The Best Daytime Activities to Do in Halifax

 
 

Written by Annastatia Brooks

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Chen Liu on Unsplash





Living in a city comes with access to amazing experiences and fantastic activities. Judging by the posters around campus, much of the advertising aimed at students highlights alcohol as the main attraction or caters to late-night partiers. While that is fun in itself, I’ve decided to compile a list of activities that exist beyond this sphere. Whether you’re trying to save some money by skipping buying alcohol, or trying to explore Halifax more, these ideas are sure to tickle your fancy and get you out and about during the daytime.





Free Activities

If you’re looking for some budget-friendly activities to do during the day, these outdoor locations are great options. Entry is free!

Point Pleasant Park

Conveniently located a twenty-minute walk away from Saint Mary’s University (SMU), Point Pleasant Park boasts gorgeous views and an array of walking trails to explore.


Halifax Public Gardens 

A beautiful example of a Victorian garden, the Halifax Public Gardens is a great place to spot ducks, squirrels, and other critters, or to admire the exotic flora. Bonus: during December, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., check out the Halifax Public Garden Holiday Lights!

Emera Oval

A fantastic resource for Haligonians, the Emera Oval is completely free during summer and winter. There are skates (including ice skates, roller skates, roller blades, and in-line skates), protective equipment including elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets, bicycles, bicycle helmets, scooters, skateboards, and adaptive equipment. There are also public washrooms and first aid available. Make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID if you want to rent equipment, and remember, helmets are mandatory. 

 
 

Museums

A trip to a museum might not be the most popular pastime for young adults, but Halifax boasts some amazing museums with awesome exhibits that are definitely worth checking out.

Museum of Natural History 

Though it certainly caters to children, the Museum of Natural History is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon, even as an adult. Their wildlife exhibit and Sable Island exhibit are always fun and interactive, but the real star of the show is Gus. Every day at 3:00 pm, he takes his stroll around the museum and munches on a snack for everyone to see. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for students.


Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, located downtown, has a stunning collection of artwork, both permanent and temporary. Their ongoing exhibits include Blacklight, From One to Many Natures, Jawbone Corner: Watercolours of Henry M. Rosenberg, Léopold L. Foulem: Reshaping Function, and Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence. The main attraction, though, is Maud Lewis’ permanent exhibition, the Maud Lewis Gallery, featuring a large collection of her artwork and her fully restored house. Admission is $10.00 for students, $15.00 for adults, and Indigenous Peoples enter for free.


Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 

Permanent exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 include The Canadian Immigration Story and The Pier 21 Story, but their special exhibitions are also worth checking out. To see what exhibition is currently being showcased, check out their website. Admission prices are $19.00 for adults, $9.50 for young adults aged eighteen to twenty-four, $6.50 for students aged eighteen to twenty-four, $13.00 for students twenty-five and over with a valid ID, and free for Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. 

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is located on the Halifax Waterfront and is an amazing place to learn about Halifax’s rich history. It has many permanent exhibits to see, including Titanic: The Unsinkable Ship and Halifax, Explosion in the Narrows, CSS Acadia, Robertson's Store, Small Craft Gallery, Theodore Tugboat, Days of Sail, The Age of Steam Gallery, Shipwreck Treasures, and Navy Gallery. The price for entering for adults during the off-season is $5.10 and $9.45 during tourist season.

 
 

Workshops

Halifax has a few opportunities for craft workshops, including options for adults! These are some excellent activities to do with a group of friends, for a birthday party, or as a treat to yourself after a long week of studying.

Yolo Craft

Yolo Craft is an incredible shop that not only sells beautiful handmade art and craft supplies, but also offers amazing workshops! 

  • Their tufting workshop is great for beginners, and their medium tufting workshop (three hours on a 27.5 by 27.5 inch frame) costs $129.00 per person.

  • A trendy option is their decoden cream glue workshop. This is a great one for students, especially since you can choose from a range of items at different price points, including a hairpin, a phone case, a pocket mirror, a brush, or a picture frame! Prices range from $5.99 to $39.99, depending on the object you choose.

  • Another versatile workshop Yolo Craft offers is their DIY beads. This workshop allows you to make your own jewelry, including a DIY necklace ($19.99), a DIY phone strap/key chain ($14.99), and a DIY bracelet ($14.99).

  • Finally, you can try out their silver jewelry workshop, choosing either the classic silver workshop, where you make one ring or charm for $109.00, or the silver clay workshop (perfect for beginners), where you make one ring or charm for $119.00.


