**Please note: We are no longer accepting applications for artisans for the 2024 season, and the system has been shut down. Applications for the 2025 season will open on March 3, 2025 at 8:30am and will be on a first come, first served basis.
If you want to sell handmade crafts, at a specific site on municipal land, you need to have an artisan vending license. The availability of municipal sites will vary from year to year.
What is an Artisan?
Artisan means a painter, photographer, silversmith, weaver, jeweler, candle maker, leather worker or other like artisan who resides in Nova Scotia and manufactures their own products or vends handmade products made within Nova Scotia.
When can a person with a valid Artisan license, sell their handcrafts?
A person can only vend from May 1st through to October 31st in any year.
Where would I find a copy of the Vending on Municipal Land Bylaw C-501?
The applicant/license holder shall be familiar with and abide by all vending regulations in accordance with By-Law C-501. In accordance with Section 39 of By-Law C-501, a site license may not be permitted to operate during a Festival or Special Event approved by the Halifax Regional Municipality.
List of Artisan sites
The following is a list of sites for Artisans, pending availability.
- Sackville Landing - 9 Sites located on the Event Plaza, SE side of Sackville St and Lower Water St
Sackville Landing
Availability for the 2023 Season:
All sites are 7'x7'Site 1 - Occupied
Site 2 - Occupied
Site 3 - Occupied
Site 4 - Occupied
Site 5 - Occupied
Site 6 - Occupied
Site 7 - Occupied
Site 8 - Occupied
Site 9 - Occupied- Nathan Greene Square - 10 sites located in park area, east of the Provincial Courts building.
Nathan Greene Square
Availability for the 2023 Season:
Sites 1-5 are 7'x5' and Sites 6-10 are 10'x10'Site 1 - Occupied
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Occupied
Site 4 - Occupied
Site 5 - Occupied
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Occupied
Site 9 - Available
Site 10 - Occupied- Ferry Terminal Park - Dartmouth side - 9 sites located on boardwalk area, east of ferry terminal building - adjacent to green space
Ferry Terminal Park (Dartmouth)
Availability for the 2024 Season:
Sites 1-5 are 1mx2mSite 1 - Available
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Available
Site 4 - Available
Site 5 - Available
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Available
Site 9 - Available- Spring Garden Rd - on the sidewalk, north side of Public Gardens between South Park St and Summer St
Availability for the 2023 Season:
All sites are 1mx2m
Site 1 - Occupied
Site 2 - Occupied
Site 3 - Occupied
Site 4 - Occupied
Site 5 - Occupied
Site 6 - Occupied
Site 7 - Occupied
Site 8 - Occupied
Site 9 - Occupied
Site 10 - Occupied
Site 11 - Occupied
Site 12 - Occupied
Site 13 - Occupied
Site 14 - Occupied
Site 15 - Available
Site 16 - Available
Site 17 - Available
Site 18 - Available
Site 19 - Available
Site 20 - Available
Site 21 - Available
Site 22 - Available
Site 23 - Available
Site 24 - Available
Site 25 - Available
Site 26 - Available
Note: Each year, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will update this website with information relative to the first day HRM sells Artisan licenses. The selected date will be prior to the start of the Artisan season, the first of May, in a given year. If you are unable to participate in the first day HRM sells Artisan licenses, you can still apply for an artisan license, from any of the remaining artisan sites, on a first come first served basis.
**Please note: We are no longer accepting applications for artisans for the 2024 season, and the system has been shut down. Applications for the 2025 season will open on March 3, 2025 at 8:30am and will be on a first come, first served basis.
There are two (2) ways to apply for an Artisan License:
- You can apply online (Note: payments can be made by VISA, Mastercard and American Express . A debit credit card will not be accepted by the online system), or;
- Apply in person at Bayers Road Customer Service Centre (7071 Bayers Road, Halifax 1st floor) or at Alderney Customer Service Centre (40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth,1st floor) between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For further details, please read the 2024 first day HRM Sells Artisan Licenses.
All artisan locations can be viewed on the Map.
| Artisan Vending Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Artisan Vending Type | Fee |
| Spring Garden Rd (Public Gardens) | $44 |
| Sackville Landing (Halifax Waterfront) | $330 |
| Nathan Greene Square (Halifax Waterfront) | $330 |
| Ferry Terminal Park (Dartmouth) | $150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I need to apply for an Artisan Vending license?
To apply for an Artisan vending license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- several photographs of the crafts if more than one type of craft being sold
- price list for all items sold
- a statement to the effect that the applicant made or manufactured the handcraft or the handcrafts are made within Nova Scotia
- Where can I submit my vending application?
Once the application date is announced you can apply online or at a Municipal Customer Service Centre. To apply online you'll need a customer portal account. Not sure how to do that? View the job aide for setting up your customer portal account.
- How long will it take to obtain a license?
Every effort is made to issue an Artisan license in five business days. You can call 311 to check on the status of your application after the five business days. Remember to have your application number when making inquiries or submitting additional information.
- What are the times I can operate at my artisan location?
Per section 40 (5)(e) of the C-501 Vending Bylaw, A person who vends pursuant to this Section shall: remove tables, booths, display stands, coverings, screens and other equipment used for display at the end of each business day, which business day is deemed to commence at 7:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm.
- Can a person hang their products for sale from natural or man-made structures, including Public Garden’s Fence?
A person who vends shall not hang products for sale from the following:
- Natural or man-made structures (including Public Garden’s Fence)
- Trees
- Bushes
- Posts
- Does a person need an artisan license from the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) License Office, if a person sells handcrafts on private property?
The vending by-law C-501 only issues artisan licenses for specific sites on municipal land.