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To help you plan your Canada Day, here’s a list of what’s open, what’s closed and what’s happening across the Halifax region on Wednesday, July 1, 2025.
Entertainment
The Halifax Regional Municipality is hosting numerous events and concerts across the city to celebrate Canada Day.
- The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo parade will kick off at 10 a.m. from the Scotiabank Centre.
- Admission is free on Canada Day at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Museum of Natural History and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
- The Halifax Common will host a family fun event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with children’s games and bouncy castles.
- The Canada Day fireworks will take place at 10 p.m., weather permitting. Fireworks can be seen from most locations along the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
- All Cineplex theatres are open.
Recreation
- Municipally operated outdoor pools, as well as supervised municipal beaches, will be open.
- Municipal splash pads will be open.
- Pool and swim schedules are posted online. Many municipal recreation facilities, including the Canada Games Centre and Zatzman Sportsplex, will be closed on Wednesday.
- The Emera Oval will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Equipment lending will be available if weather and surface conditions permit.
Groceries
Gateway Meat Market: Open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sobeys: Closed.
Atlantic Superstore: Closed.
Costco: Closed.
Walmart: Closed.
Drugstores: Some pharmacies are open but have limited hours.
Liquor and beer
NSLC: Closed, but local agency stores may be open.
Some independent alcohol retailers will be open, as well as craft breweries and other alcohol producers.
Malls
The following malls are closed on Canada Day:
- Halifax Shopping Centre.
- Mic Mac Mall.
- Sunnyside Mall.
- Bedford Place Mall.
- Park Lane Mall.
Halifax Public Libraries
All branches are closed.
Transit
Halifax Transit buses will operate on a holiday schedule. The Alderney ferry will be free on Canada Day, but the municipality is encouraging passengers to make a monetary donation to the Parker Street Food Bank in lieu of fares.
The Woodside ferry will not be operating.
Parking
Paid on-street parking is free Wednesday.
Waste collection
There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection on Wednesday.
Collection scheduled for that day will move to Saturday, July 4.
Banks
All banks are closed on Canada Day.
311 call centres
The 311 contact centre will be closed on Wednesday for full service. However, urgent calls can still be reported. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, July 2.
In-person customer service centres will be closed on Wednesday. They’ll reopen with regular hours on Thursday.
Fire safety
The municipality is encouraging people to skip backyard fireworks this Canada Day.
In a news release, it said fireworks are unpredictable, pose a fire risk and cause distress to people and animals who are sensitive to loud noise.
“Municipally organized shows are a safer, more predictable alternative. Scheduled public events make it easier for those who wish to avoid fireworks to plan ahead,” the news release said.
Fireworks are off limits if a burn ban is in place. This map has the latest information on conditions.
The municipality said people should let neighbours know in advance if they’re planning their own fireworks and to follow all manufacturers’ safety guidelines.
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