About Evergreen Festival
Halifax's winter celebration of Nova Scotian culture, food, spirits, craft, and art. The month-long program fills waterfront venues with craft markets, light installations, and local food and drink each winter.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
The Evergreen Festival is Halifax's free winter celebration, transforming the downtown waterfront and surrounding public spaces into a month-long holiday destination. The 2026 edition runs November 27 through December 20, spanning nearly four weeks of light installations, an open-air vendor market, a free hop-on/hop-off train, outdoor sports programming, and live music. Produced jointly by Build Nova Scotia, Discover Halifax, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, the festival anchors itself on the Halifax waterfront while extending across the harbour into downtown Dartmouth.
Admission to the core attractions — the light displays, market browsing, the Evergreen Express train, and the Winter Sports Zone — is free. Food, drinks, and certain specialty experiences are pay-as-you-go. The festival is designed as a walkable, family-friendly experience, with most attractions clustered along the harbour and connected by the free train.
Key Attractions
Evergreen Market
A village of open-air wooden chalets staffed by local artisans, makers, and food vendors, located at Foundation Lot South (1549 Lower Water Street). It is the festival's central gathering point. Hours:
- Wednesday–Friday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Monday–Tuesday: closed
Evergreen Express Train
A free, trackless hop-on/hop-off train presented by the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront and CN Rail, running along the waterfront. It links three stations: North Pole Station (Halifax Marriott Harbourfront), Central Station (Vendor Market), and South Pole Station (Cunard Residences). Trains depart North Pole Station (Halifax Marriott Harbourfront) every hour on the hour and South Pole Station (Cunard Residences) every hour on the half-hour. Operating hours: Friday 4:00–9:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Winter Sports Zone
Free outdoor ball hockey, curling sheets, and warming stations at Foundation Lot South. Equipment is provided on-site and the activities are open to all ages during operating hours: Friday 4:00–9:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Music at The BG
Live local bands perform at The BG, the festival's beer garden, which features firepits, beverages, and a heated social space. Hours run Friday–Saturday noon–9:00 PM and Sunday noon–6:00 PM.
Evergreen Bright
A walkable trail of light installations threading through the Halifax waterfront, the downtown core, and downtown Dartmouth. Key viewing sites include the Halifax Public Gardens, Peace & Friendship Park, and Parade Square. The installations are viewable day and night throughout the festival run.
Spruce the Gonk
The festival's mascot roams the waterfront meeting visitors and posing for photos: Friday 5:00–8:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday 1:00–7:00 PM.
Cocoa Trail
A self-guided trail of festive hot chocolates at participating cafés, bakeries, and restaurants in downtown Halifax and the Spring Garden Road area. Each stop offers its own take on the drink, making it a popular way to explore local businesses between the larger attractions.
Practical Information
2026 Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 20, 2026
Admission: Free for light displays, market browsing, the Evergreen Express train, and the Winter Sports Zone. Food, drinks, and select experiences are pay-as-you-go.
Main Hub: Foundation Lot South, 1549 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Other Sites: Halifax Public Gardens, Peace & Friendship Park, Parade Square (Halifax), and downtown Dartmouth
Parking: downtownhalifax.ca/parksmart lists downtown Halifax options; developns.ca lists waterfront lots near the festival footprint.
Interactive Map: An interactive map of all installations, vendor chalets, and train stops is available on the festival website via ArcGIS Experience Builder.
Weather Cancellations: The Evergreen Festival is an outdoor event. Check @evergreenfestns on Instagram for real-time weather-related schedule changes before heading out.
What to Bring: Warm, layered clothing and waterproof footwear — daytime highs in Halifax in late November and December typically sit between 5°C and 10°C, and the waterfront wind can drop the felt temperature further.
Contact: (902) 423-6658 (Downtown Halifax Business Commission)
Who It's For
The Evergreen Festival appeals to families with children (free train rides, the mascot, and sports zone), couples looking for an evening of lights and music, and photographers drawn to the waterfront light installations. Because the core programming is free and the sites are walkable, it works equally well for a short one-evening visit or a full weekend itinerary across Halifax and Dartmouth.
At a Glance
| Location | Foundation Lot South, 1549 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS (main hub; sites also in downtown Dartmouth) |
|---|---|
| 2026 Dates | November 27 – December 20, 2026 |
| Admission | Free for light displays, market browsing, Evergreen Express train, and Winter Sports Zone; food, drinks, and select experiences pay-as-you-go |
| Evergreen Market Hours | Wed–Fri 4 PM–9 PM; Sat 11 AM–9 PM; Sun 11 AM–7 PM; closed Mon–Tue |
| Phone | (902) 423-6658 (Downtown Halifax Business Commission) |
| Website | downtownhalifax.ca/evergreenfestival |
| Type | Free winter festival of lights, craft market, live music, and outdoor sports on the Halifax waterfront |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Evergreen Festival free to attend?
Yes. The light displays, Evergreen Market browsing, Evergreen Express train, and Winter Sports Zone are all free; food, drinks, and certain specialty experiences are pay-as-you-go.
When does the 2026 festival run?
The 2026 edition runs November 27 through December 20, spanning nearly four weeks.
Where is the main hub?
The main hub is Foundation Lot South at 1549 Lower Water Street. Light installations also appear at the Halifax Public Gardens, Peace & Friendship Park, Parade Square, and downtown Dartmouth.
When is the Evergreen Market open?
Wednesday–Friday 4:00–9:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM; closed Monday and Tuesday.
What is the Evergreen Express?
A free trackless hop-on/hop-off train linking three waterfront stations. It departs North Pole Station (Halifax Marriott Harbourfront) every hour on the hour and South Pole Station (Cunard) every hour on the half-hour, running Friday 4–9 PM, Saturday 11 AM–9 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–7 PM.
What should I wear, and what if the weather turns?
Dress in warm layers with waterproof footwear — late-November and December highs typically sit between 5°C and 10°C, and the waterfront wind cuts the felt temperature. Since it is an outdoor event, check @evergreenfestns on Instagram for weather-related schedule changes.
