What is the Busker Festival?
The Festival runs for six days over Nova Scotia’s Natal Day long weekend. With hundreds of shows over those six days, the Festival includes performances on multiple stages in Halifax and Dartmouth.
Founded in 1986, the Busker Festival scours the globe for the best street performers and musicians to perform at the annual event. From musicians and fire breathers, to acrobats and magicians, the Busker Festival brings the best street performers in the world to the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
From the unique to the sublime, audience members will be taken on a ride of shock and awe, laughter and storytelling, fun and frivolity. Don’t miss out on the mid-way and carnival rides, and enjoy our vendors offering food, clothing, jewellery and more. Whether you're 8 or 88, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Busker Festival.
Where is the Festival?
On the vibrant Halifax and Dartmouth Waterfronts in Nova Scotia, Canada. Stages are located at the Halifax Waterfront at the bottom of Sackville Street, Halifax Seaport, and Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. You can find maps here.
When is the Festival?
The 2025 festival is July 30 to August 4.
Who is performing this year?
Click here to check out our 2025 buskers.
Is there a People's Choice Award this year?
Yes. Voting will open on the first day of the festival.
Are daily performance schedules available online?
Yes! You can find our daily performance schedules here.
How do I find the stages?
You can find maps for the stage locations here.
What happens if it rains?
If there's bad weather, we make the call on whether shows go ahead hour by hour and post updates as soon as possible on our social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram Stories) and daily online schedule. We usually won't cancel a whole day outright because of rain. Our buskers really want to perform for the crowds, so some will go on even if it's a bit rainy or wait out the weather.
How much does it cost?
The Festival is free admission and everyone is welcome - but we do encourage you to tip the performers. Busking is the one form of entertainment that allows you to watch the show, and then decide how much to pay. Performers at the festival make their money by what is placed in their hats.
Is the Festival accessible?
All of our stages are wheelchair accessible. We have an on-site accessibility advocate to help you plan your visit and navigate the festival. Please email [email protected] and chat with Kimberly about accessibility options and advice.
Are there rides this year?
Yes, the East Coast Amusements Midway will be at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, and Glow Funland will be at The Sands at Salter in Halifax. Click here for details.
Is there an All Star Show this year?
No, there is no All Star Show in 2025.
What should we bring?
We encourage people to bring water, something to sit on (blanket, pillow, folding chair) and, of course, a hat and sun screen! If the day is grey, bring an umbrella just in case. Our shows will often go on, even in in the rain. We do not encourage bringing non-service animals/pets to the festival. The festival is very hot and crowded, and that isn’t any fun for a dog getting caught under foot.
When are the fireworks?
The Halifax Natal Day fireworks are usually scheduled for 10pm on the Saturday of Natal Day weekend, which is August 2 this year.
How do we get from Halifax to Dartmouth, or Dartmouth to Halifax?
There is a passenger ferry between the Halifax Waterfront and Alderney Landing. Plan your trip with Halifax Transit.
Where can we park?
Visit this link for details on parking in Halifax and Dartmouth.
What if I'm taking a taxi or Uber?
Tell your driver to go to Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (1675 Lower Water Street) for the Waterfront Stages, Seaport Market (961 Marginal Road) for the Seaport Stage, or Alderney Landing (2 Ochterloney Street) for the Alderney Landing Stage.
Where should we stay?
We encourage you to book your accommodations with one of our sponsor hotels, many within walking distance to the Festival.
Where should we eat?
Please consider supporting one of our sponsor eateries. Many are on the Halifax Waterfront or a short walk from the Festival.
The Festival runs for six days over Nova Scotia’s Natal Day long weekend. With hundreds of shows over those six days, the Festival includes performances on multiple stages in Halifax and Dartmouth.
Founded in 1986, the Busker Festival scours the globe for the best street performers and musicians to perform at the annual event. From musicians and fire breathers, to acrobats and magicians, the Busker Festival brings the best street performers in the world to the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
From the unique to the sublime, audience members will be taken on a ride of shock and awe, laughter and storytelling, fun and frivolity. Don’t miss out on the mid-way and carnival rides, and enjoy our vendors offering food, clothing, jewellery and more. Whether you're 8 or 88, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Busker Festival.
Where is the Festival?
On the vibrant Halifax and Dartmouth Waterfronts in Nova Scotia, Canada. Stages are located at the Halifax Waterfront at the bottom of Sackville Street, Halifax Seaport, and Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. You can find maps here.
When is the Festival?
The 2025 festival is July 30 to August 4.
Who is performing this year?
Click here to check out our 2025 buskers.
Is there a People's Choice Award this year?
Yes. Voting will open on the first day of the festival.
Are daily performance schedules available online?
Yes! You can find our daily performance schedules here.
How do I find the stages?
You can find maps for the stage locations here.
What happens if it rains?
If there's bad weather, we make the call on whether shows go ahead hour by hour and post updates as soon as possible on our social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram Stories) and daily online schedule. We usually won't cancel a whole day outright because of rain. Our buskers really want to perform for the crowds, so some will go on even if it's a bit rainy or wait out the weather.
How much does it cost?
The Festival is free admission and everyone is welcome - but we do encourage you to tip the performers. Busking is the one form of entertainment that allows you to watch the show, and then decide how much to pay. Performers at the festival make their money by what is placed in their hats.
Is the Festival accessible?
All of our stages are wheelchair accessible. We have an on-site accessibility advocate to help you plan your visit and navigate the festival. Please email [email protected] and chat with Kimberly about accessibility options and advice.
Are there rides this year?
Yes, the East Coast Amusements Midway will be at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, and Glow Funland will be at The Sands at Salter in Halifax. Click here for details.
Is there an All Star Show this year?
No, there is no All Star Show in 2025.
What should we bring?
We encourage people to bring water, something to sit on (blanket, pillow, folding chair) and, of course, a hat and sun screen! If the day is grey, bring an umbrella just in case. Our shows will often go on, even in in the rain. We do not encourage bringing non-service animals/pets to the festival. The festival is very hot and crowded, and that isn’t any fun for a dog getting caught under foot.
When are the fireworks?
The Halifax Natal Day fireworks are usually scheduled for 10pm on the Saturday of Natal Day weekend, which is August 2 this year.
How do we get from Halifax to Dartmouth, or Dartmouth to Halifax?
There is a passenger ferry between the Halifax Waterfront and Alderney Landing. Plan your trip with Halifax Transit.
Where can we park?
Visit this link for details on parking in Halifax and Dartmouth.
What if I'm taking a taxi or Uber?
Tell your driver to go to Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (1675 Lower Water Street) for the Waterfront Stages, Seaport Market (961 Marginal Road) for the Seaport Stage, or Alderney Landing (2 Ochterloney Street) for the Alderney Landing Stage.
Where should we stay?
We encourage you to book your accommodations with one of our sponsor hotels, many within walking distance to the Festival.
Where should we eat?
Please consider supporting one of our sponsor eateries. Many are on the Halifax Waterfront or a short walk from the Festival.
