Halifax 
Heritage Day is the newest holiday in Nova Scotia and it is on February 17th this year. While many popular locations are closed due to the holiday, it does not mean that there is nothing for you to do in Halifax during this long weekend: February 14 to 17, 2020.
Here is a list of 20+ things that you can do in HRM during this Heritage Day Weekend.
- Heritage Day Weekend in Nova Scotia
- FREE FISHING DURING HERITAGE DAY WEEKEND
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- Valentine’s Day Romantic Getaways in Nova Scotia
Sackville Snow Days
If you are looking for a weekend full of family fun, head to Lower Sackville for the annual Snow Day Festival.
Start the long weekend with a Scavenger Hunt at Freeman’s Little New York. The weekend is full of fun all ages across Sackville. ON Sunday, head to Kinsmen Community Centre for a Starlight Walk & Fireworks Display. Make sure to watch the Snow Day Parade on Monday at 2pm.
Various Venues, Lower Sackville
February 14 to 17, 2020
Varies depending on the event
Cinderella
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts brings the ballet production of Cinderella to Spatz Theatre. Set to Prokofiev’s score, the classic fairy tale becomes a truly magical ballet depicting a story of human kindness, perseverance and optimistic spirit. With a little help from a few fireflies, mice and garden fairies Cinderella will make it to the ball and shape her own future using friendship and kindness as her compass along the way.
Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope St, Halifax, NS
Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 1 pm & 4 pm
Adult – $25, Student/Student – $20, Children (12 and under) – $15
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Discovery Days: Whales
Are you ready to have a whale of a time at the Discovery Centre? Join us for World Whale Day! To celebrate, we’re hosting a centre wide event exploring whales and dolphins where you can learn about whales and dolphins that live in our waters and beyond. Join the Discovery Centre staff and special guests, including Parks Canada, for this day-long celebration.
Discovery Centre, 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS
Saturday, February 15, 2020 | 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Regular admission
Emera Oval Character Skate
Head to the Emera Oval dressed as your favorite character for the Annual Emera Oval Character Skate on Heritage Day. There will be face painting and chances to take photos with visiting mascots. It is going to be a fun afternoon for the whole family.
5775 Cogswell St, Halifax
February 17, 2020 at 1 pm
Hatfield Farm
Every Saturday and Sunday, you can go to the Family Round Up Adventure at Hatfield Farm. This is one of their most popular events, so you may want to show up early, especially on a long weekend. The event includes a horse wagon ride, petting pen, zip lines, all-you-can-eat hot dogs and much more. Just be sure to sign up for the Family Round Up Adventure that starts at 10:30 am.
1840 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains
$15.99 + HST per person. Kids 2 and under go for free!
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Located in the heart of Halifax’s historic waterfront, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage than the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. From small craft boatbuilding to World War Convoys, the Days of Sail to the Age of Steam, the Titanic to the Halifax Explosion, you’ll discover the stories, events and people that have come to define Nova Scotia and its relationship with the sea.
1675 Lower Water St, Halifax
Adult – $5.15, Senior – $4.40. Youth – $3.10, Child – Free, Family – $11.85 (2 adults and children under 17)
Museum of Natural History
Explore Nova Scotia’s and the world’s history at the Museum of Natural History. See glittering gold, stunning Mi’kmaq artifacts, sea creatures, frogs, snakes and a whale skeleton. Interact with the Netukulimk exhibit and learn the sights and sounds of Nova Scotia’s forests or go to the Moon and Mars with our Science on a Sphere. Come visit Gus the Gopher Tortoise, who has been delighting Museum visitors for more than 70 years.
1747 Summer St, Halifax
Adult – $6.30, Child – $4.05, Senior – $5.70. Student – $5.25, Family A – $17.95 (2 adults and children under 17), Family B – $12.50 (1 adults and children under 17)
Pier 21
Pier 21 has played a huge role in Nova Scotia’s and Canada’s history. The museum is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, they will be open Heritage Day, February 17, 2020. On February 18, in honour of African Heritage Month, we welcome internationally acclaimed Canadian author Esi Edugyan to speak about her experience writing the Giller Prize-winning novel, Washington Black and answer your questions.
1055 Marginal Road, Halifax
Zatzman Sportsplex One Year Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate one year of the Zatzman Sportsplex with us on Heritage Day! From 9 – 11 a.m., enjoy a FREE SKATE and fun in the gymnasium with bouncy castles and a free throw competition! We’ll be serving up cake and Kitchen Door will have a hot chocolate station. Bring your own skates and indoor sneakers for the gymnasium!
Zatzman Sportsplex, 110 Wyse Rd, Dartmouth
Monday, February 17, 2020, from 9 am to 11 am
Stars of Tomorrow
Stars of Tomorrow Dance Academy presents their annual Competitive Showcase.
Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth
Saturday, February 15, 2020 | 6:00 pm
Adult: $14, Child, Student: $12
Rhythms of Life
Rhythms of Life is a live musical documentary describing historical and cultiural influence on the African Nova Scotian and Canadian experience. In addition to a performance of the show, the DVD includes a presentation of the history of blues in Nova Scotia and a video of African proverbs set to original music.
Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth
Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 3:00 pm
Free will donations welcome
Family Sunday: Cool Art Spirals
Explore the symbolism and beauty of the spiral through artmaking. Consider the shape and how it appears in nature, history and in art through the ages. In this workshop, create your own art inspired by the wonder of spirals using a variety of media with artist Travis Doyle.
This Family Sunday is inspired by the piece Bubble by Lucy Pullen, now on view in the exhibition First You Dream: Celebrating 75 Years of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust.
341 Main Street, Yarmouth
Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Regular admission; Call to register 902 749 2248
Family Sunday: Alter Egos and Animation
Join us for a warm afternoon of artmaking in the studios! Create your own alter ego by drawing characters and bringing their movements to life with an animation flipbook. This activity can be tailored for any age and skill level. All materials are provided.
1723 Hollis Street, Halifax
Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Regular admission
It don’t mean a Thing
Calling all dames, dolls and gangsters! It’s the Roaring 20’s and everyone is on edge. Lucky Knuckles, the greatest crime boss Halifax has never seen, is going to make an appearance at The Kit Kat Club and word is he’s none too happy. Come hear some of your favourite modern hits performed in the swinging style of Gatsby’s Golden Era and Charleston your way through Prohibition!
Graftons Dinner Theatre, 1741 Grafton Street, Halifax
January 31 – May 9, 2020
Cash Donations and/or non-perishable food items
More Family Skates
- FREE Skate: Eastern Shore Arena, 67 Park Road, Halifax on Monday, February 17 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate for all.
- FREE Skate: Sackville Arena, 91 First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville on Monday, February 17 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm — There will be chili and buns, coffee and tea.
Halifax Thunderbirds
Watch Halifax Thunderbirds take on Saskatchewan Rush.
Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
vs Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday, February 15 | 7:00 pm
Halifax Mooseheads
Cheer Halifax Mooseheads as they take on Saint John Sea Dogs.
Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
vs Saint John Sea Dogs on Sunday, February 16 | 3:00 pm
$9.75 to $20.75
Controlled Damage
The world premiere of Controlled Damage explores the life of Viola Desmond, and how her act of bravery in a New Glasgow, NS movie theatre started a ripple effect throughout society. The play shines a light on how her courage impacted different cultural groups in the province and the effect it’s had over the past 70 years.
Neptune Theatre, Halifax
February 4 – 23, 2020
$45 – $76
Family Series: Black is Beautiful
One of our favourite Family shows returns, with some all-new symphonic sounds! From African hymns to jazz, funk, and hip-hop, western Black music is a story of struggle and celebration. Join Symphony Nova Scotia as we showcase Black performers and composers in a concert that will surprise and engage you. Hear music from icons like Duke Ellington, Whitney Houston, Chevalier St. Georges, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, and many more!
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax
Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm
Free
The Atlantic String Machine
The Atlantic String Machine is a multi award-winning classical fusion string quintet. Individually, its members have graced stages around the globe with internationally renowned symphony and chamber orchestras, ensembles, and touring artists. As a collective, they have performed with Canadian treasures Sarah Slean, Lennie Gallant, The Once — and now, a fellow Island artist and friend.
Neptune Theatre, Halifax
February 14 – 16, 2020
$30 – $56
Concerts to attend this Weekend
- Valentine’s Day With Ariana Nasr’s Édith Piaf on February 14 & 15, 2020 | 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm @ The Carleton | $20 – $90
- Allie Bennett on February 14, 2020 | 5:00 pm @ The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
- Tristan Legg & The Mad Dogs on February 14 & 15 , 2020 | 9:00 pm @ The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
- 30 Fingers on February 14 & 15 , 2020 @ Split Crow Pub
- Roger Stone on February 15, 2020 | 5:00 pm @ The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
- Michael Lloyd on February 16, 2020 | 7:30 pm @ The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
- Charke–Cormier Duo: Bathymetric Terrains CD Release Concert on Saturday, February 15, 2020 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ The Peggy Corkum Music Room
- Jordan Leblanc on February 16 | 8:00 pm @ Split Crow Pub
- Dave MacIsaac & Louis Benoit on February 17, 2020 | 8:00 pm @ The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
- Colin Burke on February 17 | 8:00 pm @ Split Crow Pub
Dine Around
Take the whole family out to eat during the Dine Around — a celebration of Halifax’s growing culinary scene, and with dozens of restaurants throughout the city rolling out special prix-fixe menus for a limited time.
Various Restaurants, Halifax
February 1 to 29, 2020
$10, $20, $30, $40 and $50 menus.
