Downtown Halifax is all geared up for the holidays with the DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN winter lighting program. Thanks to the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, the city received a glow-up with cool light shows and neat installations that turn the city centre into a holiday hotspot. So bundle up, grab a warm drink, and take a stroll to enjoy the festive ambience in Downtown Halifax – it’s the place to be for free family-friendly events this holiday season!

Check out the “Everything is Sparkling” Holiday Light Show at the old Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park. It’s playing from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm every night up to December 26 and features the catchy tune “It Snowed” by Halifax’s own Meaghan Smith. The Halifax Explosion Light Show is on from December 6 – 7 and the Winter Light Show runs December 27 – January 12. You can ring in the New Year with the New Year’s Light Show from December 30 – January 2, which plays until 1:00 am on New Year’s Eve.

At Peace and Friendship Park, the trees are decked out in lights, the poles are sporting snowflake designs, and a NEW 28-foot tree is bringing all kinds of bright. These lights will stick around until the end of March 2025. Plus, Granville Mall, Bedford Row, and Raymond Taavel Park are also getting in on the action with their own tree light wraps. And finally, don’t miss the winter-themed lights and window decals along Barrington Street for the winter months and the Halifax Christmas Tree at the Grand Parade that will be available to visit until early January.

Another holiday event that you won’t want to miss is the Evergreen Festival. On now until December 15, take a stroll to the Halifax Waterfront to take in all the festive fun and see all the twinkling light displays as part of the Evergreen Bright light trail. Don’t miss out on snapping a pic with the DELIGHTFUL Gift Box – an awesome spot for a family photo.

Wondering what else to do while you’re exploring the beautiful Downtown Halifax light displays? There are many shops to start or finish your holiday shopping so this would be a great time to shop local with the 2024 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide and find unique products you won’t find anywhere else!

Or how about enjoying a special holiday dinner or a holiday treat at one of the many restaurants and cafĂŠs around Downtown?

The holidays are also a great time to do something new or something you haven’t done in a long time like visiting one of the city’s world-class attractions – the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (which has FREE admission Thursday nights from 5-9 pm), the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Discovery Centre, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Other events happening around Downtown Halifax this holiday season include:

·        Nova Scotia Power Holiday Parade of Lights presented by Eastlink – December 8, 5 pm

·        Neptune Theatre’s Disney’s Frozen – on until January 5

·        Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy’s A Celtic Family Christmas – Lights House Arts Centre, December 6 – 7

·        New Year’s Eve 2025 – Grand Parade, December 31, 11 pm – 12:30 am

For full details on the light shows and to plan your visit, refer to the Downtown Halifax website or view the Evergreen Festival site. This holiday season, Downtown Halifax promises “delightful” festive lights and engaging experiences.

DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN

When: 2024/2025 holiday season
Where: Downtown Halifax & beyond
Website: www.downtownhalifax.ca/delightful