7 minute read
Events
Hfx Wanderers FC
Neptune Theatre Year-round 1593 Argyle St., Halifax / 902-429-7070 neptunetheatre.com Elaborate world-class productions on the main stage, with innovative, edgy theatre in the Studio Series. Regular season runs September–June, concluding with Billy Elliot: The Musical (April 15–June 7). Neptune returns for a series of summer shows (contact box office for details).
Halifax Hurricanes December–April Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke St., Halifax 902-451-1221 / halifaxhurricanes.ca Halifax hoops team competes in the National Basketball League of Canada—fast-paced, minorpro, family-friendly sports action.
Halifax Mooseheads September–April Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke St., Halifax 902-451-1221 / halifaxmooseheads.ca The Mooseheads are Halifax’s major-junior hockey team, competing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League—training ground for future NHL stars like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
Halifax Thunderbirds November–April Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke St., Halifax 902-451-1221 / halifaxthunderbirds.com Quickly becoming a local favourite in their first season in the city, the Thunderbirds compete in the National Lacrosse League, the top tier for Canada’s other national sport.
Symphony Nova Scotia September–May Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Ave., Halifax / 902-494-3820 symphonynovascotia.ca Guest artists and special concerts throughout the season. Series include Masterworks (classical concerts with acclaimed guest stars), Symphonic
PHOTO: BRUCE MURRAY / VISIONFIRE
Halifax Thunderbirds
Fusion Concerts (an orchestral twist on rock and Broadway hits), Baroque Concerts, and annual favourites like the Christmas classic Handel’s Messiah. The 2019–20 season ends with Soul Sisters on May 8–9, featuring local singers Reeny and Mahalia Smith.
Hfx Wanderers FC April–October Wanderers Grounds, corner of Sackville and Summer streets, Halifax hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca Competing in the Canadian Premier League, a Tier 1 soccer league with teams from coast to coast, the Wanderers battle for both the Canadian and league championships.
Halifax Comedy Fest April 22–25 halifaxcomedyfest.ca Venues around the city host as this popular festival returns showcasing stand-up comics from across the country and around the world. This year’s lineup includes Salma Hindy, Mark Critch, Gavin Crawford, Nikki Payne, Rod Man, Bette MacDonald, and many others.
Stars on Ice April 24 Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke St., Halifax 902-451-1221 / ticketatlantic.com Top figure-skating talents from across Canada strut their stuff at this popular annual performance. The roster includes Olympians Elvis Stojko, Kurt Browning, Kaetlyn Osmond, Patrick Chan, and Kaitlyn Weaver.
Blue Nose Marathon May 15–17 bluenosemarathon.com Some 13,000 people will take part in a weekend of events, including a youth run, 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, team relay, and more. The main marathon, which is a Boston Marathon
Halifax Pride
qualifier, begins at the Old Town Clock on Sackville Street, winding through peninsular Halifax, across the Macdonald Bridge, through downtown Dartmouth, and back again.
Scotia Festival of Music May 24–June 7 902-429-9467 / scotiafestival.ns.ca Celebrating the best in classical music, this annual festival pairs local talents and visiting artists in intimate venues and large gala shows. Guest artists include Elissa Lee (violin), Airi Yoshioka (violin), Jon Novacek (pianist), Cameron Crozman (cellist), and more.
Cold Waters Seafood Festival June 6–7 Memory Lane Heritage Village, 5435 Clam Harbour Rd., Lake Charlotte heritagevillage.ca Sample an abundance of locally harvested fresh seafood: clams, oysters, mussels, lobsters, and
BEACH CLAM HARBOUR
4 2 N D A N N I V E R S A R Y SANDCASTLE COMPETITION
AUGUST 16, 2020
50 | Greater Halifax Visitor Guide 2020 Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts PHOTO: SCOTT MUNN PHOTO: TAMMY FANCY
smoked fish along with locally crafted specialties such as fish cakes and beans, and lobster rolls. Taste traditional heritage foods such as Solomon Gundy and seafood chowder.
Halifax Greek Fest June 11–14 St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 38 Purcells Cove Rd., Halifax / greekfest.org This lively celebration of Halifax’s Greek community is one of the city’s most popular annual festivals. Dance, music, art, Greek cuisine aplenty, wine tastings, and more.
Bedford Days June 30–July 5 DeWolfe Park, Waterfront Drive, Bedford bedforddays.ca This annual community celebration includes live entertainment, family-friendly events, a beer garden, a parade, fireworks, and more.
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo June 27–July 4 Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke St., Halifax 902-451-1221 / nstattoo.ca Military and civilian acts from around the world combine to put on a spectacular three-hour show, featuring marching bands, acrobatics, comedy, military displays, competitions, and more.
