28th Annual ANSMA Awards Show Gala

The ANSMA Awards Show Gala returns to the Light House Centre on Thursday, October 8, marking the 28th annual edition of the awards. It's a night that puts African Nova Scotian music and culture centre stage, with live performances and awards given out across the evening.

The gala honours the artists, creators, industry professionals and community leaders who shape the province's music scene. It's not just about the performers on stage; the awards recognise the people working behind the scenes too. The 2026 theme is And The Beat Goes On, a nod to the legacy of the trailblazers who came before.

If you're not familiar with the ANSMAs, they've been running for nearly three decades now, so this is the 28th time they've come together to celebrate the music coming out of the African Nova Scotian community. The night mixes live music with the awards themselves, so you'll hear as much as you see.

The gala runs from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm at the Light House Centre, 1800 Argyle Street in downtown Halifax. That's three and a half hours of performances and awards, so it's a full evening rather than a quick drop-in.