110 Things to Do Downtown this Summer

Downtown Halifax is jam-packed with things to do this summer! 🎉

Here's a list of 110 Things to Do This Summer in Downtown Halifax, which will give you lots of ideas of how to fill those summer days and nights. 

To make things easy, we've divided our list up into 8 categories:

  • Memorable Attractions
  • Unforgettable Experiences
  • Food & Drink Adventures
  • Selfie Opportunities
  • Can't Miss Events
  • Rainy Day / Indoor Fun
  • Shop 'til You Drop
  • Free & Fun Events (*NEW)

We hope this helps you plan your summer adventures in Downtown Halifax!

Let's get started!

MEMORABLE ATTRACTIONS

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    1. Discover the historic tunnels and admire the scenic views of Georges Island. Ride the ferry from Cable Wharf with Ambassatours (1751 Lower Water Street), Saturday and Sundays only until June 28 and from September 7 to October 7; and on Mondays and Thursdays to Sundays between June 29 and September 6. PLUS, you can enjoy free admission to Georges Island until September 2 (fees for ferry still apply). Book your tour here.

    PRO-TIP: Complement your visit to Georges Island with a Parks Canada Perfect Picnic. Purchase your picnic lunch when you purchase your ticket for the Ferry with Ambassatours.   

    PRO-TIP 2: Kids 5 & under are FREE

     

    2. Visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and learn about the beloved Nova Scotian folk artist, Maud Lewis

    PRO-TIP: Enjoy FREE admission every Thursday as part of BMO Free Access Thursdays from 5 - 9 pm.  

     

    3. Discover 400 years of immigration history in Canada at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, as well as their new 'eat make share: a taste of immigration' exhibit.

    PRO-TIP: Young visitors (under 25) can enjoy FREE or discounted admission thanks to the Canada Strong Pass to September 2. The pass is open to ALL visitors, whether you are Canadian or coming from abroad. 

     

    4. Visit the Halifax Brewery Farmers Market (1496 Lower Water Street), located in the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery building originally built in the 1800s. Open Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm

    PARK IT AT THE MARKET: Park for FREE Saturdays from 6 am – 3 pm in the Salter Lot (1521 Lower Water Street) while you attend the Market (just enter your license plate into the tablet system inside the market to ensure you’re covered). 

     

    5. Step back into time with a visit to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site (5425 Sackville Street) and immerse yourself in the rich social and military history of Halifax. 

    PRO-TIP: FREE admission for youth 17 and under.

     

    6. 'Splash’ into Halifax Harbour with an Ambassatours’ Harbour Hopper Tour (5050 Salter Street). This super popular adventure will show you the best of Halifax by land AND sea! Tours run multiple times a day until October 31. Book your tickets here.

     

    7. Learn more about Halifax’s rich maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (1675 Lower Water Street). 

    PRO-TIP: Admission for children 5 and under is FREE. 

     

    8. Experience all the fun exhibits and hands-on science experiences at The Discovery Centre (1215 Lower Water Street). Don't miss their Sip & Solve Adult Games Night event on July 12!

    PRO-TIP: Skip the line and book your tickets online

     

    9. Step into brewery history with a tour of the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery (1496 Lower Water Street). Learn about the history of Mr. Keith’s legacy and see the brewing process in one of North America’s oldest working breweries. 

    PRO-TIP: Tours are FREE for children 10 and under. 

     

    10. Explore Queen’s Marque on the Halifax Waterfront at night. Climb to the top of Rise Again – the steps that lead up to the new art installation called ‘Tidal Beacon’.  As the tides rise and fall, the lights on Tidal Beacon react, culminating in a beam that shines out over the harbour. 

     

    11. Visit The Old Burying Ground (1541 Barrington Street) and find out more about the fascinating history of Halifax, or just enjoy the quiet solitude of this National Historic Site of Canada. 

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES

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    12. Enjoy a night on the town on Argyle Street (between Duke and Blowers Streets), the heart of Halifax’s Entertainment District. Argyle is closed to vehicles in the warmer months, and with all the local restaurants, pubs and clubs that line the street, it is the place to enjoy a night out with your friends. 

    PRO-TIP: Take a selfie in the glow of the purple lights of the Halifax Convention Centre.

