10 Things To Do in Halifax This August

Gear up for the Halifax Busker Festival and prepare yourselves for 6 days of show-stopping entertainment from some of the best performers across the globe on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.

Beyond these incredible performers, Buskers will also feature an electrifying midway at Alderney Landing, the Glow Party Family Fun Zone at Sands at Salter, plus a variety of vendors and food trucks to shop and eat from.

Halifax Busker Festival | July 31 – August 5 | Multiple locations

Natal Day Weekend is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to get festive in the city. From free concerts to family-friendly festivals and so much more, Natal Day Weekend is jam-packed with fun things to do for all crowds.

Grab a blanket and pull up a seat on the Halifax or Dartmouth waterfronts to see an epic fireworks show over the harbour on Saturday, August 3, and be sure to catch the 127th Pepsi Natal Day Parade on Monday, August 5.

Natal Day Weekend festivities | August 2-5 | Multiple locations

Make your way to the Halifax Seaport for the Halifax Cider & Beerfest + Fizzfest to sample an unlimited assortment of craft beers, premium imports, ciders, seltzers, sodas, and canned cocktails – with over 50% of offered beverages being unavailable in the NSLC or locally, this is the perfect opportunity to try something new. The best part? There’s something here for everyone to enjoy, no matter what your choice of beverage is.

With a live DJ, gourmet fare, and high spirits, there’s so much to love about this event.

Halifax Seaport Beerfest & Fizzfest | August 8-10 | Halifax Seaport

Prepare yourselves for the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, where legendary comedians will take the stage from August 9-11. While the event is almost completely sold out, there are still limited tickets to see headliners Nate Bargatze, Tom Segura, and Theo Von over 3 wildly hilarious nights this month. Grab tickets now before it’s too late.

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival | August 9-11 | Garrison Grounds

Looking for an event the whole family will love? Look no further than the Halifax County Exhibition, a 4-day celebration of the Musquodoboit Valley and beyond. This iconic exhibition has been a tradition for the past 140 years, featuring a kick-off parade, 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.

Take your weekend to the next level and turn your day trip into a staycation in Musquodoboit Valley; stay at cozy cottage or a luxury camper with buffalo as your neighbours at Lindsay Lake Farms, a geodesic dome among the trees at FlowEdge Riverside Getaway, or at Luna Rosa Chalet, a quiet lakeside cabin.

Halifax County Exhibition | August 14-17 | Halifax Co Exhibition

Hop across the harbour and enjoy 3 days of incredible live music from some of your favourite Canadian classic rock bands, including Titan, Haywire, Chilliwack, and 54-40. Choose to grab a pass for the whole festival or grab single-day tickets and get ready to rock out to iconic, unforgettable seaside tunes.

Rock the Harbour | August 16-18 | Alderney Landing 

The 7 Virtues Perfume Atelier recently opened its doors at the Queen’s Marque, bringing a unique, bespoke experience to the Halifax Waterfront, where guests can design their own personal perfume.

Step inside this Instagram-worthy workshop and allow expert alchemists to guide you through the process; smell a variety of fragrances and learn about the notes and stories behind them as you spray blotters along the perfume wall. Narrow down your favourite scents and blend them together to create your own unique signature fragrance. You’ll receive a tray with your bottle and pipettes to create your perfume with your chosen scents. Once you’ve created your one-of-a-kind fragrance, you’ll be able to customize your own label and decorate your perfume box. Perfect for experiencing with your besties, mom, or partner, make plans to book a session this month.

Make your way to the Eastern Shore on August 18 to see Clam Harbour Beach come to life with wild, whimsical sandcastles and sculptures. With over 10,000 attendees each year, this is undoubtedly one of the most iconic summer events in the Halifax region.

Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition | August 18 | Clam Harbour Beach

As summer break comes to a close, plan a day the whole family will love and get active at Splashifax, Nova Scotia’s only giant outdoor waterpark and obstacle course, and home to the largest inflatable unicorn in the world. Run, climb, slide, and jump around this massive floating park as you test your agility skills, or take it easy and watch all the action on Justin Beaver, Splashifax’s inflatable chill zone. Located on a quiet lake at Hatfield Farms, your Splash Pass will include complimentary access to the petting pens where you’ll meet donkeys, goats, cows, alpacas, and other fuzzy friends.

Get ready to catch intense, heart-pumping action on the Halifax waterfront during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, where 32 teams from across the globe will compete head-to-head through 80 matches over 5 days. This year, fans will have the option to purchase tournament packages for access to all matches, or individual tickets for as little as $10. Even if you’re not a major volleyball fan, Beach is sure to deliver some thrilling action you won’t want to miss.

Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour | August 21-25 | Halifax Harbour Waterfront