Open City 2023 - Downtown Halifax

Participating Downtown Halifax Businesses

• Ambassatours Gray Line | Harbour Hopper Tours - Halifax Waterfront

  For one day only SAVE 20% on all Harbour Hopper Tours taking place during Open City HFX 2023, May 13, 2023 (note: discount already reflected in our system)! Book at ambassatours.com or by calling 902-420-1015 About this tour: All aboard Halifax's most popular boat tour – the Harbour HopperTour - a fun, fast-paced adventure by land and sea! From your seat aboard this impressive, retrofitted military vehicle, you'll have unparalleled views of Halifax’s most noteworthy sites, beautiful landscape, and historic and modern architecture. Your knowledgeable and very entertaining guide will share historical facts and lesser-known stories about Halifax and will keep you somewhat entertained with the occasional knee-slapper. From the winding streets of Halifax, your adventure continues as you SPLASH into the Halifax Harbour. Your driver is now your Captain, and there’s more to explore so keep your camera ready for unique photo opportunities of our active harbour, Georges Island National Historic Site, the Halifax Waterfront, and more. This award-winning, fully narrated amphibious tour is one you won’t soon forget! 

• Alben Lane Candle Co. - Halifax Waterfront

  We'll be at the Open City waterfront market! 

• Amos Pewter - 1549 Lower Water Street

  Purchase any piece of handcrafted jewelry and receive 25% off the second piece. Second piece must be of equal or lesser value. 

• Andrea's Jewelry Design - Halifax Seaport Farmers Market

  When you buy a necklace at the market from us, you will receive a free pair of earrings of our choice. 

• Another Shop Boutique - Suite 142- 1715 Lower Water Street

  Friday May 12th and Saturday May 13th, We will be doing tax-free shopping store wide and online. Including sale merchandise. 

• Antojo Tacos + Tequila - 1667 Argyle Street

  Carnitas Taco - $5 Carnitas, charred corn, onion, crunchy slaw, crema, cilantro, white corn tortilla, lime. 

• Argyle Fine Art - 1559 Barrington Street

  Join us to celebrate two new exhibits beginning on Saturday, May 13th, between 1:30-3:30pm -the artists will be in attendance. Walk down memory lane with nostalgic paintings by Megan LeForte in her show called "SLOW OVEN" and be blown away by new ceramics by Devon Vankoughnett. We'll also have some special treats on hand and a print giveaway too! Drop by anytime! Art is for everyone! 

• Art 1274 Hollis Art Gallery - 1274 Hollis Street

  Come visit the gallery, open 11am-5pm. Colleen Underwood will be doing a painting demo using Encaustics (melted Beeswax and oil paint). Light refreshments will be served. 

• Bianca Aperitivo Bar, 1584 Argyle Street 

  Takeaway Porchetta Sandwiches with arugula, sweet tomato relish and pesto aioli! 

• Birds Nest Cafe - 1547 Barrington St

  Open City Special: Portuguese Custard Tarts 

• Bliss Bowls, Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market (961 Marginal Road)

  961 Marginal Road 

  Join us on the waterfront at Halifax Seaport Market for local flavours and gifts. Share us on instagram and receive free customizable toppings and/or sauce on any smoothie bowl! 

• Boneheads BBQ - 1014 Barrington Street

  Smoked Pork Belly Pastrami Sandwich - Tasty Pork Belly brined in a Pastrami style pickling mix then smoked, sliced and served on thick-cut, grilled marble rye bread, with our Southern Gold BBQ Sauce and pickles. 

• Brawta Jamaican Jerk Joint - 1567 Grafton Street

  Spicy jerk chicken challenge! Can you handle the heat??? Come on in to the restaurant between 12-5 pm, register to enter, entry fee $10, Eat your spicy chicken in record time for a chance to win $50 CASH! Winner announced by 7 pm. Bring your cheerleaders!

  OPEN CITY GOERS CAN YOU HANDLE THE HEAT???! 

• Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 - 1055 Marginal Road

  Exhibition Opening Reception: 在我的昨天 In My Yesterday Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: In-person event at the Museum Language: Presented in English Cost: FREE. As part of our Asian Heritage Month and Open City programming, join us for the opening of a new exhibition. In My Yesterday is a solo exhibition by artist JJ Lee, reflecting on her Chinese Maritime family’s immigration experience through artwork, historical objects and documents. Light refreshments and food from a legacy Halifax Chinese restaurant will be featured. Supported by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment Initiative. 

• Carrefour Atlantic Emporium - Historic Properties

  1869 Upper Water Street

  Free puffin bookmark with every purchase! 