     

    13. Dip your toes in the Halifax Harbour at the Queen’s Marque steps.  

     

    14. Take a luxury cruise around the Halifax Harbour with JFarwell Sailing Co, located on the Halifax Waterfront, June to October. Book your tickets here.

     

    15. Grove the night away with The Mellotones, every Friday night from 8:30 pm – 11:30 am at The Pacifico.

     

    16. Take a guided tour of Downtown Halifax with Segway Nova Scotia, located on the Halifax Waterfront (1521 Lower Water Street). Tours run from June to the end of October.

     

    17. Walk on the cobblestones on Granville Mall (1897 Granville Street) and take a seat in The Blooming Seating, a playful art piece located in this historic outdoor plaza.

     

    18. See the city from a whole new angle with a kayak or sea-doo tour of the harbour with Harbour Watercraft Tours & Adventures on the Halifax Waterfront (1597 Lower Water Street). Available until the end of October.

    PRO-TIP: Save some money by pre-booking your tour online.

     

    19. Unleash the kids’ energy at the Submarine Playground (Halifax Waterfront) and/or the Train Station Playground (Peace and Friendship Park, Barrington and South Streets).

    PRO-TIP: Playgrounds are always FREE to enjoy!

     

    20. Sail around the Harbour on Halifax’s signature ship, the Tall Ship Silva. Enjoy live music and relax with a cool beverage as you sail past some of the city’s well-known landmarks. Book your tour with Ambassatours (1655 Lower Water Street), June to October.

    PRO-TIP: Many of the tours are family-friendly, so kids are welcome too!

     

    21. Enjoy some downtime in one of Downtown Halifax’s many green spaces including Peace and Friendship Park (Barrington and South Streets), the gardens at Province House (1726 Hollis Street), Raymond Taavel Park (1004 Barrington Street), Nathan Green Square (5079 George Street, Halifax Waterfront), and more.

     

    22. Cool down in the water fountain at Bishop’s Landing, Halifax Waterfront.

     

    23. Dare to be scared with a guided Ghost Tour of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Explore all the dark shadows of the Citadel by candlelight. Private and public ghost tours are available all year-round.  

     

    24. Visit the Split Crow Pub, the oldest pub in Nova Scotia (1855 Granville Street).

     

    25. Climb Citadel Hill during at lunchtime, and experience the ‘BOOM’ of the noon gun – fires every day, right at noon, except for Christmas Day. 

     

    26. Relax in one of the orange Waterfront hammocks (on the Salter Boardwalk, Halifax Waterfront) – if you can snag one!

     

    27. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Salt Yard, over 30,000 square feet of public space between Salter and Sackville Streets on the Halifax Waterfront, showcasing a cluster of small shops and restaurants, public seating, public washrooms, and more.

     

    28. Take the self-guided Downtown Art Tour and discover all the public art in Downtown Halifax, all year.

     

    29. Play some beach volleyball at the Sands of Salter, Halifax Waterfront.

    PRO-TIP: Remember to bring your own volleyball.

     

    30. Take a break in one of the colourful Adirondack Chairs in Grand Parade (1770 Barrington Street), or along the Halifax Waterfront by the Salt Yard (between Salter and Sackville Streets) and the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel (1919 Lower Water Street).

    PRO-TIP: These colourful chairs make a great photo opportunity!

     

    31. Rent a bike (or e-bike) from I Heart Bikes on the Halifax Waterfront, and explore Downtown Halifax at your own pace; OR take one of their guided tours

FOOD & DRINK ADVENTURES

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    32. Grab a coffee to go at Weird Harbour (1656 Barrington Street), a self-described "lil' coffee shop", and a local favourite. Open Monday - Friday, 7 am - 5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm. 

     

    33. Grab a Donair, Halifax’s official food, at Mezza Lebanese Kitchen.

     

    34. Enjoy a beverage and dine al fresco on one of Downtown Halifax’s many patios – there are over 80 of them in Downtown Halifax!

    PRO-TIP: Many patios are now dog-friendly, so you can take your pooch to a patio with you!

     

    35. Dine in style at one of the top ranked restaurants in the country at Mystic, ranked as one of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants in 2025. 

    PRO-TIP: Book your reservations online ahead of time (check the individual websites of each restaurant to do so).

     

    36. Visit Flynn’s Dairy Bar & Convenience (1365 Hollis Street) and try one of their Massive Shakes or spectacular Sundaes (Cookie Dough Sundae, anyone?).

