Thousands expected to attend return of Halifax’s largest vintage and antique show

Vintage lovers from around the Maritimes attended Halifax’s largest vintage and antique show over the weekend.

Vintage lovers from around the Maritimes attended Halifax’s largest vintage and antique show this weekend.

The Curio Collective has hosted the Spring Vintage Show since 2019. The main show runs Saturday and Sunday until 5 p.m. but the collective offered a ‘First Dibs Night’ Friday for thrifters who wanted an early start.

“There was kind of no space for us all to be together,” says Brigid Milway, Curio Collective founder. “We would do markets mixed in with makers and we just kind of didn’t fit in. We were little misfits. So we decided to start our own show because there was enough interest and I’m sure you are aware that over the last few years, it’s really taken off.“

This 2026 show is hosted at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in downtown Halifax. It is expected to be the largest show to date, bringing together approximately 47 vendors.

“I think the most exciting thing about this year is that we keep growing,” says Milway. “This year we have the lobby filled with vendors and I am just thinking how can I continue to grow this space.”

Milway says this is the biggest turnout for vendors and shoppers. She says she expects approximately 2,000 shoppers through the weekend.

“No matter the weather, people make it a mission to get here because it is such a fun event each season,” she says.

It’s a great way for vendors to be seen by vintage collectors from around the Maritimes, says Milway.

This is Kaytee Mullins’s third year at the show but she’s owned and operated her vintage clothing store, The Change room, since 2020.

“I love the opportunity to be self-employed,” says Mullins, “That’s really really important to me but also to provide plus size options for people that want to wear vintage but can’t find names anywhere else.”

Mullins says the show is a chance to network with customers and other vendors.

“Curio is so special because it’s like a bunch of your friends getting together and you get to spend the whole weekend together and try things on and explore what everyone else has to offer,” says Mullins. “It’s super fun.”

Kaytee says there are environmental benefits to vintage shopping and it’s fun to find hidden gems.

“Plus size is what I focus on,” she says. “I like colour and pattern, I like to say that I am a mix of like Toddler meets grandma which isn’t everybody’s style but it’s a niche for sure.”

The show offers everything from vintage clothing to antique China and everyone’s on the hunt for something different.

“Stuff for my house, clothes, gifts for people,” says Sarah Cheeseman, who comes to the vintage show every year. “That’s mainly why I am here today. I have a lot of birthdays coming up.”

Cheeseman says she thinks it’s important to reuse vintage items and she came with a list of things she wanted to find.

Olivia Farrelly came across an Instagram post about the vintage show she so stopped in for the first time Saturday. She says she likes to find things that have been “pre-loved.”

“I think they are just really cute,” says Farrelly. “I just love giving things a new home rather than sending them to the dump.”

Admission to the Spring Vintage Show is five dollars and free for children under 12. A portion of ticket sales are donated to the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.

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