In 2020, I Love Local HFX handed over the organizing of Open City to Develop Nova Scotia.  As program partners of the event since 2012, Develop Nova Scotia knows how important Open City is to small businesses in Halifax and Dartmouth and it’s destined to become bigger and better with their leadership.

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This year, as Nova Scotia re-awakens, the name of the event has been tweaked slightly from Open City to Re-Open City taking place over 4 consecutive weekends on Saturday and Sunday starting June 27th concluding July 19, 2020.  

The welcome mat is being rolled out, inviting our community to get out and come back together as we rejuvenating our local economy – now more important than ever. Shops, restaurants, cultural organizations, attractions, charities, and government are all encouraged to take part.

All local businesses have been encouraged to participate with activations, creative ideas, a special offering, or incentive to visit—but at no cost to you. This is a chance for you to begin to rebuild, re-open and begin the process of recovery.

City Harvest

City Harvest 2018

What began as an experiment in 2012 is now our biggest initiative of the year and one of the highlights of our fair city. This year’s Open City will be held on Saturday May 12 and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

For Open City we want you to try new things, to get out of your house – and maybe your comfort zone, and explore new tastes, new experiences, new culture, and meet new people.

How much more vibrant would our city be if just some of those take out meals were enjoyed actually in the restaurants, or in our parks, on our waterfront – instead of sitting in your house tweeting about it.

How much more vibrant would our city be if we didn’t go home at 9:00 – if we stayed out, walking the streets of your neighbourhood, listening to a jazz trio busking in Victoria Park.

How much more exciting would your kids find the trip to the Saturday market if afterwards they went for a picnic to Point Pleasant Park, or even McNab’s Island for the day.

How much richer would your life be if rather than reading a blog about art, you actually went to our galleries, makerspaces, or universities and experienced it in real-time.

So, it’s up to us to entertain you on May 12, but it’s up to you to come out and take part in as much as you can possibly squeeze into a day.

Back Door Takeout – Artist For A Day – Museum Deals – Shopping Deals  – Entertainment

If you’re interested in having your business or organization take part in Open City, please click CONTACT US and get in touch as soon as possible. NO LISTINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 9.

 

Coming later this week!  Shop at one of our 40 participating shops and restaurants in Halifax for a chance to get a FREE I Love Local HFX tee shirt from Lost Cod Clothing Co.  and for a chance to win a $2,000 Local Shopping Spree!

Just get a stamp from 1o of our participating members between now and Christmas  for your chance to win!  Be one of the first 100 to turn in your passport and we’ll give you a free I Love Local tee shirt just in time to spruce up your wardrobe or even re-gift just in time for Christmas.

Participating businesses are:

Attica Furnishings

Biscuit General Store

Bishop’s Cellar

Bookmark

Atlantic News

Dalhousie University Club

Cyclesmith

Amos Pewter

Chives Canadian Bistro

Kings Co-Op Bookstore

Neptune Theatre

Indochine

Argyle Fine Art

Inkwell Modern Handmade

Krave Burger

Halifax Seed

Discovery Centre

Made in the Maritimes Artisan Boutique

Nurtured Products for Parenting

Morris East

2 Doors Down Food & Wine

2 Door Down Bar Bites

p’Lovers

Mappatura Bistro

Credit Union Atlantic

Saint Lou’s Barbershop

Ocean Optometry

Independent Mercantile

Obladee Wine Bar

Spirit Spa

The Vault

Rousseau Chocolatier

Sattva Boutique

the Old Apothecary Bakery

Trail Shop

Rum Runners Rum Cake Factory

Uncommon Grounds

Humani-T Cafe

Scanway

Woozles

World Tea House

Do you own a business on the peninsula of Halifax, or in Downtown Dartmouth?

Are you a visual artist or musician?

Are you involved with a non-profit that’s doing great work in our Community?

Do you run a museum, gallery or other attraction?

If so, then you don’t want to miss taking part in the 5th City Harvest event put on by I Love Local HFX.

Happening on Saturday October 22, 2016 this event is a highlight of the fall schedule and just so happens to coincide with the final day of the Halifax Pop Explosion!

EAT what’s new, fresh and in-season from some of Halifax’s best restaurants and chefs

SHOP the latest fashions of the season, the new home items or maybe get a jump on Christmas shopping at the dozens of great independent shops and boutiques

ENJOY -Whether it’s a walk in the Gardens with a coffee, exploring a neighbourhood for the first time, or just being out with friends & family – we want you to enjoy yourself.

What can your business or organization do to take part in this fantastic day?

Well, you can serve food out your back door if you’re one of our fantastic chefs.

You can run a sale at your business, or just give people a little treat for visiting if you run a store.

You can take your non-profit to the streets and let people know what you do.

or, you can open your museum or gallery doors open to the public for free for the day.

What will we do? Well, we’ll post a huge, gigantic list of things to do, we’ll share everyone’s finds on twitter and we’ll just be as loud as we possibly can.

All you need to do is drop us a line, tell us what you’re offering to the public and we’ll take it from there.

Our new Map & Guide to some of our great members is now available around town. Can’t wait to get a copy of it in your hands? Not to worry, simply click here:
IHeartLocalHFX Map & Brochure

Announcing, our Fourth Annual City Harvest event will be held on October 24,2015.

Plan ahead – you won’t want to miss this great event showcasing all that Halifax has to offer in the fall season from shopping and splurging, to dining and imbibing.

Here’s the first glimpse of what’s on tap for Open City on May 9! Keep an eye on this site, as we will continue to add events, specials and more food right up to the 9th. For now though, start planning your day – it’s going to be a full one!

Open City 2015 - ONE INCREDIBLE DAY - MAY 9