🎄 Nova Scotia & Halifax Holiday and Christmas Events 2025
Halifax in winter feels like a postcard come to life. Lights along the harbour, live music on the waterfront, carols drifting through downtown, families bundled in scarves holding hot chocolate cups and smiling wide. If you’re spending the holidays in Halifax, these are the events you will not want to miss.
1. Evergreen Festival 2025
📍 Halifax Waterfront + Downtown Halifax + Downtown Dartmouth | November 21 – December 14, 2025
A city-wide holiday celebration filled with winter lights, an outdoor market, live music, food, drinks and waterfront cheer. This is the main holiday festival in Halifax, perfect for date nights, family outings or casual winter wandering.
What you’ll see there
Evergreen Market: 20+ glass chalets selling art, food, gifts
Evergreen Bright Light Trail
Free Evergreen Express train ride
Firepit patios, chowder, cocktails, cider
Weekend concerts and community events
Cocoa Trail Passport (collect and win prizes)
2. Holiday Lights at Halifax Public Gardens
📍 Spring Garden Rd – Public Gardens Entrance | Nov 29, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026 | 5-9 PM nightly
A magical walk through illuminated trees, glowing pathways and golden garlands. Calm, quiet and beautiful for photography or evening strolls.
3. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – Neptune Theatre
📍 Neptune Theatre, Argyle St | Late November through December 2025
Live stage production of a Christmas classic, perfect for a cozy night downtown.
4. Delightful Downtown “Season’s Greetings” Light Projection Show
📍 Grafton Park, Halifax | Dec 1–26, 2025 | Evenings
A festive light show projected onto downtown buildings with bright colors, holiday scenes and winter animations. Great for a family stroll after dinner or shopping.
5. Season of Father Christmas, Mahone Bay
📍 Mahone Bay | Nov 28–Dec 24, 2025 | Daytime & evenings
The whole town transforms into a seaside holiday village with over 100 handcrafted Father Christmas figures tucked into shop windows and corners around town. Enjoy festive shopping, warm treats, late night boutique hours, and weekend activities like horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, and kid friendly scavenger hunts. Select weekends also feature the “Homes for the Holidays” self guided decorated house tour. Cozy, charming, and perfect for a winter day trip.
6. New Ross Christmas Festival
📍 New Ross | Dec 5–7, 2025 | Weekend events
A classic rural holiday weekend with tree lighting, craft fairs, carolers, children’s activities and home-cooked community meals. Enjoy wreath making, horse-drawn wagon rides, local artisan markets and Christmas tree U-picks. Small town charm, lights and laughter all weekend.
7. Windsor Christmas Market & Parade of the Woodland Animals
📍 Windsor | Dec 6 & 13, 2025 | Select dates
A unique woodland themed holiday market and parade with lights, costumes, vendors and seasonal music.
8. Westville Parade of Lights
📍 Westville | Dec 6, 2025 | Evening
Local floats, lights, music and Santa appearances to kick off the holiday season.
Glow Gardens Halifax 2025
📍 Halifax Exhibition Centre — 200 Prospect Road, Goodwood, NS | November 20, 2025 – January 3, 2026 halifax.glowgardens.com+1
What it is
Glow Gardens Halifax is an indoor holiday light festival transformed this year into a “Christmas Carnival.” It offers light-shows, interactive fun, games, rides, performances, shopping, food and drink, all under one roof. It’s family friendly and ideal for a fun outing if you want a festive atmosphere without worrying about cold weather. Glow Gardens is an especially good option if you want a festive holiday experience protected from cold or unpredictable winter weather. The indoor lights, entertainment and family-friendly vibe make it an easy, comfortable night out, whether with kids, friends or for a date night.
What to expect
Vast light displays, including a light forest, tunnels of lights, oversized ornaments and glowing decorations.
Interactive attractions & rides: roller-skating in the “Glow & Glide” park, the “Glow-comotive” train ride, inflatables, arcade games, and more.
Carnival-style fun: scavenger hunts, mini-games, craft corners, swings, sleigh rides and sleigh-themed entertainment.
Vendor Market & Food: Over 20 vendors offering gifts, holiday treats, and local crafts; along with festive food, hot drinks and snacks.
Live entertainment: House bands, music, themed shows, holiday performances throughout the season.
Santa meet-and-greet: Visitors can meet Santa (until Dec 23), great for kids and photo ops.
