October is one of my favourite months in Halifax. The leaves change, the air gets a bit sharper, and between Thanksgiving and Halloween, there is plenty going on. Pumpkin patches, apple picking and fall hikes are obvious choices, but there is much more to fill your calendar.
Whether you live here or are visiting Halifax this fall, here are some October 2026 events worth a look.
Halifax Events October 2026:
As well as the above events, here’s a glance at what else is happening:
October 2026 events in Halifax at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| October 3 and 17 | Halifax Tides home matches | Wanderers Grounds |
| October 8, 10, 16, 18, 23 and 24 | Halifax Mooseheads home games | Scotiabank Centre |
| October 12 and 25 | HFX Wanderers home matches | Wanderers Grounds |
| October 22-25 | ReJigged Festival | Downtown Dartmouth |
| October 24 | Eastern Shore Harvest Food Festival | Lupin Dining & Pantry, West Petpeswick |
| October 24 | The Mom Market fall market | Halifax Brewery Market |
| October 24, 25 and 30 | Ghosts of Halifax Cruise | Cable Wharf, Halifax waterfront |
| October 26, 7 p.m. | Halifax Gals & Pals Picnic and Ghostwalk | Citadel Hill |
| Throughout October | The Halifax Ghost Walk | Old Town Clock |
| Select October evenings | Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour | Halifax Citadel |
(Always check the organizer’s page for tickets, start times and last minute schedule changes before heading out)
Fall festivals and local markets
ReJigged Festival, October 22–25
If live music and dance are your thing, ReJigged Festival brings Celtic traditions and contemporary performances to downtown Dartmouth from October 22 to 25. It is a nice excuse to make an evening of it across the harbour: find a place for dinner, then catch a show or take part in a workshop.
Eastern Shore Harvest Food Festival, October 24
Fancy a drive out of the city? The Eastern Shore Harvest Food Festival takes place at Lupin Dining & Pantry in West Petpeswick on October 24. Expect local food, chef curated tastings, music and the kind of autumn setting that makes the drive part of the day. Book ahead and check the event details before you go.
The Mom Market at Halifax Brewery Market, October 24
The Mom Market has a fall market listed for October 24 at Halifax Brewery Market, 1496 Lower Water Street. It is a chance to browse local makers and small businesses while you are downtown. Check the organizer’s Halifax page for confirmed hours and vendor details before making plans.
Halifax sports in October 2026
October is a good month to support the home teams. The Halifax Tides play at Wanderers Grounds on October 3 and 17, while the HFX Wanderers are home on October 12 and 25. Check the Wanderers Grounds event listings for match times and tickets.
Prefer hockey? The Halifax Mooseheads play at Scotiabank Centre on October 8, 10, 16, 18, 23 and 24. The October 18 game is listed as Kid’s Day, which could be a good option for a family outing. The Scotiabank Centre schedule has opponents, times and ticket information.
Halloween things to do in Halifax
Dusty Keleher’s Halifax Ghost Walk
This is one I would personally recommend. Dusty Keleher is a brilliant storyteller, and the mix of Halifax history and ghost stories makes it a proper October evening out. The Halifax Ghost Walk lists an 8:30 p.m. tour every night during October, with some additional 6 p.m. departures. Tours usually begin at the Old Town Clock on Citadel Hill, and reservations are required. Check directly with Dusty for the date and start time you want.
Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour
For another perspective on the city’s spooky history, take an after dark ghost tour of the Halifax Citadel. The guided visit explores parts of the fort by candlelight. Check the Citadel’s booking page for available October dates, as the public schedule may change.
Halifax Gals & Pals Picnic and Ghostwalk, October 26
The Halifax Gals & Pals Picnic and Ghostwalk starts at 7 p.m. on October 26 on Citadel Hill. The plan is a picnic, weather permitting, followed by a guided Citadel ghost tour. It is a ticketed community event for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, so check the organizer’s page for availability and details.
Ghosts of Halifax Cruise, October 24, 25 and 30
If you would rather hear ghost stories from the harbour, the Ghosts of Halifax Cruise aboard the Tall Ship Silva is scheduled for October 24, 25 and 30 at 8 p.m. It departs from Cable Wharf on the Halifax waterfront. Booking ahead is sensible, particularly close to Halloween.
Pumpkin patches, apple picking and fall colours near Halifax
You do not need a ticketed event to enjoy October here. Make a morning of apple picking or a pumpkin patch, then take a walk while the leaves are changing. Shubie Park in Dartmouth, Point Pleasant in Halifax and Hemlock Ravines are easy choices for a fall stroll; Peak colour and picking conditions vary with the weather, so check with the farm or trail operator before setting off.
Thanksgiving weekend is also a good chance to slow down, get outside and enjoy where we live. That is one of the things I love about Halifax: you can spend one day downtown at a game or a show, and the next by the water or on a wooded trail.
Planning an October visit to Halifax?
Pack layers and a rain jacket, especially for waterfront evenings, outdoor matches and ghost tours. Book the events you most want to see in advance, then leave room for a spontaneous walk or a stop at a local café. If you are considering a move to Halifax, autumn is a lovely time to get a feel for its neighbourhoods and the pace of life here.
I am Richard Payne, a Halifax real estate agent who helps people find the right home and community for the life they want to build here. If you are thinking about relocating to Halifax or moving within the area, get in touch and I will be happy to share some honest local advice.
EN
FR