Everyone in New Brunswick loves and celebrates the summer, as it brings together communities and spurs everyone to get out and enjoy the natural beauty. One of the best ways to combine all these things is by throwing festivals, and it’s a skill that us Neo-Brunswickoise take very seriously.
Whether it’s food, music or adrenaline you’re after, we’ve got something for everyone. There are festivals all along the scenic coast towns and all through our historic cities.
Here are some I think you shouldn’t miss.
Shediac Lobster Festival
If you love lobster and live music, plan a few days in Shediac for early July.
Shediac claims the title of Lobster Capital of the World, so there’s a special civic obligation to hold an extravagant Festival. This year, from July 5th-14th, there will be bands and events all over town, including the popular Ales and Tails on the 6th with craft beer tastings and artists The Mellotones and Signal Hill on a concert stage.
Ballet by the Ocean, Grande-Digue
This one’s near me in Moncton, on the shore in a little town called Grand-Digue. It’s a series of ballet performances with mind-blowing dancers and choreographers as well as food pairings from the chefs of Atelier Tony, one of the province’s best restaurants. It’s a chance to savor great food and find spiritual and cultural replenishment while staring at the scenic ocean views at sunset. It’s a can’t miss, and again, the talent of the company is top notch.
Area 506 Fest, Saint John
The famous shipping container village pops up in the port town of Saint Town every New Brunswick Day weekend. They create an incredible community of little shops, bars, food trucks and art galleries, with live local music playing and hopefully a lot of sun for a fun beach day. It’s a great weekend to be in Saint John.
Festival Acadien de Caraquet
This is the largest Acadian celebration of the year, and it ends with the amazing Tintamarre Parade on Acadian Day. The streets of Caraquet come alive for the ten day festival, held this year from August 5-15th. Acadians from all over come to town to show their cultural pride and celebrate their heritage.
Adrenaline Bike Festival, Sugarloaf Provincial Park
For those who love risking life and limb on their mountain bikes, this is the ultimate summer festival. From Aug 16-18, Sugarloaf’s high performance trails will be home to downhill (DH) and cross country (XCO) races, a bike rodeo, a pump track challenge, and maybe most famously, the Legendary MTB World Championship of Pond Crossing. This year is the 15th anniversary, so the adrenaline junkies will be extra juiced. It’s what you work all year for bikers!
Harvest Music Festival, Fredericton
The Harvest Music Festival from Sept 10-15 is a great excuse to dance your way around our lovely capital. It’s one of Canada’s best music festivals, and this year features a headline of true rock stars in Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Spoon, Feist and the Warren Haynes Band. Another headline is Kylie Fox’s performance of one of Joni Mitchell’s most critically acclaimed albums Court And Spark, to mark it’s 50th anniversary.
I suggest adding a few of these to your summer calendar. It’ll go a long way towards making it a great one.