The lights are starting to twinkle, the decorations are going up, and the festive spirit is beginning to fill the air. The holiday season is officially arriving in Downtown Halifax!
Looking for one-of-a-kind gifts? Delicious holiday feasts and treats? Bright, cheerful lights? Or perhaps festive shows and live music? You'll find all that and more in Downtown Halifax!
Scroll down to see some of the "can't miss" holiday happenings in Downtown Halifax this season.
DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN
DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN is a series of vivid light shows and installations around Downtown Halifax.
- Check out the holiday-themed light projection show on the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park running from November 22 to December 26 (playing nightly from dusk to 11 pm).
- Visit the brand new, 28-foot-tall winter tree in Peace and Friendship Park.
- Look for the DELIGHTFUL Gift Box on the Halifax Waterfront as part of the Evergreen Festival.
- See the light poles adorned with festive wreaths and snowflakes, and try to find all the trees wrapped with twinkly lights across Downtown Halifax.
- AND, new this year, bask in the lights along Barrington Street (Blowers to Prince Streets).
Learn more about DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN and all the light displays around Downtown Halifax here.
Evergreen Festival
The Evergreen Festival, a four-week-long, winter celebration, is taking place along the Halifax Waterfront from November 22 to December 15.
Don’t miss Evergreen Bright (lights, lights, and more lights!), the Evergreen Market (open-air local shopping), the Evergreen Stage (free merry music at The BG), Spruce's Evergreen Cocoa Trail (special hot chocolate), and more!
Stay up to date by following @evergreenfestns or visit evergreenfestns.com for more information.
Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide
The 2024 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide features hundreds of gift ideas from local businesses in the Downtown Halifax and Spring Garden areas.
View the online version of the Guide (coming soon!), or pick up a copy at a participating business or at DHBC's Welcome Centre at 1546 Barrington Street later this month (after November 18).
Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting event is taking place on Saturday, November 23 from 6-7 pm in Grand Parade (1770 Barrington Street).
Enjoy the lighting of the municipal Christmas Tree, a visit from Santa Claus, fireworks, live music by the Julia Tynes band & dancers, a visit from PAW Patrol SKYE & CHASE and Gabby's Dollhouse Dance Party!
More information here.
And you can see the Halifax Christmas Tree in all its shimmering glory until the January 1, 2025.
Shopping Under the Stars
Downtown Halifax is excited to partner with Spring Garden Area Business Association (SGABA) on Shopping Under the Stars (SUTS), a special evening of shopping and holiday fun taking place on Friday, December 6 from 5 - 9 pm.
Learn more and see all the participating businesses by visiting springgardenarea.com.
NS Power Holiday Parade of Lights
The 29th Annual Nova Scotia Power Holiday Parade of Lights presented by Eastlink is taking place on Sunday, December 8.
The Parade will start at 5 pm at the Cogswell Street roundabout (adjacent to the Emera Oval) and make its way to Spring Garden Road before it turns onto Barrington Street where it will finish at George Street. For more information and to see the full route, click here.
DHBC Holiday Parade Fun
Join us at the DHBC Welcome Centre (1546 Barrington Street) before the parade on December 8 for some festive fun from 4:30 to 6:00 pm! Enjoy Christmas carols by the East Coast Carollers, indulge in a delicious holiday cookie, and pick up a copy of the 2024 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide. Plus, take home some festive Spruce colouring pages and a pair of our special holiday glasses!
Spruce the Gonk
Spruce, the holiday gonk, is Evergreen’s friendly mascot! You’ll find him taking in the lights, enjoying hot cocoa and other seasonal treats, hanging out at the market, and greeting visitors to the Halifax Waterfront.
You can find Spruce down on the Halifax waterfront during the following hours:
Fri: 5pm – 8pm
Sat: 1pm – 7pm
Sun: 1pm – 7pm
Spruce's Evergreen Cocoa Trail
Local businesses are offering holiday hot chocolates and other festive drinks to help keep your spirits high and bellies warm as you explore the festival! Stay tuned for a list of participating vendors coming soon.
Festive Holiday Events
There’s no shortage of holiday magic in Downtown Halifax this season, and you won’t want to miss a thing!
From Christmas plays and festive music performances to holiday markets and much more, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Stay in the know by checking out our online events calendar at: downtownhalifax.ca/events.
Navigator Outreach Program - Fundraising Campaign
Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) and the Spring Garden Area Business Association (SGABA) have launched a fundraising campaign to support the Navigator Outreach Program this holiday season.
You can donate money or gift cards that will be used to address specific needs like groceries, warm clothes, and more.
To learn more about the program and to donate, please visit downtownhalifax.ca/navigator.
Parking for the Holidays
Don't let parking stop you from coming Downtown this holiday season!
There are actually thousands of parking places in the Downtown area, from on-street parking to parking garages and lots.
Make your parking plan before your Downtown holiday adventure here.
Don't want to or can't drive? There are other ways to get Downtown including public transit and taxis/Uber, and cycling and walking.
