As a business improvement district (BID), Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) is committed to making Downtown Halifax a better place to live, work, and play.
We're proud to offer programs that help beautify the Downtown area and help businesses all year round, the holiday season included.
Here are a few highlights about our holiday season programs.
Look Up! Holiday Wreaths & Snowflakes
Every year, for the last 27-years, DHBC invests over $15,000 into the installation of holiday wreaths and, new this year, sparkling snowflakes, that can be seen on the 30+ lamp standards throughout Downtown Halifax.
Be sure to 'look up' when you’re out strolling this holiday season.
It's DELIGHTFUL Downtown!
Since the fall of 2021, DHBC’s DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN has brought a series of vivid light shows, projected on to the façade of the former Halifax Memorial Library building at Grafton Park, and many festive light installations to Downtown Halifax.
Since 2017, DHBC has put up the dazzling 26-foot-tall tree and snowflake light decorations at Peace and Friendship Park (across from the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel).
New last year (2022), the DELIGHTFUL Gift Box can be enjoyed until January 7 on the Halifax Waterfront.
Since 2021, the tree-wrapped lights in Peace and Friendship Park, Grafton Park, Granville Mall, Raymond Taavel Park, and Bedford Row have added to the Downtown holiday decor.
Financial & Promotional Support
Deck the Downtown Program Grant
DHBC gave out $16,200 via the Deck the Downtown Grant Program this year.
Started in the Fall of 2020, DHBC offers this seasonal grant to members who have businesses in retail, food & drink, personal care/retail services, attractions, and accommodations. Successful applicants use the funds to deck out their storefront for the holidays with lights, wreaths, garlands, trees, and ornaments.
Thank you to the 54 DHBC businesses who participated this year!
Evergreen Market Vendor Program Grant
2023 marked the fourth year for the Evergreen Festival.
This 4-week-long outdoor winter festival showcases Nova Scotia’s culture, food, spirits, crafts, art, and music along the Halifax Waterfront.
A big part of the festival is the Evergreen Market, an open-air, European-style holiday shopping experience with vendors offering their products from 20 cozy, wooden chalets.
This year, six of those vendors were Downtown businesses who received DHBC's Evergreen Market Vendor Program Grant. In total, DHBC gave out $6,000 to cover the costs associated with licensing fees.
Promotional Support
DHBC supports all events happening in the Downtown Halifax area over the holiday season through our social media platforms (primarily Facebook, Instagram, X) which have over 120,000 followers combined, DHBC's online event calendar, and the "What's Happening This Week/Weekend Downtown" newsletters that go out twice a week to 6,000+ subscribers.
In addition, DHBC supports all businesses in the Downtown area with a robust holiday media campaign that includes advertisements in The Coast, Bell Media (CTV, Move 100, Virgin Radio), SaltWire/The Chronicle Herald, Neptune Theatre programs, Eastlink TV, Family Fun Halifax, and more.