• Craft Nova Scotia - The Mary E. Black Gallery - 1061 Marginal Rd

  Gallery Scavenger Hunt! Join us to celebrate the opening of ᒫᒥᑐᓀᔨᐦᒋᑲᐣ  ᑯᑖᐄᐧᐤ mâmitonêyihcikan kotâwîw my mind digs in the soil like the turtle by Métis Artist Heather Shillinglaw and have fun finding the charms hidden in each art quilt! This exhibition is comprised of 8 large, mixed media textile panels, representing the indigenous philosophies, the land of her ancestors and oral teachings passed down from her mother. Use the provided legend to guide you through the works and discover all of the hidden details. Afterwards, Drop into the Craft Nova Scotia studios between 12pm and 2pm to create your own pinch pot! Using reclaimed clay from our classes, Gina Brigante will guide you through the easiest method of creating vessels. Your pinch pot will be fired and will be ready for pick up at a later date. All ages are welcomed and no experience necessary. 

• Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) - 1546 Barrington Street

  11 am to 2 pm. Drop in for Downtown trivia, a sucker pull, and special treats - family-friendly. 

• East of Grafton Tavern - 1580 Argyle Street 

  Join us for a Patio BBQ! 3 rack of rib and mac n cheese for $8! 

• Flora James Shop - 2011 Brunswick Street

  Mothers' Day Lemon and lavender Pop up from 12 pm - until sold out. Receive a free mini cupcake with entry to Flora James Shop. 

• Gahan Nova Centre - 5239 Sackville Street

  1/2 Shells &1/2 Pints -- two 12oz pints & 10 oysters for $30 $18 Gahan Draught Pitchers (does not include Hard Root Beer, Cider, or seasonals) all day! 

• Garrison Brewing Company - Seaport Taproom - 1149 Marginal Rd.

  Verano Food Pop-Up! (Empanadas) Michaeladas all day! 

• Grounded Coffee Bar - 1869 Upper Water Street

  Offering an exclusive drink and treat combo: Iced London Fogs with Blueberry Lavender Pop-tarts! $10 +tax 

• Guess Who, Halifax? by The Altruistic Current Society - 1521 Lower Water Street

  On May 13th, Altruistic Current (@altc.ca) presents Guess Who, Halifax? a free city-wide mystery-solving scavenger hunt series around the Halifax Waterfront. Team up with community members to Guess Who's the weekly culprit and wish for cash prizes! Participants can win up to $250 per event, and we will partner with local businesses each week to offer bonus clues and gift card prizes for detectives visiting their establishments. Learn more and register Free @ www.guesswhohalifax.com 

• Grounded Coffee Bar - 1869 Upper Water Street

   Offering an exclusive drink and treat combo: Iced London Fogs with Blueberry Lavender Pop-tarts! $10 +tax 

• Hairy Face Beard Company - Halifax Seaport Farmers Market

   8 am - 2 pm at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market - 10% off all beard oils. 

• Halifax Brewery Market - 1496 Lower Water Street

  Join us to celebrate Open City HFX 2023! We'll open the tunnel leading from the Upper Courtyard to the Exterior Courtyard, fill it with new and returning vendors, and showcase historic photos of the Halifax City Markets. Saturdays 8am - 1pm. 

• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site - 5425 Sackville St

  Come and visit the newest exhibit inside the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site - Fortress Halifax, A City Shaped By Conflict. Discover the history of Kjipuktuk, through its establishment as 'Halifax' in 1749, to the mosaic of a city that it is today.The exhibit recounts fascinating stories of the people here - the Mi'kmaq and settlers of British, French, Acadian, Black Loyalist and other immigrant cultures.  

• Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market - 961 Marginal Road

  Join us at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market on Saturday and Sunday featuring local producers, grocery item vendors, prepared food vendors and artisans. Some of our vendors will be offering Open City HFX promotions on May 13h. Local gifts. Local flavours. Local goodness. Local cheer. 

• Halifax Waterfront

  Live music and entertainment at Foundation Wharf 

• Heartwood by the Sea - Salt Yard, Halifax Waterfront

  What better way to Open the season on the Halifax Waterfront than with Open City. Lots of new and exciting things to explore, down at the Salt Yard. Bring your own cup for a 12oz lemonade sample. Back Door takeout Heartwood Bowls 1pm-4pm $15. Share on your story for a chance to win a Heartwood hoodie. 

• I Heart Bikes - Halifax Waterfront

  $1 Slushies All Day!  

• KingsPIER Vintage - Historic Properties, 1869 Upper Water St.

  KingsPIER will be celebrating Open City by offering sample "upcycle" kits. We want to help you prolong the life of your apparel creatively. Why not breathe new life into that favourite sweatshirt or pair of jeans? We are proud advocates of sustainable consumption. Reduce, reuse, recycle in style. 

• Light House Arts Centre - 1800 Argyle Street

  Light House Arts Centre will be showing off their incredible space with a Variety Show happening in our Performance Hall from 10am-4pm. -Check out workshops running throughout the day and learn what goes on at Light House Arts Centre -Great for all ages! Come check out all the amazing art mediums at Light House Arts Centre. Featuring: Dance NS, Music NS, Spontaneity Improv Company, Soli Productions, Art Heal Studio M., Unity, Youth Art Connection, EMCA, One North End, AFCOOP and more! 

• Lilac and Thistle - Halifax Brewery Market 

  Saturday and Sunday we'll be giving out freezies by donation, all proceeds going to the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women. 

• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, 1675 Lower Water Street

  Halifax Girls Honour Choir performance, 2 pm (with museum admission) On May 13 at 2 pm in our Small Craft Gallery, the museum will be hosting the Halifax Girls Honour Choir, for a 30 minute performance. The HGHC is made up of two choirs: Giocoso (an Italian word meaning playful) for singers in grade 4, and, and Giubilo (meaning jubilation in Italian) for singers in grade 5-6. 

• MASITA Korean Street Food - Halifax Seaport Farmers Market & Halifax Brewery Market

  961 Marginal Road & 1496 Lower Water Street

  The smoky flavour of BBQ Pork is worth feeling. Walk down town and the waterfront with your loved ones and delicious snacks on a pleasant Saturday. It's enough to capture your taste buds. There are also options for chicken and vegetables, so anyone can come and enjoy it. We'll be waiting for you at the markets. 

• Neptune Theatre School - 1593 Argyle Street (Scotiabank Stage Entrance)

  Our DOORS ARE OPEN for a variety of family events: 9:30-10am - Baby Rave! We welcome families to come dance to our Fun-Tastic dance music under some fantastic lights, while getting connected to their own personal rhythm and creative movement. Pay a twoonie! 11-5pm Meet the Staff, Learn about Camps and fun activities! 8pm - Magic and More Cabaret! (neptunetheatre.com/ruby for tickets) tickets at neptunetheatre.com/ruby Act 1: Bill Wood is Magic Show! Act 2: More Cabaret - Featuring Neptune Pre-Professional Students, Alumni and Staff. 

• NSCAD University - Port Campus, 1151 Marginal Road

  Artist for a Day is a fun day of hands-on art-making for people of all ages. It’s free, and suitable for artists at every level. At Artist for a Day, you can try your hand at pottery, printing, jewellery making, and so much more! Everything is hands on, and everything is free! The event will be hosted at the Port Campus, 1151 Marginal Road, on May 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Artist for a Day is made possible through the participation of NSCAD alumni, faculty and student volunteers. Drop in and see what you can make! https://nscad.ca/artist-for-a-day-2023/ 

• Osha Mae Soap - Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market & Halifax Brewery Farmers' Market

   Free serum samples 

• Piskun Artistic Arts - Halifax Waterfront

  Open City Pop-up Felting artist who creates unique Scarfs and shawls, with a wide variety of floral artistic designs. Every Scarf/Shawl are one of a kind with different colors and unique floral mural of silk and felt. I have been perfecting this art for 10 years and have had numerous shows in Ukraine. 

• Ragazzi Resto Bar - 5187 Salter Street

  We are a locally owned restaurant offering authentic Italian cuisine made by Italian hands! Mention Open City and we will give you 15% off! 

• Roasted Coffee Roastery - Foundation Wharf on the Halifax waterfront behind Salt Yard

  Specialty Turkish and Arabic coffee and accessories and treats to complement our delicious coffee. 

• Salt Yard Coffee Hut Salt Yard, Halifax Waterfront

  Come Celebrate the beginning of the season down at Salt Yard. Bring your reusable cup and get a free 12 oz locally made hot apple cider. 10-4 or while Quantities last 

• Spirit Spa - 5150 Salter Street

  Tax free savings on all in stock retail items. *Excludes Biologique Recherche, Oribe and Gift Cards 

• Spontaneity Improv Company - 1800 Argyle Street

  Spontaneity Improv Company will be doing 2 FREE performances in the main performance hall at Light House Arts Centre. One from (11am-12pm) and another from (1pm-2pm). They will also be hosting a FREE WORKSHOP from (2:15-3:15pm) in their Improv Studio (1800 Argyle Street, Light House Arts Centre, 3rd Floor, Suite #317). Come laugh and have fun with Spontaneity Improv Company! 

• Terra Cafe - 1496 Lower Water Street

  10% off everything - drinks, food, and retail items + $1 drip coffee! 

• The Board Room Game Cafe - 1256 Barrington Street

  Enjoy $1 off To-Go Barista Drinks and Sodas, and take advantage of our Buy 2, Get 1 Free Retail Sale! 

• The Dog Ate It Dog Bakery - Halifax Waterfront

  Visit us at the pop-up chalets on Foundation Wharf, Halifax waterfront! 

• The Harbour Watercraft - 1597 Lower Water Street

  25% off all Seadoo & Kayak Rentals 

• The Knottier - Halifax Waterfront Open City Pop-up

  Bow ties, Neckties and other formal wear accessories. Handmade from vintage, recycled and new materials found in the Maritimes. 

• The Prow Gallery - 1479 Lower Water Street

  Artists Tim McGuire and Kevin MacLean will be working onsite at The Prow Gallery on May 13 - Drop in to see Tim paint his stunning local landscapes and watch as Kevin creates unique sculptures out of found materials. 

• Waterfront Warehouse - 1549 Lower Water Street

  Dozen Oysters on special for $21, 12-6pm 

• World Tea House - 1592 Argyle Street

  $2 teas on select spring tea blends $10 10min Tarot readings