What to do this weekend with kids in Greater Moncton (Oct 13-15)

Welcome to a spooky weekend, everyone!

Let’s start with some Halloween themed events, shall we? And speaking of …

Haunted houses, scary tales, & spooky events to celebrate Halloween in Greater Moncton (2023)

That’s right! Our 2023 Guide to Halloween in Greater Moncton is live – and we’ll keep adding to it, so be sure to keep checking back!

Here are the events on the list happening this weekend:

👻 Shediac’s ghostly tales will be front and centre on Thursday, October 12 with a guided walk through town. There’s a family tour at 7pm, followed by an adult tour at 9pm; both in French. There’s be a second night of French tours on October 26th, and an English night on October 19.

🐈‍⬛ The Riverview Global Pets Store will be holding a Halloween photo session for pets on October 14, in support of PAW.

🐍 Travel to You Zoo is hosting a Halloween event at 164 Broadway Street in Moncton on October 14, 9am-3pm. You’re encouraged to wear your costume & bring a bag for goodies! There will be lots of animals to interact with, a Haunted House on the upper level, & a bouncy castle outside. Admission is $7/person, with those 3 & under free, Silverfox Fairytales will also be offering face painting (to match your costume!) for $5-$15 on site, and CK PhotoMe Photographer will be offering fall themed photos ($5-$20).

👻 There’s a Halloween Spook Trail in Sussex Corner, October 14, at 5 Needle Street. The less scary trail will be from 6-7pm, then from 7-9pm you can expect actors on the trail to give you a real thrill! Admission is $4.

💀 Also in Sussex on October 14, learn about the artistry of Calaveras de Azúcar (Sugar Skulls) as Mexican-New Brunswick artist Fabiola Martinez leads you through creating your own. The tradition dates to the Aztec civilization and are a way to honour the dead. Register by emailing info@mas-nb.ca; there is a $10 fee. The workshop begins at 11:30am.

😻 The 5th annual J Colpitts Photography pay-what-you-can Halloween Photo Session fundraiser on October 15.

🍧 Salisbury’s Scooptoptia has transformed into Spooktopia this October! The ice cream spot added a haunted maze; free entry with ice cream purchase! They have a kid-friendly version with lots of cute Halloween inflatables, as well as a scarier option in another room.

🦇 Take a drive to check out the Hillsborough Halloween House. They’re also adding to their display throughout the month but it already looks incredible! Lights are on at 26 Greys Island Road, approximately 7-9:30pm nightly, weather permitting.

That’s not all though! Still with the Halloween vibes …

CORN MAZES are always an awesome adventure – and we have three nearby ones to enjoy!

🌽 The Green Pig Market’s big & mini mazes, bounce pad, & pumpkin blaster plan to be open Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm (check their Facebook for updates or call (506) 372-5640). They’ve also announced a haunted maze event for ages 13+ on October 26, 27, & 28!

🔦 We love the slow country pace at Milton Mile Farms. Check out their awesome corn maze on the weekend; open 10am-5pm, $5/person – with special flashlight events Friday & Saturdays in October, 7-9pm. Pair this with a stop at the Hillsborough Halloween House and some leaf peeping in Albert County for an awesome weekend adventure!

🚂 Trueman Blueberry Farm has it all — corn maze, train rides, jumbo jumper, potato cannon, and more – including their amazing homemade ice cream. Always worth a visit! Starting this weekend you can take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch!

APPLE ORCHARDS are wrapping up for the season, but a few are still planning to open (always weather dependent, so check their links before heading out!) this weekend:

Irishview Estates features honeycrisp & gala apples, open 10am-6pm.
Belliveau Orchard is open daily 10am-5pm.
La Fleur du Pommier, near Cocagne, is another great apple orchard, open 10am-6pm.
Le Verger Goguen U-pick is open 10am – 6pm.
Uris Williams & Sons Apple Orchard’s U-pick is closing October 15 for the season; get out while you can!

Monster Trot tickets are on sale now! Support an incredible non-profit service in our community (free mental health support to youth!) AND have an amazing indoor trick-or-treating experience!

MORE WEEKEND EVENTS

Here are some non-Halloween activities taking place October 13-15 in Greater Moncton:

🍂 Talk with Me & Early Childhood Family Resource Centre are hosting a Leaf Hunt in Centennial Park (meet at the lodge; it will be inside if the weather is poor) on Friday, 10:30-11:30am.

🦞 The annual Alma Fleet Launch will coincide with the Rising Tide Trails & Tunes Festival, starting October 13. Both events have loads of fun things happening: here’s just a taste!

