Significant crowd expected for 30th annual Holiday Parade of Lights

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The municipality says people should expect delays in downtown Halifax on Saturday as a parade marks the start of the holiday season.

The Holiday Parade of Lights will happen from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, beginning near the Halifax Common.

The route will see the parade take North Park Street, Ahern Avenue, Bell Road, South Park Street, Spring Garden Road, Barrington Street and end on George Street.

Road closures will begin with Cogswell Street between Robie Street and North Park Street at 11 a.m. The rest of the roads on the parade route are expected to close around 4 p.m.

“With thousands of spectators expected to line the parade route, residents are urged to plan their travel in advance and consider taking public transit to and from downtown as parking will be limited and traffic is anticipated to be heavy,” reads a media release from the municipality.

To help with that suggestion, the city says the Alderney Ferry will be free from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, with passengers encouraged to donate to the Parker Street Food Bank instead.

Drivers are also asked to expect delays and use alternate routes if possible.

The 2025 Holiday Parade of Lights route. (Contributed)