The highlight of Nova Scotia’s winter festivities is the Evergreen Festival, often referred to as the Halifax Christmas Market. Other events include Glow Gardens, Christmas at the Forum, and the Art and Craft Show.
In this guide, I share the confirmed 2024 dates, opening times and vendors.
Halifax Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Evergreen – Halifax Christmas Market dates: 22nd November to 15th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in June. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Information obtained directly from the organiser, available here.
Note: These details are for the Evergreen Festival. Scroll down for details on Glow Gardens and other events.
Evergreen Festival & Market
Location and Times
Location: Halifax Waterfront.
Opening times:
Wednesday to Friday: 4pm to 9pm.
Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
Sunday: 12pm to 7pm.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: The popular Citadel and Peggy’s Cove tour.
Public transport: Buses are available.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. There is barrier-free parking on the waterfront area.
Where to stay: The Muir is a highly-rated and only short walk to the event.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Evergreen Bright: Lights walking trail from the waterfront to downtown.
Evergreen Stage: Live music from the Halifax Jazz Festival.
Cocoa Trail: Hot chocolate, tea, and egg nog.
Winter Sports Zone: Ball hockey, archery, and curling.
Mascot: Gonk.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options, including Korean food.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Maple, gingerbread, and Mexican hot chocolate. Small batch spirits. Dipped cheesecake, and maple taffy.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Not recommended.
Convenient Hotels
When visiting, I suggest staying a the Muir Hotel on Halifax Waterfront. From here it’s easy to walk to events and attractions or hop on the bus to Glow Gardens.
Read our Canadian Christmas Markets guide for more ideas on where to go this winter.
Festival Location
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
Glow Gardens
An indoor event known for its elaborate light displays, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly atmosphere. It’s an immersive experience with a focus on stunning visual displays, along with winter market stalls selling handcrafted goods.
Dates
Glow Gardens dates: 20th November 2024 to 1st January 2025 (confirmed).
Location and Times
Location: Halifax Exhibition Centre.
Opening times: 11am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Website: Full details available here.
Travel and Accommodation
Public transport: Buses are available.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. 2,000 free parking places are available in front of the exhibition building.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Tickets: Available online from October 2024.
Santa: Until 23rd December.
Glowville: Kids Fun Zone and arcade games.
Entertainment: House band and singing Ice Princess.
Ice skating: No.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes.
Vegan: Yes.
Gluten-free: Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Cheesecakes, Drift coffee, grilled snacks.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.
Additional Events
Christmas at the Forum
Christmas at the Forum showcases a wide range of quality crafts and art. With over 45 years of history, it’s the most popular and longest-running craft show in Eastern Canada, drawing both loyal attendees and new visitors each year.
Christmas at the Forum dates: 1st to 3rd November 2024 (confirmed).
Location: The Halifax Forum, 2901 Windsor Street.
Opening times:
1st November: 10am to 9pm.
2nd November: 10am to 9pm.
3rd November: 10am to 5pm.
Admission: $5 if you buy online. $7 at the door (unconfirmed).
Tickets: Buy online in advance.
Nova Scotia Art & Craft Show
Features a curated selection of works by local artisans. Known for its quality and variety, the event now has expanded booth spaces and wider aisles for a relaxed shopping experience. Only handcrafted items made by Nova Scotia artisans are showcased, and the event includes free parking and admission.
Art & Craft Show dates: 8th and 9th November 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Cedar Event Center, 111 Clayton Park Drive.
Opening times:
Friday: 10am to 5pm.
Saturday: 10am to 4pm.
Admission: Free.
Full details available here.
Victorian Christmas
Victorian Christmas dates: 23rd November 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Halifax Citadel.
Opening times: 12pm to 4pm.
Full details available here.
Coastal Market
Coastal dates: 23rd November 2024 (confirmed).
Location: St Mary’s Boat Club.
Opening times: 12pm to 5pm.
Full details available here.
