Festivals, Events and Date Ideas in Halifax This August

Three Shakespeare By The Sea performers acting out a scene.

Doesn’t August feel like the Sunday of summer?

While the sun has been beating down on us for a good amount of time, we can still stretch this summer out as long as possible with endless plans full of love and sunshine. Seriously, the festivals, events, and date ideas happening this month are truly endless.

Explore some new and exciting date ideas happening in Halifax this month, and the return of some old favourites.

We have rounded up all the best date ideas happening in August for you to keep handy, just scroll down!

This family-friendly festival celebrated in North End Halifax is a day of creativity for all ages, as well as as a celebration of the vibrancy and diversity of the north end. 

Enjoy live music, a community BBQ, the Parade of Lanterns, and fireworks!

When: August 6, 2022 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Merv Sullivan Memorial Park (The Pit)

Cost: FREE

Crowd of people watching beautiful fireworks at a festival.

If you love live music and discovering new artists, this is the festival for you! Halifax Urban Folk Festival is back from August 28 to September 4 to celebrate songwriters and the music they create. 

August shows will be held at The Carleton and will feature the following artists:

When: Shows start at 7 p.m.

Where: 1685 Argyle St

Cost: $25 – $35 (+HST)

India Fest 2022

Enjoy an incredible experience of Indian culture through food, art, craft, dance, and music. There will be a variety of Indian food, clothes, crafts, jewelry, and henna to browse and purchase! 

When: August 12-13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and August 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Halifax Forum Multipurpose Room 

Cost: $3 Entry Fee

Beerfest is back for another summer – and this time they’re bringing a date! For the first time ever, the festival has expanded to bring attendees a variety of hard seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, and sodas to try, in addition to their extensive assortment of delicious craft beer and cider. 

DJ Loukas Stilldrnk will be returning this year, spinning hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s! Locally-inspired food will also be available on site from Asado Wood Fired Grill and Jamadouns Jamaican Canadian Cuisine

This year’s festival will be 100% outdoors in the parking lot out front of the “old” Seaport Market. Another important thing to note is that “all-inclusive” tickets are no longer available (following the new licensing rules). Instead, the price of admission is lower and your ticket now includes 20 drink tickets for 2 oz samples. You can buy extra 2 oz drink tickets if desired at a cost of 10 for $10. 

P.S. Make it a staycation date night when you stay at their partner hotel – The Westin Nova Scotian – and save 10% off their Best Available Rate of the Day! 

When: August 4-5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and August 6 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: 1209 Marginal Rd

Cost: General Admission is $45 and VIP tickets are $55.93

The Grand Oasis Festival Series is a free festival to celebrate music, art, and culture at Grand Parade in Downtown Halifax. 

August is an exciting month for the festival with 3 concert series including East Coast Classics, Outdoor Runway Weekend, and the Vibrancy Festival! 

Highlights include Nova Scotia music icons, Mo Kenney, Reeny Smith, and Joel Plaskett Emergency, on August 6th and Soli Productions Outdoor Fashion Show on August 13th. 

Click here to checkout the full line-up.

When: East Coast Classics is on from August 5-6, Outdoor Runway Weekend is on from August 12-13, and Vibrancy Festival is on from August 19-20

Where: Grand Parade Square

Cost: FREE

The Mom Market Collective Inc. Halifax will be hosting their last Night Market of the summer and you don’t want to miss it! Explore 35 local vendors, live buskers/musicians, swag bags, and much more!

The Mom Market is such a fun way to support local small businesses plus perfect for finding unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. 

When: August 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Halifax Brewery Market 

Cost: FREE

Grab your dancing partner and celebrate a weekend filled with Afro-Latin music and dance! 

This 3-day festival, presented by Haliente, will take place at 3 locations around Downtown Halifax and will be hosting paid Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba dance lessons for the public. There will also be live Latin music performances by local band Son Latino and Cuban musician, Frederic Mujica

The festival includes a family-friendly event at the waterfront on Thursday night, and licensed events on Friday and Saturday night.

The purpose of this festival is to share, educate, and celebrate Afro-Latin culture with Halifax to strengthen and empower cultural diversity within our community. We are so excited to dance the night away! 

When: August 18-20

Where: Halifax Waterfront, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (outdoor space), and Rogers Square

Cost: 

  • Full Festival Pass is $125 (includes all workshops by guest instructors + events)
  • Full Festival Workshop Pass is $75
  • Full Event Pass is $50
  • Single event tickets range from $15-$30

The unstoppable Kendall Gender, the illustrious Gia Metric, and the lovable Synthia Kiss from Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 will be making their first appearance at Gahan House at the end of this month!

The Haus of Jeckyll Queens, Heckella Jeckyll, Eden Disorder, Miranda Wrights, and Kristi Davidson will joining alongside for a fantastic afternoon of performances, brunch, and drinks. 

When: August 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Where: 5239 Sackville St

Cost: VIP Meet & Greet is $80 (includes brunch, and meet & greet photos), and General Admission is $65 (includes brunch and performance)

Enjoy live music surrounded by the beauty of the Halifax Public Gardens from August 7-28. The line-up includes the Global Centric Brass Band, John Alphonse and the Waterfront Stompers Dixieland Band, and Bill Stevenson. 

Did you know the Bandstand was originally added to the gardens in 1887 and restored to its original detail in 2011? There is so much to learn and explore while walking through the gardens, and this would be the perfect date idea for a history buff or anyone with a green thumb! 

When: August 7-28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 5665 Spring Garden Rd

Cost: FREE

Shakespeare By the Sea (SBTS) is the most accessible presenter of live theatre in Atlantic Canada and the largest outdoor summer theatre festival east of Montreal! Enjoy the unique joy of live performance with the greatest plays and stories in the world. 

The festival is dedicated to creating original works based on classic tales and legends and is committed to the ongoing development of Canadian theatre artists. 

The 2022 Season includes productions of Cinderelly: The Musical, Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, Hello City By The Sea, and Hello City & Friends!

When: July 15 – September 4

Where: Cambridge Battery at Point Pleasant Park

Cost: 

  • Sweetest Seats tickets for Cinderelly and Hamlet are $50+tax (guarantees you a seat at front-row centre)
  • Sweet Seats tickets for Cinderelly and Hamlet are $30+tax (reserves you a chair in the best available spot)
  • Hello City tickets are PWYC ($10, $15, $20)
Decided you’re not staying in Halifax for the end of summer? That’s okay! We have date ideas all over Canada and beyond for you to explore.
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