There will be no shortage of things to do for Halifax and Dartmouth residents as the Natal Day weekend kicks off Friday.
Celebrating the birth of Halifax, there will be fireworks, concerts and the 122nd annual parade.
Global News has compiled a list of different things you can do and what services are there to help you get around to the festivities.
Fireworks
Often seen as one of the biggest events of the entire festival, three fireworks shows will take place with the largest being on Saturday. The fireworks will be launched from a barge in the Halifax harbour. People can catch the show on both the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts. They start at 10 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday at 10 p.m.
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There is still more fun to be had if you miss the barge fireworks with the sky being lit up above the Halifax South Common on Sunday and Birchcove Beach in Dartmouth on Monday.
Free breakfast
If you’re in the mood for pancakes, you’ll be able to get a stack at the CFB Halifax Natal Day Free Pancake Breakfast.
Held at the Hydrostone Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., pancakes are being served until 10 a.m. (or until supplies last). There will also be board games, live music, Milo T. Clown and performances from the Halifax International Buskers Festival.
Parade
The 122nd Natal Day Parade will take to the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth Monday starting at 10 a.m.
Unlike the 2016 parade which remained on the Dartmouth side due to ongoing construction on the MacDonald Bridge, the parade will make the full trek this year.
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This year will also feature Pittsburgh Penguins captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby heading the event as parade marshal. Halifax’s mayor announced earlier this week Crosby would be the marshal, with thousands expected to turn out.
The parade starts in Halifax at the corner of Novalea Drive and Kenny Street, proceeds down Gottingen Street to North Street, then makes its way across the bridge before making its way down Wyse Road to Alderney Drive. It then goes up Ochterloney Street out to Sullivan’s Pond.
Buskers
Though separate from the Natal Day festival, the Busker Festival is already in full swing along the Halifax Waterfront. The festival is free to all, but it is encouraged tips be provided to performers.
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Concerts and comedy
During Natal Day weekend, there will also be plenty of shows to visit.
On Saturday, live music will be held at the Halifax Public Gardens as part of the Mayor and Council Garden Party. The Mellotones and The Aviators will be on hand at the bandshell, while Milo T. Clown will be around to entertain visitors. The Rhapsody Quintet will also be performing in the gardens. On the Dartmouth side, there will also be a community concert with Ian James from 8 p.m. — 10 p.m. at Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park.
On Sunday, the African Nova Scotian Music Association will be featuring local gospel and urban artists at the Halifax North Common from 1 p.m. — 9:30 p.m., just before the night’s fireworks. Alex and Donna will also entertain people at the bandshell at Sullivan’s Pond Park at 7 p.m. in Dartmouth.
Monday will see the Sullivan’s Pond Natal Day concert run from noon to 5 p.m. at Sullivan’s Pond. And from 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. at Lake Banook, the ESSO Rising Star Showcase will feature young artists from dance to song performing.
Halifax Transit
Halifax Transit buses will operate on a standard Friday, Saturday and Sunday service throughout the festival weekend, though extra buses will be on standby should demand call for more. Buses will then run on holiday service on Monday with standby buses still in place if needed.
The Alderney Ferry service will also be running standard service Friday to Sunday, and holiday service Monday, but will add 15-minute service from Saturday to Monday. On Saturday, the service will shuttle passengers across the water from 12:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., on Sunday, it will run 11:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and on Monday, the service will run 7:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Regular fares are required, but the Alderney Ferry will be free all day Saturday.
The Woodside Ferry will not be operating during the weekend.