Festivals

Halifax Ribfest is a mouthwatering event that takes place on the Halifax Waterfront. Visitors can sample from ‘ribbers’ who hail from all over Canada and the United States. If ribs aren’t your thing, you’ll also find chicken, kettle corn, fries, ice cream and other tasty treats, plus gluten free options. There is also a full lineup of performers to keep you entertained while you eat. Admission to Halifax Ribfest is free and minors are allowed onsite until 9 p.m.

The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo isn’t actually a festival, but a week-long show that has been held every year in Halifax for four decades. The show features bagpipes, marching bands, highland dancers, acrobats, music, military traditions, and more. Ticket prices range from $25 to $99.50.

Halifax ComedyFest is a four day event held every April. The festival features over 30 comedians from all over North America. ComedyFest has been entertaining Halgonians since 1995 and is one of the longest running comedy festivals in Canada.

The Halifax Busker Festival has been entertaining visitors and locals for over 30 years. Busker acts (like magicians, acrobats, comedians and fire breathers) from around the world perform at various locations on the Halifax Waterfront. In addition to the performers, there are also international vendors selling everything from food to jewellery. Admission to the festival is free, but it is highly recommended that you tip the buskers at the end of their performance.

Halifax Seaport Beerfest allows visitors to sample from over 300 craft beer, imports, and ciders. In addition to a great selections of local brews, the festival also features international beers from places like Ireland, Iceland, and Belgium. There are also gluten free and non-alcoholic options. Plus, there’s plenty of beer-friendly food on hand. Regular tickets are $50 ($55 for Saturday night) and include festival entry, beer samples, and a souvenir mug.

Halifax Pride Festival is a celebration of our LGBTQ community. Pride week has a slew of fun activites, like a block party, King and Queen of Pride Pageant, Drag Queen bingo, and, the main event, the Pride Parade.

Halifax Greek Fest has been taking place on the second weekend of June for over 30 years. The Greek community proudly shares its culture with visitors, filling their bellies with tasty, authentic Greek food and entertaining them with traditional music and dance. Tickets are $5 for the day and seniors 65+ and children under 10 are admitted free.

FIN Atlantic International Film Festival celebrates film, media, and music from around the world. From feature length to shorts, regional to international, the festival showcases some of the best the movie industry has to offer. It also provides networking and learning opportunities for those looking to make a name in the business.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Halifax Pop Explosion is an annual festival that allows music lovers to explore genres like punk, country, folk, hip hop, indie, rock, and more. Local and international, up-and-coming and established artists play at more than 15 venues across Halifax.

Hal-Con is a sci-fi and gaming convention that is held each October in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hal-Con has attracted celebrities like Star Trek: The Next Generation’s LeVar Burton, Billy Dee Williams from Star Wars, and Laura Vandervoort from Smallville. The convention includes discussion panels, seminars, costume contests, gaming and more.