Crisp air, cozy sweaters, and warm drinks. It must be October! 🍂
And to paraphrase Lucy Maud Montgomery, we're also glad we "live in a world where there are Octobers"; especially since October is jampacked with fun and exciting festivals and events taking place in Downtown Halifax.
Below is a quick rundown of things to do this month in Downtown Halifax. Make sure you grab a pen and mark your calendars, as you won't want to miss any of them!
For a full list of events happening this month, visit our online Events Calendar.
Mi'kmaw History Month
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October is Mi'kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia. A time for all Nova Scotians to increase their knowledge and awareness of Mi'kmaw culture, history and heritage. This years theme celebrates the power of stories in Mi’kma’kik—stories shaped by the land and waters, carried through generations, and alive with laughter, teaching, and truth.
Here are a few events taking place for Mi'kmaw History Month in Downtown Halifax (note: there are more events taking place all over the province; see a full schedule of events here):
September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
9:30 am -5:30 pm: Indigenous made short film screenings, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: A Screening of Dr. Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs: Women of This Land, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
October 1: Treaty Day
1:30 PM: Reading by Mayor Andy FillmoreCity Hall.
September 30- October 5: Bear Grease The Musical, Neptune Theatre
October 4: Kjipuktuk Gala, Halifax Convention Centre
October 17: Nocturne Artist Talk: Megan Samms, Peace & Friendship Park
October 18: Mi'kmaw SoundWalk
October 18: Remember Ktaqmkuk, Peace & Friendship Park
October 28: The Future Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre: Story, Healing, and Community - Mercedes Peters, FREE at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Keep up to date with more Mi'kmaw History Month events with our online events calendar.
Welcome to Mi’kma’ki Videos
As a way of providing a welcome to Mi’kmaw territory, the Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN) has published a series of Welcome to Mi’kma’ki videos.
Watch them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@NSITEN/videos
Learn more about Mi'kmaw History Month here.
Downtown Hali Hangouts
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Come hangout with DHBC on the Halifax Waterfront this fall with Downtown Hali Hangouts!
These free, fun events are taking place from 6-8 pm at Foundation Wharf (near 1549 Lower Water Street). These are three nights in October that you won't want to miss:
October 2 : Carnival Games Night
October 9: Movie Night
October 16: Silent Disco
Learn more about Downtown Hali Hangouts here.
Arts & Culture Festivals
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For those that love arts & culture, then October is the month for you as two of Halifax's biggest art festivals take place in this month. Grab your art-loving friends and get out to enjoy these two marquee festivals!
To October 5: Prismatic Arts Festival
Prismatic Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary arts festival that showcases and celebrates innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada. Enjoy works in theatre, dance, music, film, and more.
October 16 - 19: Nocturne: Ground
Founded in 2008, Nocturne is a Halifax's annual free all-night contemporary art festival. It's the largest art festival in Atlantic Canada, and although it takes place all over the Halifax area, the majority of the events and installations take place in Downtown Halifax. Stay up to date with everything happening with Nocturne here.
Live Music, Theatre & Sports
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If you're into live - whether it is music, sports or theatre - then October is the month for you. Check out these "live" events taking place in Downtown Halifax this month:
Music
To October 5: Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF), Various locations
October 8 Warren Zeiders: Relapse, Lies, and Betrayal Tour, Scotiabank Centre
October 12: Bryan Adams with the Sheepdogs, Scotiabank Centre
October 24: Foreigner - The Juke Box Hero Tour, Scotiabank Centre
October 30: Sloan - A Tour de Force!!, Lighthouse Arts Centre
Theatre
To October 5: Bear Grease The Musical, Neptune Theatre
October 21 - November 9: Neptune Theatres Present: How the Other Half Loves
Sports
Halifax Mooseheads Regular Season, Scotiabank Centre
Wine & Spirits Festivals
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Whether you consider yourself to be a connoisseur of wine and spirits or just enjoy a night out with friends, check out these festivals happening this month:
October 4: Wine Fair Halifax
The Wine Fair Halifax is taking place at the Halifax Convention Centre on October 4. Hosted by Cellar Events Inc., you can enjoy over 200+ exquisite wines from local and international producers. Get your tickets here.
October 10: Halifax International Spirits Fest
Taking place primarily at The Westin Nova Scotian, the Halifax International Spirits Fest offers a mix of tasting events including an all local craft spirit event, dining experiences, master classes, and of course, the Grand Tasting with more than 100 premium spirits to sample. Learn more and get your tickets here.
October 25: Craft Beer Kitchen Party
Warm yourself up sipping the finest NS made craft beers and beverages from over twenty local breweries, all while dancing the night away with their fan favourite headliner 'Rankin Macinnis and the Broken Reeds'.
Other Can't Miss Events & Notable Days in October
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Other "Can't Miss" Events in October:
October 4 - 5: The Curio Collective's Fall Vintage Show, Light House Arts Centre
October 4: Raymond Taavel Park Community Design Day
October 31: Science, Spirits and BOOS!, Discovery Centre
Special Days in October:
October 1: Treaty Day
October 1: National Pumpkin Spice Day
October 4: National Taco Day
October 11: International Day of the Girl Child
October 13: Thanksgiving Day (Holiday) 🦃
October 26: National Pumpkin Day
October 31: Halloween 🎃
