what to do moncton march break things activities family fun kids

Pickle Planet Moncton’s annual MEGA MARCH BREAK Guide 2023

Wondering what to do with the kids during March Break in Moncton? We’ve got you! Ideas for outings and activities, free events, skating and swimming times, and SO much more!!

PRO TIP: We update this MEGA GUIDE TO MARCH BREAK as we find more events, so keep checking back! And if you have something to add, let us know. Please click through to the sources for updates before heading out, too!

Speaking of tips, here are a few tips for making March Break run smoothly:

  • Try not to over-schedule yourself. Pick one or two activities per day. Make the goal for one morning event, one afternoon or evening event, and focus on that broad sense of time rather than trying to get to somewhere at a specific time on the clock multiples times each day.
  • Remember you need to feed everyone lunch – so involve the kids! Give them ownership of this meal; have them pick out the menu & help them learn to prepare it if they don’t already know how.
  • There’s no right or wrong way to do March Break. If your family needs to chill out at home, that’s cool. If you couldn’t get time off work, that’s okay. If you book a staycation or go big on a mega vacation, that’s fantastic. Find delight in the moments spent with family.

This is a long list, so here’s a little Table of Contents to help you out. 🙂

  1. We list special events by day (including things like public skating & swimming times)
  2. Then the attractions that are open
  3. Winter fun ideas in case the weather cooperates 🙂
  4. Then we wrap it up with some road trip inspiration & craft ideas at the end!

Ready? Let’s go!

WHAT’S HAPPENING FOR MARCH BREAK IN GREATER MONCTON

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

  • Dieppe’s Place 1604 skating oval’s FREE skate & helmet loan service is available 6-9pm.
  • Bennic opens for the season today in Dieppe!! Ice cream for everyone!!
  • Have a youngster into badminton? CCNB’s nets are free to use 6-7pm for those ages 14 & under, and from 7-9pm for those older.
  • Volunteers from Pickleball Dieppe welcome members and non-members to Lou MacNarin School to try the sport, 6-8:30-pm. $5/non-member, please register in advance on their website. A great chance to see if this is your new favourite sport!
  • Indoor skating options:
    • Dieppe AJL preschoolers with sticks, 9:30-10:30am (FREE) 
    • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, parents & tots, 10-11am (FREE)
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 10:15-11:15am (FREE)
    • Sackville Parent & Tot 10:15-11:15am (FREE)
    • Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm (FREE)
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 3:30-4:30pm (FREE)
    • Riverview 12 & under 4-5:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 8:15-9:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

  • Trites Maples plans to open for the season on March 4, with all you can eat pancakes & more available Saturdays 8:30am-2pm. A full adult meal is $18, a smaller kids meal for those 12 & under is $9, and if you’re under 3 & just want pancakes – well, that’s free! (Full details on their Facebook page.) You can also enjoy unlimited maple taffy on the snow for $3!
  • Salisbury’s Winterfest Family Day starts at 2pm, with sleigh rides, BBQ, beaver tails, maple taffy, and more at the park until 5pm. At 6pm, the community’s annual Swedish Lantern Walk is scheduled, which is a lovely wintery way to explore the wetlands trail. (The lanterns last about 30 minutes or so, so come on time!)
  • Travel to You Zoo is offering one-hour visits; must pre-book your spot. $7/each (free for ages 3 & under). They also offer private bookings.
  • Bass Pro is hosting Dog Days, welcoming the Moncton Retriever Club to the store with demonstrations with Alec Hoyt, 11am-3pm.
  • Tim Issac is hosting a mosaic workshop at the Starving Artist Gallery, 10am-1pm, with all materials provided (but you’re welcome to bring your own, too). Have you seen his recent creations? They are incredible! What an amazing opportunity for an emerging artist. Open to all ages, $100/person.
  • The Sound of Music is on stage at the Capitol Theatre for a few more shows! Curtains go up at 2pm & 7pm.
  • New Brunswick’s biggest video game event returns to CEPS @ Université de Moncton with more than 400 registered players for TomorrowLAN 2023. Open to all ages; those 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Happening Saturday & Sunday.
  • Dieppe’s Place 1604 skating oval’s FREE skate & helmet loan service is available 12:30-5pm.
  • You can borrow snowshoes from the Dieppe Scouts 1-4pm at Dieppe’s Rotary Park.
  • The Dieppe Aquatic Centre is open for public swimming (both main pool & the recreational pool) 3-4:55pm & 6-7:55pm. (Bathing caps are optional at this pool, the rates to swim are $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 for those 12 or under, FREE for those 2 & under – with a family rate of $20 for two adults and children).
  • It’s the last skating day of the season for the Moncton Coliseum, with Parents & Tots from 9:30-10:30am & the public 3:45-5:15pm; cost for each is $2.
  • There’s also indoor skating at:
    • Hillsborough 2-3pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Riverview 3:45-5:00pm (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 6:15-7:15pm (FREE) 
    • Hillsborough 8-9pm ($2/person or $5/family)
  • Ultimate Snowdown – Roller Derby + Roller Disco is happening Saturday the Moncton Coliseum. Free to watch the afternoon scrimmage; disco admission is $10, with $10 skate rentals.
  • Enjoy a little shopping? Curt’s Market is happening at the Riverview Lions Club from 9am – 4pm, with more than 60 vendors. Free entry.
  • The Riverview Public Library has lots of great March Break plans, including a LEGO drop in session on Saturday, 10am-4pm.
  • Swimming in Shediac for March Break! Hotel Shediac’s pool will be open 7am-11pm to the public, $5/day, children 12 & under (with adult supervision) free!

