Hal-Con’s Venue: Halifax Convention Centre

Hal-Con is proud to call the Halifax Convention Centre (HCC) home since 2018. HCC opened in December 2017 with over 120,000 of event space to hold our rapidly growing convention, and the amenities and event expertise to ensure all of our guests have an amazing con experience.

Convention Location & Hours

The Halifax Convention Centre, home to Hal-Con, is located at 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Argyle Street entrance is where you will enter the convention.

Need more information about getting to Hal-Con? Check out Getting to Hal-Con!

Convention hours are subject to change year-to-year, but generally are:

Early Registration

Thursday: 5:00PM – 9:00PM

General Registration

Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Convention Hours

Friday: 12:30PM – 12:00AM
Saturday: 9:30AM – 12:00AM
Sunday: 9:30AM – 7:00PM

Warp Speed & Impulse

Friday: 12:00PM – 12:00AM
Saturday: 9:00AM – 12:00AM
Sunday: 9:00AM – 7:00PM

Vendor Hall Hours

Friday: 12:00PM – 7:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM – 7:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

Venue Maps

Map of Hal-Con Level 1, descriptive text coming soon.
Map of Hal-Con Level 2, descriptive text coming soon.
Map of Hal-Con Level 5, descriptive text coming soon.
Map of Hal-Con Level 6, descriptive text coming soon.

Accessibility

The Halifax Convention Centre is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all guests. The Argyle and Grafton St entrances are wheelchair accessible with automatic doors, and public sidewalks leading up to the Centre feature curb cuts for wheelchair access. 

Washrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible, and each floor has one private universal washroom. Hal-Con also ensures that gender-neutral washrooms are available to all.

There are elevators inside the building that provide access to all areas of the convention. Elevator access is prioritized for folks with disabilities and/or mobility challenges, and people using strollers. There are also escalators for those with limited mobility who do not require an elevator. 

Tactile Braille signage is available at restrooms as well as inside and outside all passenger elevators. 

Hal-Con provides ASL interpreters for some main stage events. If you would like to request that an ASL interpreter be present at another Hal-Con event, panel, or session, please let us know in advance

Hal-Con creates quiet and sensory-friendly spaces for guests who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the convention for any reason. We also offer a breastfeeding area for parents and dedicated seating for guests with disabilities. 

Official service animals are permitted at Hal-Con as outlined in the Service Dog Act. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate therapy or emotional support animals in the venue.

Hal-Con recognizes some individuals have a need for a companion or assistant (e.g. a dedicated sign language interpreter) during the convention. We want to remove as many barriers as possible and do not charge for official attendants, but they must reach out in advance to secure a badge, as we have limited capacity. Please contact us if you have any questions about bringing somebody with you during the event. We strongly suggest contacting us in advance to make arrangements to prevent excessive delays at registration.

Have any questions about accessibility at Hal-Con? Get in touch with our Accessibility Team.

Other Venue Amenities:

  • Parking 
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Inclusive washroom facilities
  • ATMs
  • Water fountains and water bottle refill stations
  • On-site emergency medical personnel

Venue Rules

Nova Scotia’s Smoke-free Places Act states that smoking and vaping is illegal indoors. The Halifax Convention Centre is a smoke-free environment. Check the live map offered by the city for the latest updates.

HRM’s smoking ban bylaw came into effect on October 15, 2018. The city has a full ban on smoking (including tobacco and cannabis) and vaping. However, approved smoking areas exist near the convention centre:

  1. On Argyle St., near Prince St. intersection
  2. On Argyle St. near the Sackville St. intersection
  3. On Argyle St., near Grand Parade Square

All attendees must abide by Hal-Con’s policies, including our Code of Conduct, Weapons policy, and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying policy.

Food & Drinks

Some food vendors will be available at Hal-Con see the most current vendor information here [if available]. There are also plenty of restaurants and quick-service options within walking distance of the Halifax Convention Centre to help you refuel! You can see a list of nearby restaurant options here.

The official policy of the Halifax Convention Centre is that outside food is not allowed on site. You are permitted to bring a water bottle with you, and refill stations are located throughout the building. People with food allergies, diabetes, or other conditions that may necessitate bringing your own food (including young children and babies) will be accommodated. If you do bring in outside food, please be mindful of where you consume it and clean up after yourself to protect other attendees who may have food allergies.

Nearby Accommodations

Coming from out-of-town? There are lots of nearby hotel options, including hotels with special rates for Hal-Con guests! See accommodation options here.