For most people who visit Halifax spending money is incredibly easy. With the cost of accommodations, the museums, the art galleries, the tours, and the food, all end up taking a toll on your wallet. However, visiting Halifax in the summer does not need to break the bank. There are many budget-friendly options available to pick from, and there are also many activities that are completely free that you can enjoy.
Explore the Waterfront
The Halifax Waterfront is one of the largest boardwalks in the world at 4 km long. During the summer months, there is so much to see and do around the waterfront. The scenery on the waterfront changes daily; one day you might see a cruise ship in town and the next day you may see a yacht docked along the boardwalk. You should take some time and explore the beautiful waterfront this summer.
Dartmouth Sunshine Series – June 25 – August 7, 2023
The 2023 Dartmouth Sunshine Series is back with 7 weekends of programming at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park. The Series will kick off on Sunday, June 25th in partnership with Dartmouth Open Street.
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Celebrate Canada Day
Canada Day celebrations will be returning with grand fireworks and fantastic concerts! Celebrate Canada’s 156th birthday with plenty of fun activities! The programming will include the Mawio’mi on the Halifax Waterfront, a Dartmouth Summer Sunshine Series free concert, a Multi-Stage experience on the Halifax Waterfront featuring multiple genres of music – and the day time and night time headliners will take to the SKY! for the first time ever the The Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds will host an Air Show at lunch time over the Halifax Harbour.
Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo Festival – June 30 to July 3, 2023
Although the Tattoo Festival is ticketed, you can still enjoy the Tattoo Festival: FREE events along the Halifax Waterfront, the Halifax Public Gardens, the Korean Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia. Plus in 2023, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will soar over the skies of Halifax as part of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo’s Festival celebrations on July 1st.
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Stroll through the Public Gardens
The Public Gardens have been the heart of downtown Halifax for over a century. Today, the gardens are 16 acres of flowers, plants, statues, fountains, ponds, and more. This breathtaking oasis is the perfect place to stop and smell the roses.
Have a Picnic at Point Pleasant Park
In Halifax’s South End is Point Pleasant Park, which is home to 35 km of walking trails and great places to relax. There are many sections that are off-leash if you are a dog owner. You can enjoy a picnic along with amazing views of the Harbour.
Hang Out at the Halifax Central Library
The Halifax Central Library is a popular hangout, and it’s not hard to see why. The lovely building has five floors and a rooftop terrace. There are many free classes and workshops offered at the library.
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Rollerblade or Roller Skate at The Emera Oval
During the summer, the Emera Oval at the Halifax Commons becomes a roller skating rink. If you do not own a pair of roller skates, you can use a pair from the free Rollerblade rentals. You can also ride a bike or scooter around the Oval.
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Cook in the Open Oven
The Park Avenue Community Oven is an outdoor community oven and urban garden in the Dartmouth Common. On Thursdays and Saturdays, the oven is lit from noon until 3 pm, so you can bring food and cook it in the oven. It is a great way of connecting with other people and enjoying a meal alfresco.
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Hike Duncan’s Cove
Duncan’s Cove is one of the best places to visit if you love to go hiking. The 4 km hike can be challenging at times due to the rough terrain, so you should plan for the hike to take a few hours. There are two WWII bunkers on the trail that you can visit.
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Halifax Busker Festival – August 2 – 7, 2023
The oldest and biggest Busker festival in Canada, the Halifax International Buskers Festival takes over the waterfront district for 6 unforgettable days. International and national performers travel to Halifax from all over the world to showcase their unique talents and skills. The Halifax Busker Festival is open to the public and has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Halifax Jazz Festival – July 11 – 16, 2023
For over 30 years, The Halifax Jazz Festival has been bringing talented jazz artists to the city. Visitors can enjoy free daytime shows on the waterfront, while the evening jazz shows are held at select bars in downtown Halifax.
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Get a Lesson about Maritime Military Aviation at the Shearwater Aviation Museum
If you’re an aviation buff or would just like to learn more about Maritime Military Aviation history, you should take a couple of hours to visit the Shearwater Aviation Museum. The museum contains a variety of planes and helicopters from World War II to the 1960s, a small restoration area where they repair aircraft, a hallway of plaques, a gift shop, and much more for visitors to discover.
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Splash Around at the Halifax Commons
The Halifax Commons Playground, Pool, and Splash Pad is the perfect place to cool off with the family on a hot summer day. The large, simple splash pad is a great option for kids and adults who are looking to cool off quickly. The pool also has free swimming times and lessons available.
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Go Swimming at Kearney Lake Playground and Beach
This popular playground also has a small sandy beach that you can relax on or take a dip in the water. The Kearney Lake Playground and Beach has lifeguards on duty during the summer. The playground equipment and swings are fun for kids of all ages.
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See the Heart-Shaped Pond and Hike the Ravine
The ‘Heart-Shaped Pond’ is a popular spot for couples and is a part of the Hemlock Ravine. The hiking trails are well-groomed and there are three 1 km loops that you can pick from. The highest point at the ravine overlooks the Bedford Basin.
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York Redoubt
This national historic site was a part of the same network of forts as the Citadel and was used in World War II as a Command Centre. Today, York Redoubt is open to the public for free. You will see some stunning views from the top walkway at the command station and the sniper wall or you can head underground for some creepier views of this popular historic site.
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Climb Dingle Tower
In Sir Sandford Fleming Park, there is a tower that is guarded by two bronze lions, which is called the Dingle Tower. It was constructed from 1908 to 1912 and dedicated in 1912 to commemorate 150 years of representative government in Nova Scotia. You can climb the stairs to the top of the tower and have a spectacular view of the Northwest Arm.
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Relax on Dingle Beach
There is also a lovely supervised beach at the Sir Sandford Fleming Park. Dingle beach is a great place to spend a summer day relaxing and having a picnic with your family and friends. Details
Visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia for Free on Thursday
On Thursdays from 5 pm to 9 pm, you can see the over 15000 works at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia for free. There is everything from visual arts to historical contemporary pieces at the gallery to inspire you.
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Find the Titanic Gravestones
Halifax has an interesting history with the RMS Titanic. Pier 21 is home to a piece of the grand ship (but that costs to see) and the Fairview Cemetery is where you can find the graves of the 121 victims. The most visited is the grave of the unknown child.
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Take a Hike
Get outside for some fresh air. Halifax is home to many great trails that are perfect for walking, running or even cycling. Anywhere you are in the city, there is bound to be a trail close by.
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Halifax Pride – July 20 – 30, 2023
While not all the events during Halifax Pride are free, there are many free ones scheduled throughout this fun-filled week. The biggest free event is the Parade on Sunday, July 23 starting at 2 pm. Keep an eye out for the full schedule of events to find the free, fun activities across the city.
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Tour Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Get close to the creatures that call the Atlantic Ocean home at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Learn about the Institute and meet the animals in the touch on the free guided tour. You can also see how the Titanic looks on the ocean floor.
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Look at the Stars at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory
On clear evenings during the summer, the Burke-Gaffney Observatory is open to the public. For two hours, you can take a closer look at the stars and the other planets. They even offer free private group tours, so gather up your friends and family for a night looking at the stars.
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The link to the literary walking tour doesn’t work, just takes you to the library website for help research family history.
THAT is not a picture of the “Dingle Beach” in Halifax! Any tourist coming to Halifax hoping to find that beach would be sorely disappointed. I suggest you fix it and in the future do your research.