Whenever I work with a client looking to buy a Halifax condo, I always like to ask what brings them to Halifax. The most popular responses I receive are the ocean, their job, their schooling, being closer to family and the balance our city has between slow pace living and fun activities.
Although Halifax is the biggest city in Atlantic Canada, it still has the calm atmosphere of smaller towns in comparison to the rest of Canada’s major cities. Many agree that Halifax achieves a perfect balance of always having something to do and quiet relaxation.
For those who love to engage with their city, Halifax comes to life in the summer. Our famous Halifax Waterfront fills with residents and tourists alike in the warmer months. Patios open, events emerge and weekends are filled with sightseeing, shopping, dining, drinking and entertainment.
With its plenty of shops, local restaurants, outdoor activities and more, it’s hard to choose what to do on a summer weekend (Not a bad problem to have!).
In Downtown Halifax alone, there are over 400 restaurants, pubs, retailers, and service providers! Multiple condo owners who have been living here for years have told us that you could not visit every Halifax restaurant in a lifetime! Halifax is truly the hub for Maritimers, tourists and residents for entertainment and leisure in the summer months.
As a true Haligonian, I do not want to miss out on the best Halifax events of the summer, and if you are reading this, I bet you do not want to either. This is why we did our research and found 10 events that are not worth missing. Whether food, theatre, shopping or music is your thing, there will be an event for you on this list.
If you currently live in Halifax or are moving to Halifax soon, read through to get the info you need to up your summer game, have some fun, and see what our beautiful city has to offer.
Are you moving to Halifax this summer? Get our FREE Halifax Relocation Guide which covers everything you need to know before arriving!
1. Harbourside Ribfest
Dates: June 30 - July 3
Where: 2 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth NS B2Y 4W1
“After taking a couple of years off, Atlantic Canada’s largest volunteer-run event is back on!”
This year’s RibFest will feature:
no admission fee
5+ world-renowned ribbers
live entertainment all day
full bar serving beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks
Dates & Times
June 30th, 2022 5PM – 10PM
July 1st, 2022 10AM – 10PM
July 2nd, 2022 10AM – 10PM
July 3rd, 2022 11AM – 5PM
“This is a 100% volunteer-run event hosted by Rotary Halifax Harbour. Proceeds from vendor fees, bar sales, and on-site donations support local and international causes.”
2. The Curio Collective Summer Vintage Show
Date: July 9
Time: 10:00am-6:00pm
Where: Lighthouse Arts Centre
“ONE DAY ONLY! Join us July 9th for our Summer Vintage Show where 25 of the top local vendors bring their best vintage clothing, estate and costume jewelry, vintage, midcentury, records & collectibles to Downtown Halifax!”
3. TD Halifax Jazz Festival
Dates: July 12 - July 17
Time: All Day
Where: Halifax Waterfront
“Since 1987, HJF has organized a diverse range of musical and educational activities, including the annual Halifax Jazz Festival. The TD Halifax Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Atlantic Jazz Festival, is the oldest jazz festival and largest summer festival in Atlantic Canada. Designated a Hallmark Event by the Halifax Regional Municipality, the festival attracts up to 65,000 visitors, involves 400 volunteers and employs over 350 local musicians.
The Halifax Jazz Festival (HJF), formed as JazzEast Rising is a non-profit organization created in 1987 to present the first ever Halifax Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Atlantic Jazz Festival) in Nova Scotia, Canada. As a registered charity, HJF has widened its horizons beyond the successful TD Halifax Jazz Festival to become involved, throughout the year, in a diverse range of musical and educational activities.
HJF’s mandate runs from the promotion and presentation of soft-seat concerts and club shows to planning educational workshops (such as the renowned Creative Music Workshop). We develop opportunities for amateur musicians, established local artists and the local “jazz aristocracy”. We bring renowned performers from many parts of the world to a city that doesn’t always find itself naturally on the maps for touring artists.
In brief, we think jazz is important to the culture which we’d like to have, and we want to make sure that kind of culture is strong in Halifax, where we love to live.”
4. Halifax Pride Festival
Dates: July 14 - July 24
Time: All Day
Where: Garrison Grounds
“Mark you calendars, the Halifax Pride Festival is back July 14-24, 2022!
The Halifax Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2022 starting at 12:00PM in downtown Halifax. Learn more at halifaxpride.com.
The Halifax Pride Festival is an annual 11 day gathering in the Halifax Regional Municipality for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It features over 150 community and Pride organized events celebrating the history, culture, activism, and perseverance of the queer community.
While the Halifax Pride Society organizes a number of large and small scale events, we engage actively with various queer groups and individuals throughout the year to support them in the planning of their own events and activities.”
