Start making plans for Open City 2026 taking place Saturday, May 9! 🎉
During this annual celebration of the small, local businesses that make our communities vibrant and welcoming, businesses will be rolling out their welcome mats and offering special promotions, treats, activations, and more.
⬇️ Scroll down to see the Downtown Halifax businesses participating in Open City.
We are continuing to update this page as more businesses sign up, so make sure to check back often!
Keep up to date with everything happening with Open City by following @OpenCityHFX on Instagram and Facebook.
👉 For more information and to see ALL the participating businesses, click here.
Participating Downtown Halifax Businesses
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Ambassatours Gray Line - Hopper Harbour Tours
1751 Lower Water Street
Enjoy 20% off Halifax’s #1 Boat Tour, the Harbour Hopper, for one day only on May 9th! No code needed - prices are already discounted, just book your ticket and you’re all set!
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Another Shop
Queen's Marque, 1715 Lower Water Street
Tax Free Store-Wide
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Antojo Tacos + Tequila
1667 Argyle Street
Street side Al Pastor tacos - $6 Trompo Tacos - spit roasted pork, salsa verde, pineapple, white onion, cilantro
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Anytime Fitness Halifax
Halifax Waterfront, on greens by the Salter Parking lot
Stop by the Anytime Fitness tent and test your luck to win any number of prizes! You could walk away with merch, supplements, or even a free gym membership! Can't wait to see you Downtown!
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Argyle Fine Art
1559 Barrington Street
Join Argyle Fine Art to celebrate a new show by emerging artist, Emma Fisher . Emma will be here with their brand new show, "Becoming" and happy to meet folks and celebrate the launch of these new works,1:30-3:30pm
Sketch N' Stroll: Walk past the gallery and have your portrait line-drawing drawn on our gallery windows by local artists, to create one big, fun community image. This is free and so much fun! 1:30-4:30 pm -
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
1723 Hollis Street
The first 100 people who visit AGNS and sign up for one of our new admission passes, Free Access Under 25 or the $28 Annual Admission Pass, will get a free AGNS notebook filled with images of artwork from our permanent collection.
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Bird's Nest Cafe + Catering
1547 Barrington Street
Portuguese Custard Tarts, our annual Open City tradition, will be back this year! They sell out every year, so available while supplies last!
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Boneheads BBQ
1014 Barrington Street
We will be offering a brand new special sandwich called “The Filthy Pig”.
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Carrefour Atlantic Emporium
Historic Properties, 1869 Upper Water Street
Free limited edition sticker with every purchase!
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Centre for Craft & Mary E. Black Gallery
1061 Marginal Rd, Suite 140
Craft Nova Scotia’s Centre for Craft & the Mary E. Black Gallery will be open from 10–4 with free admission. Visit our galleries, featuring Interior Motifs by ceramicist Martina Lantin and a large showcase by NSCAD University Design students. Discover the latest in Canadian craft and design!
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Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC)
1546 Barrington Street
Pop into DHBC's Welcome Centre for free face painting, balloon art, and other fun treats for kids of all ages!
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Durty Nelly's
1645 Argyle Street
Handing out samples of our house made brown bread and selling loafs of the bread.
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Halifax Bra Store
1496 Lower Water Street
FREE BRA fitting and with the purchase of a bra you will receive a free gift! Value $35.
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Halifax Circus
1479 Barrington Street
Come visit Halifax Circus between 1:00 - 4:00. Now in our 21st year, we're the circus centre of the Marititmes, and you'll see circus skills in action. It's a great time to see our space, ask questions about classes and summer camps, and participate in entry level ongoing workshops.
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Halifax Waterfront
Lower Water Street
Join us at the Halifax Waterfront for pop-up activations!
Enjoy Wet Nose Images Photo Booth in the Container Stage on Foundation Wharf from 11 am - 1 pm. Browse our vendor market featuring local entrepreneurs and businesses on Foundation Wharf from 11 am - 4 pm, and take part in food, fun, and fitness activities across our event spaces with Anytime Fitness Halifax at the Greens at Salter from 10 am - 4 pm!
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Gallery Hop 2026
Join participating commercial galleries in Halifax & Bedford for an afternoon of art and special events!
See the map here.
Downtown businesses participating include:
- Argyle Fine Art, 1559 Barrington Street
- Art 1274 Hollis, 1274 Hollis Street
- The Prow Gallery, Bishop's Landing, 1479 Lower Water Street
- Teichert Gallery, 1723 Hollis Street
- Verve Fine Craft Gallery, 1573 Barrington Street
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I Heart Bikes
Halifax Waterfront, 1549 Lower Water Street
Free 10 minute E-trike test drives & $1 slushies and hot drinks.
