What's on this July in Downtown Halifax

Some of Halifax's most loved annual festivals and events take place during July. Locals and visitors alike come out to celebrate these crowd pleasers every year - don't let this year be the exception!

July 1: KANA'TA: Canada Day 2024 

KANA'TA: Canada Day 2024 celebrations are taking place on Monday, July 1, on the Halifax Waterfront starting in the morning and going late into the evening. Enjoy family-friendly programming like Mawio'mi, the annual Canada Day Fireworks, plus many attractions are offering free admission like the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and Georges Island. 

Learn more and keep up to date with everything happening on July 1 at hrmcanadaday.ca.

July 9-14: TD Halifax Jazz Festival

The TD Halifax Jazz Festival is taking July 9-14 and features an exciting lineup of artists including Emmylou Harris, Killer Mike, and Fitz and The Tantrums. Downtown venues include the Halifax Waterfront, St. Matthew's United Church, and The Carleton.

Check out the schedule here and tickets are still on sale - purchase yours here. 

July 18-21: Afrifest

Taking place at Sackville Landing on the Halifax Waterfront, Afrifest celebrates and showcases the talented diaspora from the African continent with free performances and activities. Learn more about it here. 

July 18-28: Halifax Pride

Get ready to show your pride from July 18-28! Halifax Pride is back with a whole slew of activities happening all over the Halifax area. Keep up to date with all the fun things happening at halifaxpride.com/calendar.

July 31-August 5: Buskers 

The Buskers are back on the Halifax Waterfront from July 31-August 5. This annual crowd-pleaser attracts thousands to Downtown Halifax to take in all the free fun. See all the performers slated to perform here.  

Get into the groove this summer with free music and dancing all over the Downtown area. 

July 2-August 6: Summer Sounds@Barrington, St. Matthew's United Church 

Escape the heat and enjoy music on your lunchbreak at St. Matthew's United Church's annual lunch hour summer concert series, Summer Sounds@Barrington, Tuesdays from 12:15-1 pm. Entrance is free, but a freewill donation of $10 is suggested. See the line-up of performers here.

July 2- August 20: Tuesday Night Tunes, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's annual free summer music series is starting July 2 and runs to August 20, from 6:30-7:30 pm Tuesday nights. Stay tuned for more information by following @ns_mma on Instagram. 

July 6: K-Pop Random Play Dance, Queen's Marque Courtyard

House of Eight's 5th Annual K-Pop Random Play Dance is taking place on July 6. The fun starts at 3:45 pm. This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. 

July 9 & 23, August 6 & 20: Mini Movement, Halifax Waterfront 

Join Halifax Dance for free Mini Movement public dance classes on the Halifax Waterfront on July 9 & 23, and August 6 & 20 from 10-10:30 am (for ages 3+). 

July 10-14: Halifax Jazz Festival's Free Daytime Events, Halifax Waterfront

The Halifax Jazz Festival offers free daily concerts starting Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14 from 11:30 am to 3 pm for fans of all ages! Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

And in addition to these, there are free dance classes most nights on the Halifax Waterfront including free Latin Dance Waterfront Socials, every Friday night until September 27 at Queen's Marque from 7 - 11 pm; and Haliente's Salsa on the Waterfront at Cunard Wharf every Thursday night until September 5 from 7 - 11 pm. 

Don't miss these other fun events happening in July:

July 6-14: Halifax Mural Festival, various locations 

The Halfiax Mural Festival is back and taking place all around the city from July 6-14. Keep up to date here. 

July 12-13: Vibrancy Festival 2024, various locations

Halifax's premier electronic festival is taking place from July 12-13, culminating with the main event on Saturday, July 13 at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Get your tickets here.

July 15: Steve Earle Alone Again 2024 Tour, Light House Arts Centre

The Light House Arts Centre on Argyle Street has a number of live shows all throughout July including this show by the legendary Steve Earle. See their full lineup of shows here. 

July 30-August 25: Dear Rita, Neptune Theatre

Don't miss this celebration of Cape Breton's First Lady of Song at Neptune Theatre this summer, with "Dear Rita", on stage until August 25. 

July 4: Bilingual Tour of AGNS

July 4: USA Independence Day

July 21: National Ice Cream Day - check out our list of frozen treats to try in Downtown Halifax

July 22: National Hammock Day - check out the hammocks on the Halifax Waterfront

July 26: The Paris 2024 Olympics Begin

July 30: United Nations International Day of Friendship

And finally, July is prime time for patio season, and did you know that Downtown Halifax has over 80 patios?

From sidewalk cafes to rooftop terraces and waterfront beer gardens, Downtown Halifax really is the patio capital of the region. 

Find your perfect patio with our list of Downtown patios here. 

And looking for a patio for a specific occasion? Check out, "There's a Patio for That"

Did you know that many patios are now dog-friendly in Downtown Halifax? Check out our list of all the dog-friendly places in Downtown Halifax.