Fun Family Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend in Greater Moncton (Oct 10-13, 2025)
Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone! We hope you have a wonderful weekend, whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a turkey dinner, or spending time with people you love and in places that make you happy!
Our annual round up of Halloween events is almost ready – watch for us to post this weekend. (We’ve included any events this weekend here.)
Let’s start with a few favourite fall highlights to help you make the most of the time, shall we? (A reminder we list events by day, then a long list of attractions that are always a great option, followed by a few upcoming highlights. We don’t often have a chance to update this round up once posted, so be sure to click through the source links we provide so you can check for any changes before heading out.)
We’ve updated our annual list of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, & more for your autumn adventure planning – but here are some quick tidbits for you!
Belliveau Orchard La Fleur du Pommier Le Verger Goguen Appleview Orchards & Irishview Orchard are all open for the season.
The Green Pig Country Market’s corn maze has a pirate theme this year, Trueman Blueberry Farm has a Sesame Street theme corn maze, and Boyle Family Farm is open Thursdays to Sundays, 10am-6pm, until Halloween with their maze.
🐴 Country Sleigh Rides is offering fall Wagon Rides! You can book a private ride for $150 or sign up for $10/person for a group ride. You spend half-an-hour on the ride and half-an-hour visiting their farm animals; there are crafts & treats, too! They’re located just outside the city, in the Irishtown area. Reach out to them directly to book your spot.
🌾 Looking for a road trip? Charlottetown is decked out for the season, with more than 800 scarecrows around the city – and a walking map for you to find them all! There are also regular and haunted wagon rides on Friday & Saturday. You might also consider checking out the amazing creations at Coburn Farms’ Pumpkin Yard in Keswick Ridge or booking a visit to Fletcher’s Farm in Miramichi, Hunter Brothers’corn maze in Florenceville-Bristol, or Truro’s RiverBreeze Farm
👻 If you’re visiting Fundy National Park this weekend, watch for some fantastic decorations at camp sites! The park is holding a contest for those staying over the Thanksgiving weekend, with a family season pass for 2026 up for grabs for the best decorated site.
For more details about each of these places & more, check out our Fall Guide!
⛸️ There’s free skating at the Petitcodiac Arena, 12-12:45pm.
Alma Fleet Launch 2025 kicks off tonight with bingo!
This weekend (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) at the Neptune Drive In (Shediac), there’s trunk-or-treating at 6pm, followed by a 7:30pm showing of Gabby’s Dollhouse and Downtown Abbey.
Unless you have tickets to attend the Harrison Trimble vs Moncton High homecoming football game, you might want to steer clear of Centennial Park for a few hours this evening. It’s going to be packed with school spirit & fun! (Be shout out to the school mascots who have been dancing up a storm on Instagram this week – love it!!)
The Moncton Wildcats are hosting the Rimouski Océanic tonight, 7pm at the Avenir Centre. It’s 1996 theme night!
The Nor’easter: Robot Combat Club has a tournament happening today in Riverview.
Alma Fleet Launch 2025 has a great line up of kid-friendly events today! Head to the Rec Centre in Alma for music with Mr. Mark, face painting, crafts, touch tank, & more. The fun starts at 10am & wraps up at 3pm.
It’s Fall Festival on the Mountain at Poley today! There will be treats at the cafe, chairlift sightseeing from 11am-4:45pm, trail running, a market, bouncy castles, face painting, horse & wagon rides, & live music 2-5!
This one’s not exactly an event for the whole family, but we wanted to give a bit shout out to our friends at Magnetic Hill Winery, celebrating 20 years at their Harvest Fest today! There’s all kinds of fun starting at noon, including grape-stomping, tours of the historic house on site, music, vendors, & more!
Boyle Family Farm is offering a pumpkin carving experience this weekend. Visit them between 10am & 4pm for petting zoo, hay rides, family fun zone, and more – and each child will get a pumpkin to carve (while supplies last; entry fee for the site is $15 or $50 for a family of up to six)! You can carve them on site in their birthday party space, so no need to gather your own supplies or deal with the clean up! (Parental supervision is required.)
Trueman’s Blueberry Farm is opening its corn maze after dark tonight, starting at 6pm.
Start your day with a pay-by-donation breakfast at the Activity Centre, a fundraiser for the Caledonia High School seniors, as part of Alma Fleet Launch 2025.
Also part of Alma Fleet Launch 2025 – fireworks at dusk at the Alma Wharf! (This is weather permitting; check their Facebook page for updates.) We hear there are lobster rolls to enjoy on site, too! (The actual fleet launch is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday morning; this is when the lobster boats head out for the season.)
The Mom Market is popping up at Centennial Park, 11am-3pm.
The Sky-Lines Kite Club in Dieppe will be at Dover Park in Dieppe at 1pm for their monthly flight, which will also mark One Sky, One World Day, promoting peace and respect for the environment.
New Brunswick writer Tamara Rector will be at Chapters with her latest novel, a read perfect for spooky season — The Legend of Blackshore, a pirate ghost story set in Nova Scotia.
If you love spooky stories, check out the amazing event happening at Adorable Chocolate in Shediac tonight! Olivier Poirier will be sharing stories of lost sailors, benevolent spirits, and mysterious phenomena.
⛸️ Public skating at the Eugène (Gene) LeBlanc Arena in Memramcook, Sundays, 11:45am-12:45pm – theme today is sports jerseys
🎲 All ages are welcome to play board games at the Moncton Public Library at 12:30pm today.
