Experience the Magic of the Season
The Holiday Magic Show returns for another magical holiday season in 2026, bringing together festive entertainment and community spirit to support two incredible causes. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation’s Innovation and Research Fund, helping advance new technologies and initiatives that enhance patient care. Join us this December as we celebrate the magic of the holidays while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Almost 3 years to the day, April 15th, 2023, Bob Van Wart, Producer of Holiday Magic, heard someone singing and playing guitar on the waterfront in Halifax. A good voice and terrific guitar sounds prompted Bob to speak with the performer. His name: Rafael Copstein.
Since that day in April, Rafael has been on a journey he says he will never forget.
Bob felt Rafael had potential so Holiday Magic paid for two voice coaches with different strengths to work with Rafael over the next year.
Part of Rafael’s journey included performing for the first time at open mic nights in HRM, singing at several nursing homes and as his voice matured, performing at several local pubs.
Rafael considers his time with Holiday Magic “some of the highlights of these past few years for me”.
His first year performing with us, we gave him a much coveted solo spot on CTV, performing on Canada’s largest network. And during our live audience shows, he became an crowd favorite. As Rafael puts it, “being part of a production I could not have done elsewhere”.
For Holiday Magic, Rafael defines what we strive to achieve with up and coming performers. Find their talents and give them a chance of a lifetime to perform in front of live audiences. And even on Television.
Last season, Rafael joined all of our performers in our tribute to patients with kidney disease, performing for an audience of almost 200 million worldwide. For our live shows, he took over as a well seasoned stage manager.
Rafael is moving to London in the UK to work as a software engineer for Blank Street Coffee. He obtained his Doctorate in Computer Sciences while working with Holiday Magic.
We wish our dear friend a successful career in London. Holiday Magic will always be special having had Rafael as part of our Team.
- Bob Van Wart, President and CEO
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Featuring Incredible Local Talent
Enjoy an incredible lineup of local talent, featuring vibrant music, captivating dance, and magical storytelling. From choirs to marionettes, Holiday Magic showcases the best of our community’s performers, promising a festive experience for all ages.
About Holiday Magic
Created by Halifax’s Van Wart family over three decades ago, Holiday Magic shines a light on Maritime communities through festive performances and charitable giving. This year, enjoy the holiday spirit live or via CTV, supporting groundbreaking kidney health research with Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. Join us to celebrate the season while making a difference!
Experience the magic of the holidays with Holiday Magic! This family-friendly variety show, broadcasted on CTV and live on stage, showcases Nova Scotia talent, spreading festive cheer while supporting vital kidney health and dialysis research for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.
About DGH
For nearly 50 years, Dartmouth General Hospital has delivered compassionate, community-focused healthcare to Dartmouth and nearby areas. In 2021, the hospital launched a state-of-the-art dialysis unit, featuring innovative wearable sensors and virtual reality technology to improve kidney health. This groundbreaking research project aims to enhance dialysis care, improving outcomes for patients in Nova Scotia and beyond.