Annual Art Festivals in Halifax

Spanning nearly two weeks in July, the Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts showcases local artists and their connection to the region. It is comprised of two primary components: Paint Peggy’s Cove and the Studio Tour.  

The festival kicks off with an enchanting opening night gala (July 8) at Hubbards Barn. Next, artists paint en Plein Air over three days (July 10-12) during the Paint Peggy’s Cove event, capturing the essence of the iconic village. The freshly painted works of art will be available for purchase in the large Mongolian yurt (round tent), offering a chance to take home a piece of this unforgettable landscape. Free creative activities are available for young art enthusiasts in the children’s art tent.  

The three-day Studio Tour (July 17-19) allows guests to embark on a self-guided tour of over 40 artist studios  to witness the artistic process firsthand through live demonstrations and captivating displays. Explore quaint communities, quiet coves, and sheltered inlets along Peggy’s Cove Road as you hop between creative spaces, with the unique opportunity to purchase artwork directly from the creators.

The Halifax Mural Festival brings colour and creativity to the city as artists transform building exteriors into large-scale works of public art. The festival spans Downtown Halifax, the North End, and the West End, with designated walls in each neighbourhood selected for brand-new murals each year. More than 20 artists participate annually. 

A festival map helps track where new murals are in progress, and where completed pieces can be found, making it easy to plan a self-guided mural walk. Local businesses offer exterior walls for the event, and throughout the festival, you can watch artists bring their visions to life from the first sketch to the final details. 

Grab a coffee or a treat from a local business and spend an afternoon wandering between mural sites. Each artist works at their own pace, so every visit reveals something new. The festival helps you experience Halifax’s creative spirit—and meet the artists shaping it. 

The Halifax Fringe Festival, is a celebration of performing arts, offering an exciting variety of live shows across the city. If you love experiencing art and music in person, this is 11 days of entertainment that you won’t want to miss.  

Fringe offers more than 50 shows in carefully selected venues throughout Downtown Halifax and the North End, including The Bus Stop Theatre Co-op and Neptune Theatre.  

The festival features theatre, circus, dance, comedy, and more, showcasing local, national, and international artists. New this year, the festival is adding a kid-friendly program: Kids’ Fringe takes place September 6th and 13th, 2026 at the Halifax Central Library. 

All events are ticketed, and 100% of ticket sales go directly to the artists, supporting their work and creativity. There are big headliners as well as smaller hidden gems, so everyone can find a unique show to enjoy. 

Halifax Fringe is deeply inclusive, prioritizing accessibility and equity. They centre and support the artist, because the performers are what makes this festival truly special. 

The Prismatic Arts Festival celebrates and showcases innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada, presenting vibrant, boundary-pushing performances in theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts, media arts, and spoken word. 

Taking place over approximately 10 days, the festival features a mix of paid and free shows, including tiered, affordable options that make it accessible to a wide audience. Performances happen across the city in venues such as the Neptune Theatre, The Bus Stop Theatre, The Carleton and occasionally even beyond Halifax. 

One night you might enjoy an electrifying jazz concert, and the next, a hilarious theatre performance. The festival truly is a spectacular way to discover new art by some of the best professional Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across the country.

Established in 2008, this boutique-style, multidisciplinary festival invites audiences to experience sounds, languages, cultures, and artistry that linger in the mind and heart long after the curtain falls. The festival is deeply conscious of accessibility and inclusion, striving to ensure these values are reflected in every facet of the event. 

Nocturne transforms Downtown Halifax and Downtown Dartmouth into a city-wide arts experience for one unforgettable night. On the main evening—Saturday—art installations and performances pop up on nearly every corner across Downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. Each year has a new theme, and the experiences are as varied as they are surprising: acrobatics, chalk art, light shows, and more. 

Pick up a warm drink from a local café and wander the streets alongside tens of thousands of fellow art-lovers. Since 2022, Nocturne has consistently drawn 60,000+ attendees—a huge leap from its inaugural 2008 event, which welcomed roughly 4,000 visitors. The energy is truly one-of-a-kind: imagine your everyday city streets suddenly filled with interactive art and live performances—all free and open to the public.