(Ed note: We’re giving away two weekend passes to the festival over on our Instagram feed, here!)
Halifax is about to get a serious economic boost. The Magnetic World Music Festival is back September 26–28 at Citadel Hill, and it’s expected to draw tens of thousands of fans. That means hotel rooms filled, restaurants packed, and Ubers running non-stop.
Big festivals like this aren’t just about the music. They bring money into the city. Visitors spend on places to stay, food, shopping, and travel. Local businesses from diners to breweries see the ripple. Temporary jobs open up for staff, security, and vendors. Even the city collects more through lodging taxes and permits. When the crowds go home, the dollars they spent stick around.
Last year’s edition didn’t have official figures released, but festivals of this size often bring in $10–15 million once you add up ticket sales, hotels, and everything fans spend in town. That’s real money moving through the local economy in just one weekend.
Why younger people are so excited
Of course, what draws the crowd is the lineup. This year the headliners are Dom Dolla, a big name in electronic dance music, 21 Savage, one of hip-hop’s biggest acts, and The Kid Laroi, whose hits stream in the billions. Supporting artists include BigXtheplug, SAINt JHN, Roy Woods, Killy, Lavern and more.
If you don’t recognize the names, your kids or grandkids probably do. The Kid Laroi has a global hit with Justin Bieber. 21 Savage has Grammys. Dom Dolla fills clubs worldwide. These are the kind of acts younger audiences talk about nonstop — and now they’re playing right here in Halifax.
More than a concert
Even if you never set foot on the festival grounds, you’ll notice the buzz. Downtown will be busier, restaurants livelier, and the city will have a big-event feel all weekend. For Halifax, hosting a festival of this scale is about more than music — it’s about showing the city can draw world-class events, and reaping the economic rewards when it does.
(Ed note: We’re giving away two weekend passes to the festival over on our Instagram feed, here!)
