Halifax
Around Halifax
Photo: Gordon Leggett · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Nova Scotia · 465k people
Halifax
“Hali”, “City of Lakes”
A harbour city with a big heart.
Ocean bluePark green
Welcome to Halifax, where the harbour breeze meets friendly faces. Whether you're here for the donairs or the ocean views, you'll feel at home in no time. Come join the conversation and share what you love about this city.
Clubs for Halifax
No clubs for Halifax yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Halifax. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Halifax. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Waterfront boardwalk 3.8 km boardwalk along Halifax Harbour
- Citadel Hill Star-shaped fort with city views
- Peggy's Cove Lighthouse Iconic lighthouse on granite shore
- Halifax Public Gardens Victorian-era gardens in the city
- Point Pleasant Park Forested park with harbour views
- Halifax Seaport Farmers Market Historic farmers market at the waterfront
- Outdoors Walk the waterfront boardwalk
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Point Pleasant Park
- With kids Ride the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry
- With kids Explore the Discovery Centre
- Evenings Bar-hop on Argyle Street
- Evenings Catch live music at The Carleton
- Locals love Lobster shacks
- Locals love Donair shops
Through the year
- Halifax Jazz Festival July July music festival with local and international acts
- Halifax Pop Explosion October October indie music festival
- Halifax International Busker Festival July Street performers along the waterfront
- Halifax Seaport Beerfest August Craft beer tasting at the waterfront
- The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo July Military music and spectacle
Halifax has a maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. The best time to be out is from June to September. Best: June to September
Talk like a local
- “The 'fax”
- Short for Halifax
- “Dart”
- Short for Dartmouth
- “The Bridges”
- The two harbour bridges (Macdonald and MacKay)
- “B'y”
- Friendly term for friend, common in Atlantic Canada
Getaways
- Lunenburg UNESCO town with colourful waterfront
- Truro Gateway to the Bay of Fundy
- Kentville Annapolis Valley wine and apple country
- Charlottetown PEI's capital with historic charm
Local flavour
Teams
- Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL
- Halifax Wanderers Canadian Premier League
- Halifax Thunderbirds National Lacrosse League
Eat and drink
- Halifax donair A spiced beef wrap with sweet garlic sauce, a local icon.
- Garlic fingers Pizza-like bread with garlic butter and cheese, often with donair sauce.
- Lobster roll Fresh Atlantic lobster in a buttered bun, a maritime staple.
- Fish and chips Haddock or cod, battered and fried, served with tartar sauce.
- Blueberry grunt A traditional Nova Scotia dessert of blueberries and dumplings.
- Dulse Dried seaweed, a salty snack unique to the region.
Where people go
- Waterfront boardwalk A 4 km boardwalk along the harbour with shops, restaurants, and views.
- Citadel Hill A star-shaped fort overlooking the city, a historic landmark.
- Peggy's Cove lighthouse An iconic lighthouse on the rocky shore, a must-see.
- Public Gardens A Victorian-era garden in the heart of the city.
- Lobster shacks Casual spots serving fresh lobster and seafood.
- Donair shops Late-night spots serving the classic Halifax donair.
- Historic pubs Pubs with live music and maritime character.
Heritage and traditions
Halifax is proud of its deep maritime heritage, friendly and resilient people, and its role as a cultural and economic hub of Atlantic Canada.
This time of year in Halifax
- Harvest festivals Fall Fall is marked by harvest markets, apple picking, and Thanksgiving dinners featuring local produce.
Say it like a local: “Supper” — The evening meal, often called dinner elsewhere.
Festivals
- Halifax Pride July One of the largest Pride festivals in Atlantic Canada, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities with parades and events.
- Natal Day First Monday of August Celebrates the founding of Halifax and Dartmouth with parades, fireworks, and community events.
- Halifax Multicultural Festival July Showcases music, dance, and food from diverse cultures in the city.
- Halifax Greek Fest September Celebrates Greek culture with traditional food, music, and dancing.
- Halifax Fringe Festival August-September A theatre festival featuring independent and experimental performances.