Friday:

Inn Echo Concert at the Molly Kool Centre Event Tent, 6pm
Stargazing with Cliff Valley Astronomy, 7-10pm
Fleet Launch & Fireworks, around midnight *update: fireworks around 8pm, launch still later

Saturday:

Artisan Market at the Alma Activity Centre, 9am-2pm
Kids Zone, 10am – 4pm — including learning to tie sea knots, hourly crafts, lobster touch tank, mud painting every half hour, a fossil walk (meet at 2:45pm), face painting, music, & more!
Music in Fundy National Park, 11am
Lobster Dip Fundraiser, noon
Eclipse viewing with Cliff Valley Astronomy, 1:30pm
Lobster Boil and Kitchen Party with the Bearded Bards, 5pm

Sunday, Oct 15

Breakfast at the Alma Activity Centre, 8am
Kids Zone, 10am – 1pm — including a sand-lobster building contest, learning how to bait & tie a lobster trap, and a beach walk (meet at 9:45am)
Music in Fundy National Park, 11am & 2pm

Amazing, right?! And the colours driving to Alma this weekend will be spectacular!

🏈 Football season is well underway, with games on Friday between Riverview & l’Odyssee at 7pm at Rocky Stone and BMHS & Mathieu-Martin at 7pm at Mathieu-Martin. On Saturday, Moncton’s Purple Knights will be in Sackville to face the Tantramar Titans at 1pm.

🛍️ Looking for a fun shopping outing? Need some thrifty finds for the kids? Grapevine Events Fall & Winter Sale is happening October 13 & 14 in Saint John. Snowsuits, Halloween costumes, toys, books, shoes, clothes newborn to tween – all sorted by size and hanging! Open until 8pm on Friday night & Saturday 10am – 1pm, with special characters on site & most items 50% off!

🚒 Dieppe will have an open house at the fire station on Gauvin Road Saturday, 10am – 2pm. Visit the trucks, take a tour of the station, enjoy inflatables, games, BBQ & more!

🏎️ The 24^th annual Atlantic Stock Car Championships are happening at the Shediac Centre for Speed on Oct 14 & 15.

👼 The Walk to Remember returns October 15, supporting families who have lost a child in pregnancy or infancy.

🚒 October 15 there will be an open house at the Memramcook fire station.

🪀Moncton Toyshow & Maritime Collectibles are holding their 1st anniversary event with a Halloween themed collectibles market at Dieppe’s Rotary Lodge on Sunday, 9:30am-2pm. Admission is $5, children free. Cards, comics, toys, & more – and there will be some giveaways of Pokemon booster packs, candy, and Hotwheels surprise packs (while supplies last).

🏒 The Wildcats host the Acadie Bathurst Titan on Sunday, game time 4pm. Always a great family outing when it’s an afternoon game!

👉 Monday is the kick off to Moncton’s Heritage Week!

AND if you need even more ideas … here’s our trusty list of places you might want to check out with the family anytime!

Resurgo Place’s new temporary exhibit is open – and it includes a full dinosaur & a Picasso! The museum is always a hands-on hit with our kids, but I know the dino will tip the scales for so many!!
Imagine the photos you’ll snap walking through the fall colours with Llamazing Adventures; they still had weekend spots available when we checked!
Wanna test your adventure skills outdoors? Check out Off Grid Adventure in Anagance!
Sundays are open farm sessions at Beloved Miniature Horses. Entry is $12/person; under 3 is free. Lots of animals to visit & pony rides (limited to those under 50 pounds) are $10.
Boyle Family Farm is open to the public on Saturdays in October, from 10am – 4pm. A great place to book a horseback ride or just visit with the animals.
Magnetic Hill Zoo is currently open seven days a week, 10am-4pm. (PS: Boo at the Zoo opens October 21, but tickets are on sale now.)
Add a little neon flair to your weekend with Glow Zone nights Friday & Saturday at SkyZone. Lasers, black lights, fog machines & more! All ages welcome, wear white or florescent colours, 7-10pm.
Looking for something geared just to littles? Hop Skip Jump is the place to check out.
The City of Moncton hosts two public swims each weekend: Saturdays 3-4:35pm at the University of Moncton’s CEPS ($3 admission), and Sundays 1:303pm at the YMCA ($3 admission).
You might also want to check out swimming at the Riverview Aquatic Centre (open swim on Saturdays at 1:35 & 2:40) & the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (public swims on Saturday at 3:15pm & 6pm, Sunday at 3:15pm), or check out the indoor splash pad at the North End YMCA.
DYK: Dieppe Aquatic Centre offers preschool swims on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays from 10-11:25am. The pool is a sloped, walk-in perfect for littles AND there’s an awesome pirate ship to play on! You can find more info on daytime swims in our updated Guide to Swimming in Greater Moncton.
Add a little learning fun to the weekend with a trip to Shediac’s Homarus Centre, open Saturdays & Sundays.
We’re always a fan of visiting the library – whether there’s special programming or just to drop in & explore!
Another family favourite is hitting the bowling alley or arcade. 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.
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.
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery! They usually have lots of holiday themed pieces – now’s a great time to start thinking ahead for holiday gifts, too!
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!
TreeGo (located within Centennial Park in Moncton) is open for its last weekend of the season if you’re ready for a little height adventure, or maybe you want to book a session at Moncton Paintball, or hit the track at East Coast Karting