Family Day Long Weekend Activities & Events in Greater Moncton (Feb 14-17)

Welcome to the Family Day long weekend, New Brunswick – and welcome to Pickle Planet!

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We’ve been starting our weekend round ups in February highlighting community Winter Carnivals, so you’ll find that information here first, then the rest of the weekend broken down by day – with all the Family Day events at the end!

WINTER CARNIVALS

We’ve been so thrilled to partner with Riverview Winter Carnival again this year, helping promote and support their 45^th annual celebration! Check out our Top 10 Reasons to Visit post for a great overview of the entire event, but here are a few family highlights for this final weekend: Thursday night it’s Giant Card Games in the afternoon and Frozen 2 on the big screen at the community hall at 6:30pm; Friday there’s a Valentine’s Day Tea & Social & a Sweetheart Kitchen Party; Saturday starts off with a pancake breakfast, followed by a Story Walk (we LOVE these!), a community wellness fair, a workshop with the Cookie Lady, a 1pm campfire cookout with mini beaver tails & hot chocolate, a free swim, and wrap it up with a pancake supper. On Sunday, stop into the Chocolate River Farmers Market and enjoy the annual free Snowflake Skate in the afternoon.

Salisbury is a wonderful community to visit any time (have you checked out Highland Park? It’s as fun in winter as any other season – and it’s one of Canada’s 150 coolest playgrounds!) but the Village really shines during celebrations like Winter Carnival! Friday night (weather permitting, as always) there’s a skating party at the outdoor rink from 6:30-8:30pm, with music and hot chocolate. On Saturday, Highland Park will host activities from 11am-2pm, with sleigh rides, beaver tails, maple taffy on the snow, sliding, and more!

It’s also not too late to plan a weekend trip to PEI for Jack Frost! We went last year and loved it!! There are indoor and outdoor activities, with a snow playground, stage performances by Max & Ruby and Baby Shark, fireworks, and more!

THURSDAY

The Evergreen Park Home & School Association is hosting an evening of Magical Valentine Fun at the school. Enjoy a one-hour magic show; tickets are $5 each or $10 per family, available at the door.

FRIDAY

The Moncton Magic host the Halifax Hurricanes on Valentine’s Day at 7pm.

Friday nights are Fun on Ice at Place 1604 in Dieppe, with music this week by Unforeseen.

SkyZone has some fun Valentine’s Day treats planned, including heart-shaped pizza for sale & prizes being awarded after 6pm! And, as usual, Friday & Saturday nights are Glow Nights!!

Looking for a way to grab some time without the kids for Valentine’s Day? Snapology is offering an evening drop-off session for ages five to 14.

The YMCA offers public swimming Friday nights from 6:30-8:30pm.

There are several places to go skating indoors on Fridays: Centennial Arena preschoolers with sticks 9:45-10:45am; Shediac 9:40-10:30am; Centennial Arena 3-4:30pm; Riverview 12&under 4pm-5:15pm; Memramcook 1-2:30pm. Find our full skating guide here.

SATURDAY

You can’t go wrong with an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast at the Salisbury Lions Club! Doors are open 7am to 10am, with pancakes, sausages, maple syrup, muffins, coffee, tea, juice and more on the menu. Adults are just $8, $3 for children ages six to 10, and free little ones!

The $2.99 Saturday Family Favourite at Cineplex is Playing with Fire.

Our public libraries are always great spots for a weekend visit! This weekend, the Moncton Public Library has several family-friendly events happening, including bilingual chess on Saturday morning (ages five and up, 10:30am), D&D from noon until 4pm (email mplib@gnb.ca to register), and Brazilian Storytime from 3-4pm with the Associação de Brasileiros de New Brunswick.

Memramcook is celebrating winter with a Family Day on Saturday morning. From 9am until noon enjoy sleigh rides, face painting, inflatables, and more. Snapology & Homarus Eco-Centre will both be on site with hands-on fun, too!

Dog Day of Winter is back again at Fundy National Park. Learn about harness dog sports and even test out your skills on the Canicross Fun Run.

Curl Moncton is offering a no-charge opportunity to try the sport on Saturday afternoon, from 2-4pm. Spaces are limited, so head to curlmoncton.ca for details on registering! (There will be another session on February 29, too!)

Resurgo Place is offering 50% off regular admission on Saturday and Sunday, in early celebration of Family Day. (The museum is closed on Monday.) Saturday will also see the Musée acadien de l’Université de Moncton on site to show We All Have a Musical Side! (Included with admission, 10am-noon).

The Moncton Magic host the Island Storm on Saturday at 7pm.

The YMCA offers public swimming Saturdays from 2:30-4:30pm.

Riverivew’s Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre has public swimming on Saturdays from 1:30-3:20pm.

Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre has public swimming on Saturdays from 3-4:55pm & 6-7:55pm.

