Culture
Faith
Every resident of Nova Scotia and Canada has the right to practice their religion as stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Note that no person in this province can be discriminated in any way or form on the basis of their religious beliefs.
Many religions, churches and religious organizations call Halifax home, and there are a variety of places of worship across the city.
In Halifax, we take pride on valuing all creeds and we believe in their power when they work together towards common goals.
Halifax is a signatory of the UN Interfaith Harmony week, which is celebrated every year during the first week of February. Several events take place during this week, such as sharing circles, guided visits to sacred places across HRM, panel discussions, and much more.
Ethnocultural Groups
There are a number of ethnocultural Groups in Halifax, looking at the preservation, celebration, recognition and promotion of the diverse heritages, histories and stories that make up our city.
Here is a list of some of these groups.
- Afghan Society of Halifax not-for profit society that supports the Afghani-Canadian community and connects them with other communities in Halifax
- African Diaspora Association of Maritimes (ADAM) works to support immigrants of African descent living in the Maritimes to access opportunities for local engagement
- Alliance Française Halifax (AFH) works to promote the French language and culture and encourages communication between Francophones, Francophiles and Canadians
- Al Rasoul Islamic Society gathers people from diverse ethnicities and cultural backgrounds in a beautiful reflection of the peaceful Islamic teachings
- AnCumann-Irish Association of Nova Scotia fosters knowledge and enjoyment of Irish-Nova Scotian culture and history through events and workshops
- Association of Nigerians in Nova Scotia is a community of Nigerians living in the Nova Scotia province of Canada
- Atlantic Canada Palestinian Society (ACPS) is a dynamic organization in Halifax dedicated to fostering cultural understanding, community engagement, and social integration for Palestinians and their families
- Atlantic Jewish Council is dedicated to enhancing the quality of Jewish life in Atlantic Canada and to promoting the continuity of Jewish communities in the region
- Atlantic Spinners Art and Dance Society aims to support and promote dance and to preserve and disseminate Indian dance and culture in Nova Scotia and across Canada
- Bahá’í Community of Halifax offers classes to all residents on topics such as moral development of children, spiritual empowerment for youth and adults, among others
- Bangladesh Community Association of Nova Scotia works to preserve and promote the Bangladeshi culture in the midst of multicultural societies in Nova Scotia
- Braxa Dance is a dance group dedicated to spread dance as a universal language of peace and love
- Black Cultural Center for Nova Scotia is a museum for the protection, preservation and promotion of the history and culture of African Nova Scotians
- Brahma Kumaris Halifax teaches a practical method of meditation that helps individuals understand their inner strengths and values
- Canadian Lebanon Society of Nova Scotia promotes the culture and heritage of the Lebanese people in Nova Scotia through language programs and their annual festival
- Canadian Parents for French Nova Scotia is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language-learning opportunities for young Canadians
- Casa Brazil is a non-for-profit association that promotes Brazilian culture in Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Centre for Islamic Development a place of worship and gathering to meet community members that promotes a greater understanding of Islam – everyone is welcome
- Chinese Society of Nova Scotia preserves and promotes Chinese culture in Nova Scotia through activities such as the annual Chinese New Year’s banquet
- Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University promotes Chinese language, culture, trade, and studies and does not only serve SMU’s students, but HRM’s community at large
- Conseil Communautaire du Grand Havre builds partnerships and develops programs aiming at the integral development of Francophones and Francophiles in HRM
- East Coast Filipino Portal showcases the passion and the pursuit of Filipinos and their Friends in Canada’s East Coast
- Eritrean Canadian Association of Nova Scotia is an organization that connects Eritrean Nova Scotians with local community as well as with Eritrean culture and heritage
- Filipino Cultural Society of Nova Scotia fosters social and friendly relations among Filipinos living in NS as well as with the local community
- Filipino Language Institute of Nova Scotia helps Filipino-Canadian children to learn more about their language and culture
- Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism offers instruction in Taoist Tai Chi® internal arts and methods, which include taijiquan (Tai Chi) and other related internal arts
- Gaelic Language Society of Halifax promotes, provides and supports community-based Gaelic language learning, within a cultural context, for people of all ages in Halifax
- German Canadian Association of Nova Scotia promotes and preserves the German culture and heritage in Nova Scotia by hosting exhibitions, workshops, lectures and more
- German Heritage Language School offers German language classes to adults and children to promote the learning of the German language and heritage
- Greek Orthodox Community of Halifax promotes Greek culture and heritage through language, dance and their three-day annual festival
- Halifax Chinese Language School teaches and promotes the Chinese language and culture to children
- Halifax Korean Church is a faithful community who truly believes in the word of truth and lives according to the word
- Halifax International Social Society is composed by a group of individuals joining together to culturally connect Canada and the world, starting right here in Halifax
- Halifax Language Consortium is a group of language professionals seeking to promote the study of second languages, share best practices, and engage community
