Halifax, Nova Scotia is a popular destination with something to see and do during any season. We’ve prepared this page so you can check regularly to plan an entertaining visit to Nova Scotia’s capital. From culture to sports, the arts to expos, even dining and nightlife, this page puts the best of Halifax at your fingertips!

Halifax Summer Events

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Featuring over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers, the Tattoo continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world's premiere cultural and entertainment events.

The Tattoo strikes a unique balance, featuring pipes and drums, military and civilian bands, historic re-enactments, dancers, acrobats, choirs, military displays and competitions, drama and comedy in a number of innovative acts, in a fast-paced two and a half hour family show. The Tattoo is held annually at the Halifax Metro Centre during the first week of July.

Atlantic Film festival

The fourth major film festival in Canada is the international Atlantic Film Festival, held every September in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Strong East Coast roots support a unique format for AFF with its distinctive focus on film and music. Large enough to attract the world’s most notable actors, directors and producers, but intimate enough to be Canada’s kitchen party Festival, the AFF provides an unpretentious atmosphere for watching some of the best international, Canadian and Atlantic Canadian films, with opportunities to hear some of the best artists the region offers.

The Halifax International Busker Festival

The Halifax International Busker Festival, the largest outdoor festival in Atlantic Canada, takes place form August 10-20 along a 1 kilometre strip on the beautiful Halifax waterfront in the downtown core. This well established 'street theatre' festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary, entertaining up to 500,000 locals and tourists at this un-gated event. Hourly family shows start at 12 noon on five stages located throughout the Busker site, and continues non-stop at most stages until 11 pm. You will see world-class performances from acrobats, jugglers, fire artists, contortionists, musicians and much, much more. Not to be missed!

Halifax Pop Explosion

Halifax Pop Explosion, one of Canada’s most respected festivals & showcases for new and emerging music, art, and culture.Founded in 1993, the festival features the best in new and music, and fuses it with the unique perspectives and exhibitions of art, media and pop culture, from Halifax, Canada, and around the world !

Atlantic Jazz Festival

A major event on the Canadian music scene, the TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival Halifax is Atlantic Canada's largest music festival with over 450 local, national and international performers delighting audiences that have reached the 65,000+ mark for nine days every summer.

Halifax Main Attractions

Alexander Keith's Brewery

Originally established in 1820, Nova Scotia's oldest brewery is new again. Join us for a walk through brewing history that you'll never forget. From the moment the Warden greets you, until the inn keepers of the Stag's Head tavern say farewell, you'll be entertained and educated by the costumed guides. We're in the Brewery Market at 1496 Lower Water Street in Historic Halifax.

Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History

Located on the ground floor of the Seton Academic Centre, this museum features the natural wonders of Nova Scotia. See an eagle's nest, stand beside a moose, and a real whale skeleton. Displays cover geology, botany, mammals, birds and marine life, archaeology and impressive Mi'kmaq quillwork. See fossils (including a mastodon skeleton) , mineral specimens, semi-precious gems, dioramas and a botany gallery. Open June 1 to October 15, Mon. to Sat. 9:30am to 5:30pm, Wed. to 8pm, Sun. 1pm to 5:30pm. Winter hours: closed Mondays, otherwise open until 5pm, Wed. to 8pm

Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame

The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame honours excellence in athletes, teams, and builders, who have made outstanding contributions to Nova Scotia's sport heritage and culture. This colourful history is reflected through the display of trophies and awards, uniforms, photographs, sporting equipment and other memorabilia spanning over one hundred years.

Discovery Centre

Open since the fall of 1990, Discovery Centre has entertained and enlightened more than 300,000 visitors, both on site and throughout the Atlantic region with our travelling exhibits program. More than 80 hands-on exhibits illuminate the entertaining and educational principles of bridges, electricity, chemistry, bubbles, light and sound, health, physics, optical illusions and more.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Nautical and marine history of Atlantic Canada including the Halifax Explosion, an early shipchandlery, Days of Sail gallery, small craft gallery and a lighthouse light. CSS Acadia, a 1913 hydrographic research vessel that charted the coasts of Labrador and the Arctic, is moored outside (open May through October) as is HMCS Sackville, the sole survivor of WWII corvette convoys escorts from Halifax to England during World War II. The museum also has a permanent exhibit about the Titanic disaster with 20 artifacts (the only surviving deck chair ) and dozens of photographs. The Museum open year round. Museum hours: May and October - Mon. to Sat. 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tues. to 8pm, Sun. 1pm to 5:30pm. June to September - Mon. to Sat. 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tues. to 8pm, Sun. 10:30am to 5:30pm. November to April - closed Mondays, otherwise open 9:30am to 5pm, and Tues. to 8pm.

Halifax Citadel Historic Site

Constructed between 1828 and 1856, this citadel is an impressive star-shaped masonry structure complete with its defensive ditch, ramparts, musketry gallery, powder magazine, garrison cells, guard room, barracks and school room. On the guided tour, visitors may see the 78th Highland Regiment in action, hear the beauty of the bagpipes and ask a soldier's wife what life was like back then.

Pier 21 National Historic Site

From the twenties to the seventies, Pier 21 was Canada's 'front door' to over a million immigrants, wartime evacuees, refugees, troops, war brides and their children. This enriched our social and cultural landscape and uplifted the very soul of a nation forever. Pier 21, a National Historic Site, has been transformed into a testament to Canada's profoundly emotional immigration experience. The sheer impact of the interactive displays, virtual projections and abundance of fascinating images is simply overwhelming. Nov 29-07 to Mar 31-08 form Tues-Sat, Apr 01-08 to Apr 30-08 Mon-Sat