Special Events
Canada Day
© Parks Canada/H. Thompson
2012
May 30 - Halifax Citadel 1812 Band Concert Free!
June 9-10 - World War II D-Day Commemorative Display
June 18 - 200th Anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812
July 1 - Canada Day Celebrations Free!
July 19-23 - War of 1812 / Tall Ships Festival
July 22 - War of 1812/Tall Ships Festival Sunset Ceremony
August 18-19 - Fab Forts Weekend Celebration
August 24 - Freedom of the City
August 30-September 2 - Living History War Encampment
November 24-25 - 23rd Annual Victorian Christmas
May
May 30
(rain date May 31) 6:30–8pm
Free!
Halifax Citadel 1812 Band Concert
In commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, the Dartmouth All-City Senior Concert Band, together with the 36th Brigade Band, will present a concert of traditional music from 1812 and beyond, culminating in a performance of Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture, featuring real cannon fire. Admission is FREE; however, parking is limited. Gates will open at 6:30pm with the concert beginning at 7pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy this wonderful spectacle inside Halifax’s historic British fort.
June
June 9–10 (Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 9am–3pm)
World War II D-Day Commemorative Display
Commemorate Canada’s contribution to the D-Day landings on the 6th of June, 1945, with a World War II living history display featuring uniformed re-enactors, dioramas, models, and authentic period vehicles.
June 18 9am–5pm
200th Anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812
Join us for the unveiling of a series of special exhibits and artillery salute at noon to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812.
July
July 1 10 am–2:30 pm
Canada Day Celebrations
Free!
Halifax Regional Municipality’s official celebration of Canada Day featuring the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo Choir and the Royal Canadian Navy’s Stadacona Band. Following the traditional noon gun and the twenty-one gun salute, the official Canada Day cake will be served..
July 19–23
War of 1812 / Tall Ships Festival
Halifax Waterfront
Parks Canada is pleased to present War of 1812 interpretive demonstrations and activities in partnership with the Tall Ships Festival. The waterfront will come alive with roving interpretation, musket and cannon firings, demonstrations of naval discipline, hands-on displays and a walking tour of 1812 sites between the waterfront and the Halifax Citadel will also be available. More details to follow.
July 22
War of 1812/Tall Ships Festival Sunset Ceremony
Join us inside the walls of the historic Citadel for a “Sunset Ceremony” - an evening tattoo featuring military music, battle demonstrations and pageantry from the Georgian to the Victorian period, telling the story of Canada’s development as a nation from the War of 1812 to Confederation. More details to follow.
August
August 18–19
Fab Forts Weekend Celebration
The Halifax Citadel was originally built to protect a city, a culture, and a way of life. Fab Forts weekend is the opportunity for visitors to re-discover why the Halifax Citadel is so fabulous – special activities planned for the entire family to enjoy – watch for more details coming soon!
August 24 11am–1pm
Freedom of the City
The Halifax Citadel’s iconic 78th Highlanders exercise the Freedom of the City of Halifax by parading through the town with “drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.” Parade begins at the Halifax Citadel at 11 am and continues to the Grand Parade finishing up at Government House.
August 30–September 2
Living History War Encampment
Discover two pivotal events in the making of North America: the American Revolution and the War of 1812. This living history event will feature two authentic military encampments, demonstrations of drill, battle tactics, cannon and musket firings, and plenty of hands-on activities
November
November 24-25 12 noon–4 pm
23rd Annual Victorian Christmas
Experience the traditions of Christmas as enjoyed by Queen Victoria’s soldiers and their families inside the Halifax Citadel at the 23rd Annual Victorian Christmas. See how the troops celebrated the season in the barracks, enjoy a soldier’s version of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” meet Father Christmas, enjoy musical performances – it’s a family tradition!
In the community:
Halifax Regional Municipality events