10 Things To Do in Halifax This October

1. Deepen your understanding of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous culture

Explore Mi'kmaq and Indigenous Culture at These Halifax Exhibits

October marks Mi’kmaw History Month, a month to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.

The Mi’kmaq (meeg-maw) are the Indigenous people of the Maritime region in Canada, which encompasses present-day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, parts of the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec, and Maine. This area is known as Mi’kma’ki (meeg-maw-gi). Archeological findings have shown evidence of Mi’kmaw presence in and around the area for thousands of years. They have a rich cultural heritage and a deep spiritual connection to the land.

Halifax is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. The people of the Mi’kmaw Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.

This month, take time to deepen your understanding of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous culture; explore the unique perspectives and experiences of Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island through personal stories, artifacts, and artwork at a local exhibit or gallery, and make plans to check out a local event or interactive workshop this month.

2. Immerse yourself in full colour at an art festival

If art is your jam, be sure to check out some of Halifax’s most beloved festivals happening around the city.

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

Bundle up, grab your pals, and get ready for Nocturne, a city-wide nighttime art show filled with interactive displays by incredible artists. Many local businesses offer special deals, free treats, and fun workshops, making it the perfect excuse to get out and explore.

Prismatic Arts Festival | September 26 – October 6 | Multiple locations

Nocturne | October 17-20 | Multiple locations

3. Treat your ears to some live tunes in intimate venues at a music festival

Ask a Local: Live Music in Halifax

As temperatures cool and the weather turns moody, there’s nothing like cozying up to some incredible live music in an intimate venue.

Two music festivals are happening this month, both bringing all the autumn feels to Halifax. Catch a variety of laidback and upbeat shows during the Halifax Urban Folk Festival, from intimate solo performances from Rose Cousins, to a headbanging rager with all-femme punk band, NOBRO.

Nowadays Festival is also happening this month, delivering incredible shows in small, charming venues that ooze coziness. While the festival happens from October 10-13, Nowadays is delivering one extra bonus show on October 30, where Destroyer, one of Canada’s most enigmatic and cherished songwriters, will take the stage in a low-lit, quaint deconsecrated church.

October wraps up with Rejigged Festival, a celebration of Celtic music and dance at St. Andrews United Church. But it’s not just about the music – this festival offers a variety of engaging workshops where you can learn traditional dance steps, explore Celtic instruments, or discover the fascinating history behind the tunes. Whether you’re a music lover, a dance enthusiast, or just seeking a unique Celtic experience, you’re guaranteed some incredible entertainment here.

4. Toast the coast at the Halifax International Spirit Fest

Raise a glass to craft spirits from near and far at the Halifax International Spirit Fest. Set to become Atlantic Canada’s largest celebration of craft spirits, this three-day festival features a variety of events, from special tasting sessions to a range of master classes, and even dining events that celebrate local food, amplified by a selection of international spirits. If you’re looking for the perfect excuse for a night out in Halifax, look no further.

Halifax International Spirit Fest | October 3-5 | Multiple locations

5. Get your sports fix

13 Restaurants Within a 3-Minute Walk from the Scotiabank Centre

Halifax is jam-packed with sporting events this month. Catch the first Halifax Mooseheads home game of the season on October 4 and get ready to give it all for the final HFX Wanderers home game of 2024 on October 19.

Feel like being part of the action? Lace up for Salty 7, a fun-spirited race in Cole Harbour Heritage Park. Race through curvy twists on gravel trails along the ocean and across hidden river bridges before jumping into some more technical root-filled trails through deeper forests, all while catching Halifax’s fall foliage at its peak. Salty 7 welcomes everyone, from first-time trail runners to experienced runners, making it the perfect way to get active with the whole family.

Get ready to hang on the edge of your seat for October’s most anticipated sporting event, Skate Canada International, where World Figure Skating Champions in three disciplines, including pair gold medalists Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada, three-time women’s World Champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, and the men’s current World Record Holder Ilia Malinin of the USA will compete head-to-head and deliver a thrilling show on the ice that you won’t want to miss.

6. Spook yourself into the Halloween spirit

From haunted houses to ghost ship cruises, horror film, and so much more, there are tons of hair-raising experiences happening this month in Halifax, if you dare to be scared.

Beware: Some of these experiences are not appropriate for all ages. Check event details to learn about age restrictions and what to expect.

7. Take forest bathing to the next level

Grab your best plaid and head for the woods at the Nova Scotia Forest Festival, a showcase of the many ways Nova Scotians connect to our forests for their livelihood, housing, recreation, food, and heritage. Surround yourself in fall foliage on a guided nature walk, test your axe-throwing skills, and cozy up by a fire with some comfort food and live music among the forest brush. If you’re looking to take forest bathing to the next level, look no further than this tree-mendous festival.

Nova Scotia Forest Festival | October 5 | Memory Lane Heritage Village

8. Embark on a nocturnal journey at the Discovery Centre's newest exhibit

Have you ever wondered what happens when the sun sets, and the world falls asleep? Uncover the mysteries of nocturnal creatures, learn how humans and animals adapt to darkness, and discover the incredible science that thrives under the cover of night at the Discovery Centre’s newest exhibition, Worlds of the Night.

Step into a nighttime world full of immersive displays and hands-on activities. Solve the puzzle of how owls hunt in the dark, find out what makes fireflies glow, or navigate your way through a starry night sky. You’ll also be able to test your sense with critter sounds and night vision. Finish this experience off with a Live Star Show in the Discovery Centre’s Dome Theatre for the ultimate nocturnal adventure.

Worlds of the Night | On until January 6 | Discovery Centre

9. Connect with the cosmos at the SeaLight SkyLight Festival

Cruise out to the Eastern Shore for an out-of-this-world experience at the SeaLight SkyLight Festival. Enjoy live music, get interactive with some hands-on workshops for all ages, and learn about astronomy and our oceans during the day. As the sun falls below the horizon and candles are lit, get ready to be dazzled by the night sky and ocean bioluminescence for the dreamiest evening experience.

SeaLight SkyLight Festival | October 5 | The Deanery Project

10. Fill up on local goods at a festive fall market

Halifax is bursting with fall markets this month. Stock up on farm-fresh produce and browse through one-of-a-kind goods from local artisans at one of these festive markets for the perfect autumn outing.

Bonus

Catch peak fall foliage

5 Places to Experience Stunning Fall Colours in Halifax

Fall brings crisp air and vibrant pops of red and yellow to Halifax. Catch the best views of the leaves and landscapes up close on a hike in the region, or climb aboard a Fall Colours Cruise along the Northwest Arm to marvel from afar.

Fall Colours Cruise | October 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 | Cable Wharf