Halifax Public Libraries

Maybe not the first thing that would come to mind for a workshop, Halifax Public Libraries offers all sorts of classes in multiple locations across the city. 

 
 

Shopping

If a shopping trip is more up your alley, I’ve got a few recommendations for local shopping locations in Halifax that will allow you to support local vendors!

Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market 

Open Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market has over one hundred vendors, selling anything from handmade crafts, books, baked goods, flowers, fresh produce, grocery items, jewelry, meat products, photographs, soaps, and prepared food.


The Vintage Mansion Halifax

A twenty-minute walk from SMU, The Vintage Mansion Halifax houses a fantastic array of vintage vendors, selling anything from books to clothes to decor. With thirty individual sellers, all your vintage needs can be met in one convenient place!


Atlantic News

Atlantic News may be a bit niche, but it has a wonderful selection of goods besides newspapers. This is a great place to pick up books, magazines, and gifts like greeting cards, calendars, and puzzles. 


Jennifer's of Nova Scotia 

A personal favorite for Christmas gifts, Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia sells locally made pottery, candles, decor, art prints, bath products, jewelry, DIY kits, and clothing. This collection of products supports over two hundred Atlantic Canadian artisans!

 
 

Cafes

Uncommon Grounds 

A convenient ten-minute walk from the SMU campus, Uncommon Grounds is open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week. The atmosphere is bustling but warm; a great place to hang out and study while supporting local businesses.

Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe

One of Halifax’s favorite cafes, the Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe kitchen is run by NSCC and Holland College alumni. They serve amazing pastries, soups, bowls, sandwiches, and breakfasts, even catering to customers who are vegan and gluten-free. Open 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, you can even pre-order your meal on their website and have it ready in fifteen minutes!

Trident Booksellers & Cafe 

This isn’t just a cafe; Trident Booksellers & Cafe has a wonderful collection of both new and used books. They also serve coffee, teas, and pastries, and they even host scheduled events such as live music, poetry readings, and craft lessons.

Glitter Bean Cafe 

A “queer-centric, unionized, worker-owned co-op”, Glitter Bean Cafe is a delightful, warm place to spend an afternoon sipping coffee, tea, or munching on a baked good. You can also enjoy their mask-mandatory and dry Sundays, ensuring that the cafe is an accessible space for everyone. 


Yu Yo Craft Supply + Tea House 

Part craft store, part tea house, Yu Yo Craft Supply + Tea House cultivates a quiet atmosphere while offering a beautiful selection of craft goods. Choose from an assortment of tea cakes (compressed loose tea leaves), then pick up some supplies for your next art project!

 
 

Festivals and Events

Dartmouth Ice Festival

A fantastic annual festival, the Dartmouth Ice Festival has activities for all ages, including ice carving, live entertainment, games, and more. In the past, the festival has hosted events such as juggling workshops, an opportunity to meet Bluey, inflatable bounce houses, ice sculpture displays, a farmers market, and an artisan market. Keep an eye on their website to see when the 2027 Dartmouth Ice Festival will take place!

Halifax Busker Festival 

The Halifax Busker Festival is a great event for all ages. It is six days long, taking place every year during Nova Scotia’s Natal Day long weekend. There are hundreds of different shows available to see performed by buskers from all over the world, along with food, clothing, and jewelry vendors selling their goods on the waterfront. It’s free to watch, but tipping the performers is encouraged.

Atlantic International Film Festival 

Taking place every year at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, the Atlantic International Film Festival is a great way to get out and experience some amazing films. While many shows are played during the evening, there are still plenty that you can catch during the day. General admission tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.75 for people under twenty-five. Head to their website to learn more about when the 2026 Atlantic International Film Festival will be and what will be playing! 


Hal-Con 

Finally, Hal-Con is a perfect weekend-long event for everyone interested in franchises like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Dr. Who, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, and more! There are panels, opportunities for autographs and photos, vendors, a costume contest, and a gaming floor. The Friday pass is $47.00, the Saturday pass is $62.00, and the Sunday pass is $52.00. Head to the Hal-Con website for information on dates and times, and keep an eye out for the events to be announced for Hal-Con 2026.

 
 

I hope this list has given you some ideas for what you can do during the daytime as a little adventure, a break away from studying, or a treat for yourself after a tough week. Enjoy the beautiful summertime sun, stay safe, and support local!

Jacob Butler