For indoor public skating on Saturdays, head to Shediac. Find our full skating guide here.

If you want to try your hand at ice fishing, head to Sackville’s Silver Lake for a morning of fun. Members of the Sackville Rod and Gun Club will help teach children (ages five to 15, with their parents, please register in advance by calling 506-536-3539) the ins and outs of this traditional pastime.

Former CN employee Bruce Wood is giving a presentation, All the Live Long Day, at the Boultenhouse Museum in Sackville for Heritage Day. Enjoy a free open house and explore the museum’s Railway Exhibit.

The Elgin Eco Association invites everyone to enjoy snowshoeing, fat biking, hot chocolate, bonfires, and more during Winterfest 2020.

DJ Bones is once again planning to spin some awesome tunes while you enjoy skating at the Ian Fowler Oval outside the Avenir Centre on Saturday night.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is hosting a skywatching party in Kouchibouguac National Park. Park admission rates apply.

SUNDAY

Sunday is another great day to visit the Moncton Public Library! The morning includes Ukrainian Storytime (10am-noon), the No Pressure Teen Book Club in the afternoon, and Science Sunday.

In addition to Resurgo Place offering 50% off regular admission on Sunday, they’re also offering a fun service from 12:30-4pm for Heritage Week where you can visit the Resource Centre and staff can help you search up information like who owned your home before you, where your street name comes from, and more!

The City of Moncton is offering free snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals (as well as a guided snowshoe walk at 1pm) at Centennial Park from 10am until 4pm.

Mariposa Skating Club and the City of Moncton are again offering free skating lessons on Sunday morning at the Ian Fowler Oval.

For public skating indoors on Sundays, visit Centennial Arena, 1-2pm; AJL Centre 2-3pm; Memramcook 11:30am-12:25pm; Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm free for six and under (adults $3, students $2) Find our full skating guide – indoor and outdoor rinks – here.

The Moncton Wildcats have a home game Sunday afternoon at 4pm the Avenir Centre.

Rotary St-Anselme Park in Dieppe offers sleigh rides every Sunday from 1-4pm. The rides last about half an hour and costs $2 per person (children under two are free).

The YMCA offers special $2 public swimming Sundays from 2:30-4:30pm.

Riverivew’s Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre has public swimming on Sundays from 1:30-3:20pm.

Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre has public swimming on Sundays from 3-4:55pm.

MONDAY – FAMILY DAY

What kid wouldn’t love a chance to skate with Wild Willie AND see the Frozen princesses AND enjoy face painting and balloon animals AND watch the Moncton Wildcats host the Halifax Mooseheads in an afternoon game?! That’s right! DQ Family Day is filled with amazing fun! Skate with Willie on the Oval at noon, then head inside for the hockey game. Little Princess Parties will be on site, with Anna and Elsa making an appearance, and there will be balloon animals and face painting and so much fun!! Grab your tickets here.

SkyZone is open 10am-9pm for Family Day – and they have a special promotion: Buy a ‘no limit ticket’ for your child and you can join in the fun for free! You can buy your tickets online in advance, which on busy days is always a good idea.

Hop! Skip! Jump! will be open 9:30am-6pm and admission will be tax free!

Sign up for this one, quick – it’s an awesome experience! The Clayspace is hosting its annual Monsterpiece day. You can work with clay to create a little monster jar (ours holds pencils and markers and makes me smile every day!) that you paint. It’s a great creative, hands-on activity, but it does require patience, as the finished pieces aren’t ready for two weeks. There’s a special Family Day rate of $25 per person (plus tax – so $28.75) – and since it often fills up, you should book in advance or risk missing out! Email Rachel and Amy and tell them Pickle Planet sent you. themonctonclayspace@gmail.com

The City of Dieppe has some great things planned for Family Day! Enjoy skating at Centenaire Arena 9:15-11:15am & 2-4pm (helmets required for those 12 and under), and you can borrow skates and helmets at the Place 1604 Oval from noon till 4pm. Free sleigh rides are happening at Rotary St-Anselme Park from 1-4, with bonfires, hot chocolate, and an indoor LEGO centre at the Pavilion. The Aquatic Centre will hold a special public swim from 10-11:25am and again from 2-3:55p with DJ Madvibz; cost each swim is $2.

Snider Mountain Ranch is once again holding Winter West – and it’s on Family Day! What a perfect time to enjoy pony rides, sleigh rides, petting zoo, skating, and more. Entrance to the ranch is free; sleigh rides are $2, food is available for purchase.

The YMCA is offering a special Family Day public swim from 1:30-3:30pm. For more on local public swim options, click here.

Public libraries are closed for Family Day, as is Resurgo Place.

Hillsborough is hosting a Family Fun Day (11am-1pm) with skating on the outdoor rink (inside at the arena if the weather doesn’t cooperate), sliding on the new hill, and free hot dogs & hot chocolate (while supplies last!). Everything is happening by the Visitor Information Centre, right in the heart of the village and easy to find.