Thanksgiving Monday is a ‘prescribed day of rest‘ in New Brunswick, meaning that schools, most municipal offices and services, as well as most retailers will be closed.
The City of Moncton’s sixth annual Heritage Week kicks off on Monday, with lots of interesting events if you like history and cool buildings. There’s a downloadable Heritage Scavenger Hunt that’s perfect for exploring with the whole family!
⛸️ Public skating at the Eugène (Gene) LeBlanc Arena in Memramcook, Mondays, 2:30-4:15pm – the theme today is Acadian Colours
These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 
for our TEEN & TWEEN picks! Some of these are still great with littles, too, but we know it can be tricky to come up with ideas the older kids will enjoy – or can be sent to on their own.
REMEMBER: We’re not always able to update if there are changes due to weather, etc. Please click through the links & call ahead to confirm details for yourself when making plans!
OUTDOOR FUN
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open daily.
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
Faith First Mini Horses offers pony walks & cuddles; check their site and reach out for availability.
Poley Mountain is open in the fall for hiking, biking, & more.
Drive In Movies are perfect fall outings, especially with teens! Check out what’s playing at 
Shediac’s Neptune Drive In & the Sussex Drive In.
East Coast Karting is open (weather permitting). Check their Facebook for updates & details!- DYK
There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps when weather permits. 
There’s a roughly one hour iTour of downtown Moncton’s historical & cultural locations you can use to help you explore – a great way to add a little movement, a little history, and a little fun to your family outings! Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!
INDOOR FUN
The indoor splash pad at the YMCA North End is an amazing option for kiddos – with public openings every day of the week! Check the schedule as times vary day-to-day; cost to attend for non-member is $6.- For indoor swimming, there are public options at the YMCA Greater Moncton (love their small, warmer pool for little ones), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centrein Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!).
Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.
Burn off energy at SkyZone Moncton; half-price entry on Tuesday nights, and Glow Zone on Fridays & Saturdays.
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays, including long weekends.)
MR21 is ‘low key Moncton’s best kept secret’ as my kids say. An incredible visual presentation that tells the history of the Acadian community in a beautiful cathedral in downtown.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.- Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!
The Bunker on Main Street in Moncton is a great indoor golf option & does have times kids are allowed. They also now have a race car simulator! There are more than 50 cars you can choose from & more than 30 tracks to try – it’s not a little kid game.
Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly 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.)
Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats!
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!
Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
Book laser tag at the Sportsdome or Marco’s!
Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic usually has a few non-scary, kid-friendly options & Mystery Moncton Mystere is great for the teens & up. There are also online options you can purchase to play on your own time.
Need to unleash some anger? Book a session at the Wreck Room!
Teens & youth (ages 12-25) can book a two-hour spot at Riverview’s Sound Lab for just $2/person. The lab has professional recording software, an electric guitar, bass guitar, electric drum kit, keyboard, microphones, & two amps.
Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions, Sunday Lorcana Locals, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events.
Board Miniatures also hosts regular table top sessions for various games & free board game days, too!
BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect, with lots of programming open to everyone.
Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquariumwith striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.
Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars have a great space for kiddos looking to bounce around and burn off energy while learning tumbling and cheer moves. Check out their new member trial package & their upcoming events.
Markets & More
- The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturday mornings, with fantastic options for local goodies.
- Many smaller communities also have markets & great hidden eating gems, like Salisbury’s Farmer’s Market and the Green Pig Country Market, as well as the Old Church Farmer’s Marketin Hillsborough.
- A cool spot to shop & enjoy a riverside stroll is the Starving Artist Cafe in Moncton.
- Magnetic Hill Wharf Village is still open for the season.
FUN EATS
A few fun cafes for you to consider …
- Indulge all your fall fantasies with a Sunday visit to The Raven in Lakeville, featuring PSL, caramel apples, live music & more outdoors.
- Tambayan Cafe is a fun 2D cafe in Riverview with yummy treats, coffee, fries, & more.
- Add a photo booth shoot to your sweets order at Click & Chew in Dieppe; super fun idea for a special celebration or any day.
- We’re always down to pretend we’ve hopped a plane to France with a trip to Tony’s for pastries. They have three great spots to explore – the original bistro on McLaughlin, Dieppe, and now in Downtown Moncton!
- Crumbl FOMO? Head to our own The Cookie Jar in Dieppe! It’s super cute & yummy – and right next to the awesome Bennic Dairy Bar for ice cream creations!
- Halo Donuts & lostandfound ice cream are next door neighbours on St. George Street, another great combo. (You can also find Halo in the North End, open Wed-Sun.)
- And if bread & pastries are what you want, Co Pain Artisan Bread Company is where you need to go!
- In search of a special? Check out The Daily Feast for great overview of local restaurants, their deals, & more.
Chapters Moncton is hosting several in-store, hands-on activities for kids on Saturday, October 18 & Sunday, October 19 – featuring Bluey, Tonies, LEGO, and Magnatiles. You need to sign in up advance for these free sessions; spaces are limited. (Look for Dieppe on the menu list to book.)
Public skating in Moncton begins again on October 14.
BGC Dieppe is holding a free Family Fun Day on October 18, with BBQ, bouncy castles, live music, petting zoo, balloon animals, and more. Stop by between 11am & 2pm.