Events & Festivals in Moncton
Your complete guide to what's happening throughout the year
Moncton runs on a calendar of community gatherings, cultural shows, and seasonal celebrations that mirror its bilingual Acadian and Maritime identity. Winter festivals fight the cold. Summer events stretch across long days. The lineup covers established music and food festivals, local sports competitions, holiday markets, and artistic performances. Many cluster downtown or at Magnetic Hill, creating natural gathering points. Plan around these happenings. You will tap directly into local life.
- Atlantic Nationals Car Show weekend in July
- Moncton Ribfest in August
- Christmas parade and market season in late November
- Summer festival weekends at Magnetic Hill
- 30 September 2026 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- 12 October 2026 Thanksgiving
- 11 November 2026 Armistice Day
- 11 November 2026 Remembrance Day
- 25 December 2026 Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 Boxing Day
- 1 January 2027 New Year's Day
- 15 February 2027 Family Day
- 15 February 2027 Heritage Day
- 15 February 2027 Islander Day
- 15 February 2027 Louis Riel Day
- 17 March 2027 Saint Patrick's Day
- 26 March 2027 Good Friday
- 29 March 2027 Easter Monday
- 23 April 2027 Saint George's Day
- 24 May 2027 National Patriots' Day
- 24 May 2027 Victoria Day
- 21 June 2027 National Aboriginal Day
- 24 June 2027 Discovery Day
- 24 June 2027 Fête nationale du Québec
- 1 July 2027 Canada Day
- 12 July 2027 Orangemen's Day
- 2 August 2027 British Columbia Day
- 2 August 2027 Civic Holiday
- 2 August 2027 Heritage Day
- 2 August 2027 Natal Day
- 2 August 2027 New Brunswick Day
- 2 August 2027 Saskatchewan Day
- 16 August 2027 Discovery Day
- 16 August 2027 Gold Cup Parade Day
- 6 September 2027 Labour Day
January
⚽Moncton Indoor Tennis Open
A regional tennis tournament plays out at indoor facilities, featuring competitive matches for various skill levels and age categories. Local and provincial players compete. Spectators watch competitive sport during the winter in Moncton.
🛒Moncton Winter Market
This indoor market runs weekly all winter. Local farmers and makers sell here. Shoppers find root vegetables, preserves, baked goods, meats, and crafts. It is a key source for local products during the colder months in Moncton.
February
🎉Moncton Winter Carnival
This community festival leans into winter with outdoor family programming. Expect snow sculpting competitions, ice skating parties, and sledding. Warm indoor spaces hold craft workshops and community meals. Families love it. Anyone seeking cheerful winter activities in Moncton will find it here.
March
🍽️Maple Sugar Festival
This festival celebrates maple syrup season with demonstrations of syrup making, pancake meals with fresh syrup, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Families gather. It marks the end of winter in the Moncton region as a traditional annual event.
April
🎭Frye Festival
Atlantic Canada's largest bilingual literary festival champions reading and writing. The program includes author readings, writing workshops, panel discussions, and school visits by Canadian and international writers. Book lovers come. Aspiring writers of all ages attend in Moncton.
🍽️Moncton Craft Beer Festival
This event puts local and regional craft breweries on display. Attendees sample a wide selection of beers, meet brewers, and enjoy live music. Food vendors provide pairing options. Adults interested in the craft beer scene will find their crowd here.
May
🎭HubCap Comedy Festival
This festival brings stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy to various Moncton stages. Established and emerging comedians from across Canada perform. Shows range from club-style performances to more theatrical productions. Comedy fans will find plenty to watch.
⚽Moncton Marathon
A race weekend with a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances. Scenic routes pass through downtown and along the riverfront. Runners of all levels come to Moncton for this major athletic event.
June
🛒Dieppe Market
Held weekly, this large outdoor market gathers local farmers, artisans, and food producers. Fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods fill the stalls. Locals and visitors in the Moncton and Dieppe area make it a weekend habit.
July
🎉Atlantic Nationals Car Show
One of eastern Canada's largest classic car shows, this multi-day event displays thousands of vintage vehicles, live music, and a large outdoor vendor market. The downtown parade of cars remains the main attraction in Moncton.
🎭Moncton Highland Games
This event honors Scottish heritage with traditional athletic competitions like caber tossing, pipe band performances, and Highland dancing. Vendors sell Scottish goods and food. Participants and spectators interested in Celtic culture gather here.
