What to do New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and until school starts!

Welcome to 2024! 🥳

We here at Pickle Planet HQ have been trying to embrace the holidays & stay offline but we couldn’t leave you all without a final post for the year – filled with the information you’re looking for to ring in the New Year with your family in Greater Moncton!

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Before we dive into events that are happening to ring in 2024, here are a few lower-key ideas for a quieter, at-home celebration.

NEW YEAR’S EVE IDEAS WITH KIDS

• Plan a sleepover! Invite your favourite family over to spend the night or create your own family camp out in the living room.
• Outdoor fun! Enjoy a backyard bonfire with s’mores and sparklers or stock up on glow sticks and have a dance party!
• See the lights! Head to Wild Lights at Magnetic Hill Zoo or plan a stroll along the Riverfront Trail in Riverview, a free option that offers amazingly romantic and festive vibes for snapping photos. Many homes still have their holiday lights on, too!
• Family fun! Break out the board games, invest in a puzzle, indulge in video games, or plan a movie marathon.
• Don’t forget the treats! If you’re planning take out, try to order ahead – like, days ahead. Some local Chinese restaurants will take bookings a few days before New Years Eve. Many families plan a fun meal, like homemade personal pizzas or fondue. A trip to the candy store to pick out some special goodies is always a fun treat, too!

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• New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day is also a great time to start a tradition with your family. Grab a notebook and begin keeping a log of the one-liners, inside jokes, family adventures, and everyday moments you want to remember. Keep it somewhere easily accessible, like tucked in a drawer in the kitchen, so everyone can add to it through the year. Enjoy reminiscing next year!
• Discover other cultural traditions! Spend some time learning about New Year’s traditions from around the world and incorporate these into your celebrations. Maybe you’ll eat a dozen grapes like folks do in Spain, or wear red and/or yellow like many Italians or Mexicans – colours that are meant to bring you love, happiness, & money – or have a dark-haired Scottish man come round for first footing, bringing your home good luck for the year to come.
• Early countdowns! Netflix usually brings out a whole bunch of short New Year’s Eve countdown videos featuring popular kids’ programming. Perfect for early night fun with little ones!

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS IN GREATER MONCTON

Here’s a quick look at events happening for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and until the kids go back to school in January!

The big bash for NYE is the Family Fun Fest in Downtown Moncton, in front of the Avenir Centre.

• Things begin with an opening prayer from Knowledge Keeper Joan Milliea, followed by the start of the Kids’ Zone. This area will have lots of hands-on fun & on-stage performances, including Mad Science at 2:30 & 6:15, Mr. Mark at 3:45 & 7:15, a photo booth from 4:15-8:15pm, & Mike Pendergast at 5pm.
• There’ll also be live music outside from 2:30 through till midnight, with various local artists (including The Mainlanders, Beauxmont, & The Mellotones after 7pm), along with face painting, glitter tattoos, maple on a stick, and a fundraiser BBQ from 3-8pm. There will also be a selection of food trucks on site, special ice bars outside the Hilton Garden Inn & Hyatt Place, from 2pm until midnight. A beer garden will also be open from 6pm-midnight.
• There’s a sold out Moncton Wildcats game at 4pm – but if you didn’t snag tickets, you can still see the players when them come outside at 7:15pm to join fans by the Oval! Speaking of which, don’t forget to bring your skates & enjoy the ice, too!
• There’ll be a fireworks display at 8:30pm (perfect for families who can’t make the midnight ones) and again at midnight! You can find more details here.

Don’t forget, if you’re heading out to take in this fun, plan ahead for street closures – Main Street between Cameron and Bonaccord will be closed from 7am on December 31 until 2am on January 1^st. Part of Canada Street will also be closed.

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Memramcook is hosting a New Year’s Eve public skating event, from 11:45am-12:45pm. You’re encouraged to wear silver and gold to ring in the New Year!

Beloved Miniature Horses posted limited availability for visits on New Year’s Eve, between noon & 3pm. Message their Facebook page to book; $10/person, children three & under are free. Mini sleigh rides might be available, too!

SkyZone’s New Year’s Eve at Noon is back, which is a great option for an outing during the day! Activities begin at 10am & go till 4pm, with a NOON countdown. You MUST wear white or fluorescent shirts (so you GLOW!). Open to all ages. There will be a DJ, prizes, a balloon drop & more. There are no time limits to your pass, so stay as long as you like! (It’s recommended you purchase tickets in advance online, as there are occupancy limits. They do offer a ‘no jump pass’ for parents of littles; best to call or message them to inquire.)

NEW YEAR’S DAY EVENTS IN GREATER MONCTON

Here are some great activities we found happening this year on January 1, 2024. Know something we missed? Drop it in the comments!

