In between holiday parties, Christmas pageants and office potlucks comes the opportunity to take in a few favourite family-friendly and (mostly) free holiday events.
Lucky for us, Nova Scotia is ripe with holly-drenched options that are certain to get you and yours singing Fa La La La La in no time.
There are even events and activities for the Scrooges out there, so don’t worry, not all of our recommendations will have you sipping eggnog and singing Christmas carols — we’ve got a little something for everyone.
Here are five tried and true holiday traditions to take in this winter:
1. Tree for Boston
To show our eternal gratefulness to the city and people of Boston for its immediate help in the wake of the Halifax Explosion that devastated the city on Dec. 6, 1917, and left 2,000 dead and another 9,000 injured, Halifax sends a locally-grown tree to the Massachusetts capital.
The annual send-off occurs Nov. 16 at Grand Parade Square in Halifax and includes local music and food.
2. Herald Holiday Parade of Lights
The unofficial kickoff to the holiday season starts with The 21st Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights and the Red Nose Run. The parade and 2.5-kilometre fun run will take over downtown Halifax Nov. 19. Bundle up, grab a warm drink and enjoy the festive floats, marching bands, dancers and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus!
3. Halifax Tree Lighting
A visit from Santa, a Christmas tune sing along and fireworks are all part of the annual Halifax Christmas Tree Lighting. The free event runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Grand Parade in downtown Halifax.
Live music and dance party are always included, with acts yet to be announced. The actual tree lighting is set for 7 p.m.
4. Skating at the Emera Oval
Rent a pair of skates or dig out those blades from your former glory days and take a spin around the Oval this holiday season. Check the Emera Oval Facebook page for updates on live music, skating parties and family-friendly events this holiday season.
5. The Nutcracker
Take in Symphony Nova Scotia’s The Nutcracker at the Rebecca Cohn auditorium running Dec. 9 to 18.
For the first time, professional dancers from Canada’s Ballet Jorgen take on principal roles of Clara and the Nutcracker this year for the first time!
If ballet isn’t your thing, check out the Neptune’s annual holiday-themed show; this year audiences will be treated to Miracle on 34th Street, which runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 31.
Ring in the New Year with some of these traditions:
1. Celebrate 2016 and ring in 2017 at Grand Parade.
2. Start 2017 off with an icy dip. Local communities throughout Nova Scotia host their own polar bear dips, so check online for a dip near you.
Source : thechronicleherald
