10+ must-attend Riverview Winter Carnival events & activities for family fun in 2024
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Riverview Winter Carnival!
Pickle Planet is thrilled to again partner with the Town to promote the event; this post is part of our paid & in-kind sponsorship package. Keep reading for our picks for the best family fun during the 2024 celebrations February 2 – 11; you can also find the full list & additional details on the Town’s website: www.townofriverview.ca/events/winter-carnival
We’re going to break things down day by day – because you can for sure plan a fun family outing each of the 10 days of Riverview’s 2024 Winter Carnival!
DAY ONE: FRIDAY, FEB 2
🎇 The Carnival kicks off with one of the best nights of the year – IGNITE! Head to Winter Wonderland Park (5 Quinn Court, Riverview) at 6:30pm for a wintery celebration with food trucks, maple candy on the snow ($3/stick), free hot chocolate (bring your own mug!), skating & sledge skating on the oval, and tunes with DJ Krysta Jay. Keep an eye out for an ice throne carved by Swamp Bear Joel Palmer, too! And at 7pm, the fireworks will light the sky – nice and early for little ones to enjoy & get home to bed.
👚👕 Looking to save 💲💲 on the kids’ clothes? Ready, Set, Grow! has a Winter Carnival special – 15% on sale today & tomorrow!! (Check the Town’s site to see all the businesses offering specials over these 10 days of fun!)
DAY TWO: SATURDAY, FEB 3
After you enjoy a pancake breakfast, you can head to the East Coast’s top winter skateboarding competition, jump in the pool for a swim, or an evening glow skate under the stars!
🥞 The breakfast is at Bethel Presbyterian (600 Coverdale Road) and supports West Riverview Elementary School. Enjoy pancakes, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage, baked beans, and drinks for just $10/adult, $5/child ages 5 – 12, & free for those under 5!
🛹 The Frozen Open is a Riverview tradition & one of the most-anticipated skateboarding competitions on the East Coast each winter! The event is free to watch; you can register to compete for just $10 starting January 28 at 1pm. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this amazing facility and resource in our community, now is the time! The Open takes place 1-5pm at Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Youth Centre (145 Lakeside Drive).
🏊 Splish, splash, it’s a carnival bash in the pool! Enjoy a free family swim at the Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre (400 Whitepine Road) from 2 – 3:30pm. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
Weather impacted this event. 🙁 ⛸️ This is sure to be a highlight of the 2024 carnival – Glow in the Dark skating outside! That’s right! WILD Outside is partnering with the Town to combine glow in the dark painting and black lights on the skating oval at Winter Wonderland Park. Wear reflective colours to really make the experience out of this world! (If you need an accessible ice sledge to enjoy the event, call 506-387-2024 to make arrangements.) This is a free event – but please note, the skating oval will be closed during the day to set up. Skating from 6-7:30pm.
DAY THREE: SUNDAY, FEB 4
🎨 Art can be intimidating to some – but heading to a workshop with Tim Isaac is a great way to spark some creativity with your family! All supplies and instructions provided; learn to create a beautiful mosaic you can bring home. Workshops last 45 minutes, cost is $10/person. Sessions begin at 1, 2, 3, & 4pm. Call 506-387-2024 to book your spot; workshops held at the Parks & Recreation Centre (55 Biggs Drive).
🧭 Want to spend some time outside exploring? Take part in the annual Winter Geocoin Challenge! You can start searching for the caches earlier in the week & claim your limited coin on Sunday at the Riverfront Gazebo Dairy Queen on Coverdale Road.
DAY FOUR: MONDAY, FEB 5
❄️ Snowshoe time! There’s a morning sunrise group walk through Mill Creek Nature Park at 7am, or an evening walk along the Dobson starting at 5pm. (Register in advance; snowshoes are available to borrow if you don’t have your own. Spaces may be limited.)
👗👖 Need to treat yourself to something new? Head to Dayzee’s – they’re offering 50% their clothes during Winter Carnival! (They have kids’ items & some household goods, too – not to mention the cutest rabbit working the cash! No, seriously, there’s a pet bunny at the store. Go check it out!)
DAY FIVE: TUESDAY, FEB 6
🎶🎸🥁 Tuesday is the Battle of the Bands at Riverview Arts Centre! Bands, duos, trios, & soloists from local high schools will take the stage, showcasing their talents. Tickets are $5/student, $12/adult, $10/senior (plus taxes). Get out & cheer them on!
❄️ Sign up for another evening snowshoe adventure, this time in Winter Wonderland Park.
