Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in Halifax and the HRM

Looking to enjoy the best Christmas lights in Halifax this holiday season? From dazzling house displays to beautiful light trails and unique community traditions, there’s no shortage of festive cheer across the Halifax area. Whether you’re walking along the waterfront or driving through neighbourhoods lit up for the holidays, these light displays are sure to brighten your December and get you in the holiday spirit. 

Evergreen Bright, Halifax Waterfront

Evergreen Bright is one of the best holiday light displays in Halifax. This walkable trail takes you along the Halifax waterfront and through downtown, with twinkling lights and creative displays that bring a festive glow to the city. Most of the displays are concentrated between the Halifax Ferry Terminal and Bishop’s Landing, but keep your eyes open for other light installations scattered throughout downtown Halifax.

This magical walk is part of the Evergreen Festival, one of Halifax’s top Christmas events. Pair your stroll with a visit to the Evergreen Market, one of the best Christmas Markets in Halifax, where you’ll find local artisans, holiday treats, and live entertainment. Whether you’re browsing the market or simply enjoying the festive lights, it’s a wonderful way to soak up the holiday spirit in Halifax.

Connaught Avenue, Halifax

At the corner of Connaught Avenue in the South End, the two Giacomantonio brothers, who are both doctors, create one of the most impressive Christmas light displays in Halifax. Each year, they decorate their homes and yards with thousands of bulbs, illuminating the trees and transforming their properties into a holiday wonderland. While they say it’s not a competition, each year, their displays become even more elaborate. 

One brother is a huge Charlie Brown fan, and his house has a Charlie Brown Christmas theme, complete with beloved characters, colourful lights, and a TV playing the classic movie. The other brother’s house features a more traditional display, with glowing lights, festive decorations and classic holiday songs that perfectly capture the spirit of the season.

Be sure to take a drive past these houses, or park and hop out to walk along and admire the magic up close. We visited last year for the first time and even though it was a weeknight, it was great to see how many families were out admiring the lights with us!

While it’s free to enjoy the light display, the brothers are also encouraging donations to Family SOS, a local non-profit that supports families in need. QR codes are found on signs at the light displays to donate if you wish and the brothers supplement the donations every year.

Appian Way, Dartmouth

On the Dartmouth side of the harbour, 55 Appian Way is home to one of the area’s most spectacular holiday light shows. This incredible display features 36,000 lights synchronized to music, which you can enjoy by tuning into a designated radio station from your car. The carefully choreographed display is amazing to see, with lights dancing in perfect time to the music, creating a truly magical holiday experience. 

And to add to the experience, you can also walk through parts of it. There’s an archway that you can walk through, which leads to a Santa mailbox where kids can drop off letters. All letters receive a handwritten reply – although this year with the Canada Post strike, there are no guarantees. 

As one of the best spots to see holiday lights in Dartmouth, it’s worth adding to your December plans, whether you’re out for an evening drive or exploring festive displays across the city.

Anderson’s Christmas Lights Display, Fall River

After enjoying the incredible house displays in Halifax and Dartmouth, make your way to Fall River to see the Anderson’s Christmas Lights Display. Located at 322 Henry Avenue in Fall River, this is one of the most impressive Christmas light displays in the Halifax area. Featuring 33,500 LED lights synchronized to five festive holiday songs, it’s one of the most popular holiday light displays in Nova Scotia, and an experience that never fails to impress.

The lights are perfectly timed to music, so you can tune in to 87.9 FM from your car to take in the full show. There are 5 different songs, with the full show running about 20 minutes. The display runs nightly from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, with extended hours until 11 PM on weekends.

The Anderson family has been delighting the community with their light show for years, each year adding new elements each holiday season to make the display even more spectacular. Visiting this light show is just one of the many festive things to do in Nova Scotia in December.
For a preview of their previous displays, you can watch a video of their 2021 show here. 

Colby Santa’s

In Cole Harbour’s Colby South neighbourhood, Christmas spirit is on full display—literally. With at least 130 giant inflatable Santas decorating the streets last year, this holiday tradition is one of the most unique in the city. 

