CITYnews halifax : Here’s what events and closures to expect for the 129th Natal Day

CITYnews halifax / By Marshall Crocker

The 129th annual Halifax-Dartmouth Natal Day is set to bring plenty of activities and entertainment to the streets of Halifax, and in turn, some closures and detours on city streets.

Here is a list of some of the major Natal Day events ahead, and what road closures to expect as a result.

120th Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race

Over 1200 participants have already signed up for the 120th annual Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race. The race is one of the oldest in North America, and will take place along the same 2 mile course that was run in 2025. Organizers say the event is welcome to competitive runners and recreational joggers alike. The event’s webpage says the race takes pride in “being a fun and affordable event for the entire family”.

The 2026 Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race is no longer accepting entries for runners, but the public is still welcome to watch the race along the route, or donate to the cause on the race’s website.

The 2026 race will both start and finish at Christ Church on Ochterloney St, and will loop around Sullivan’s Pond and Downtown Dartmouth before returning to its starting point. Those running the 2 mile race will run one lap of the circuit, those running the 6 mile variant will run 3 laps.

The City of Halifax says in terms of traffic impact:

“traffic delays are expected in downtown Dartmouth, with the race impacting Ochterloney Street, Crichton Avenue, Hawthorne Street, Portland Street, Pleasant Street, Prince Albert Road, Irishtown Road, Queen Street and Alderney Drive. Drivers should anticipate traffic delays, street closures, and parking restrictions along the race route and are asked to use alternative routes where possible.”

The 2026 Natal Day race will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning.

129th Pepsi Natal Day Parade

The 129th annual Pepsi Natal Day Parade will take place shortly after the road race event, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The 2026 edition of the race will honour former parade marshal Gord Hayward who passed unexpectedly in 2026.

The parade will begin on Windmill Rd at Jamieson St, and will end at Silvers Hill Park. The City of Halifax says to anticipate traffic delays as the parade is in motion, most notably in downtown Dartmouth along Windmill Road, Ochterloney St and Prince Albert Rd.

Here is the complete parade route for the Natal Day Parade:

Route for the 129th Pepsi Natal Day Parade / Courtesy of City of Halifax

Natal Day Family Fun Day

Immediately following the parade, Natal Day Family Fun Day will be another free event perfect for younger audiences looking to share in the Natal Day fun. The event will provide an opportunity for young ones to do hands-on crafts, play games, enjoy on-site food and dessert vendors, and even meet some of their favourite Paw Patrol characters!

The event will also feature live performances from artists Stick & Slide, Marcell Sings, Ced, Marty, & Dave and Anna Plaskett & The Astronauts.

Natal Day Family Fun Day will run from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Natal Day Monday.

Natal Day Fireworks

The Natal Day Lake Banook Fireworks are always a crowd-pleaser and great way to end off holiday celebrations, and 2026’s edition will be no different! The 128th edition of the fireworks will take place over Lake Banook on Prince Albert Rd.

As a result of the fireworks, Prince Albert Rd will close to public traffic from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Natal Day.

The fireworks themselves will take place between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Natal Day.

Other Events

Natal Day Monday will see a number of other major events that are not expected to result in any major closures. These include the 39th annual Halifax Busker Festival, a performance by the Mike Cowie Booty Boppin’ Brass Band, a Halifax Tides FC game vs. Ottawa Rapid FC at Wanderers Grounds, and the ‘Town Heroes Concert’ at Sullivan’s Pond.

You can find a complete list of Natal Day events taking place through the entire holiday weekend at the natalday.org website.