About Open City

Celebrate the best of local as we get out and experience Open City HFX! Start making plans to get out and enjoy your neighbourhood - or a new-to-you neighbourhood! Saturday May 13, get together with friends and family to explore the many businesses and organizations rolling out their welcome mats and opening their 'back-doors' offering special treats and features. Shops, restaurants, cultural organizations, attractions, charities, and government are all encouraged to take part.

Created in 2012 by I Love Local HFX, Open City has been the unofficial kick-off to the summer season for Halifax’s amazing local shops and restaurants for the past ten years. Whether you’re an ardent supporter of local, or just enjoy trying new things, exploring your city and having a great time, Open City has something for everyone.

 

From Back Door Takeout being served from some of the city’s top chefs, amazing deals at local boutiques, opportunities to make and enjoy art, music on the corner – you never know what to expect at Open City. One thing is certain though, it’s always an amazing opportunity to get out and meet the folks between Halifax and Dartmouth’s local shops and restaurants.  Try something new, revisit your old favourites, take the road less travelled and enjoy.

 

In 2020, I Love Local HFX handed over the organizing of Open City to Build Nova Scotia (formerly Develop Nova Scotia). As program partners of the even since 2012, Build Nova Scotia knows how important Open City is to small businesses in Halifax and Dartmouth.

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