Discover Halifax

08/22/2025

While the weather may appear to be relatively normal in Halifax today, it is strongly advised to take extra caution and keep distance from our shores due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

While Hurricane Erin is not expected to come close to land, the storm is likely to cause very large swells along the coast, potentially reaching 4-5m in some areas. When these waves reach the shore, they create strong, fast-flowing rip currents that pull away from the coast, causing dangerous conditions for swimmers even when the hurricane itself is far offshore.

Currently, provincial parks, including beaches, remain open for visitors and camping, but if conditions worsen, they may be closed. If you're exploring the Halifax region today, take some time to check conditions before heading out. Avoid swimming at beaches, stay off any black rocks, and check in with Nova Scotia Provincial Parks for updates.

Provincial Parks Weather Advisory
We are closely monitoring weather forecasts for Hurricane Erin. Currently, provincial parks remain open for visitors and camping. If conditions worsen and warrant closures, we will post them on our website and social media.

Storm hazards that are often associated with tropical storms include high winds, rip currents, storm surge, localized flooding, and downed trees.

Visitors are reminded to check conditions before heading out.

08/20/2025

As summer begins to come to a close, make some memories with the kids that will last long beyond the season with these fantastic family-friendly attractions. 🦄🛩️🍦

Discover the best things to see and do with your family in Halifax. Explore museums and galleries, ride the amphibious Harbour Hopper tour and learn something new at Halifax's waterfront science centre!

08/19/2025

Step into the history of Halifax, where centuries-old tales echo through some of the city’s iconic watering holes. 🍺🕯️👻

These establishments not only serve up classic East Coast hospitality, they also serve as portals to the past, where the spirits of history linger in every corner. Discover the chilling stories behind these establishments, where the rich tapestry of Halifax’s history meets the present in a spine-tingling blend of fact and folklore. ⚓🧭📜

Step into the history of Halifax, where centuries-old tales echo through some of the city's iconic watering holes.

08/19/2025

If you’re in the mood for dancing, you won’t want to miss Vibrancy Festival as it takes over the Halifax Citadel for 2 electrifying nights this weekend. 🎶⚡✨

Vibrancy Festival is bringing some of the world’s most exciting names in house and techno, including genre pioneers from Juan Atkins and Todd Edwards to today’s newest killers including HNTR, Avalon Emerson, OMNOM and more. 🌃🎶🌙

➡️ Find out everything you need to know about Vibrancy Festival: https://bit.ly/4oHmo0D

08/19/2025

While activities in the woods are currently restricted in Nova Scotia, our beaches are open to enjoy. 🏖️☀️✨

Whether you’re looking for a coastal adventure, planning a family beach day, or seeking a relaxing seaside retreat, this selection of local favourites offers some of the best beaches in the Halifax region. 👇

From warm waters and white sand, to big waves and killer surf, we're sharing some of the best beaches in the Halifax Region!

08/18/2025

Rising from the granite shores about two nautical miles from the entrance to the Halifax Harbour, the Sambro Lighthouse has been guiding sailors since 1759, making it the oldest operating lighthouse in the Americas. 🌊💡🧭

Built about a decade after Halifax was founded, construction of the lighthouse didn’t come easy. The first plan was to fund it through a lottery, but when too few tickets sold, the province stepped in, using liquor duties to raise the money. 📜⚒️🍻

The original tower was a sturdy, white stone structure, standing 60ft tall, equipped with a light fuelled by fish oil. If the flame went out and no ships were in sight, keepers often just left it dark for the night. To protect the mortar from deterioration from the salty weather, the tower was sheathed with wood shingles. By 1906, the lighthouse grew to 82ft and was fitted with a new Fresnel lens shipped all the way from France, which has since been replaced, and can now be found at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.🎣🕯️🌧️

Two years later, the now-famous red stripes were painted on so it could be spotted against snowy backdrops. In fog, Sambro was originally equipped with cannons to answer ship signals, which were later replaced by a steam foghorn, then bomb rockets, after that acetylene guns, and finally, in 1963, a diaphone. In 2008 the diaphone was replaced by electronic horns. Swipe to the end of this carousel to see the lighthouse standing proudly in its glory, long ago. 🌨️💣📢

The Sambro Lighthouse was declared a National Historic Site in 1937. For more than 260 years, this lighthouse has stood guard at the entrance to Halifax. It has witnessed Royal and Canadian Navy ships passing in both peace and war, welcomed immigrants, war brides, and refugees to new beginnings, and watched over fishing boats, tall ships, and racing yachts alike. For generations of sailors, Sambro has been both a last farewell and the first sign of a safe return home. 🌊🛳️⛵✨

