Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax

Last Updated on February 20, 2024

Aside from just being a city that likes to drink and have a craic (good time in Irish), Halifax, Nova Scotia and its residents also tend to have a lot of Irish roots. In the 1860’s close to half the city’s population was made up of Irish immigrants. We also have the most bars and pubs per capita in North America and because we are a University city mixed with our Irish (and Scottish) heritage, St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia is often quite the celebration. Here are the best tips for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax from what pubs to go to, when to go, information about the Halifax St. Patrick’s day parade and more.

a pint of Guinness and a pint of alexander keiths beer with st patricks day decorations at the durty nellys st patricks day celebrations

Best Halifax Pubs to go to on St. Patrick’s Day

The best pub by far to go to in Halifax on St. Patrick’s day is the Old Triangle Irish Ale House. This traditional Irish pub opens at 7am on St. Patrick’s day serving up a traditional Irish breakfast and Guinness. The Old Triangle will have live music all day long, face painting and great drink specials. Aside from pouring many pints of delicious Guinness they also offer great non-alcoholic options to go along with their delicious Irish food. If you want the true St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax experience then this is where you should go.

Warning: There will definitely be lines to get in and it will definitely be crowed. The Old Triangle also has a location in Sydney, Cape Breton if you happen to be celebrating St. Patrick’s day there instead. St. Patrick’s Day this year falls on a Sunday, so if you have to work that Monday then check out their live music with Newfoundland singer and song writer the night before on Saturday March 16, 2024. Tickets are available now online.

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Your next best choice for a pub to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax in is just up the hill four streets, and over a block at Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub. Another Irish pub that will be open extremely early and will be full of chaos and live music on St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy a traditional Irish Breakfast, Irish Coffee and get your day started the right way. Without a doubt these will be the two biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Halifax.

fish and chips with guinness at seamus davids in dartmouth crossing on st patricks day

Other Irish Pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s day at in the city

Other great bars to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Halifax in include Seamus David’s Irish Pub in Dartmouth Crossing, and Finbar’s Irish Pub in Bedford or Dartmouth. If they are full then other favourites are the Lion’s Head Tavern in the North End, The Split Crow, and the Celtic Corner Public House in downtown Dartmouth. If you want a seat at any of these pubs be sure to go early or be prepared to wait.

Non-Irish Pubs to Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at in Halifax

The Loose Cannon on Argyle street isn’t an Irish pub, it is Scottish. However because of that it will have way less of a crowd on St. Patrick’s Day. It is still a great place as any to enjoy this wonderful green day of celebrations. Other pubs that will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax are the Henry House, Quin’s Arms Pub, the two locations of the Brown Hound Pub, the Narrows Public House, Maxwell’s Plum, and more. For the most live music be sure to check out the Lower Deck. But lets be honest, anywhere that sells alcohol will be busy. This is Halifax, and people will take any reason to celebrate and be out on the town.

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coldstream clear distillery st patricks day cocktail flight

The Best Breweries to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at in Halifax

Halifax is full of great craft beer breweries and in the province we actually have over 56 of them now. Two of the most popular Propeller Brewing and Garrison Brewing will both be busy spots on St. Patrick’s day. Visit their breweries and tasting rooms for a selection of great locally made craft beer. Chain Yard Cider on Agricola street would also be a great spot to check out as well.

If you are more of a cocktail lover then check out the Coldstream Clear Distillery in Dartmouth Crossing. They will be serving up St. Patrick’s Day themed cocktail flights, delicious appetizers, and will have live music all day in their tasting room.

Halifax st patricks day parade image credit sean hewitt haligonia
image credit Sean Dewitt

The Halifax St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Halifax St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place this year on Sunday March 10th, 2024. Starting at 1pm to 2pm. The parade begins Pier 20 following along Lower Water street all the way to the historic properties. The parade is meant for the Irish and everyone else to celebrate St. Patrick and the relationship between Ireland and Canada. Wear your very best green clothes and come out and celebrate the 17th year of this great community parade. Find updates about the parade here.

Following the Halifax St. Patrick’s Day parade there is an after party with live entertainment at the Lower Deck.

irishtown road Halifax sign

Learn some Irish Halifax History

At one point more than half of Halifax’s population in the early 1800’s was made up of Irish immigrants. Still today in Halifax and Dartmouth there are areas known as “Irishtown”. In Halifax it’s the area between South and Prince Street bordered by Barrington and Lower Water Streets. Even some of the street signs in the area today say “Historic Irishtown” on top of them. These Irish helped build Halifax as we known it today. Many of them are now buried in the south end at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Easily identifiable by the Irish cross on their tombstones. Think of them fondly while you celebrate with a drink in their honour on this St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax.


How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax? Share your favourite pubs and best things to do in the comments below!

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