What’s open, what’s closed, what’s going on in Halifax on Natal Day 2023

HALIFAX, N.S. — Fireworks, a parade, concerts and a long list of community events — it’s Natal Day long weekend again in HRM.

Monday isn’t a statutory retail closing day in Nova Scotia, so most stores are open for business, but many are operating on reduced hours. 

Here’s a list of what’s open and what’s closed on Monday. 

If you need groceries: 

• Most grocery stores including Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys, Walmart and Costco will be open, but operating under reduced hours, which may vary.

If you want wine, beer or other spirited beverages:

• NSLC stores will be open for Natal Day, but most locations will have reduced hours. 
• Harvest Wines & Spirits, RockHead Wine and Beer Market and WestSide Beer Wine Spirits will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Most craft beverage producers will have their taprooms and/or storefronts open on Monday. 

Drug stores: Most pharmacies and drug stores will be open on Monday. 

Malls and retail: Major retailers and shopping centres such as the Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall will be open from noon to 5 p.m. 

Halifax Public Libraries: All branches will be closed. 

Getting around by bus or ferry: Buses and ferries will run on a holiday schedule on Monday. 

The Alderney ferry, which will be free on Saturday, will run every half hour on Monday, with the first crossing leaving the Alderney terminal at 7:30 a.m. The final crossing will depart the Halifax terminal at 11:45 p.m.  The Woodside Ferry will also run every 30 minutes starting with a departure at Woodside at 7:37 a.m. and the last trip leaving from the Halifax side at 8:52 p.m.

Several bus routes will be detoured from the Macdonald Bridge to the Mackay on Monday because of the parade.

Parking: On-street paid parking will be free on Monday, however, motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage such as no-parking zones. 

Waste collection: There will be no municipal solid waste collection service on Monday. Curbside collection of garbage, organics and recyclables that were to be picked up on Monday will instead be picked up on Saturday, Aug. 5. 

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax recycling facility and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Monday but open on Saturday. The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, but the mobile Household Special Waste Depot will be held on Saturday at Saint Mary’s University (960 Tower Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Canada Post: There will be no collection or delivery of mail by Canada Post on Monday. 

If you don’t have plans yet for the long weekend, there are plenty of places open for drop-ins and events happening around the city. 

Recreational facilities and services: All municipal beaches will have lifeguard supervision on Monday and all splash pad locations will be open, as will the Cole Harbour, Halifax Common and Bedford outdoor pools. The Sackville Sports Stadium will be open but many other municipally run recreation facilities will be closed on Monday — call ahead or check online before you head out to one. The Canada Games Centre is closed on Natal Day.

The Emera Oval will also be open Monday and will be offering equipment lending from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Buskers Festival: The festival is already bustling. Catch some of the action on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts before the festival packs it in for another season Monday evening. 

Macdonald Bridgewalk: The Macdonald bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic. It will start with an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“This is the perfect opportunity for those who have always admired the breathtaking view from the bridge, but have only seen it from a car window, the walkway or the bike lane,” says Halifax Harbour Bridges CEO Tony Wright.

Fireworks: The Halifax-Dartmouth Natal Day harbour fireworks take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday or at the same time Sunday if it rains. 

The municipality is asking residents wanting to launch their own fireworks to check the burning restrictions guidelines which updated at 2 p.m. daily, for the latest information. If a burn ban is in place, fireworks are not permitted.

Parade: The Natal Day parade, which will depart from the Hydrostone area before crossing the Macdonald bridge and ending at Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth, will kick off at 10 a.m. on Monday. 

For more information and other events taking place on Monday, visit natalday.org.