• There’s a free skate at the Kay Arena (Crossman Community Centre) in Moncton from 1-4pm. The walking track and gym will also be open!
• The YMCA in Moncton is open for public swimming from 1:30-3:30pm on January 1.
• The YMCA North End indoor splash pad is open 9:15am-4:45pm on January 1.
• The Town of Riverview is holding a New Year’s Day Levee at Town Hall from 1-2:30pm with refreshments and neighbourly fun!
• Shediac Arena has public skating on New Year’s Day from 9:30-10:30am.
• Sackville has a parent & tot skate on New Year’s Day from 10:15-11:15am, a New Year’s Levee at the Keillor House Museum from 1-4pm, and the 31^st annual Polar Dip at Palmer’s Pond (prize for the best costume!) at 1pm!
• There are lots of PG & G options at Cineplex, with special times on New Year’s Day!
• DIY Studio is open New Year’s Day from 11am-7pm.
• Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo is open on New Year’s Day, and through until January 6.
• Room Escape Atlantic has some great kid-friendly options & still had some spaces available for New Year’s Day when we checked!

MORE IDEAS FOR FAMILY FUN THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY 2024 in GREATER MONCTON

SKATING

The oval at Dieppe’s Place 1604 is always a great outing; it’s open daily 10am-9:30pm (with a closure from 1-1:30 & 5-5:30 for maintenance). Don’t forget – Friday nights are for Fun on Ice in Dieppe! On January 5, DJ Empire will be spinning French & Latin Top 40 hits from 6:30-8pm at the Place 1604 outdoor skating Oval. There are skate & helmets available to use, bonfires, hot chocolate, & lots of fun!

The Ian Fowler Oval outside of Moncton’s Avenir Centre is also open for outdoor skating, 10am-10pm. (Check conditions here in case of weather closures; it also shows conditions for the outdoor rinks planned for other parks in the city, as well as sliding, skiing, and walking trails.)

Here are indoor skating options; please double check the rink for details on helmets, etc. and to ensure their online schedules we found were up to date!

• Tuesday, January 2: Dieppe AJL preschoolers with sticks, 9:30-10:30am; Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Drive) Parent & Tot skating 10am to 11am ($2) & public 3:30-4:30pm ($2); Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm; Riverview 12 & under 3-4pm
• Wednesday, January 3: Shediac 8:30-9:30am; Sackville Parent & Tot 10:15-11:15am; Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm; Riverview 18 & under 3:00-4:45pm; Memramcook 1:45-3:45pm; Shediac 1:35-2:35pm, Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Drive) Parent & Tot skating, 10am to 11am ($2) & public 3:30-4:30pm ($2); Crossman Community Centre Kay Arena (99 Wynwood Drive) Parent & Tot 10:15-11:15am ($2)
• Thursday, January 4: Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm; Dieppe’s AJL preschoolers 9:30-10:30am, Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Drive) Parent & Tot skating, 10am to 11am ($2)
• Friday, January 5: Dieppe AJL preschoolers with sticks, 9:30-10:30am; Shediac 8:30-9:30am; Superior Propane Arena parent & tot 10-11am; Sackville Parent & Tot 10:15-11:15am; Crossman Community Centre Kay Arena 10:15am-11:15am & 3:30pm-4:30pm; Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm; Riverview 12 & under, 4-5:15pm; Hillsborough public skate, 8:15-9:15pm
• Saturday, January 6: Moncton Coliseum, 3:45-5:15pm ($2); Moncton’s Kay Arena, 2:30-4pm, ($2); Riverview public 3:45-5:00pm; Dieppe’s AJL 6:15-7:15pm; Hillsborough Public Skate 2-3pm & 8-9pm
• Sunday, January 7: Dieppe’s UNIplex 11:45am-12:45pm; Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm ($2/skater, free for ages five & under); Dieppe’s AJL 1:00-2:00pm; Riverview public 2:30-4pm; Memramcook public 11:45am-12:45pm; Sackville 2:30pm to 3:30pm ($8/family, or $3/adult & $2/senior or child under 12); Shediac 5:30-6:30pm; Moncton’s Kay Arena, 2:30-4pm, ($2); Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre 11:45am-12:45pm ($2); Hillsborough Family Skate, 2:15-3:15pm

SLIDING HILLS IN GREATER MONCTON

Tobogganing, sliding, sledding – whatever you call it, it’s one of the most fun things to do in winter! There may or may not be enough snow this New Year’s Eve/Day to hit the hills, but just in case … here are a few to-go spots to seek out over the coming weeks & months:

• There are a few municipally-approved toboggan runs at Centennial Park in Moncton.
• Rotary St-Anselme Park in Dieppe also has several great spots.
• In Riverview, head to Winter Wonderland Park, on Quinn Court (off Gunningsville Boulevard) for some awesome tracks (and some snowboarding ones, too!) or behind Claude D. Taylor School.
• Our kids love sliding at Highland Park in Salisbury; the hill is fantastic!
• Shediac’s Pascal Poirier Park is often home to many sliding tracks in the winter.
• In Fundy Park, check out the Headquarters Tobogganing Hill, and if you’re at Kouchibouquac Park, Patterson Hill is a great spot for sliding, though it is a long walk (2km) to reach the site.