📍 Sambro Island, Nova Scotia
📷 | https://bit.ly/4fFVoux
📷 | https://bit.ly/4lmlRiH

08/18/2025

If you're looking to get out into nature while still respecting the restrictions on entering the woods in Nova Scotia, here's an experience for you. 👇

Terroir & Wild Ecotours have been given a permit from Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources to carry on with their tours, and on August 24, they're inviting you on a wild foraging tour, capped off with a 6-course gourmet lunch. 🫐🍽️🌿

08/14/2025

Get excited – the Halifax County Exhibition is officially on. 🐄🥇🥧

This charming exhibition channels all the nostalgic vibes of a classic county fair, from the beloved 4-H shows to the pie-eating contests. Until August 16, enjoy livestock shows and competitions, live music and magic shows, fresh flowers and vegetables, a midway filled with games and rides, and tasty treats from a variety of local food vendors. 🐴🎡🍦

➡️ Find out everything you need to know about the Halifax County Exhibition: https://bit.ly/4oCblG1

08/12/2025

The Department of Natural Resources is responding to wildfire in the Susies Lake area of Halifax.

Police are asking the public to avoid the Bayers Lake area as evacuations and street closures are underway.

8:25 PM Update: Susies Lake wildfire estimated at 25-30 hectares. Out of control but progress being made. 12 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) firefighters, 30 Halifax Fire and Emergency, some staying overnight. One DNR helicopter dropping water. Planes lent by New Brunswick returning home, could return if needed. Next update after 9 am tomorrow.

---

5:55pm Update: DNR crew, 2 helicopters and Hfx Fire & Emergency on scene at Susies Lake wildfire. Estimated 6-10 hectares. NB 802 planes have dropped retardant, returning home, replaced by 2 NB CL415s dropping water. 3rd DNR helicopter arriving soon. Please avoid area. Next update this evening.

---

4:45pm Update: Eight Department of Natural Resources crew, two helicopters on scene at Susies Lake wildfire with 30 Halifax Fire and Emergency.

Estimated 6 hectares. Halifax Regional Municipality evacuating Dugger McNeil Dr. building. Nova Scotia Health evacuating Bayers Lake Outpatient Centre due to smoke. New Brunswick planes en route. Please avoid area. Next update this evening.
----
Department of Natural Resources is responding to wildfire in the Susies Lake area of Halifax. Halifax Regional Municipality is managing evacuation of commercial building on Dugger McNeil Drive.

DNR helicopter and four 802 planes from New Brunswick are en route. Size not yet known. People are asked to avoid the area. Next update this afternoon or evening.

08/08/2025

The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival kicked off with a stellar night of laughter and a roaring applause. 🎉🎤👏

➡️ Looking to join the laughter? Grab some last-minute tickets to catch Tony Hinchcliffe & the Killers of Kill Tony headlining tonight's show, joined by some more wildly hilarious talent: https://bit.ly/4fKkFSW

08/07/2025

Nova Scotia has restricted activities in the woods and banned open fires because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires.

We've compiled some information to help visitors and locals understand these restrictions:
🟦 What defines "woods"?
Woods, as defined in the provincial Forests Act, include forested land, rock barren, brush land, dry marsh, bog or muskeg. Trail systems are also off-limits, including any trails that are part of any active transportation routes through woods.

🟦 What type of activities are restricted?
Hiking, camping, fishing, and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted. Camping is allowed only in official campgrounds, such as provincial parks and private campgrounds.

🟦 What areas are accessible during these restrictions?
Beaches and non-wooded parks are open to enjoy. Parks with non-woods areas – such as greenspaces, playgrounds, sports fields, and ball diamonds – will remain open for use. For parks which have both woods and non-woods areas, the woods are closed and the non-wooded areas remain open. An example of this would be Fort Needham Memorial Park where the monument, playground and sports field remain open but the woods are closed.

Restrictions will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.

➡️ Find the most up-to-date information and FAQs here: https://bit.ly/455SICI

➡️ If you have any questions regarding these restrictions, call 311, or contact your local Department of Natural Resources office: https://bit.ly/4lecGA5

08/04/2025

From shopping to dining, attractions, and more, find out what's open today across the Halifax region. 🛍️🍴🗺️

*Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all businesses open or closed in Halifax on this day. We encourage you to call ahead or check online if the business you wish to visit is not listed here.

Visiting Halifax over the holidays? Find out what’s open in Halifax over the upcoming holiday.