5. Halifax Busker Festival
Dates: July 27 - August 1
Time: All Day
Where: Halifax & Dartmouth
“This summer, Halifax Busker Festival will entertain thousands across Halifax and Dartmouth’s beautiful and historic downtown waterfronts.
Featuring the hilarious, wacky, and breathtaking entertainment that can only be found at the annual Halifax Busker Festival – crowds are treated to mind-blowing shows from the world’s top street performance artists as they showcase their unique talents and skills with acrobatics, music, visual arts, comedy, fire shows, and so much more.
Visit buskers.ca for more information.”
6. Movie Night in the Gardens by Fin Aiff
Date: July 29
Time: 8:45pm-11:15pm
Where: The Public Gardens
“Every FRIDAY, July 8 to July 29 8:45 to 11:15 PM
THE SUMMER OF SARAH POLLEY
July 8 My Life Without Me, 2003 (Rated 14A)
July 15 Away From Her, 2006 (Rated PG)
July 22: Take This Waltz, 2011 (Rated 18A)
July 29: Stories We Tell, 2012 (Rated PG)”
7. Jason Mraz & Raining Jane
Date: July 31
Time: 8:00pm-10:30pm
Where: Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
“Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz has announced the Lalalalivesongs Tour in celebration of Lalalalovesongs, his recently released collection of iconic ballads. Included in his most extensive run of Canadian dates in more than a decade, including a stop at Halifax’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Sunday, July 31.
Raining Jane, the all-female eclectic rock/folk band and Mraz’s longtime collaborators, will join Mraz on the trek.”
8. Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest
Dates: August 4-6
Time: 7:00am-10:00pm
Where: Halifax Seaport
THE 14TH ANNUAL HALIFAX SEAPORT CIDER & BEERFEST
AUGUST 4TH, 5TH, & 6TH 2022
“THE FESTIVAL IS BACK, 100% OUTDOORS & NOW INCLUDES FIZZFEST
We’re ‘Getting Fizzy With It!’ We’ve expanded to bring you a wide variety of refreshing hard seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, and sodas for to try, in addition to our extensive assortment of delicious craft beers and cider.
New licensing rules prohibit all-inclusive drinks ticket, so we’ve lowered admission. Your ticket now includes, 10 complimentary drink tickets for 4oz each (the max. allowed) and a souvenir 5oz. mug. Extra drink tickets are available onsite, 5 for $10, etc…and you’ll be able to “taste” before you buy at the stands.
A limited VIP ticket, for just $10 (+fees & taxes) includes 1-hour early access (1pm & 6pm) to interact with brewers and enjoy access to limited and specialty brews, and a souvenir glass. There are no extra drink tickets, just the original 10 all attendees receive.
Great food from Jamdouns, Asado Grill & King of Donair
Great tunes from DJ Lukas Stilldrunk”
9. Halifax Wanderers Football Match
Date: August 13
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Where: Wanderer Grounds
“HFX Wanderers Football Club, commonly known as HFX Wanderers, and also spoken as Halifax Wanderers, is a Canadian professional soccer club in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The club competes in the Canadian Premier League at the top of the Canadian soccer league system, and play their home matches at Wanderers Grounds.”
10. Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition
Date: August 21
Time: All Day (Starts at 9:00am)
Where: 158 Beach Road, Clam Harbour, NS
"The Halifax Regional Municipality is pleased to announce that the 42nd Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition will take place on Sunday, August 21, 2022 with gates opening at 9:00am.
2022 Event Description:
The sandcastle and sand sculpturing contest attracts over 10,000 people every year to the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. There are cash prizes for various categories. First Aid personnel and provincial lifeguards will be on site. There is an on-site bus shuttle service to transport people to and from the beach after the park opens at 9:00 AM. Only registered “Service Dogs” are permitted on the buses.
Bring a positive attitude and your sand building tools and skills. Please note there is a fee of $10 for adult groups to participate in the competition and no fee for children or youth. The Registration Tent will be available onsite as soon as you step onto the beach. No advanced registration. This event is rain or shine. Bring sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, water, snacks, and appropriate beach attire. Various food vendors will be on-site.
Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition was not permitted to take place over the last two years due to the Provincial Government State of Emergency. It is with great excitement that we announce the return of this Eastern Shore summer tradition. Look forward to seeing you at the beach!
For more information please contact Andrew Cox at coxa@halifax.ca or Shari Dillman at dillmas@halifax.ca.
Learn more about Clam Harbour’s famous sandcastle contest that attracts thousands of people to the Eastern Shore! View winners from past years and other pictures on the Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition Facebook page."
Let us know if you stop by one of these events this summer! We hope to see you there!
Sold on Halifax? Browse the Most Up-to-Date Condos for Sale now!
Jordan Gunn
Licensed Real Estate Assistant
The Andrew Perkins Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Select Realty
902-401-0373
