Experience all Downtown Halifax has to offer this March
From the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to The 2024 JUNO Awards, March is jam-packed with fun for everyone.
Join in on the fun this March in Downtown Halifax, where you can find everything from delicious food and live sporting events to The 2024 JUNO Awards and more.
“It all happens here in Downtown Halifax, and March is no exception to the excitement that happens throughout the year,” says Allana Macdonald Mills, Director of Marketing at Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC).
AN EXCITING LINEUP
There really is something for everyone to enjoy this March, starting with the Savour Food & Wine Festival. Celebrating its 20th year, the festival bookends the month with the Craft Beer Cottage Party on March 2 at the Halifax Seaport Pavilion 22, and the Savour Food & Wine Show on March 28 at the Halifax Convention Centre.
“The Savour Food & Wine Festival is something people look forward to every year,” says Macdonald Mills. “Whether you’re a real foodie or just looking for a fun night out with friends, it never disappoints.”
For people looking for some fast-paced excitement, both the Halifax Mooseheads and Halifax Thunderbirds are in action at the Scotiabank Centre. Or if music is more your thing, you can catch Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle in concert March 16, also at the Scotiabank Centre.
The annual Halifax St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 10 promises to be full of fun, music, and a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. The parade starts at 1 p.m. in the Halifax Seaport area and travels down Lower Water Street to the Historic Properties.
“The parade is a great kick off for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations,” says Macdonald Mills. “After the parade, people can continue the festivities by dropping by one of the Irish pubs Downtown to enjoy classic Irish food and drink with friends and family.”
Neptune Theatre will also be a popular hotspot in March as well with three different shows to enjoy including “Rumour Has It: The Songbook of Adele” and “Addicted”; and the much anticipated “The Full Monty The Broadway Musical” starts its run on March 26.
THE JUNOS ARE COMING!
Downtown Halifax will be welcoming the 2024 JUNO Awards for the first time since 2006. In addition to The JUNO Awards on Sunday, March 24 at the Scotiabank Centre, there will be other events for everyone to enjoy in the lead-up to and during JUNO Week taking place from March 20-24 including a songwriters’ circle, Junofest and more.
“It’s a big deal for the city in terms of bringing people out to not only enjoy live music but to enjoy the restaurants, pubs and general atmosphere of the Downtown area during what would normally be a quiet time of year,” says Macdonald Mills.
Keep up to date with all the JUNO Week excitement by visiting halifaxjunos.ca.
PLAN YOUR MARCH BREAK ADVENTURE
With March Break right around the corner, now’s the time to start planning your Downtown adventure.
“People don’t think of Downtown Halifax as being a family-friendly destination, but it’s a great place to bring kids because there’s such a variety of things to do,” says Macdonald Mills.
“In fact, my family’s new March break tradition is to book a hotel Downtown for a night,” she continues. “It gives us the opportunity to act like tourists in our own city. And the best part is that many hotels are dogfriendly, so our whole family can get in on the fun.”
Home to the some of the best attractions in the region, locals and visitors alike can enjoy special activities and exhibits on for March Break like the Discovery Centre’s new exhibit, “Hockey: Faster than Ever.” Families can also book guided tours of the historic Halifax Citadel and learn about the fort’s history with their own private guide. Or you can “Travel the World” at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 where there will be complimentary admission from March 9-17.
For the third year in a row, DHBC has partnered with Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission and Halifax Transit to offer free service on the Alderney/halifax ferry for March break from March 11-16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving folks of all ages the opportunity to explore both sides of the harbour.
And don’t miss DHBC’S light projection shows on the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park as part of their
DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN lighting series, with four different light projection shows running until the end of March.
With all the Downtown events, making a parking plan is always a good idea. From on-street parking to parking lots and garages, residents and visitors can plan ahead with tips available on Downtown Halifax’s parking webpage: downtownhalifax.ca/parking
“People tend to think of only coming Downtown during the warmer months, but it really is an all-season destination,” says Macdonald Mills. “There’s certainly no shortage of things to do, see and experience this March in Downtown Halifax – don’t miss out!”
To keep up to date with what’s happening in Downtown Halifax, visit downtownhalifax. ca or follow @Downtownhalifax on social media.