Halifax is the place to be in the winter if you love food, drinks and a good time. While it is cold outside, HRM comes alive with snow fun outside and inside. Here are a few things to do this winter in Halifax.
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I. Events and Winter Festivals in Halifax
Open Waters Festival
Open Waters Festival is an immersion of new and improvised music from diverse sources.
Details
January 8 – 14, 2024
Halifax
Winter Carnival
The “Winter Carnival” event is afamily-fun event that combines the charm of a winter carnival with a sprinkle of scientific marvels and will feature carnival games, face painting, science exhibits, and more.
Details
January 20, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Discovery Centre, 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Halifax Cocktail Festival
The Halifax Cocktail Festival, produced by Curated Food & Drink Magazine, offers a 2-session tasting event at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. Attendees can savor craft cocktails from Nova Scotia’s top mixologists during each 3-hour session.
Details
January 20, 2024
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street, Halifax
Downtown Dartmouth Ice Festival
Celebrate the winter at the annual Downtown Dartmouth Ice Festival. This year, the festival has grown to three days. There are free family fun events every day of the festival.
Details
January 26 – 28, 2024
Dartmouth
Global Game Jam
Immerse yourself in game development at Nova Scotia’s Global Game Jam at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Computer Science. Join fellow enthusiasts for a creative weekend, collaborate, and turn your imagination into interactive gaming experiences.
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January 26 – 28, 2024
Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430, 6056 University Avenue, Halifax
Dine Around
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February 1 to 29, 2024
Halifax
Sackville Snow Days Festival
Back for its 6th year, the Sackville Snow Day Festival is four days packed with family fun events to get you out in the snow. Events include skating, crafts, parades, and the snowman photo contest.
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February 16–19, 2024
Lower Sackville
Hypothermic Half Marathon
The Hypothermic Half Marathon is a winter half marathon and 10K event.
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Sunday February 18, 2024 | 8:00 AM
Ashburn Golf Course, 3250 Joseph Howe Dr, Halifax
African Heritage Month 2024 Gala – A Celebration of Black Arts & Culture
Celebrate African Heritage Month with a vibrant showcase of Black arts & culture, featuring Gary Beals and African Canadian talent.
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February 24, 2024 | 5:30 PM
Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax
Craft Beer Cottage Party
If the cold weather has you missing the warm days of summer, the Craft Beer Cottage Party is the best to be. Sample some of Halifax’s best craft beers while overlooking the Halifax. Enjoy beer-friendly food, play some summer games or relax at a picnic table.
Details
March 2, 2024
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, 1209 Marginal Road, Halifax
Halifax St Patrick’s Parade
St. Patrick’s Parade will feature floats, music, and Irish festivities. Experience the rich culture of one of our oldest communities in the region by joining in and becoming Irish for the day!
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March 10, 2024 | 1:00 PM
The 2024 parade will begin at 1:00 pm at Pier 20 and travel along Lower Water Street, through Irishtown, ending at Historic Properties.
Savour Food & Wine Festival
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March 28, 2024
1650 Argyle Street, Halifax
II. Attractions, Outdoor Winter Activities & Adventures in Halifax
Emera Oval
Details
5775 Cogswell Street, Halifax
Ski Martock
Just a short drive from Halifax is Nova Scotia’s most popular ski resort. The fun does not stop at dusk, as the lights turn on the snow fun continues as the stars come out.
Details
370 Ski Martock Road, Martock
Halifax Commons
If you are just starting to snowshoe, try the flat terrain at the Halifax Common. The Emera Oval offers free equipment rentals, which includes snowshoes. All you need is government issued photo ID to use the equipment.
Details
5775 Cogswell Street, Halifax
Sir Sandford Fleming Park
Sir Sandford Fleming Park is well maintained for a variety of winter activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The park is has 2.8 kilometres of trails that will take you along the Northwest Arm of the Harbour.
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Dingle Road, Halifax
Shubie Park
Shubie Park is a popular park, located on the north side of Lake Micmac. The park is open during the winter. There are three main routes around the park. There is always plenty of people around the park.
Details
54 Locks Road, Dartmouth
MacDonald Sports Park
A popular location for cross-country skiing, MacDonald Sports park offers almost 5km of trails to explore, with picnic areas to stop at. The trails take you through natural forest, and open fields. Expect to share the trails in this park.
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1390 Cobequid Road, Waverely
The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail
South of Highway 103 near Timberlea is a lovely trail. The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail is popular hiking trail, year round. The trail rewards hikers with views of rock faces, waterways and protected forest. This trail is not for the inexperienced as you can easily get lost.
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2890 St Margarets Bay Road, Timberlea
The Pit
Merv Sullivan Park is home to one of the best tobogganing hills in HRM. The Pit requires you to wear a helmet when sliding down the hill. It is a steep hill so be prepared for a fast ride and a long climb to the top.
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3791 Novalea Drive, Halifax
Citadel Hill
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5425 Sackville Street, Halifax
Ashburn Golf Course
On the West End of Halifax, the Ashburn Golf Course hill are a local favourite for tobogganing. It is a smaller, family-friendly hill. It is not the most popular spot, so it is less crowded.
Details
3250 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax
Gorsebrook Park
A popular location to toboggan and known for its varying levels of steepness, and long landing area. On the corner of Robie and Inglis Street, Gorsebrrok Park is conveniently located. There is enough room and varying steepness in the hill to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Details
Gorsebrook Park, Lundys Lane, Halifax
Oakfield Provincial Park
Just Fall River is Oakfield Provincial Park. The park is very popular in the summer for swimming. In the winter, the grassy hill turns into a great spot for tobogganing. You will have to park at the gate and walk into the park to the hill.
Details
366 Oakfield Park Road, Grand Lake
Sleight Rides at Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures
Once there is snow on the ground, sleight rides start at Hatfield Farm Cowboy. If there happens to not be enough snow down, wagon rides are offered in place.
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1840 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains
Discovery Centre
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1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax
$12 – $48