Can’t Miss Summer Events in New Brunswick

Whether you're a culture buff or just looking for fun in the sun, these summer events will spark your wanderlust.

Canada Day Celebrations (July 1)

Celebrate Canada’s birthday across the province with fireworks, music, and community spirit:

• Fredericton – Celebrate Canada Day with a full day of free family activities, live entertainment, and fireworks in Officers’ Square.
• Moncton – Join the all-day "Whoa Canada!" party at Riverfront Park with kids’ activities, artisan markets, food trucks, live music, and a grand fireworks finale.
• Saint John – Celebrate at the AREA 506 Waterfront Festival with live music, cultural performances, and family-friendly fun along the vibrant harbourfront.
• Bathurst - Celebrate Canada Day in Coronation Park with live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun including bouncy castles and face painting.
• Shediac - Celebrate Canada Day in Shediac with a full day of family fun featuring games, entertainment, BBQs, live music, and a grand fireworks finale.

New Brunswick Pride Parades & Festivals

Celebrate love, identity, and belonging in some of New Brunswick's most inclusive and joyful festivals:

• Acadie Love - Caraquet (July 10–13) – Inclusive cultural experiences in a charming seaside town.
• Pride Fest - Moncton (August 1–10) - Ten days of performances, parades, and community pride.
• Fierté Fredericton Pride (July 12-21) - Celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ identity with colourful events and citywide joy.
• Saint John Pride (August 8–17) – Music, parades, and powerful community stories along the coast.

Indigenous Powwows & Cultural Gatherings

Experience the powerful spirit of Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey traditions through dance, music, and community:

• Pabineau (Oinpegitjoig) - July 5–6
  
• Oromocto (Welamukotuk) - July 12–13
  
• Eel Ground (Natoaganeg) - July 19–20
  
• Tobique (Neqotkuk) - July 26–27
  
• Eel River Bar (Ugpi’ganjig) - August 16–17
  
• Burnt Church (Esgenoôpetitj)- August 23–24
  
• Big Cove (Elsipogtog) - August 30–31
  

View 2025 NB Powwow Calendar →

Summer Festivals in NB You Can’t Miss

Let your summer story unfold through music, food, and coastal charm. These beloved festivals are sure to make memories:

• Shediac Lobster Festival (July 5–13) – A NB seafood classic featuring over 50 events and a legendary outdoor dinner. Shediac’s sandy shores are among the nicest beaches on the East Coast.
• Big Axe Craft Beer Festival - Nackawic (July 11–12) – Sip your way through 40+ Atlantic Canadian breweries with live music, food trucks, and riverside views.
• Campbellton Bluegrass Festival (July 17–20) – Enjoy toe-tapping bluegrass music along the Restigouche River with scenic views and family-friendly workshops.
• Moncton International Buskers Festival (July 18–20) – Street performers from around the world bring downtown Moncton to life with acrobatics, music, and food.
• New Brunswick Highland Games Festival - Fredericton (July 25–27) – Celebrate Scottish heritage with pipe bands, dancing, traditional sports, and cultural fun for all ages.

• Area 506 Festival - Saint John (Aug 1–3) – Rock out at this waterfront festival featuring local music, culture, and NB’s signature container village marketplace.
• Festival acadien de Caraquet (Aug 3–15) – Join the joyful Acadian spirit with vibrant music, food, and the unforgettable Grand Tintamarre parade.
• New River Beach Sand Sculpture Competition (Aug 2–4) – Watch (or compete in) epic sandcastle builds at the beach, with prizes, fun, and tide-challenging creativity.
• Fundy Sea Shanty Festival - St. Martins (Aug 8–10) – Immerse yourself in maritime history with rousing sea shanties, coastal cuisine, and hands-on storytelling.

Explore NB’s full event calendar →

Best Beaches and Coastal Escapes

Let your journey unfold on warm beaches, under towering lighthouses, and across winding coastal roads. These are the places where your summer story comes alive.

Best Beaches in New Brunswick

Ready to feel the sand between your toes? From the warm, shallow waters of Parlee Beach to the peaceful boardwalk at Kellys Beach and the wild beauty of New River Beach, New Brunswick’s coastline is bursting with summer magic.

Whether you're after family fun, quiet coastal charm, or the nicest beaches on the East Coast, we've got you covered.

Planning tip: Check out our Best New Brunswick Beaches blog for a list of sandy escapes, hidden gems, and family favourites to help plan your perfect beach day.

NB Lighthouse Road Trips

Hit the road and capture Instagram-worthy moments at lighthouses like:

• Swallowtail Lighthouse – Grand Manan’s postcard-perfect scene.
• Cape Enrage – Dramatic cliffs, tides, and an adventure zone.
• Head Harbour Lightstation – Campobello Island’s historic beauty.

Road trip ready? Use our New Brunswick Lighthouse blog to map out a scenic itinerary full of picture-perfect east coast views.

Food & Wine Experiences in New Brunswick

Craving a true taste of NB? Start with our People’s Choice Awards winners—you’ll find the province’s most-loved food spots, from mouthwatering lobster rolls and golden fried clams to BBQ joints and ice cream stops worth the drive.

🍔 Need some BBQ inspiration?

Check out our BBQ blog for sizzling summer ideas.

🍇 Prefer sipping local vintages?

Explore our Wineries blog to discover some of NB’s most cherished vineyard experiences.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

The Best of New Brunswick

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It's time to spotlight the best of our community - your favourite local businesses and services! You can support them by voting for your top picks for each category.

So... what will your New Brunswick summer story be?

Whether it’s dancing at a lobster festival, exploring lighthouses, or making sand angels with your kids, this is the season to connect, celebrate, and create memories you’ll carry forever.

Let the road trip begin!