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Film Locations in Halifax, Nova Scotia

From big stories like Titanic and Amelia Earhart to big laughs like the Trailer Park Boys and Mr. D, Halifax can be seen prominently featured on the big screen. Bursting with history, culture, restaurants, picturesque waterfronts, and nearby beaches, this city has much to offer. On your visit, explore museums and beautiful gardens, enjoy popular late-night bites, or experience the harbour by boat to learn more about the city’s rich history, its vibrant activities, and its prominent role in film.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – Titanic Exhibit

Halifax bears a deep connection to the tragedy of the Titanic. Not only are approximately 200 of the victims buried at , but the modern-day scenes from James Cameron’s 1997 movie were shot just off Halifax Harbour. Today, visitors can step back in time at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s permanent Titanic exhibit. The displays detail the crucial role Halifax played in the disaster, recount the personal stories of some of the victims, and offer insights into life aboard the Titanic. While at the museum, visitors can also discover Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage and the stories, people, and events that have shaped the province’s connection with the sea.

 

 

A look at the Titanic at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

King of Donair

For more than 50 years, King of Donair has delighted Atlantic Canadians with its signature donairs. In 2015, it was even formally recognized as the “official food of Halifax!” Its fame has grown well beyond local taste buds—with repeated appearances on the Trailer Park Boys. On-screen, every character has stepped inside King of Donair at least once, while off-screen, customers can enjoy donair pizza, poutine, egg rolls, and the original donair at four locations throughout the Halifax region.

 

DONAIR

Alderney Landing & the Dartmouth Waterfront

Situated on the Dartmouth Waterfront, Alderney Landing is a vibrant community hub for cultural and performing arts. Alderney Landing, along with Downtown Dartmouth, served as a prominent filming location for the CBC legal drama Diggstown during its series run. The venue boasts an outdoor event plaza and an adjacent harbourside park, while its interior houses a small art gallery, several restaurants, and a Saturday Farmers’ Market. Throughout the year, it also plays host to a variety of festivals and events—including the Halifax Busker Festival, Nocturne: Art at Night, and the Rock the Harbour music festival. The Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry operates from this location, providing convenient access to both Halifax and Dartmouth.

Two people walk along a wooden boardwalk in Dartmouth overlooking the Halifax skyline.

Halifax Public Gardens

Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, the Halifax Public Gardens stand as one of North America’s finest surviving examples of a Victorian garden. Spanning 16 acres, the gardens invite visitors to wander the pathways, taking in tranquil scenery enhanced by tropical displays, ornate flower beds, and stately heritage trees. The gardens were featured in the 2011 Stephen King miniseries Bag of Bones, featuring Pierce Brosnan, and served as the backdrop for scenes in which characters exit the courthouse after a deposition. To explore this historic site and other significant city landmarks, consider joining one of the many walking tours or jumping aboard the Hop-On-Hop-Off City Tour.

Three people stroll past a gazebo on a gravel path at the Halifax Public Gardens.

Museum of Natural History

Did you know that the CBC sitcom Mr. D was filmed in Halifax? The show features Citadel High as its iconic school backdrop and in the season one episode “Field Trip”, Gerry supervises a visit to the Halifax Museum of Natural History. As the students wander the museum, authentic exhibits serve as a vivid backdrop—even Gus the Tortoise is mentioned. When you visit the museum, immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s natural heritage. Journey through its forests and ocean displays, observe live reptiles and amphibians, delve into the mysteries of Earth and space, and uncover thousands of years of history with Mi’kmaq artifacts, among many other engaging exhibits.

 

A family looks into a reptile tank at a museum. One of the kids is pointing in amazement.

Northwest Arm – Amelia Earhart movie

The Northwest Arm, a part of the greater Halifax Harbour, offers a picturesque waterfront, the Armdale Yacht Club, and a charming public beach at Sir Sandford Fleming Park. This panoramic backdrop provided the setting for several key scenes in the 2009 film Amelia, which focuses on the life of Amelia Earhart. When you visit Halifax, discover the beauty of the Arm firsthand on a narrated sailing tour with J. Farwell Sailing Co. Their intimate, luxury adventures let you engage with the experience and hoist the sails on your harbour tour. If you prefer to relax, simply enjoy the views of Halifax Harbour as the crew navigates the waters.

 

Couple on a sailboat

Halifax Brewery Market & Historic Properties

In October 2023, Halifax’s Brewery Market and Historic Properties received a holiday makeover when they served as filming locations for Hallmark’s Secret Gift of Christmas. The film features these locations’ distinctive stone and brick backgrounds alongside other notable downtown Halifax streetscapes. During your visit, explore a wide range of experiences in these historic areas. At the Brewery Market, indulge in boutique shopping, savour elevated dining, enjoy lively cafés, and tour Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery to learn about its storied history and craft beers. At Historic Properties, step back in time as you wander through Canada’s oldest remaining waterfront warehouses and admire the Victorian-Italianate façades dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s at this National Historic Site.

Four people walk through the historic Brewery Market in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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