Shakespeare by the Sea July–October Point Pleasant Park, Tower Road entrance 902-422-0295 / shakespearebythesea.ca Live theatre al fresco, featuring the works of the Bard and other classics. Tickets are by donation (suggested $20). Bring your own chairs and blankets, or rent chairs for $2. The 82-seat Park Place Theatre hosts shows during foul weather.
Canada Day July 1 hrmcanadaday.ca pc.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel Halifax celebrates Canada’s birthday with special events around the city including pancake breakfasts, citizenship ceremonies, live entertainment, and fireworks. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site offers free admission throughout the day; live music, military ceremonies, and a 21-gun salute.
Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts July 8–19 peggyscoveareafestivalofthearts.com Peggy’s Cove and surrounding villages host as dozens of artists showcase their talents at the festival’s 10th anniversary. Studio tours, auctions, live entertainment, art sales, and more. From July 17–19, dozens of artists will work outdoors around Peggy’s Cove, mingling with visitors.
Lebanese Festival July 2–5 Olympic Community Centre, 2304 Hunter St., Halifax / lebanesefestival.ca Music, dance, and food, plus art exhibits, and cultural displays. Taste a variety of Lebanese food including: falafel, tabouli, hummus, shish taouk, grape leaves, and more.
Maritime Fiddle Festival July 3–6 maritimefiddlefestival.ca Several venues in Dartmouth host this beloved festival, back for its 71st year. Old-time fiddling, step dancing, roots music, concerts, and dances.
Halifax Jazz Festival July 7–12 902-492-2225 / halifaxjazzfestival.ca Jazz, blues, and world-music talents from around the globe take over the city’s stages. Free matinees in the Festival Tent on Lower Water Street, mainstage shows, intimate cabaret performances, late-night bar jams, and free shows in libraries and other public spaces.
Halifax Pride July 16–26 halifaxpride.com Atlantic Canada’s largest LGBTQ+ community hosts celebrations and special events, culminating in a big downtown parade, capped off with a mainstage show with local and international
Nocturne Halifax Oct. 17 nocturnehalifax.ca This unique festival of art after dark features exhibitions and live performances at venues around the city, creating a memorable one-nightonly artistic experience.
Halifax Seaport Cider and BeerFest Alessia Cara at Halifax Jazz Festival
Hal-Con Oct. 22–25 Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle St., Halifax / hal-con.com The East Coast’s biggest annual sci-fi, fantasy, comic-book, and gaming convention returns. Its busy schedule includes game tournaments, Q&As with actors and writers, and a costume contest.
performers at Pride Festival Grounds, plus a Community Fair at the Garrison Grounds.
Halifax Busker Festival July 29–Aug. 3 buskers.ca Magicians, comedians, musicians, contortionists, and comedians take over the downtown, with free shows every afternoon and evening at several different outdoor stages.
Natal Day Festival July 31–Aug. 3 natalday.org Marking the city’s founding, this holiday weekend offers family events, live concerts, a parade and an elaborate Fireworks display over Halifax Harbour.
Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition Aug. 16 158 Beach Rd., Lake Charlotte, clamharboursandcastle.ca Take in the largest sandcastle competition in Atlantic Canada. Free shuttle, food vendors, live music, and amazing sandcastles and sculptures.
Halifax Seaport Cider and BeerFest Aug. 7–8 Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Rd. seaportbeerfest.com Atlantic Canada’s largest gathering of craft beer, imports, and cider. Some 300 unique products. Regions of focus include Ireland, Maine, Ontario, and Quebec.
Freedom of the City with the 78th Highlanders Aug. 21 Halifax Citadel National Historic Site pc.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel The 78th Highlanders march through Halifax with bayonets fixed, drums beating, and colours flying. See a squad inspection at Halifax Citadel at 11am and then follow the Highlanders to Grand Parade and on to Government House.
FIN Atlantic International Film Festival Sept. 17–24 finfestival.ca Meet and mingle with filmmakers from around the world, as local talents showcase their works alongside international stars. Screenings, galas, concerts, parties, industry events, and more.
18th Century Revolutionary War Encampment Sept. 18–20 Halifax Citadel National Historic Site pc.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel Maritime history groups team up to create an 18thcentury military camp at Halifax Citadel. Details of camp life on display include camp cooking, washing, blacksmithing, and kids’ games.
Remembrance Day Nov. 11 pc.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel Special events around the city mark Canadians’ military service, including ceremonies at Grand Parade, Point Pleasant Park, Halifax Citadel, and various community cenotaphs. Halifax Citadel and the on-site Army Museum are open free 10am–3pm.
Victorian Christmas Nov. 28–29 Halifax Citadel National Historic Site pc.gc.ca/halifaxcitadel Celebrate the holidays with Victorian carols, crafts, games, and a visit from Father Christmas. Open noon to 4pm. Free admission with donation to Feed Nova Scotia.
CELEBRATING
10 TH ANNIVERSARY
OCTOBER 20-25, 2020 The WORLD’S LARGEST Food Film Festival