- Halifax Shambhala Centre is part of international community of urban and rural meditation centres, offering public meditation, a curriculum of Shambhala Buddhist teachings, as well as educational, artistic, cultural, family and community activities
- Halifax Ukrainians is a group that looks at developing and keeping connections between Ukrainians living in Halifax and in Ukraine
- Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC) addresses African Canadian health issues and the system inequities affecting health
- Hossein Mousavi Foundation is a charitable organization that brings people and communities together to enhance the financial and social capital within our community
- Immigration Francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse is the settlement agency for Francophone newcomers into Nova Scotia
- Immigrant Migrant Women Association of Halifax (IMWAH) works for a greater public awareness of gender equality issues facing immigrant, migrant women and girls in NS
- Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia (IFCNS) celebrates events to build bridges between cultures
- Indo Canadian Association of NS is a group that connects people of Indian descent living in Nova Scotia and in India
- Institute of African Advancement work to preserve and advance African values that empower Africans living in Nova Scotia and beyond
- Iranian Cultural Society of Nova Scotia promotes the Iranian culture through a number of cultural activities and supports the Iranian community in Nova Scotia
- Islamic Association of Nova Scotia as one of the oldest Muslim organizations in Canada, it promotes the preservation of Islamic values, particularly in children of Islamic heritage
- Italian Canadian Association of Nova Scotia enriches, shares and reflects Italian Canadian culture through social, cultural, recreational and educational services
- Koucheh Farsi TV Show is the First Persian TV show on EastLink Channel 10 and 610 HD and OnDemand
- Korean Association of Nova Scotia promotes friendship and prosperity between the Korean community in Nova Scotia as well as between South Korea and Canada
- La Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse promotes the growth and development of the Acadian and Francophone community of Nova Scotia
- Latispánica Cultural Association promotes and celebrates Latin American culture and supports other cultural associations in different Latin American countries
- Maritime Sikh Society supports and promotes the cultural, religious and social lives of Sikh residents in HRM
- Maritime Muslim Academy is committed to providing high quality cultural, recreational and Islamic educational services according to the best standards and practice
- Mexicanos en Halifax is a group that promotes connections amongst Mexican people and people of Mexican descent living in Halifax
- Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey promotes excellence in Mi’kmaq education, interests and rights for Mi’kmaw communities and facilitates the development of lifelong learning
- Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre is one of 119 Friendship Centres across Canada which focuses on the recognition of the traditional lands of the Mi'kmaw Peoples
- Nepalese Community Halifax, Nova Scotia is a group that connects Nepalese people and people of Nepalese descent living in NS
- Nova Scotia Chinese Culture & Art Club promotes the Chinese culture and arts by producing and presenting high-quality performances
- Nova Scotia Korean Presbyterian Church part of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, the Church seeks to build up spiritually healthy people through ministry training
- Nova Scotia Korean School teaches Korean language to help preserve the Korean culture in Halifax
- Pakistani Canadian Association of NS (PCANS) is open for Pakistanis and Canadians of Pakistani descent residing in Halifax
- Polish-Canadian Society of Halifax maintains, celebrates and shares the richness of Polish-Canadian presence, language and culture in Nova Scotia
- Polonia in Halifax is an organization that seeks to support Polish communities across Nova Scotia
- Russian Association of the Maritimes promotes the growth of Russian culture in Halifax and assist Russian newcomers in the province
- The Scandinavian Society of Nova Scotia brings together and promotes the Nordic cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden
- Shaar Shalom Synagogue is proudly a community comprised of Jews by birth and Jews by choice alike
- Somali Relief Network of North America is a Canadian charitable organization that serves the most vulnerable members of society; women, children, and the elderly
- South Indian Cultural Association of the Maritimes provides a forum for people of South Indian origin where they can connect with the people of same origin
- Spanish Lessons in HRM seeks to promote the teaching and learning of the Spanish language in Halifax
- Sri Lanka Canadian Community of Atlantic Region (SLCAAR) fosters friendship, goodwill, peace and unity among all Sri Lankans in North Atlantic region
- Ummah Mosque hosts a number of programs and cultural and recreational activities for Muslims residing in Halifax
- United Muslims of Halifax a society which represents ALL Muslims and gives every member of the community a voice and a place
- Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax nurturing personal and spiritual growth, practices inclusiveness, celebrates diversity and affirms commitment to social justice
- Vedanta Ashram Society serves the Hindu community of Nova Scotia for its spiritual, religious and cultural needs and promotes the knowledge of the Hindu Dharma
- Vietnamese Association of Nova Scotia provides an opportunity for Vietnamese people in Nova Scotia of all age groups to be successful in their endeavors
There's lots to do in Halifax
Have fun, bond and relax. There is a number of activities, services and programs that may serve you, your family and loved ones as you look for options to explore, discover or further develop your interests and passions.