Events in Moncton

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.

Peak event periods
  • 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
Public holidays in Moncton: 27 September 2026 to 26 September 2027
  • 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
Banks, offices and some attractions may close, and transport and prices can change around these dates.

January

⚽Moncton Indoor Tennis Open

Dates vary yearly Moncton indoor tennis clubs
Free sports

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.

Tip: Check the tournament schedule online to see when the top-seeded players are competing. Spectator seating is usually limited and informal.

🛒Moncton Winter Market

Dates vary yearly Moncton Market
Free 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.

Tip: Saturday mornings draw the biggest crowds. Visit Friday afternoon for calmer browsing. Vendors prefer cash over cards.

February

🎉Moncton Winter Carnival

Dates vary yearly Various venues across Moncton
Free festival

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.

Tip: Dress in layers with waterproof boots. Check the schedule for specific event locations. Activities spread across different parks and community centres.

March

🍽️Maple Sugar Festival

Dates vary yearly Maple Sugar Camps near Moncton
food

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.

Tip: Arrive early for the pancake breakfast. Lines grow long. Wear boots. The grounds can be muddy in March.

April

🎭Frye Festival

Dates vary yearly Downtown Moncton venues
Book Ahead cultural

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.

Tip: Popular author sessions sell out. Book tickets for headline events well in advance. Many free workshops and readings are also available.

🍽️Moncton Craft Beer Festival

Dates vary yearly Moncton Coliseum Complex
Book Ahead food

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.

Tip: Purchase tickets early. This event often sells out. Consider the designated driver ticket option. Plan transportation ahead of time.

May

🎭HubCap Comedy Festival

Dates vary yearly Theatre venues and clubs in Moncton
Book Ahead cultural

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.

Tip: Multi-show passes offer good value. For popular headliners, book tickets as soon as they go on sale.

⚽Moncton Marathon

Dates vary yearly Start and finish lines downtown
Book Ahead sports

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.

Tip: Register months ahead. Races fill up fast. Spectators should head to Riverfront Park. You can watch runners at multiple points there.

June

🛒Dieppe Market

Dates vary yearly Dieppe Market
Free 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.

Tip: Arrive early for the best selection of fresh produce and popular baked items. Bring reusable bags for your purchases.

July

🎉Atlantic Nationals Car Show

Dates vary yearly Magnetic Hill area and downtown Moncton
Free festival

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.

Tip: For the best view of the downtown parade, find a spot along Main Street at least an hour before it starts. Parking at Magnetic Hill fills up quickly.

🎭Moncton Highland Games

Dates vary yearly Centennial Park
cultural

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.

Tip: Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Seating is on the grass. Sun protection is essential. Much of the event develops in open fields.

⚽Moncton 5K Foam Fest

Dates vary yearly Ski Wentworth
Book Ahead sports

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.

Tip: Wear clothes and shoes you can ruin. Pack a full change of clothes and a towel for the cleanup area afterward.

🍽️Shediac Lobster Festival

Dates vary yearly Shediac
Free food

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.

Tip: Expect traffic and parking headaches. Parade day and weekends are worst. Book a lobster dinner early if that matters to you.

August

🍽️Moncton Ribfest

Dates vary yearly Riverfront Park
Free food

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.

Tip: Go with a group. Sample ribs from different vendors. Expect large crowds on Saturday evening. Visiting on Friday or Sunday afternoon can be less hectic.

🎭Acadian Day Celebrations

Dates vary yearly Various locations including City Hall
Free cultural

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.

Tip: Wear blue, white, and red. These are the Acadian flag colors. Check local listings for specific event times and locations.

🎉Moncton Pride Week

Dates vary yearly Downtown Moncton
Free festival

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.

Tip: The parade runs along Main Street. Arrive early for a good spot. Many events are free. Some evening parties need tickets.

September

🎵Moncton Jazz and Blues Festival

Dates vary yearly Various clubs and outdoor stages in Moncton
Book Ahead music

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.

Tip: The festival pass saves money for multiple shows. Book individual tickets early for popular headliners.

🍽️Moncton Garlic Festival

Dates vary yearly Cornhill Nursery
food

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.

Tip: Arrive hungry. Try the unique garlic dishes. The festival runs rain or shine. Dress for the weather. It is mostly outdoors.

October

🎭Salon du Livre de Dieppe

Dates vary yearly Dieppe
Free cultural

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.

Tip: Parking can be limited at the venue. Consider using the adjacent parkade. This is a great opportunity to discover Acadian authors.

🎉Moncton Oktoberfest

Dates vary yearly Moncton Coliseum Complex
Book Ahead festival

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.

Tip: Tickets often cover your first drink. Book a table with friends for guaranteed seating. General admission seating is limited.

🎉Halloween Howl

Dates vary yearly Magnetic Hill Zoo or community centre
Book Ahead festival

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.

Tip: Buy tickets online early. This event sells out fast. Have children wear costumes. Make sure they stay warm for outdoor portions.

November

🎉Moncton Santa Claus Parade

Dates vary yearly Downtown Moncton
Free festival

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.

Tip: Dress very warmly. Stake out a viewing spot along Main Street well before the parade starts. Sidewalks fill up quickly.

🛒Christmas Craft Market at Resurgo Place

Dates vary yearly Resurgo Place
Free market

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.

Tip: The market can get crowded on weekends. For a more relaxed visit, try going on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon.

🛒Moncton Craft and Gift Show

Dates vary yearly Moncton Coliseum Complex
market

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.

Tip: Bring a tote bag. Go the first day for the best selection. Go the last day for possible deals.

December

🎉Moncton First Night

Dates vary yearly Downtown Moncton venues
Book Ahead festival

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.

Tip: Purchase a button for admission well in advance. They are limited. Plan your schedule around the performances you most want to see at different venues.

Tips for Attending Events

Practical advice to help you get the most out of local events and festivals.

1

Moncton weather shifts fast. This hits outdoor events hardest. Always pack an extra layer, rain gear, and sun protection.

2

For major festivals like Ribfest or the Atlantic Nationals, arrive early for parking. Use park-and-ride services if available.

3

Downtown Moncton is walkable. Events at Magnetic Hill need a car or taxi. Public transit is limited there.

4

Many popular events sell out. Book paid event tickets as early as possible. Headline performances go fastest.

5

Winter events demand serious cold-weather gear. Wear insulated, waterproof boots. Bring hand warmers for parades or outdoor festivals.

6

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.

🎉
festival

Major community celebrations and themed festivals. These are often multi-day events with a wide range of activities.

🎭
cultural

Events focused on arts, literature, theatre, and heritage. These include performances, exhibitions, and literary festivals.

⚽
sports

Organized athletic competitions, tournaments, and participatory sporting events.

🛒
market

Seasonal and regular markets. Local vendors sell food, crafts, and agricultural products.

🙏
religious

Observances and festivals tied to religious traditions and holidays.

🎵
music

Festivals and concert series dedicated to specific music genres or featuring multiple musical acts.

🍽️
food

Culinary events celebrating specific ingredients, cuisines, or beverages. These often include tastings and vendors.

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