The Halifax Public Gardens are six hectares of Victorian formal garden, locked behind ornate wrought-iron gates on Summer Street, unchanged in essentials since Queen Victoria was on the throne. The central bandstand hosts free Sunday concerts throughout July and August; the tradition of Sunday band performances here has continued since 1867. The formal beds follow the original Victorian plan, with geometric parterre designs, seasonal bedding plants, and specimen trees donated by botanical gardens around the empire over the past 150 years.
The duck pond in the centre is a fixture for families and afternoon walks. Weeping willows trail into the water, and peacocks wander the paths in summer. The gardens are enclosed and dog-free, which keeps them unusually peaceful. They close during winter and in bad weather to protect the lawns and structures. The gates open in May and close for the season in November. They sit at the top of Spring Garden Road, Halifax's main shopping and cafe street, making a natural combination for an afternoon.