Choose Halifax for any number of reasons; incredible oceanfront views and a walkable downtown core, or its world-class convention centre and thriving cross-sector innovation. No matter the reason, the outcome is always the same: inspired meetings, engaged delegates, and lasting impressions.
Discover Halifax’s extraordinary selection of historic and modern venues and accommodations—all offering versatile settings to host inspiring meetings, unforgettable receptions against the backdrop of our beautiful sea-side city.
Unlock a world of curated supplier partnerships, sustainable planning tools, and exclusive delegate-saving privileges designed to elevate your event and not your budget.
Find the support you need to simplify logistics, maximize ROI, and create a bespoke event that is tailored to your group in a way that only Halifax can. As a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) we’re here to help every step of the way, free of charge.
Halifax 101: Local Tips and Information for Planning Your Next Event
February 2, 2026
Planning an event in a different city can be tricky. You want to make the experience as seamless as possible for your guests and delegates, but if you’ve never been to the city or you don’t have a local’s level of knowledge, it can be hard to know the lay of the land. Of course, Google can be great, but it doesn’t always tell the complete picture.
That’s why we wanted to take some of the guesswork out of planning your next conference or event by sharing some of our local knowledge. We have a comprehensive Business Traveller Guide, but the information below goes beyond to provide you with some additional “nice to knows” about Halifax so you can plan with confidence.
Location
Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Canada, Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia.
While the city has distinct neighbourhoods, you might hear locals talk about “on the peninsula” or “off the peninsula”. “On the peninsula” refers to the portion of Halifax that’s located on—you guessed it—a peninsula of land. It’s where the downtown core is, along with many of the city’s conference and events centres, hotels, and main attractions.
Fast Facts
Currency: CAD (Canadian Dollar)
Time Zone: GMT-4 (Atlantic Standard Time)
Electricity: 120 volts, 60Hz AC (North American standard plug type A/B)
Population: ~500,000+
Language: English, French
Emergency: Dial 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Getting Here
Halifax is served by Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which offers direct flights from major centres like London, New York, and Toronto, as well as many other destinations.
Major highways connect Halifax and Nova Scotia with the rest of North America. However, air travel is often the quickest option for those travelling from outside of Atlantic Canada.
For events with international delegates, please refer to our site for more information about visas and travel documentation, as requirements vary by country.
Dining and Hospitality
Halifax has a wide variety of culinary options for every taste, budget, and diet. Fresh seafood can be found on many menus along with a variety of seasonal, local ingredients. Vegan/vegetarian, Halal, non-dairy, gluten-free, Kosher, and other dietary considerations are common, and most restaurants are willing to accommodate dietary needs. If there are specific allergies or concerns, it’s best to contact the restaurant ahead of time to provide detailed information to ensure your group’s needs can be accommodated.
Tipping is not just customary, but expected in Halifax. Tip at least 15%-18% for standard service, with 20%+ being customary for excellent or higher-end service. Tipping extends beyond sit-down restaurants—it’s standard to tip 15% at coffee shops and take-out style businesses, not to mention taxis and ride shares.
It’s common for large group reservations to include an auto-gratuity on the cheque, so it’s always best to check with staff. Hotels and event spaces will typically include the gratuity as part of their invoice breakdown.
Weather and Climate
Halifax enjoys four distinct seasons. Spring tends to be chilly and damp, summer brings warm breezy days, while fall/autumn begins with mild temperatures as the leaves begin to change colour. Winter can feature cloudy skies, snow and rainfall along with coastal winds.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
WEATHER EMERGENCY
It’s good to be prepared for any scenario when travelling. Should there be an extreme weather event while in Halifax, news outlets such as CBC or Global News will clearly communicate risks and safety precautions, if necessary. Many hotels offer special rates for storm-stayed travellers.
What to Wear
The weather in Halifax can change quickly—a sunny day can turn to showers and then back again over the course of an afternoon. It’s advisable to be prepared by packing an extra layer, a waterproof jacket, and good, comfortable footwear.
Dress codes can vary by industry, but the general theme is polished and approachable. More formal business attire is standard in government and finance industries, while smart casual is more common in tech and creative sectors. As a walkable city, comfort is key, especially when it comes to footwear. Good walking shoes are a must, as are waterproof boots with tread during the colder months when sidewalks can be icy or snow-covered.
Getting around
Downtown Halifax is relatively compact—it’s possible to walk from one end to the other in about 30 minutes. Most things are at most a 20-minute walk away, with many hotels, convention spaces, and attractions within a 5-15-minute walk of each other. It should be noted, however, that Halifax is set into a hill. This can be physically taxing for those with accessibility or mobility challenges. Here are a few options for motorized transport if needed:
Taxis (popular local companies are Casino Taxi or Bob’s Taxi) and ride shares (Uber) are readily available, as are rental cars, but parking and traffic in the downtown core can be heavy, especially during peak hours. For events located within the downtown core, travelling on foot is often quicker and easier.
Halifax Transit offers public transportation in the form of buses and two ferries that cross between Halifax and Dartmouth. Public transportation is accessible with routes that service most of the main attractions in the city.
For events that require attendees or delegates to be transported between venues, Halifax Transit offers bulk transit fares through its Event Transit Fares Program.
Things to Do
Halifax is a popular tourism destination, which means there are lots of things to see and do outside of the conference and events environment. Our Discover Halifax Tourism Site offers plenty of suggestions and tips on some of Halifax’s top experiences and sites.
If you’re looking for more information, please refer to our comprehensive Business Traveller Guide. If you still have questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly team members. We can’t wait to welcome you to Halifax!