⚽Moncton 5K Foam Fest
A fun run obstacle course with foam zones, mud pits, and inflatable challenges. Participants run, climb, and slide through the course. Teams and individuals near Moncton come for this playful, messy physical challenge.
🍽️Shediac Lobster Festival
Held in neighbouring Shediac, this famous festival honors the local lobster industry. Lobster dinners, cooking competitions, live entertainment, and a parade fill the schedule. It is a major summer draw for the greater Moncton region.
August
🍽️Moncton Ribfest
Professional rib teams from across North America compete, serving their barbecue specialties. Continuous live music plays on a main stage. A kids' zone and other food vendors round out the experience. This outdoor food festival draws crowds in Moncton.
🎭Acadian Day Celebrations
Community events on August 15th mark Acadian National Day. Moncton activities include raising the Acadian flag, live music with traditional and contemporary Acadian artists, and community gatherings. The day honors the Francophone culture of the region.
🎉Moncton Pride Week
A week of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The parade, social gatherings, educational panels, and parties create a lively, supportive atmosphere in downtown Moncton. The festival promotes inclusivity.
September
🎵Moncton Jazz and Blues Festival
This festival brings local, national, and international jazz and blues artists to a series of concerts. Shows range from large outdoor stages to intimate club settings. Music enthusiasts flock to venues across Moncton.
🍽️Moncton Garlic Festival
This celebration centers on garlic. Local growers attend. Vendors sell garlic-themed foods. Cooking demonstrations and live music round out the day. It is a niche food festival that draws a dedicated crowd to the Moncton area each fall.
October
🎭Salon du Livre de Dieppe
A major French-language book fair draws authors, publishers, and readers from across Acadia and Quebec. Book signings, literary discussions, and children's activities fill the program. Francophone literature takes center stage in the Moncton region.
🎉Moncton Oktoberfest
A local spin on German tradition. German-style beer flows. Food includes pretzels and sausages. Live oompah music plays. This adult social event takes place at a large venue in Moncton.
🎉Halloween Howl
A family Halloween event, often at the city zoo or a community centre. Activities include trick-or-treat trails, costume contests, themed games, and spooky decorations. Children in Moncton get safe, organized Halloween fun here.
November
🎉Moncton Santa Claus Parade
This evening parade kicks off the holiday season in Moncton. Floats, marching bands, and community groups travel the downtown route. Santa Claus arrives at the end. Families mark their calendars for this classic event.
🛒Christmas Craft Market at Resurgo Place
A popular holiday market takes over the city's museum, featuring handmade gifts, decorations, and food items from local artisans. The indoor setting delivers a focused shopping experience for unique holiday finds in Moncton.
🛒Moncton Craft and Gift Show
A large show of handmade crafts, artwork, jewellery, and gourmet foods from artisans across the Maritimes. It is a major shopping event for holiday gifts and decor. Crowds come to Moncton for this.
December
🎉Moncton First Night
A family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration spreads across multiple venues with live music, comedy, children's activities, and interactive performances. The countdown arrives early. Fireworks follow. Families in Moncton have made this their tradition.
Tips for Attending Events
Practical advice to help you get the most out of local events and festivals.
Moncton weather shifts fast. This hits outdoor events hardest. Always pack an extra layer, rain gear, and sun protection.
For major festivals like Ribfest or the Atlantic Nationals, arrive early for parking. Use park-and-ride services if available.
Downtown Moncton is walkable. Events at Magnetic Hill need a car or taxi. Public transit is limited there.
Many popular events sell out. Book paid event tickets as early as possible. Headline performances go fastest.
Winter events demand serious cold-weather gear. Wear insulated, waterproof boots. Bring hand warmers for parades or outdoor festivals.
Check the event's website or social media for last-minute changes. Outdoor events shift most due to weather.
Event Categories
Browse events by type to find what interests you.
Major community celebrations and themed festivals. These are often multi-day events with a wide range of activities.
Events focused on arts, literature, theatre, and heritage. These include performances, exhibitions, and literary festivals.
Organized athletic competitions, tournaments, and participatory sporting events.
Seasonal and regular markets. Local vendors sell food, crafts, and agricultural products.
Observances and festivals tied to religious traditions and holidays.
Festivals and concert series dedicated to specific music genres or featuring multiple musical acts.
Culinary events celebrating specific ingredients, cuisines, or beverages. These often include tastings and vendors.
Rooms near Moncton's main venues go first around festival dates - our accommodation guide covers which neighborhoods to book and when.
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