- Halifax Comedy Festival April Brings local and international comedians to venues across the city.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Paul's Anglican Church The oldest Protestant church in Canada, built in 1750, with a rich history and beautiful interior.
- St. Mary's Basilica A stunning Roman Catholic cathedral with Gothic Revival architecture, serving the archdiocese.
- Pier 21 The Canadian Museum of Immigration, where over a million immigrants entered Canada from 1928 to 1971.
- Africville Museum Commemorates the historic African Nova Scotian community of Africville, which was displaced in the 1960s.
- Old Town Clock A landmark clock tower on Citadel Hill, built in 1803, offering panoramic views of the city.
- Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower A memorial to the 1917 Halifax Explosion, with a carillon that plays regularly.
Food traditions
- Hodge Podge A Nova Scotia summer stew of fresh vegetables (like beans, carrots, and potatoes) in a creamy broth, often served as a Sunday dinner.
- Rappie pie An Acadian dish made from grated potatoes and meat (usually chicken or pork), baked until golden and crispy.
- Oysters Halifax is close to prime oyster-growing areas, and locals enjoy shucking and eating fresh oysters at the shore or in bars.
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene Halifax has a vibrant indie rock scene, with bands like Sloan and Thrush Hermit emerging from the 1990s.
- Celtic music Strong Scottish and Irish heritage influences traditional fiddle and pipe music, especially in pubs and festivals.
- Symphony Nova Scotia The province's professional symphony orchestra, based in Halifax, performs classical and contemporary works.
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Houses a significant collection of folk art, including works by Maud Lewis, and rotating exhibitions.
A little history
- 1749 Halifax was founded as a British military outpost.
- 1917 The Halifax Explosion, the largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima, devastated the city.
- 1912 Halifax became a major burial site for Titanic victims; over 150 are interred in local cemeteries.
- 1939-1945 Halifax was a key naval base and convoy departure point during World War II.
- 1818 Dalhousie University was founded, becoming one of Canada's leading universities.
Rivalries
- Dalhousie vs Saint Mary's University sports rivalry
- Halifax Mooseheads vs Moncton Wildcats QMJHL hockey rivalry
- Halifax Wanderers vs Forge FC CPL soccer rivalry
- Halifax vs Dartmouth Friendly city rivalry across the harbour
- Game day Halifax Mooseheads hockey games
- Game day Halifax Wanderers soccer
- Outdoors Sailing on the harbour
- Outdoors Hiking the Bluff Trail
- With kids Visiting the Africville Museum
- With kids Feeding the ducks at Sullivan's Pond
Halifax English is a blend of Canadian and Maritime accents, with some Scottish and Irish influences. Locals often speak with a friendly, relaxed tone and use phrases like 'eh' and 'supper' for dinner. The accent is not as strong as in Newfoundland but has a distinct Maritime lilt.
Only here
- The Halifax Explosion of 1917 was the largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima, and the city rebuilt with remarkable resilience.
- Halifax is home to the world's oldest continuously operating saltwater ferry service, crossing the harbour since 1752.
- Over 150 victims of the Titanic are buried in Halifax, making it a significant site for Titanic history.
- The city is famous for its fog, which can roll in suddenly and create a mystical atmosphere along the waterfront.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the fog—it's a defining feature of Halifax weather and adds to the city's charm.
- Try a Halifax donair with sweet garlic sauce; it's a local obsession you'll quickly understand.
- Take the ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth for stunning views of the skyline and harbour.
- Carry an umbrella or rain jacket—Halifax gets plenty of rain throughout the year.
- Learn about the Halifax Explosion and the Titanic connection; these events are deeply woven into local identity.
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Nearby
Every areaSouth ShoreNova ScotiaWhere the Atlantic shapes every day.TruroNova ScotiaTides, trails, and true Maritime charmKentvilleNova ScotiaWhere the apple blossoms bloom and the tides roll in.Annapolis ValleyNova ScotiaOrchards, vineyards, and the world's highest tides.New GlasgowNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the highlands and the pizza is legendary.North ShoreNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the hills, and the welcome is warm.CharlottetownPrince Edward IslandThe little city that started a nationMonctonNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the welcome is warm.
Halifax. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.