Hal-Con’s Year-Round Events
Hal-Con is proud to organize a number of fan events throughout the year; the enthusiasm and creativity of our community can’t be contained to just a single weekend after all. Find out what Hal-Con is doing during the other 11 months of the year!
Spring Masquerade Ball
Starting in 2023 Hal-Con began organizing a masquerade ball event in the spring-time. The first ever Spring Masquerade Ball was held on June 3rd, 2023 at the Lord Nelson hotel, which is where Hal-Con started in its infancy!
Find more details about the Spring Masquerade Ball.
Discovery Gala
The Discovery Gala is an event that debuted in 2022. The gala is a +19 only event where Hal-Con takes over the entire Discovery Center for a night of fun and dancing! Attendees are encouraged to show up in their best cosplays, walk the red carpet, and enjoy all the Discovery Center has to offer after dark.
Find more details about the Discovery Gala.
Previous Events
Hal-Con’s committee has put on a number of events outside our flag-ship convention since our conception in 2011. Below are some highlights of the types of events we have done in the past — and maybe one day will host again!
Youth Contests
The Youth Contests were started in 2021 to showcase and encourage creativity in Nova Scotian youth. There are two categories applicants can enter, Cosplay and Storytelling. Each of these categories are divided into two different age groups— “Under 12” and “Ages 13–18”.
Find more details about Hal-Con’s Youth Contests.
Art Showcase
In partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, Hal-Con hosted an annual Fantasy Art exhibition starting in 2018. Artists from the community were invited to submit original works inspired by one of a few specified themes with a chance of being awarded a cash prize.
The showcase traveled to a number of galleries and exhibition spaces across Truro and the HRM and was open for public viewing during this time.
Due to COVID-19 the Art Showcase has been on hiatus since 2019.
Geek Quest
The Great Hal-Con Geek Quest began in 2016 and helped raise funds for the IWK Children’s Hospital and Kids Help Phone.
The Geek Quest was a scavenger hunt competition where teams of 3–5 raced against each other to complete various quest objectives around Downtown Halifax. Participants were tested on their knowledge of Hal-Con and Halifax, as well as their creativity. Each quest completed earned a set amount of points, with bonus points being awarded for ingenuity!
Last Geek Quest was held in 2018.
Halloween Parade
The Halloween Parade was an event organized by Hal-Con where the community got to show off their creativity, dress up in their best cosplays and win prizes! The parade was a rain or shine event that started and ended at the Halifax Central Library.
As this event was a walking parade, no motorized vehicles or animals were permitted, with the exception of leashed pets and service animals.
Prize Categories:
- Most Colorful Entry
- Most Humorous Entry
- Best Spirit Entry
- Individual Entry
- Group Entry
Last Halloween Parade was held in 2017.