⛄ Tuesday might also be a great day to work on your snow sculpture for the annual challenge – or just admire the work of your neighbours with a walk around town! Check out the amazing prizes that could be won – the grand prize (drawn at random) is a two-night stay in a heated Yurt in Fundy National Park, a year pass to the park, a $50 gas card, and free snowshoe rentals from the Town. The runner-up prizes are just as awesome, too, with local art, bowling gift cards, and more. Deadline to enter the contest is Feb 11, 2024.
PRO TIP: Check out our post below for tips from Canada’s master snow sculpture artist, Matt Morris – who helped us learn how to make these little fellas a few years ago!
DAY SIX: WEDNESDAY, FEB 7
🌱 Love gardening as a family – or want to start? Stop by the seed swap at the Coverdale Recreation Centre between 4 & 6pm to donate or pick up seeds, chat about growing, and enjoy a warm drink.
🔥 There’s another snowshoe adventure tonight, this time at Mill Creek Nature Park, where you can also enjoy a bonfire under the stars! (You can also just head to the bonfire at 6:30pm.) There will be songs & more, thanks to the Riverview Scouts, Tidewater Girl Guides, and Chris Glidden of Fleamarket Underground.
DAY SEVEN: THURSDAY, FEB 8
MOVED TO Feb 15🕺It’s dance time, kiddos! The BGC is hosting a pre-teen dance for ages 9 -12 on Thursday night. There will be prizes, a photo booth, canteen, & lots of fun. Tickets are $4; available from BGC Riverview, RES, & RMS. For updates, check out the Drop In Teen Centre on Facebook. The dance is from 6:30-9pm at the Coverdale Centre.
🧸 For the younger littles, there’s a Storytime & Stuffie Sleepover at the Riverview Library. Come for the stories at 6:30pm and leave your stuffed animal for a sleepover. The librarians promise they’ll have fun – they might even have some photos and stories to share when you pick them up!
❄️ There’s also another snowshoe adventure, this time along the Riverfront Trail.
🎶 Love the idea of a campfire sing-a-long but not up for the trip to Mill Creek? There’ll be one indoors at Parkland tonight! Everyone is invited to join in Thursday evening while Shelley Hopper leads the group. Doors open at 6:15pm.
DAY EIGHT: FRIDAY, FEB 9
🔥It’s another campfire night! Join the Riverview Youth Collective as they serve hot chocolate and treats at the Mill Creek Lookoff, starting at 7pm.
⛄And don’t forget – there’s still time to enter the snow sculpture challenge – or just admire the work of your neighbours! Deadline to enter the contest is Sunday night.
DAY NINE: SATURDAY, FEB 10
🍳🥓🥞 Start the weekend off with a hearty breakfast cooked by someone else! 🙂 Head to the Lions Club on Coverdale Road for pancakes, sausages, eggs, beans, toast, & drinks – for $30/family or $10/person (children under five eat free). Open 8-11am.
🍗😋 You can skip making lunch, too! Head to the Dan Bohan Centre (5 Fatima Drive) for a special chicken lunch prepared by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Ladies’ Society. Call Pam at 506-386-5451 to reserve your spot; $12/person. Enjoy chicken a la king, homemade biscuit, homemade coleslaw, cranberry sauce, and a homemade gingerbread dessert with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Yum!
💝 The Gallant Family band is bring the music for a fun, family Retro Riverview Valentine’s Dance on Friday night at St. John Baptist Anglican Church (28 Woolridge Street). Waltz, jive, line dance, and rock n roll! Canteen for snacks and soft drinks; $10/person entry. 7-10pm.
🏳️🌈 Saturday is also the Lavender Rose Winter Gala, a formal celebration evening for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 16-18.
DAY TEN: SUNDAY, FEB 11
🛷🍕🎉Did we save the best for last? Maybe! It’s Family Fun Day!! Head to Farmer Brown’s Greenhouse for a day filled with s’mores, sliding (bring your own toboggan/sled), face painting, cookie decorating, snowshoeing (again, bring your own, please), wood-fired pizzas, and more. There are heated greenhouses to warm up in, too! Open 10am – 4pm, free entry – though some food & activities require cash.
AND MORE!
If the weather cooperates, snowshoe artists Matt Robinson & Sheldon Benoit will return to create a sustainable art design on Mill Creek Nature Park the second weekend of Winter Carnival. Watch for updates on the Town’s social media!
And speaking of weather: most events have a storm date in place. Watch the Town’s social media & website for details.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, everyone! There are lots more events & activities planned for Riverview Winter Carnival 2024, as well as special offers at local restaurants & businesses. Find the whole list at www.townofriverview.ca/events/winter-carnival then get out and have SNOW ❄️ MUCH ❄️ FUN!!
