“Oh, the year was 1778…”
Submitted by Dr. Lori Beach, Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Halifax 2026
In preparation for CSCC Halifax 2026, it is essential that you know that the ONLY correct response to the first line of Stan Roger’s “Barrett’s Privateers” is a lusty chorus of, “How I wish I was in Sherbrooke noooowwwwww!” You can mumble your way through most of the next bit, but be sure to join on, “(GD) them all, I was told we’d cruise the seas for American gold. We’d fire no guns, shed no teeeeeeeears. Now I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett’s Privateeeeeers.” Now, if you really want to be prepared, have a listen to “Heave Away”, “Home for a Rest”, and be kitchen-party-ready with other East Coast favourites: Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea, Anne Murray, the Barra MacNeils, the Trews, Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster, the Stanfields…
Welcome to Halifax – P’jilita’q wla Kjipuktuk!
The 2026 CSCC Annual Meeting organizing committee is excited to welcome you to Halifax for our 70th Anniversary Conference, “Navigating the Tides of Discovery”. While upcoming articles will highlight the stellar scientific program, allow me to give you a flavour of the city I’ve made home for the past 10 years.
Founded in 1749, and chosen for its deep harbour, Halifax remains a major port, is home to the Canadian navy’s Atlantic fleet, and is known for its history, vibrant food and music scene and waterfront, and as the gateway to “Canada’s Ocean Playground”, Nova Scotia.
The conference venue is the Mariott Waterfront Hotel, right on the Halifax boardwalk. Halifax’s recently revitalized boardwalk spans nearly 5km and links cultural, historic, and other unique tourist attractions, interspersed with bountiful food and drink options. Take in the Queen’s Marque Steps, the Blue Wave, the Get Drunk, Fall Down sculptures (we do have among the highest number of pubs per capita), and wander the Salt Yard social.
From the boardwalk you can catch your booked tours: harbour cruises, whale watching, the ever-popular Harbour Hopper (Ribbit), rent bicyles, scooters, or segways, or just hang out in the Waterfront Hammocks. Not-to-be-missed is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum, where the history of the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, WWII convoys, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and the Titanic Disaster are featured.
Bring Good Shoes!
Once you’re ready to venture a bit further, The Discovery Centre is perfect for the family and aims to bring STEAM to life with interactive learning experiences. Close by is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (hint, hint, we’ll get to spend some quality time at this venue as part of the conference activities!). Looking for art? Among others, the Prow Gallery and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are steps away from the boardwalk. Looking for a leg workout? You’ve found it! Venturing up (literally) from the boardwalk you’ll start to head into more of historic Halifax and the shopping districts.
Don’t miss Citadel Hill, a National Historic site, and don’t be alarmed if you hear the 12pm cannon fire. If you love architecture, historic churches abound, some pubs and restaurants boast historic vibes, and check out the Halifax Central Library, striking for its cantilevered fifth floor, atria, rooftop terrace, and light-swept views to enjoy coffee, books, and community events. When you’re ready for some shopping, Spring Garden Road in downtown Halifax features a blend of boutique local and internationally recognizable shops, as well as vintage gems for antiques and consignment treasures.
At the corner of Spring Garden and South Park streets, you’ll have encountered the main gates of Halifax Public Gardens – established in 1874 and remaining one of the “finest surviving examples of a Victorian garden in North America”. While the garden will be rather sleepy still in early May, it is a highlight of my morning walk from the ferry to the hospital.
Bring a Raincoat
While of course we hope for lovely weather, this is still Nova Scotia. And it will likely still be cool and very likely windy. And it might rain. And it might rain sideways. Seriously, your umbrella is going to end up inside out. Don’t let a bit of wet weather stop you though! Ready to adventure further? Rent a bike and cycle over the MacDonald Bridge on the pedestrian/bike path (the “old” bridge according to the locals; 26 min ride from the Hotel). Or grab your rented bike or e-scooter and take the Halifax Transit Harbour Ferry from Halifax to the Woodside Terminal (Dartmouth, 12min ferry ride, bikes allowed), then enjoy the 3 km trail of the Dartmouth Harbourwalk to downtown Dartmouth. Browse unique shops or enjoy one the of the amazing food options before your return ferry ride from Alderney Landing back to Halifax. Of course, you can always skip the exercise too and just go right to Alderney Landing!
Drop Your Diet
With so many food and drink options, you’ll have ample opportunities to refuel for all these walk abouts. Daytime bites, evening dining, nightlife pubs with live music – I’d need a whole other article to list out some of my favourites (I was much skinnier before I moved here). I believe, however, that the Halifax natives would be dismayed if I did not mention the Lower Deck Pub, with live music every (open) night (wink, wink, you’ll get to hear one of the mainstay acts at the conference banquet!). But seriously, plan to eat well.
Stay and Play
Arrival: The Halifax Standfield Airport receives multiple daily flights (many direct) from across Canada and Internationally. There is a Halifax Transit bus from the airport to Halifax, but no train; I’d recommend the airport taxis and rideshare options which are plentiful. If you’re planning to rent a car, I’d suggest you book early. It’s about 45min from the Airport to Halifax.
Getting around: If you’re going to drive in Halifax, have your head on a swivel. There are some quirky choices in one-way streets and pedestrian crosswalks are everywhere. And pedestrians assume you’ll stop for them. Because Nova Scotians do stop. Going car-less? There’s lots of ride-share and taxi options and bus/van tours are available (book ahead) for the most common tourism trips.
Weather: Early May will be cool (4-10 oC at night, 10-15oC daytime) and you can expect some rain on at least one of every three-to-four days. Come for another visit in August/September someday 😉.
Extending your stay?
Some day trips for your consideration (Note: May is early in the tourism seasons so be sure to check for seasonal difference in openings if you’re headed off the most common tourism spots): (1) Peggy’s Cove is the famous lighthouse of course and definitely an essential Nova Scotia experience, but don’t miss Mahone Bay and the town of Lunenburg while you’re out that way. (2) Head to the Valley and sample at the wineries near Wolfville. See the Fundy tides at Blomidon Park and round out your day with a visit to Hall’s Harbour and the Lobster Pound. (3) Check out the hiking, sea kayaking (outfitter required), surfing and beaches of the Eastern Shore. Yes, people surf all winter!
Other Events (check discoverhalifaxns.com for updates and links for tickets/details):
May 1, 2026 – Rare and Fine Wine Tasting at Prince George Hotel (Savour Food and Wine Festival)
May 2, 2026 – Beltuner at the Halifax Central Library (Paris-based Jazz quartet)
May 3, 2026 (TBConfirmed) – WildLakes Urban Trail Running Race (10km)
May 6 – 9, 2026 – Halifax ComedyFest
May 8 and 9, 2026 – Neon Dreams at the Rebecca Cohn Theatre with Symphony Nova Scotia
May 9, 2026 – Open City Hfx – highlighting local businesses
May 9, 2026 – Bryan Cheng & Balourdet Quartet at The Stage at St. Andrews
May 9, 2026 – Dark.Odd.Artists at the Halifax Forum (curated vendor market)
May 15, 2026 – Coastal Currents (Live Art Dance and Kinetic) at Dalhousie
May 16, 2026 – East Coast Cider Festival
May 15-17, 2026 – The Medavie Blue Nose Marathon (weekend)
May 2026 Schedule TBD – Halifax Tides Women’s Football Club
May 2026 Schedule TBD (Saturdays) – Halifax Wanderer’s Men’s Football Club
May 2026 Schedule TBD (Postseason) – Halifax Mooseheads Hockey
