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.
When is the Festival?
The 2023 festival is August 2 to August 7.
Who is performing this year?
Click here to check out our 2023 buskers.
Is there a People's Choice Award this year?
Yes! You can vote for your favourite busker here.
When will performance schedules be available online?
Click here to check out our daily performance schedules.
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 and daily online schedule. We don'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?
We have an on-site accessibility advocate to help you navigate the festival. Please email accessiblebuskers@gmail.com 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 Seaport. Click here for details.
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 scheduled for 10pm on Saturday, August 5.
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.
Where should we stay?
We encourage you to book your accommodations with one of our sponsor hotels, many within walking distance to 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.
When is the Festival?
The 2023 festival is August 2 to August 7.
Who is performing this year?
Click here to check out our 2023 buskers.
Is there a People's Choice Award this year?
Yes! You can vote for your favourite busker here.
When will performance schedules be available online?
Click here to check out our daily performance schedules.
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 and daily online schedule. We don'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?
We have an on-site accessibility advocate to help you navigate the festival. Please email accessiblebuskers@gmail.com 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 Seaport. Click here for details.
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 scheduled for 10pm on Saturday, August 5.
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.
Where should we stay?
We encourage you to book your accommodations with one of our sponsor hotels, many within walking distance to the Festival.
