Nocturne: Art at Night

Founded in 2008, Nocturne: Art at Night Festival (Nocturne) is a free, independent, contemporary art festival in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Annually, Nocturne brings 65,000+ people to the streets of Kjipuktuk and Punamu’kwati’jk (Dartmouth) to experience and celebrate the visual arts scene in unceded Mi’kma’ki territory (Nova Scotia) and beyond. Nocturne’s mandate is to present critical and relevant art events of a high artistic and professional standard that focuses on the strengths of the local art community and features regional, national, and international representation. We want to change the way you see art, change the way you see your city.

This year’s festival will take place from October 16-19, featuring a diverse range of programming – including installations, performances, workshops, artist talks, and more – creating space for artists to explore original concepts, collaborate, and transform unexpected environments. Nocturne’s 2025 curator, Marite Kuus, has selected the theme Ground. This theme invites artists to examine the physical, social, cultural, and political aspects of the ground beneath us. As Marite describes it, “Ground can be a politically loaded term and a simple, physical concept. It can conjure images of restriction as well as freedom and openness.”

Don’t miss Nocturne’s signature Art-at-Night event on Saturday, October 18, from 6:00 PM to midnight, with additional programming taking place throughout the weekend:

• Thursday, October 16: Opening panel discussion
• Friday, October 17: Artist talks and workshops
• Saturday, October 18: Art-at-Night projects and installations (6:00 PM – midnight)
• Sunday, October 19: Low-sensory project at Point Pleasant Park

The festival’s Art-at-Night event on the evening of Saturday, October 18 will see art installations, interactive and live performances taking place throughout Halifax in the following 5 Zones:

• Downtown Halifax
• the Waterfront
• Spring Garden & Universities
• North End
• Downtown Dartmouth

To view the list of scheduled projects and events and the festival’s map, please visit nocturnehalifax.ca.