And with that, folks, we are headed into the long weekend. Kick your legs up, pull out your deck chairs, work on that tan, enjoy the Victoria Day festivities and enjoy some good food with great company.
Victoria Day, celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, honours Queen Victoria, who is known as the “Mother of Confederation.”
But that’s enough of the mini history class, now for what you have really come here for.
What to do
Watch Heave Away
Head over to Grafton Dinner Theatre. Captain Billy Barnacle has hung up his cutlass, and now there’s an empty throne at the helm of the Pirates Association! Who will take the wheel? A motley crew of misfits gathered, each claiming they’re the one to lead the high seas to glory. But can any of these outlaws hold the title of Head Pirate? Get ready to embark on a rollicking adventure that’s a treasure trove of sea shanties and sea-nanigans!
- May 16 – 17 | 6:15 PM
- Grafton Dinner Theatre, 1741 Grafton Street, Halifax
- $47.15 – $69.95
Watch Casey & Diana
In 1991, at the height of the AIDS crisis, the residents of Casey House – Toronto’s first free-standing AIDS Hospice – receive word that the Princess of Wales is coming to visit.
This potent and moving drama by Nick Green vividly captures a moment in time when a rebel Princess, alongside fearless caregivers and advocates, reshaped the course of a pandemic—and how those stricken by the virus found hard-won dignity, community, and love in the face of astonishing hardship.
- May 16 | 7:30 PM
- May 17 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
- May 18 | 2:00 PM
- Neptune Theatre – Scotiabank Stage, 1593 Argyle Street Halifax
- $33 – $65
Head Over to Nova Scotia Parks
The provincial parks will begin opening on Friday, May 16.
All day-use parks, including Blomidon, Cape Chignecto, Ellenwood Lake, Graves Island, Porters Lake, Rissers Beach, and Thomas Raddall, will begin operating from May 16 to October 13, 2025.
Try the Family Round-Up
This 2-hour adventure includes a horse-drawn wagon ride to and from Fort Clayton, time in our Rubber Rodeo, a hotdog, fries and beverage for lunch, followed by time on the ziplines and playgrounds.
- May 17 – 18 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Hatfield Farm, 1840 Hammonds Plains Rd, Hammonds Plains
- $24.99 plus HST per person; children 2 and under are free
A show at the Halifax Magic Club?
Check out Halifax’s finest professional and hobby magicians amaze, bewilder and surprise you. The magicians of the Halifax Magic Club will perform incredible magic, mentalism, and more.
Bring your friends and family and make sure to get there early to grab a seat. Headsup, while children are allowed to attend, the magic is not targeted at the young ones.
- May 16 | 7:30 PM
- The Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen Street, Halifax
- $15 + fees
Watch Rasta Gumbo
Front man Bruce Vickery brings his Rasta Gumbo – R&B / Ska / Reggae / fun-night-out band back to The Carleton on Saturday, May 17th. The dancing (and there will be dancing) gets underway at 9 PM.
- May 17 | 9:00 PM
- The Carleton, 1685 Argyle St. Halifax
- $26.22 – $31.92
Groove at Future Spring 2025
Watch Megan Hamilton, Pineo & Loeb, Kitty Bass, Mickey Mac perform. 1Heads up, this is a 19+ event, so do not forget to bring your ID.
- May 17 | 9:00 PM
- The Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax
- $20 – $28 + fees
Sample some drinks at the East Coast Cider Festival
Produced by Curated Food & Drink Magazine and hosted at the Halifax Marriott Hotel, East Coast Cider Festival is a 2-session cider tasting extravaganza where cider lovers get 3 hours to enjoy delicious ciders from all over Atlantic Canada. Do not forget to bring your ID for this event too!
- May 17 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street, Halifax
- $49.75 + $6.97 HST
Run the Blue Nose Full Marathon
The Blue Nose Full Marathon is a Boston Qualifying event that takes participants on a 42.2KM (26.2 miles) adventure through the dynamic streets of Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The course showcases several main attractions, including the beautiful harbour, Lake Banook, the vibrant North End, Point Pleasant Park, and the beautiful Halifax waterfront.
- May 16 – 18
- Downtown Halifax
- The race begins and ends at the Emera Oval.
This article appears in May 1-31, 2025.