Busking
Build Nova Scotia believes that busking adds to the vibrancy of our city and waterfronts. We strive to steward our public spaces in a way that is inclusive, welcoming, engaging and animated.
We do not run a managed busker program on our public spaces. There is no permit, permission or process to be there. We do however, have some very simple guidelines that do enforce and ask everyone follow. These guidelines ensure the safety, experience and integrity of the space is maintained.
Guidelines:
- Spaces are available between Museum Wharf and Tall Ships Quay ‘On the Honour, On the Hour.’
- You do not need a permit to busk on the Halifax waterfront and there is no audition process.
- No transactions, product, exchange of goods.
- We may ask you to adjust your volume. Amplification is not permitted in residential areas. Please be respectful of nearby businesses and residents in terms of noise levels.
- The waterfront is for family-friendly entertainment.
- The use of sharp or dangerous objects is prohibited, including juggling knives, chainsaws, hatchets and flaming objects.
- Please be respectful of pedestrian flow and safety by keeping corridors clear.
- Donations can be accepted but should not be expected or solicited from audience members.
- In accordance with our Blue Flag Marina designation, balloons are not permitted.
- Certain areas may be not available for busking. At the discretion of Build Nova Scotia, you may be directed to another area.
Busking at Peggy’s Cove
Busking at Peggy’s Cove follows the same guidelines as above. “on-the-hour, on-the-honour” protocol should be honoured, so perform for one hour in a location max and then move on to another space. Certain areas of Peggy’s Cove are not approved for busking. These include:
- the west side of the DeGarthe Studio
- The outer half of the viewing deck nose. Buskers should keep back toward the Sou’Wester (north) edge of the viewing deck nose to ensure they’re not impacting peoples’ views/experience.
- There should be no narrow passages that are reduced in width because of a busker, as to not inhibit the flow of the public/pedestrian access.
The public spaces of the viewing deck are meant for public access at all time, so requests for private events will be declined.