A woman and boy playing air hockey at a museum exhibit, with colorful informational panels on the wall behind them.

School Programs

Bring history off the page and into a fully immersive learning experience.

A young girl and boy looking at a man in a red uniform, who is writing or drawing, in a room with white brick walls.

Bring your classroom to life at the Halifax Citadel.

Our school programs offer students the opportunity to step into history through immersive, curriculum-aligned experiences. From guided tours to interactive activities, students will explore the sights, sounds and stories of a restored Victorian-era British fort and discover what life was like for the soldiers and families who lived here.

Check out our school program offerings, and book your experience at bookings@halifaxcitadel.ca or (902) 426-1990.

Please note that the free public tour of the Halifax Citadel is not available to school groups on self-guided visits.

  • A fully interactive learning experience

    This 90-minute program combines a guided tour with an engaging, site-wide activity where students work together to uncover an ‘enemy spy.’ Along the way, they’ll interact with interpreters in a variety of roles, bringing history to life in a dynamic and memorable way.

    Content is tailored by grade level:

    • Level 1: Primary to Grade 3

    • Level 2: Grades 4-6

    • Level 3: Grades 7-9

    Duration: 90 minutes
    Cost: See prices
    Booking: Advance booking required

  • A guided introduction to the Citadel

    Led by a costumed interpreter such as a 78th Highlander, Royal Artillery gunner or soldier’s wife, this 60-minute tour offers a comprehensive overview of the site and its history. Suitable for all ages and grade levels.

    Duration: 60 minutes
    Cost: See prices
    Booking: Advance booking required

  • Explore at your own pace

    Teachers and students can explore the Citadel independently, with the option to use Xplorer activity booklets for children aged 6-12.

    Booking: Advance booking required
    Cost: Free

“We’re from Québec City, where we’re lucky to have our own Citadel, but after visiting the one in Halifax, we were absolutely fascinated by its beauty, its stunning hilltop location overlooking the harbour and the incredible amount there is to see and experience on site. The visit is immersive from start to finish: the staff in period uniforms, the historical demonstrations (especially the noon cannon firing), the interactive exhibits, the tunnels and the recreated rooms all gave us a deep and vivid sense of Canadian military history.”

— Jonathan Guérin