It's that time of year again - the Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide is back! 🎁
This 72-page Gift Guide is packed with tons of local gift ideas from 112 shops, restaurants, attractions, and more from around the Downtown Halifax and Spring Garden areas.
The Gift Guide will be delivered to homes around the Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford areas the week of November 16.
If you don't receive one in your mailbox, you can grab a copy at a participating business, at DHBC's Welcome Centre (1546 Barrington Street), and at the Evergreen Festival's Welcome Winter Kiosk (1549 Lower Water Street on the Halifax Waterfront) as of November 27, OR you can view the online version NOW!
Get ready to shop local this holiday season in Downtown Halifax and Spring Garden!
Flip through the 2026 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide. ⬇️
Map Your Shopping Stops from the Gift Guide ⬇️
Want to know what's included in the Downtown Halifax Holiday Prize Package? Find all the details and contest rules here!🎁
Enjoy Spruce's Evergreen Cocoa Trail around Downtown Halifax and the Spring Garden area during the Evergreen Festival from November 27 to December 20 (details coming soon!).☕
GIO’s Naughty or Nice Holiday Mocktail
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Click to Read Recipe
This vibrant festive mocktail brings the warm flavours of chai together with zero-proof spiced rum and bright, tart citrus. Built in a shaker and strained into a tall glass, it’s perfect for sipping by the fire on a chilly evening.
Try making the Naughty or Nice Holiday Mocktail at home or order one at GIO in The Prince George (1725 Market Street) this holiday season!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz triple-soaked chai tea (3 bags in 8 oz of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes)
- 1.5 oz non-alcoholic NOA Jamaican Spiced Rum*
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- 1.5 oz orange juice
- 10 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp Amarena cherry syrup
*Available at Bishop’s Cellar.
Directions:
- Add ice and shake well for a 20-count.
- Strain into a glass packed tight with fresh ice – crushed preferably.
- Drizzle teaspoon of Amarena or Morello cherry syrup around the edge of the glass.
- Optional topper: 2 tablespoons of sparkling calamansi and mandarin foam.
- Garnish with cherry and mint sprig.
Foam (Optional):
In a whipped cream canister, or by using a handheld frother, combine:
- 150 ml mandarin juice
- 150 ml calamansi juice (or your favourite tart/citrus juice)
- 50 g sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 150 ml non-alcoholic sparkling wine
Feeling Naughty? For the alcoholic version, replace NOA with a spiced rum and use prosecco in the foam.
Celebrate the Holidays in Downtown Halifax
From festive events (Evergreen Festival) and sparkling lights (DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN) to local shopping and cocoa trails, there's so much to see and do in Downtown Halifax over the holiday season.
See all the holiday highlights here (coming soon!).
Getting Around for the Holidays
The holidays are a busy time in Downtown Halifax, especially with the NS Power Holiday Parade of Lights, Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting, Evergreen Festival, and other annual holiday favourites bringing extra activity to the area.
👉 Plan ahead and be prepared for increased traffic:
- Make a parking plan before heading out.
- Leave a little earlier to allow extra travel time and give yourself more time to find parking.
- Consider taking public transit, a taxi, or an Uber.
A little planning goes a long way in keeping your holidays – and everyone else's – merry and bright!
For more holiday updates, make sure you're following @DowntownHalifax on Instagram & Facebook.