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

  • Trites Maples offers tours and unlimited maple taffy on the snow for $3, open Sundays 8:30am – 3pm.
  • The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open Sundays in March, 11am-3pm.
  • New Brunswick’s biggest video game event returns to CEPS @ Université de Moncton with more than 400 registered players for TomorrowLAN 2023. Open to all ages; those 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Happening Saturday & Sunday.
  • The Dieppe Aquatic Centre is open for public swimming (both main pool & the recreational pool) 3-4:55pm today. (Bathing caps are optional at this pool, the rates to swim are $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 for those 12 or under, FREE for those 2 & under – with a family rate of $20 for two adults and children).
  • Mr. Crapaud (Roland Gauvin) is performing at 2-3pm at Louis-J.-Robichaud School; always a fabulous show for littles! (In French.)
  • Swimming in Shediac for March Break! Hotel Shediac’s pool will be open 7am-11pm to the public, $5/day, children 12 & under (with adult supervision) free!
  • The Dieppe Arts & Culture Centre has a lovely looking marionette show, Parole d’eau, planned, followed by a workshop. Tickets are free for kids, $12/adult.
  • The Mini Pop Kids are back at Casino New Brunswick for a 3pm concert!
  • The Sound of Music is on stage at the Capitol Theatre for a few more shows! Curtains go up at 2pm & 7pm.
  • Dieppe’s Place 1604 skating oval’s free skate & helmet loan service is available 12:30-5pm.
  • You can borrow snowshoes from the Dieppe Scouts 1-4pm at Dieppe’s Rotary Park.
  • Indoor skating options include:
    • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, parents & tots, 9:45-10:45am ($2)
    • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, 11:45am-12:45pm ($2)
    • Memramcook 11:45am-12:45pm (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 2:15-3:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 2:15-3:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm ($2/skater, free for ages five & under) 
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Riverview 2:30-4pm (FREE)
    • Sackville 2:30-3:30 (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s UNIplex 3:15-4:30pm (FREE)

MUST SEE: Our Playground Profiles – created so you can find the outdoor play spaces that fit your family best!

MONDAY, MARCH 6

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

RELATED: 101 Things to Do this Summer in New Brunswick with Kids

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

  • Renton Brothers Family Sugarbush is opening for the season today!
  • One of our favourite local authors is hosting a special March Break reading at Indigo. Jennifer McGrath will be at the Moncton store 11am-1pm for stories, crafts, & more!
  • The Riverview Lions Club (which is looking great outside with its renovations!) is hosting a pancake breakfast with the Scouts, 8-11am. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, beans, toast, & drink for $10/person or $30/family (children five & under eat free).
  • The Kids DIY Workshop at Home Depot is building a pinball game! Sign up in advance!
  • The Riverview Public Library is hosting a Red Cross Babysitting Course for ages 12+; registration required, 9am-4pm.
  • We’re thrilled to see Drag Storytime in both French & English happening at the Moncton Library today — particularly the invitation for everyone to wear their “chicest, brightest or favorite costume!” Justin 2D reads in English at 2:30 & Barb Wire reads in French at 3:30pm. This is a family-friendly event!
  • YMCA Moncton North’s indoor splash pad is just $5/person; 8am-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm.
  • Public swim at YMCA Moncton, 2-4pm. Cost is $3.
  • Swimming in Shediac for March Break! Hotel Shediac’s pool will be open 7am-11pm to the public, $5/day, children 12 & under (with adult supervision) free!
  • FREE open gym time at the Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena Gymnasium: Gr9-12 5-7pm
  • The Dieppe Aquatic Centre is open for public swimming (both main pool & the recreational pool) 3-4:55pm & 6-7:55pm. (Bathing caps are optional at this pool, the rates to swim are $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 for those 12 or under, FREE for those 2 & under – with a family rate of $20 for two adults and children).
  • You can borrow snowshoes from the Dieppe Scouts 1-4pm at Dieppe’s Rotary Park.
  • Indoor skating at:
    • Hillsborough 2-3pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Riverview 3:45-5:00pm (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 6:15-7:15pm (FREE) 
    • Hillsborough 8-9pm ($2/person or $5/family)