There’s a Family Day Sliding Party happening in Fundy National Park 11am to 3pm. Enjoy hot chocolate and treats in the Salt & Fir Centre! The event is free, but you will have to pay entry to the park.

Shediac is planning activities for Family Day; check their site for updates.

Sackville is holding a free family skate on Monday at the Tantramar Veteran’s Memorial Civic centre from 11:30am-1:30pm.

MORE WINTER FUN

You can find a full list of winter fun ideas in the Greater Moncton Area here; keep reading this post for a few highlights!

If skiing is on your mind, consider a trip to Poley Mountain near Sussex or Crabbe Mountain near Fredericton.

Broadleaf Ranch offers several winter activities including horseback rides, sleigh rides, sliding, skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. You can also book to stay overnight, too!

You can also enjoy rides near Turtle Creek; bookings available by calling 506-387-2018. Country Sleigh Rides has a Facebook group with a schedule of public rides being offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

You can enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Centennial Park; equipment for both adults and children is available to rent on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. You can also rent snow shoe equipment and fat bikes for adults and children at Mapleton Lodge on Sundays. You can also rent fat bikes from Mike’s Bike Shop!

There are groomed trails in Moncton’s Irishtown Nature Park that are available for snowshoeing, biking, and walking. Rotary St-Anselme Park has trails that are available for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and walking. Dover Park’s walking trail is accessible during the winter. In Riverview, there are groomed cross country trails in Mill Creek Nature Park, behind the Bridgedale Community Centre, as well as marked snowshoe trails. You can also enjoy the Dobson Trail in winter.

Fundy National Park is open from sunrise to sunset during the winter, as is Kouchibouquac Park.

Outdoor Skating

Lace up your skates, grab a helmet, and enjoy all the outdoor rinks you can find!

In Moncton, enjoy skating on the Ian Fowler Oval at Avenir Centre (open 10am-10pm), as well as in Centennial Park. (One rink in the park is designated for skating, while the other is for hockey.) There is an outdoor rink behind the Rotary Pavilion at Mapleton Park, as well as one at Victoria Park. The City of Moncton also partners with neighbourhood volunteers to create skating rinks in some community parks.

Lewisville Park (45 Glenmoor Drive)
Brentwood Park (150 Brentwood Drive)
Prince Edward Park (25 Burlington Avenue)
Grove Hamlet (39 Ripplewood Road)
Canadian Heights Park (35 Chelsea Road)
Candlewood Park (90 Candlewood Drive)
Knox Park (75 Knox Drive)
Maplehurst Park (115 Maplehurst Drive)
Pauline Frizzell Park (387 Salisbury Road)
Hamilton Heights (120 Evergreen Drive)

Riverview’s Winter Wonderland outdoor park includes a skating oval, and Dieppe maintains two outdoor rinks at Rotary St-Anselme Park (one for skating, one for games) and the oval behind City Hall (no sticks or pucks allowed here). Salisbury has an outdoor skating rink, as does Petitcodiac, and there’s skating oval at Shediac’s Pascal Poirier Park. You can find our full guide to indoor & outdoor skating here.

MORE PLACES TO PLAY

Great options for any weekend; Double check about openings for Family Day!

Skyzone Moncton, Hop Skip Jump!, FitRocks Climbing Gym and the Riverview Indoor Skatepark are great spots to burn off energy for the whole family. You can also take everyone bowling – Fairlanes in Moncton, Bowlarama in Dieppe, and Parklane Bowling in Riverview all offer gutter blockers for kids, and Bowlarama has an awesome arcade section.

Timber Lounge Moncton welcomes kids ages 10 and up (during certain hours) to experience the art of axe throwing, and older children can also enjoy Room Escape Atlantic & Mystery Moncton Mystere. You might also want to plan a visit to a trip to Le Moque-Tortue in Shediac, which features a board game cafe and child-friendly escape rooms.

DIY Studio is a great paint-your-own pottery option for family fun, located on Mountain Road. And if you enjoy arcade games, we have a list of great spots to play here.

J Colpitts Photography for Pickle Planet Moncton winter fun new brunswick — Did you LOVE our cover photo this weekend? Shout out to the talented Jessica at **J Colpitts Photography** for sharing this image with us, taken in Moncton’s Centennial Park. You should check her out!

Wowzers! I’m so glad you’re still here – that was 3,000 words listing nearly 100 things you can do with the family in the Greater Moncton Area this weekend. Honestly, how lucky are we?! Even if you choose to stay in, play some games, watch a movie, or read together, we hope you enjoyed taking a look at all the options we have for family fun in the Greater Moncton Area. We also hope you’ll take the time and check out some of our other posts – and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for even more great content! (We aren’t paid by any outside source to create this round up each week – so following us on social media & sharing this & our other posts really means a lot to us; thank you!!!)