Get ready for family fun and great events this October! There are festivals, fall activities, and of course…lots of crazy fun events going on to celebrate Halloween. The East Coast boasts some of the best fall weather in the country so be sure to spend some time in the great outdoors, too.
Mi’kmaq Heritage Month | (All month long)
Across Nova Scotia every October, Mi’kmaq History Month is celebrated, and community activities and events share and showcase Mi’kmaw history. This year’s theme is A’tukwemk aq A’tukowinu’k – Storytelling and Storytellers.
The Prismatic Arts Festival | (September 26 – October 5)
This national, multidisciplinary arts festival showcases and celebrates innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour across Canada.
Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival | (September 26 – October 13)
Watch the beautiful town of Mahone Bay come to life with over 250 hand-made, life-size scarecrows.
Bluenose Ghost Festival | (October 5 – October 31)
The Bluenose Ghosts Festival at Alderney Landing has something for those who crave spookiness, including a Haunted House, an Escape Room, a Crypt Ride and more!
McNabs Island Fall Foliage Tours | (October 19)
Join the Friends of McNabs Island Society for our Fall Foliage Tours of McNabs Island. See the island in its autumn splendour and participate in guided heritage, nature, adventure or family tours.
Nocturne Halifax: Art at Night | (October 16 – 19)
Enjoy a nocturnal perspective of art in the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth. This FREE festival includes family-friendly exhibits staged across galleries and public spaces of downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. Check out the program guide for all the details.
Curbside Giveaway Weekend | (October 18 & 19)
FREE up some space and get some FREE stuff on Halifax’s curbside giveaway weekend. Check their new interactive map!
Diwali Mela 2025 – India’s Festival of Lights | (October 18 & 19)
Join in the celebration of Diwali- with cultural vendors, family fun, performances, food, music, and more!
Francofest 2025 | (October 23 – November 1)
An annual festival focused on celebrating Francophone diversity, Francofest is led by a dedicated organizing committee as well as the Conseil Communautaire du Grand-Havre. This year marks the 14th edition!
Apple Picking Near Halifax
There’s nothing like the juicy crunch of a freshly picked apple and no better feeling than picking that apple yourself! With so many beautiful orchards, families in Nova Scotia have plenty of choices when it comes to places to go apple-picking. Here is our list of fun places to go apple-picking with your family in Nova Scotia. Not all farms accept debit and credit, so check before you go!
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
As fall arrives in Halifax, with cooler weather and changing leaves, people start looking for pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Let’s take a look at the top spots in the area to enjoy these classic autumn activities and make some great memories, all with the inviting backdrop of the fall season.
Halloween Guide
It’s Halloween season, so it’s time to get spooky! If you’re looking for the best Family Halloween Events in Halifax and surrounding areas for Halloween 2025, you’ve come to the right place. Here is our freak-alicious Ultimate Guide to Spooktacular Family Halloween Events in Halifax – and Beyond. Be sure to keep checking back because this guide will be updated regularly.
Don’t forget, in addition to the events above, there are lots of ongoing activities at these great Halifax attractions:
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Discovery Centre, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Museum of Natural History, Africville Museum, Halifax Central Library, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Shearwater Avaiation Museum, Ross Farm Museum and Shubenacadie Wildlife Park
Be sure to visit our calendar for current events happening in your community. Have a fantastic October everyone!
