Jane’s in the Nova Centre, Roger’s Square

Eyes on Halifax   celebrates 4 years

Halifax Live! Comedy Club turns 2

Layers Cupcakes serving up goodness for 14 years

Our Place Coffeehouse hosting 1st Birthday party on October 14^th

The Bread Lounge has its 1^st birthday

Monky Funky celebrated turning one with a big party

Scotiabank Centre wins for the 2025 PWHL Takeover Tour Halifax in the 2026 Event Atlantic Excellence Awards!  The 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials hosted at Scotiabank Centre was recognized as runner-up in the Event of the Year ($500,000+) category

Visual Arts Nova Scotia announces 2026/27 Mentorship Program participants

Prime Minister launches new council on AI - online

Affordability, managing growth top of mind for new Halifax CAO, Marnie Cluckie - CTV

Ocean Week shares this years success at AGM - instagram

20 Years ago, on the first Sunday of October 2006
Sunday Shopping became legal year-round in Nova Scotia - online

Sail GP shares economic impact ahead of launch of ticket presale which begins October 15, 2026 – CTV

Email scams targeting Nova Scotia crafters and makers - CBC

Monday October 19^th 11:30 – 3:30

AI workshop with Avery Swartz.

DHBC members only. We have 23 free spots in this hands-on working event. First come, first served for owners and leadership team members. View criteria and fill out this application form to register. One spot per member.

This three-hour, hands-on workshop helps small business owners build practical, repeatable skills for working with AI tools in their day-to-day. Participants bring their own laptops and follow along with ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini.

Since 2014, the Hal-Con Sci-Fi Fantasy Association’s charity auction has raised more than $90,000. Proceeds support the IWK Foundation and Kids Help Phone. You can help by donating merchandise, tickets, or gift cards for the auction, held during the November 6–8 convention. To arrange a donation, email auction@hal-con.com.

Save the Date:  DHBC Members Holiday Party

Thursday, December 3^rd 2026, Prince George Hotel

It’s not too late to book a half-page ad in the 2026 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide! The cost is $55 + tax for a half-page ad. Material is due October 15. Email allana@downtownhalifax.ca to book.

Downtown Halifax businesses are invited to sign-up to participate in Spruce’s Evergreen Cocoa Trail, part of the Evergreen Festival (Nov 27-Dec 20), where local cafes & restaurants offer special hot chocolates and festive drinks. We are once again partnering with Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia (DFNS) and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) on this initiative with participating businesses being offered honourarium of up to $200 to help cover the cost of Canadian milk and/or cream. Learn more and register here.  

Register your float for the Holiday Parade of Lights. Deadline October 9^th.

Don't miss your chance to be featured in the 2026 Local Wishlist, Nova Scotia's annual buy-local holiday shopping guide. Submit your local gift ideas of products and experiences by October 22. Contact Kate at localwishlist@halifaxbloggers.ca for more details.

On Saturday, October 17,  DHBC will host “The Embellishers Take Nocturne 2026.” The Embellishers are known for creating live, on-the-spot embroidery experiences, transforming personal textiles into one-of-a-kind wearable artworks. Bring a piece of your everyday clothing and watch it turn into a custom work of art. Learn more about this project here.

Partner Breakfast Event: The Future of AI Adoption for Small Business

Attend the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Breakfast event, with Avery Swartz, digital pioneer and founder of Camp Tech, for a thought-provoking look at machine learning and generative AI. Over a plated breakfast, Avery breaks down how this rapidly evolving technology works and will demonstrate the potential of tools like ChatGPT to support innovation, productivity, and business growth. Buy tickets here, small business discount offered.

Reach South End homeowners. 
Neighbours of Halifax South is an exclusive print magazine delivered to every homeowner south of Quinpool, complemented by targeted web and social media advertising connecting you with this highly engaged audience. Meet with the new publisher by October 30 and save 14% on all advertising packages: Amanda Silliker, 782-640-1078, asilliker@bestversionmedia.com

Celebrating Mi’kmaw History Month

October is officially recognized as Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia. To learn more about ways you can celebrate this month in Downtown Halifax, click here.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) News

• Massachusetts Avenue ramp to Robie Street from MacKay Bridge and Barrington Street is closed until November 27^th.
  
  
• Trollope Street, between Cogswell and Bell Road, will be closed on Sunday, October 11^th.
  
  
• HRM is seeking feedback on different design options for the Peninsula South Complete Streets project.
• Neighbourhood placemaking accepting grant applications until Nov. 8^th. Virtual Information session on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Participants can register by emailing placemaking@halifax.ca with your name, neighbourhood and email address.
  
  

Win a free ticket for tonight`s event - First Uncorked Connections of the season is tonight October 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Wine Spa. We have one free ticket to give away!  First person to email colleen@downtownhalifax.ca is the winner.

Tickets are $75, or enjoy all three fall events on October 7, November 4 and December 2 with a Fall Series Pass for $200.Get your tickets here.

Outdoor Movies – October 7, 12, 19 and 26

Spontaneity Improv at Rox Live – October 8, Rox Live

The Big Sing: Robyn – October 13, The Basement

Nocturne Art at Night – October 15-18

Haliente Salsa Fridays – October 16 & 23, Haliente Creative Studio

Scotoberfest    - October 22, 23, 24 Queen`s Marque

Social East  - Oct 29 & 30 Halifax Convention Centre – one more day to get your $150 ticket

If you have business news you'd like to share, email colleen@downtownhalifax.ca.📬 

1546 Barrington Street, Suite 104
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3X7
Phone: (902) 423-6658 Fax: (902) 429-0865