OutFest returns to Halifax for its 11th festival in April 2026. As the largest Queer performance festival in Mi’kma’ki/Atlanic Canada, OutFest will once again be welcoming local, regional, and national artists to stages across the city. From our Main Stage production, to new and excciting work that tests the boundaries of performance, our Emerging, and Open Stage will include a number of bold productions.

We are also very excited to announce the launch of inQubator, a brand new 2 Year Program at OutFest. During the first year, one local artist will have the opportunity to develop their project, culminating in a Staged Reading or a Workshop Presentation. Then in the second year, that artist will be guaranteed one spot in our Emering or Open Stage.

This program was piloted with Page1 Theatre’s “Someone Is Lying,” which recieved a Workshop presented in 2025, and returns as a full production in our Emerging Stage this April 2026.

Beep! Beep! OutFest 2026 will also include our very first Bus Trip! This project is in partnership with the St. Margarets Bay Pride, Petite Queer Pride, and Lunenburg Pride, with support from the Diversity and Community Capacity Fund (a Support4Culture assisted program). A bus will bring passengers from the South Shore to Halifax on the final day of the festival (Sunday, April 19th). Tickets will include access to the Main Stage, and a bus ticket.

The festival will also bring back our Comedy Stage, which won the Audience Choice Award in 2025. OutFest will also include a number a community events, including our Opening Dinner at Stardust, the Makers Market with Different Folks, and our Industry Series.

There are so many exciting ways you can support the upcoming festival. By Sponsoring one of our Stages or Events, or by purchasing an ad in our program. Please take a look at the option below, and reachout if you have any questions.