, with proceeds supporting area initiatives. This grassroots event, started by the Spryfield Lions Club, has been fostering community connections for decades. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for gift baskets filled with donations from local businesses, contributing to the fair's fundraising efforts.
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Spryfield Christmas Craft Fair
Halifax Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Symphony Nova Scotia Yuletide Spectacular
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical and contemporary holiday music
Description:
Symphony Nova Scotia presents a unique blend of traditional carols and modern holiday hits in this annual concert. The orchestra, joined by local choirs and guest soloists, performs innovative arrangements that breathe new life into familiar tunes. This event has been a Halifax tradition since 1983, evolving to include diverse musical styles. Audience members can enjoy the rich acoustics of the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, designed specifically for symphonic performances.
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Symphony Nova Scotia Yuletide Spectacular
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Performance incorporating local maritime themes
Description:
Halifax's rendition of The Nutcracker ballet infuses the classic tale with maritime flair. Dancers pirouette across stages decorated to resemble Nova Scotia's coastal landscapes. This unique adaptation, created by local choreographers, has been delighting audiences since 1991. Watch as familiar characters interact with maritime-inspired elements, bringing a distinctly Halifax flavor to the beloved holiday story. Attendees can admire the intricate costumes that blend traditional ballet attire with nods to Nova Scotia's seafaring culture.
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Halifax Other Holiday Activities
Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed ghost tour of a historic fortress
Description:
The Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour takes on a festive twist during the holiday season. Guides lead visitors through the shadowy corridors of this 19th-century fortress, recounting eerie tales with a yuletide spin. The tour, which began in 2000, blends historical facts with local legends. Listen closely for the echoing footsteps said to belong to long-departed soldiers as you explore the fort's atmospheric chambers. Participants can warm up with spiced cider while hearing about the Citadel's role in Halifax's holiday traditions throughout history.
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Christmas at the Hydrostone
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a unique planned community
Description:
Christmas at the Hydrostone showcases holiday cheer in one of Canada's first planned communities. The Hydrostone Market, built after the Halifax Explosion in 1917, serves as a charming backdrop for seasonal celebrations. Local shops and cafes in the distinctive stone buildings offer special holiday menus and gifts. Stroll through the neighborhood to admire the coordinated decorations that highlight the area's unique architecture. You can join guided tours to learn about the Hydrostone's history and its resilience in the face of disaster.
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Nearby Events
Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival (Mahone Bay)
What to Expect:
Festival celebrating diverse Father Christmas traditions
Description:
Mahone Bay's Father Christmas Festival honors various incarnations of the gift-giving figure from cultures around the world. The picturesque coastal town comes alive with international decorations and performances representing different holiday traditions. This event, initiated to promote cultural understanding, has been running since 2005. Visitors can participate in workshops to create traditional holiday crafts from various countries, gaining hands-on experience with diverse cultural practices.
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Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival
Bright Lights Festival (Bedford)
What to Expect:
Community-driven light display in a suburban setting
Description:
Bedford's Bright Lights Festival illuminates the suburb with a community-driven display of holiday cheer. Residents compete in friendly rivalry to create the most impressive light installations, transforming entire streets into glowing spectacles. This grassroots event, started by a few enthusiastic neighbors, has grown into a major attraction. Visitors can vote for their favorite displays using a mobile app, contributing to the festival's interactive nature. The event also raises funds for local charities, embodying the spirit of giving.
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Chester Christmas Craft Festival (Chester)
What to Expect:
Craft festival in a historic seaside village
Description:
Chester's Christmas Craft Festival brings holiday shopping to a picturesque Nova Scotian seaside village. Local artisans display their wares in historic buildings along the town's charming streets. This event, which began as a small gathering of local crafters, now attracts artists from across the province. Visitors can watch blacksmiths demonstrate their craft using traditional techniques that have been practiced in Chester since its founding in the 1700s.
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Chester Christmas Craft Festival
South Shore Christmas Market (Bridgewater)
What to Expect:
Market showcasing South Shore's diverse artisanal products
Description:
Bridgewater's South Shore Christmas Market highlights the region's rich artisanal heritage. Vendors offer a wide range of locally produced goods, from maritime-inspired art to artisanal foods. This event, established to promote the South Shore's creative economy, has become a vital platform for local producers. Taste samples of traditional Nova Scotian holiday treats as you browse the stalls. Visitors can participate in workshops to learn about the area's traditional crafts, such as rug hooking and wood carving.
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Christmas Concert Series at Alderney Landing (Dartmouth)
What to Expect:
Concert series in a repurposed ferry terminal
Description:
Alderney Landing's Christmas Concert Series brings holiday melodies to a unique venue - a converted ferry terminal. The series showcases a diverse range of musical styles, from classical to contemporary, all with a festive twist. This event, initiated to revitalize Dartmouth's waterfront, has become a staple of the area's cultural calendar. Listen to the harmonious blend of voices and instruments while enjoying panoramic views of Halifax Harbor. Concertgoers can explore the on-site art gallery between performances, featuring works by local artists.
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Christmas Concert Series at Alderney Landing
Tantallon Christmas Market (Tantallon)
What to Expect:
Market blending rural and coastal holiday traditions
Description:
Tantallon's Christmas Market captures the essence of Nova Scotia's rural and coastal heritage. Set against the backdrop of St. Margaret's Bay, the market offers a mix of traditional farm products and sea-inspired crafts. This event, which began as a small farmers' market, has evolved to celebrate the area's diverse cultural influences. Visitors can join in traditional Maritime kitchen parties, experiencing the lively music and dance that are integral to the region's holiday celebrations.
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Bridgewater Santa Claus Parade (Bridgewater)
What to Expect:
Parade culminating in a unique "Santa on the LaHave" event
Description:
Bridgewater's Santa Claus Parade concludes with a distinctive twist - Santa arriving by boat on the LaHave River. The parade winds through the town's historic streets before reaching the riverfront for the grand finale. This event, which has been running for over 50 years, pays homage to Bridgewater's maritime heritage. Watch as illuminated floats reflect off the river's surface, creating a mesmerizing display. Spectators can warm up with bowls of traditional seafood chowder served along the parade route, a nod to the region's culinary traditions.
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Bridgewater Santa Claus Parade