While the display is a great way to show the holiday spirit, it’s also about giving back. Volunteers stand at the entrance to the neighbourhoood, collecting money and food donations for Feed Nova Scotia. It’s a wonderful way for the community to come together, spreading both holiday cheer and generosity.

We first drove through Colby South last year after hearing how fun it was, and it didn’t disappoint! Even though my kids aren’t too young anymore, they were still excited to see the Santas, and realize just how many Santas there really were! It’s such a fun and different tradition than just looking at houses with lights, and we’re already looking forward to seeing it again this year. 

Halifax Public Gardens

Unlike the house displays that dominate much of this list, the Halifax Public Gardens offer a different kind of festive magic. The winter light display transforms the park into a glowing retreat, with illuminated paths and sparkling decorations that make for a serene holiday outing.

Different areas of the gardens shine are beautifully decorated, but our favourite is the pond—especially when viewed from the bridge. The gazebo is another standout, and but really, it’s just lovely to stroll anywhere through the park and soak in the festive atmosphere. Open in the evenings throughout December, it’s a peaceful way to enjoy the season while taking in the beauty of this historic park.

City Hall Light Projection

Each December, Halifax City Hall lights up the Grand Parade with its beautiful light projection display. Revealed during the Halifax Christmas tree lighting celebration, the projection features several different festive designs, creating a beautiful show that plays each evening until Christmas. It’s a must-see if you’re visiting Halifax in December. 

I first saw a photo of City Hall lit up with this light projection a few years before we moved to Nova Scotia. It was so pretty and festive, and I vowed that one day we would visit during the holiday. Little did I know at that time, that we would soon be able to see it every year!

Sullivan’s Pond

Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth is another favourite of ours to see the lights. The trees around the pond are wrapped in glowing lights, and the bridge is beautifully decorated, making it a magical spot for an evening walk. Across the road, Dartmouth’s own Christmas tree adds to the festive spirit. When we first moved to Nova Scotia, we stayed in an Airbnb right across the street, and it was so pretty and festive to see the lights on our nightly walk after dinner. It’s a display that we still look forward to every year. 

Pro Tip: While the lights are beautiful all through December, a great time to visit is during the Dartmouth Tree Lighting. This event, one of the best Christmas celebrations in the Halifax area, kicks off the holiday season with activities for kids, hot chocolate, fireworks and the official lighting of the tree across from Sullivan’s Pond. 

Fall River Light Show

Fall River offers another great option for a festive outing. Homes throughout the neighbourhood are decorated with creative light displays, which are mapped out for visitors to follow on an evening drive. The map will be available starting December 3—I’ll link to it here once it’s live. It’s a fun way to explore the area and enjoy the best of the season’s decorations.

Lobster Trap Tree, Eastern Passage

For a uniquely Nova Scotia Christmas tradition, check out the lobster trap tree in Eastern Passage. This display may not have thousands of twinkling lights, but its charm lies in its maritime tradition. Lobster traps are stacked to form a tree shape and decorated with lights and ornaments, creating something you won’t find everywhere in Canada (though you might spot a similar display in PEI or Newfoundland—it’s a true Maritime tradition!).

Want to learn more? Check out our full post on lobster trap trees in Nova Scotia, including where to find them.

Final Thoughts: Holiday Lights in Halifax

Taking time to enjoy the Christmas light displays in Halifax is a perfect way to embrace the holiday season. From house displays to waterfront trails and unique traditions, there’s no shortage of festive cheer to enjoy. Whether you’re strolling through the downtown lights or taking a drive past glowing neighbourhoods, these displays are a wonderful way to celebrate the season and brighten the darkest month of the year.

Have a favourite display we didn’t include? Let us know in the comments or share your holiday light adventures with us—we’d love to hear from you!

More Inspiration for Your Nova Scotia Bucket List

The Best Halifax Christmas Events to Get You in the Festive Spirit
10 Fun Things to Do in Nova Scotia in November
Halifax in December: A Local’s Guide to Festive Fun in the City
10 Festive Things to Do in Nova Scotia in December
Lobster Trap Christmas Trees: A Unique Nova Scotia Tradition
Christmas Markets in Nova Scotia You Won’t Want to Miss [2024]
Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in Halifax and the HRM