SWIMMING

Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre is offering swim times throughout January 2 to 7; 11:30am-1:25pm each day, and 2-3:55pm on Tuesday & Thursday. They’ll also have a swim (without the Wibit) on Saturday, 3-4:25.

There’s always public swimming Saturdays (6:30-7:45pm) & Sundays (1:30-3pm) at the YMCA in Moncton, with additional swims this week: Monday (Jan 1) from 1:30-3:30, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 5-7pm, Saturday (January 6) from 9-11am & 6:30-7:30pm, and Sunday as usual.

The YMCA North End indoor splash pad is open January 1-7, as well: 9:15am-4:45pm on January 1, 8am-2:30pm & 4:30-7:45pm on Tuesday, January 2 & Thursday, January 4, 8am-7:45pm on Wednesday, January 3, 8am-7:45pm on Friday, and 8:45-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-5pm on Saturday, January 6 & Sunday, January 7.

Riverview’s Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre is open Tuesday for open swims 1:30-3:30pm Tuesday through Friday, and goes back to regular programming on Saturday. Open swim is 2-3:30pm on Saturdays.

There are also some public swims in Sussex January 2-7; check out the Nutrien Civic Centre’s page for details.

BOWLING

Go retro vibes with Holy Moly in Riverview, check out glow bowling times at Fairlanes in Moncton, or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.)

MORE INDOOR FUN

Resurgo Place’s dinosaur & Picasso are only here till January 7; don’t miss your chance to visit! The museum is always a hands-on hit with our kids; a great outing anytime. (It’s half-off admission on Thursday nights, 5-8pm, if you’re looking for an evening outing this week.)

SkyZone has half price nights on Tuesdays, from 5-8pm – including January 2. You can reserve a ticket ($12.50+tax) online in advance to secure your spot.

Earlier on Tuesday, January 2, some players from the Moncton Wildcats will be at SkyZone, 2-3pm!

SkyZone also does Glow Nights on Fridays & Saturdays! (And in case you aren’t familiar, SkyZone is on St. George Street & has an indoor playground for younger children, an Ultimate Warrior Obstacle Course, dodgeball, arcade games, jousting towers, and more.)

Looking for something geared just to littles? Hop Skip Jump is the place to check out.

Cineplex is always a great option; there are several PG & G films currently showing, with special earlier times this week.

We’re always a fan of visiting the library – whether there’s special programming or just to drop in & explore! Moncton has a family colouring time this week, and on Saturday, January 6 Brilliant Labs will be on site to show children ages 7-12 coding, robotics, and more at 10am.

Want to move as a family? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym, Marco’s Clinic (laser tag), or the Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre. We see the new Moncton North skate park is open now at the North End YMCA, too!

Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!

Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic has some great kid-friendly options & Mystery Moncton Mystere is awesome for the teens & up. There are also online options you can purchase to play on your own time!

MORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 

Therapy Trailblazers will be at the Dieppe Public Library with their dogs for a family craft time on Saturday, January 6 at 10:30am. Bilingual event, no registration required.

Saturday, January 6 there’s an indoor drop-in playgroup for ages 0-5 at the Dorchester Veteran’s Community Centre, 10am-noon.

OUTDOOR FUN

Magnetic Hill Zoo is open in the evening for Wild Lights until Saturday, January 6.

Friday nights are for Fun on Ice in Dieppe! On January 5, DJ Empire will be spinning French & Latin Top 40 hits from 6:30-8pm at the Place 1604 Oval. There are skate & helmets available to use, bonfires, hot chocolate, & lots of fun!

Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! There were some winter walks with the animals available for the next few days when we checked.

Poley Mountain is open for the season, 9am-9pm.

LOOKING AHEAD

Maritime Collectibles is hosting another vendor show at the Rotary Park lodge in Dieppe on Sunday, January 14, from 9:30am-2pm. Hot Wheels, Pokemon, action figures, and more. General entry is $5; kids are free.

Ray Anderson is bringing his Family Magic & Illusion Show to the Riverview Arts Centre on January 14. The show is at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon!

Looking for a fun activity with older children? There’s a four-week wool felting workshop happening at the Dieppe Arts & Culture centre in February that is open to those ages 10+.

WINTER CARNIVALS in 2024

• Shediac’s Winter Carnival starts at the end of January, with festival mascot Bonhomme Coueche arriving for Groundhog Day.
• Dieppe embraces winter with Fun on Ice at Place 1604 on Friday nights throughout the winter, with live music and skating on the oval, as well as the city’s annual winter carnival in February.
• Riverview’s Winter Carnival takes place at the start of February with lots of great events centered around Winter Wonderland Park.
• And Moncton‘s PolarFest returns this year for another weekend of fun in Centennial Park over the Family Day weekend in February.

Watch for more on these events coming soon!

Thank you all for your support this year; each time you read and share a post, you contribute to our goal of creating a stronger community for our children. If you appreciate this resource and wish to see it continue, please take the time to let local businesses and events know the role Pickle Planet plays in your event planning. If you operate a local business, please reach out about sponsoring a round up or partnering on a post.