     

    37. Enjoy live music while dining at The Carleton (1685 Argyle Street), Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs (1579 Grafton Street), The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (5136 Prince Street), Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub (1645 Argyle Street), and more.

     

    38. Try homemade doughnuts, cookies, or a ‘sweet-za’, an epic dessert pizza topped with fudge sauce, brownies, and ice cream, at The Fog Company (1709 Lower Water Street, Queen’s Marque).

     

    39. Grill your own Korean BBQ at Gangnam KBBQ (1261 Barrington Street).

     

    40. Enjoy Margarita Mondays and Taco Tuesdays at Antojo Tacos + Tequila (1667 Argyle Street).

     

    41. Be a kid again and buy ALL the candy at Freak Lunchbox (1729 Barrington Street).

     

    42. Grab some take-out and enjoy lunch at one of the brightly coloured picnic tables around Downtown Halifax including 10 that are wheelchair accessible. Various locations, May to October.

     

    43. Explore what the newly finished Cunard District (1325 Lower Water Street) has to offer — from crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e doughnuts at Vandal, to sampling the variety of gin and tonics at Matadora, to going all out with the very shareable 45 oz PEI Prime T-bone at Tribute.

     

    44. Get some BBQ from Boneheads BBQ (1014 Barrington Street) and enjoy it at one of the rainbow picnic tables in Raymond Taavel Park.

     

    45. Enjoy a tiny taste of Paris in the heart of Halifax at Le French Fix (5233 Prince Street). 

    PRO-TIP: Make sure to try their vanilla and chocolate canelĂ©s! They are “trĂšs bon!”

     

    46. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone from COWS Cable Wharf (1751 Lower Water Street), or Black Bear Ice Cream (Salt Yard, Halifax Waterfront).

     

    47. Enjoy some oysters at Shuck Seafood + Raw Bar (5120 Salter Street), a true East Coast experience. 

     

    48. Taste the tongue-tingling flavours of Jamaican cuisine at Brawta Jamaican Jerk Joint (1567 Grafton Street). 

    PRO-TIP: Check out Brawta by the Water in the Salt Yard on the Halifax Waterfront!

     

    49. Treat yourself to a traditional lobster dinner at  Five Fishermen (1740 Argyle Street), or the Waterfront Warehouse (1549 Lower Water Street).

     

    50. Brunch it up at one of the many restaurants in Downtown Halifax that offers the late morning meal that makes the wait for the weekend that much harder. Check out all the brunch places in Downtown Halifax here.

    PRO-TIP: Fan of Eggs Benny? Be sure to check out Elle’s Bistro (1678 Barrington Street) – they serve over 20 styles (!) of Eggs Benedict 7 days of week. 

     

    51. Get some artisan soft serve ice cream or handmade chocolates from Rousseau Chocolatier (5151 South Street).

     

    52. Visit the Lower Deck (1887 Upper Water Street, Historic Properties) for some live East Coast music and learn what "Sociable!" means. 

     

    53. Grab some late-night eats Pizza Corner (Blowers & Grafton Streets) – Halifax’s famous landmark to grab some late-night street food. Options include Sicilian Pizza (5245 Blowers Street), Potikki’s (5246 Blowers Street), Johny's Pork Shack (5244 Blowers Street), Rocky’s Original Filipino BBQ (5237 Blowers Street), and Willy’s Fresh Cut (5239 Blowers Streets).

    PRO-TIP: Many of the restaurants at Pizza Corner are open until 4 am!

     

    54. Visit Stillwell Beer Bar (1672 Barrington Street), and try one of their famous burgers with their namesake beer. 

SELFIE OPPORTUNITIES

CAN'T MISS EVENTS

RAINY DAY / INDOOR FUN

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

FREE & FUN EVENTS

PARKING

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    110. And finally, make your parking plan before your next Downtown adventure! From on-street parking to lots and garages, there are thousands of places to park in Downtown Halifax. Start planning here.

AND believe it or not, there are even more things to do this summer in Downtown Halifax. 

Visit the online events calendar here for even more events happening Downtown. 

And keep up to date with everything going on by following @DowntownHalifax on social media and subscribe to our 'What's Happening This Week / Weekend Downtown' newsletter (see below).