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Market Price
Bishop's Landing, 1477 Lower Water Street
Spring Cleaning Sale - Discounts Up To 75% OFF
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Monky Funky Cafe
1594 Granville Street
Buy any Club Sandwich and enjoy a refreshing Mint Mojito - on the house!
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Naguara Venezuelan Food
Halifax Brewery Market
Naguará Venezuelan Food will be bringing the flavors of Venezuela to Open City 2026 with a vibrant selection of traditional street food. Guests can enjoy our popular gluten-friendly corn empanadas in multiple fillings, freshly made arepas like the famous Reina Pepiada, and our signature cheese tequeños.
Our goal is to create a full cultural experience through food, offering fresh, hot, and authentic flavors made with local ingredients. Come discover why Venezuelan street food is so loved! -
Our Place Coffeehouse
1873 Granville Street
$5 Spring Specialty Beverages (12oz)
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Rousseau Chocolatier
5151 South Street
2 Chocolate covered Madeleines and Hot Chocolate for $10
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Sketti & Ball Co
1584 Argyle Street
Handmade pasta finished in a hollowed wheel of aged Grana Padano, where it's tossed in velvety cheese and served Hot.
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Spirit Spa
5150 Salter Street
We will be offering Tax Free on retail (excluding Oribe, Biologique Recherche, and gift cards) as well as samples & wildflower seeds with all retail purchases!
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Stardust Bar + Kitchen
1688 Barrington Street
Back Door Take-Out Taco Deal
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Stubborn Goat Gastropub
1580 Argyle Street
Build Your Own Mac & Cheese for $5!
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Sunny Day Nature Art
Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
Step into "An Afternoon with Marilyn" and experience the vibrant world of artist Marilyn McAvoy. From 12–4, Marilyn will introduce her newest work from Radiant Ground and dive into the artistic process that has fueled her decades of creation. It’s a rare chance to connect, ask questions, and see her latest painting unveiled.
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The 7 Virtues Atelier
Queen's Marque, 106-1709 Lower Water Street
Design your own signature perfume and receive a complimentary Perfume Layering Discovery Set (value $37). Book ahead or drop in while exploring downtown Halifax (walk-ins welcome, space permitting).
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The Board Room Game Cafe & Chain Reaction Disc Golf
1256 Barrington Street
The Board Room Game Cafe is offering Buy 2, Get 1 Free* in our Retail Section! We'll also have a limited edition FrootLoops Fog and Roll-For-Your-Flavour Italian Sodas available for dine-in, or take-out! YUM :)
Chain Reaction Disc Golf (located within the Board Room!) is also offering 15% off all Disc Golf products!*
*Some exceptions may apply, cannot be combined with any other offer.
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The Prow Gallery
Bishop's Landing, 1479 Lower Water Street
Step into "An Afternoon with Marilyn" and experience the vibrant world of artist Marilyn McAvoy. From 12–4, Marilyn will introduce her newest work from Radiant Ground and dive into the artistic process that has fueled her decades of creation. It’s a rare chance to connect, ask questions, and see her latest painting unveiled.
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Teichert Gallery
1723 Hollis Street
2X2 Show: A mosaic collection of artworks, by various artists and in various media, is on display at Teichert Gallery, all sized 2 feet by 2 feet!
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Trattoria Vesso
1299 Hollis Street
Join us this Saturday for Open City and take home our fresh pasta at a special price. Our retail pouches will be available for $5 (regular $7.95) - perfect for an easy, fresh meal at home.
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Verve Fine Craft Gallery
1573 Barrington Street
Join us for the debut of The Mug Monologues—an exhibition of limited-edition vessels giving “main character” energy. In a world of mass-produced sets, these mugs are the leading actors. Verve Gallery has curated a collection of one-of-a-kind mugs submitted by accomplished ceramic artists from across Canada. No "background extras" here; these are the pieces that command a room (and your morning coffee). Come see what these mugs have to say and meet some of the artists behind these charismatic works. Special Feature: Buy a mug, get a free drink. The purchase of any mug will get you a free drip coffee or drink of any size from our friendly neighbours, The Bird’s Nest Cafe.
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Zuya Production
2-1658 Market Street
2026 HRM-themed photo booth for $6.99 (2 strips) - perfect for capturing fun moments.
See all the businesses participating in Open City Halifax 2026 here.
Stay up to date with everything happening for Open City by visiting opencityhfx.com and by following @OpenCityHFX on Instagram and Facebook.