Christmas in Halifax
Halifax during the winter season is lively, with the Grand Parade Square illuminated by a giant tree and festive lights along the waterfront.
Local favourites like Glow Gardens and the Evergreen Festival bring together markets, live performances, and food trucks, while the historic Hydrostone District hosts special seasonal events.
The city’s focus on supporting local artisans and businesses is highlighted throughout, making it a unique place to enjoy winter festivities
At the Food Stalls
- Harbour City Bar & Grill: Local dishes served with a Halifax twist.
- Chunks of Heaven: Hot chocolate, baked cookies, mini pancakes, and brownie pops.
- Just Us! Coffee Roasters: Fair trade coffee, hot chocolate, tea, gingerbread reindeer, and retail bags of coffee and chocolate.
- MASITA: Korean BBQ and vegan options.
- Smoke’s Poutinerie: Poutine with a variety of toppings, bringing the Quebec classic to Halifax.
- Pop Up Cinema Snacks: Dipped cheesecakes, waffle sticks, and maple taffy on snow.
- Potikki’s: Butter Chicken Rice Bowl, Cheese Curd Curry Bowl, and Kashmiri Apple Fries.
- Xena’s Bread and Butter: Hot drinks, croissants, and steamed buns.
- Barkeep Cocktails: Craft cocktails made with local spirits.
- Parisian Cafe Presented by Drift Coffee: Freshly brewed coffee and French pastries.
- Antoinette’s Cheesecakes: Artisan cheesecakes made in-house.
- Tastylicious Treats: Specialty baked goods and sweet treats.
- Sugarbloom: Artisanal confections and baked goods.
- Mulled Cider: Warm cider made with local apples and seasonal spices.
- Smoked Salmon Bagels: Cream cheese and locally sourced smoked Atlantic salmon.
- Pretzels: Hand-rolled, salted pretzels inspired by German tradition.
What to Buy
- Kwetu Craft Collections: Handcrafted art and crafts from Southern Africa.
- Lilac & Thistle: Local crafts, stationery, and foods, with a focus on community and inclusivity.
- Pam Feindel Designs: Unique metal clay jewellery in silver, bronze, copper, and steel.
- To & From Seed Co: Hand-lettered seed packets, greeting cards, and prints inspired by floriography.
- Ultramarine Art Supply: Art kits for creatives of all ages.
- The Dog Ate It Dog Bakery: Handmade treats for your pets.
- Ellington & Co and Alben Lane Candle Co: Soy candles hand-poured in Halifax, featuring crackling wooden wicks.
- Authentic Seacoast: A range of Nova Scotian goods, including spirits and local products.
- Benjamin Bridge: Award-winning wines from the Gaspereau Valley.
- Boatskeg Distilling Co.: Small-batch spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails from West Pubnico.
- Halifax Distilling Co.: JD Shore rums and rum creams made with natural ingredients.
- Eventide Mead: Modern-style session mead made with Annapolis Valley honey.
- Halifax Farmers Market: Local produce and goods from over 65 vendors.
- Different Folks: Products from 15 local vendors representing underrepresented groups.
- Nova Scotia Fisherman Skincare: Skincare products and gift sets inspired by the Nova Scotian coast.
- The Pearl: Handmade goods supporting Autism Nova Scotia.
- Old Ferry Wire Works: Unique wire crafts and decor.
- Scentsy: Scented wax products and home fragrance items.
Sustainability Tips
- Eco-Friendly Hotels: Book a hotel that prioritises renewable energy and energy-saving measures.
- Food Waste: Order only what you can finish when enjoying local dishes to minimise waste.
- Support Local: Purchase souvenirs and gifts from vendors who use ethically sourced materials.
- Plant-Based Meals: Try plant-based options available throughout the city.
- Transport and Cycling: Travel around Halifax using public transit or rent a bike from I Heart Bikes to explore the city and waterfront in an eco-friendly way.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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