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

  • The Moncton Wildcats host the Halifax Mooseheads at 4pm; a great way to end the break!
  • The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open Sundays in March, 11am-3pm.
  • There’ll be a collectibles show with 55 vendors at Rotary Park in Dieppe. 9:30am-2:30pm. Funkos, sports cards, Pokemon, & more. $5/person, $10/family; children 10& under free.
  • YMCA Moncton North’s indoor splash pad is just $5/person; 8am-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm.
  • Public swim at YMCA Moncton, 1:30-4pm. Cost is $3.
  • There’s a free orchestral show with Tutta Musica, OVATION, at Riverview Arts Centre at 2pm. SOLD OUT!
  • Musicians and singers from l’Université de Moncton and Mount Allison’s Music Departments, along with some private music school students, will take the stage at the Dieppe Arts & Culture Centre for Jeunesses Musicales Nouveau-Brunswick Gala at 2pm.
  • The Dieppe Aquatic Centre is open for public swimming (both main pool & the recreational pool) 3-4:55pm. (Bathing caps are optional at this pool, the rates to swim are $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 for those 12 or under, FREE for those 2 & under – with a family rate of $20 for two adults and children).
  • You can borrow snowshoes from the Dieppe Scouts 1-4pm at Dieppe’s Rotary Park.
  • Indoor skating options include:
    • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, parents & tots, 9:45-10:45am ($2)
    • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, 11:45am-12:45pm ($2)
    • Memramcook 11:45am-12:45pm (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 2:15-3:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 2:15-3:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm (FREE) 
    • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Riverview 2:30-4pm (FREE)
    • Sackville 2:30-3:30 (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s UNIplex 3:15-4:30pm (FREE)

FUN PLACES TO PLAY IN MONCTON

If you’re organizing an event or have an attraction you think should be on the list, please reach out. We do our best to check with dozens of websites and social media accounts to find ideas and events, but the best way to ensure you’re included is a quick email with the details & a link.

YUMMY TREATS

March Break is a perfect time to indulge in local goodies! Splurge on donuts from Halo, cupcakes from The Carefree Cakery, or a fancy treat from Tony’s. Take a trip out to Wright’s in Salisbury, hit up the Homestead in Riverview for some peanut butter pie, or makes plans to visit whichever restaurant has your family’s favourite items.

Psst! It’s never too early for ice cream! Bennic opens for the season March 3. Make a stop & tell them we say hello!!

Château Scoudouc is opening each day of March Break, 10am-4pm. Stop in for taffy on the snow, maple coffee or cappuccino, and enjoy their trails. Group tours available; reach out in advance if you’re interested in booking.

WINTER FUN IN GREATER MONCTON

We’ve listed lots of options on the dates above, but here are a few more ‘any day the weather is wintery’ ideas to get out & enjoy!

OUTDOOR SKATING

INDOOR SKATING

SLIDING HILLS

ROAD TRIP IDEAS

  • Halifax is always fun, especially for March Break! This year you can take in the awesome dinosaur exhibit at the Discovery Centre and the amazing Body Worlds at the Museum of Natural History.
  • The Delta Fredericton is offering some fun family packages for March Break, with Snapology sessions for the kids in the afternoon & special add-ons.
  • There are lots of great reasons to visit Saint John – but if you’re into roller skating, make plans to be there Friday, March 10! Exhibition Park will be turned into a roller disco with the Sunshine Rollers, with rentals available. Children welcome 5-9pm; check their event for details on rentals available & more.

CRAFTS & MORE

Still need some ideas for making the most of time at home?

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