What to do with the family Mother’s Day weekend in Greater Moncton (May 12 – 14, 2023)
Happy Mother’s Day weekend, everyone! However you’re spending the weekend, we hope you find moments of happiness and joy – and get out on some local adventures!
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
It’s outdoor ice cream season, everyone! Most of our favourites stands are open for the season, with more to open soon. Check out our post for links to dozens of yummy options to indulge in this weekend & all summer long!
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village reopens this Friday & nearby GolfZone at Magic Mountain opens this weekend, too! Weather permitting, you can golf 11am – 6pm on the weekends until daily hours begin June 23. They have four 9-hole mini putts to play! Heads up: reservations for ALL zones will go online Tuesday, May 16 at 9am – including a limited number of season passes.
It’s a busy end of town this weekend, with the Friends of the Magnetic Hill Zoo hosting its annual EcoFest fundraiser. Stop by Saturday or Sunday for extra eco-friendly activities, organizations, crafts, & more!
Dr, Who fans be aware: Dalek Otto is at the Moncton West (Plaza Blvd) Walmart Friday, 10am – 3pm, helping raise money for the IWK. On Saturday, Moncton Spidey will be there, too! 9am – 3pm.
The Sussex Drive-In is opening for the season this weekend, with Friday & Saturday showings of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 & Antman & the Wasp Quantumania. Gates open at 7:30pm, movie begins at dusk. Adults $13, children ages 5 – 15 $9, 4 & under free. Cash only at the gate, so plan accordingly! (Next weekend, it’s Guardians of the Galaxy & Dungeons & Dragons playing, with Scream VI for a triple feature on the 21st.)
Harley-Davidson’s official opening is this weekend! Friday afternoon there’s a coffee & food truck on site, a ribbon cutting at 6pm, then live music until 8pm. Saturday there’s a pancake breakfast, food truck, a show & shine from 11am – 1pm, followed by a biker blessing & ride.
The BGC Dieppe is bringing back their flea market & pancake breakfast. Stop by this Saturday 9am – 2pm.
Did you hit up any local restaurants for TACO WEEK yet? A great way to support local AND skip a night making dinner! (Perfect for a quick Mother’s Day meal, too!)
A great spot to find a last minute Mother’s Day gift – or just to browse & enjoy yourself! – is the Pop Up Market at The Arches of St. George, happening Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Lots of local makers to support!
Bent Spokes Bicycle Shop is hosting a Children’s Bike Rodeo this Saturday. Learn about cycling safety & maintenance, then take part in a bike parade.
If Mom is into vinyl, pop by the spring Record Expo at the Coverdale Centre in Riverview, open Saturday 10am-5pm.
Starving Artist Cafe is hosting a kids’ watercolour painting class, for ages 6 – 14 (adult must stay on site for those under 12). Call 506-204-4636 to register; cost is $40+tx.
Dog lovers! Head to Shediac on Saturday for Bark at the Park, 9am – noon. There will be booths from local businesses and activities for dogs & their families.
There’s a drop in chess event for school kids at the Moncton library on Saturday, as well as doodle drop-in if drawing is more to your child’s interest.
Here are some more great ideas for fun family outings any weekend in Greater Moncton!
- Magnetic Hill Zoo is currently open five days a week (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
- SkyZone
- FitRocks Climbing Gym
- Hop Skip Jump
- Marco’s Clinic (laser tag)
- Bowlarama (with an awesome arcade)
- Holy Moly (with retro arcade games)
- Fairlanes (with Glow Bowling nights!)
- Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre
- indoor splash pad at YMCA Moncton North (open to the public Saturdays & Sundays, 8:30-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm)
- the pirate ship & sloped entry at the Dieppe Aquatic Centre
- the warm kiddie pool at the YMCA Greater Moncton (public swims Saturdays 6-7:70pm & Sundays 1:30-3pm)
- open swims at Riverview’s Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre on Saturdays from 1:30-3:30pm & 12:30-2pm on Sundays.
- DIY Studio (paint your own pottery)
- Room Escape Atlantic (their site shows a few non-scary, kid-friendly options)
- Mystery Moncton Mystere (for the teens & up)
- Cineplex has several fun options playing, including the Mario movie & Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Doiron House, celebrating Acadian community life in Dieppe, is open Saturdays & Sundays.
- Resurgo Place (closed Mondays) has a new temporary exhibit, Refuge Canada.
- Off Grid Adventure in Anagance for an awesome adventure course & their new indoor climbing walls
- Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is fun to visit.
- Boyle Family Farm offers farm visits and horseback rides.
- Llamazing Adventures
- The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, with fantastic options for local goodies.
LOOKING AHEAD
Phyllis Webstad, the inspiration behind Orange Shirt Day and the Every Child Matters movement, is going to be in Sussex on May 24 for special unveiling of a public art installation. Head to the Sussex High School Theatre for 6:30pm.
Maritime Collectibles Convention is coming up May 28 at the Wingate Hotel Convention Center in Dieppe. Check it out if you have Pokemon fans & other gamer types at home!
The Mid-Week Farmers Market is returning to Lutz Mountain Heritage Museum, starting May 31 with an awesome kick off party! There will be 15 amazing vendors, face painting, outdoor games, live music, balloon animals, and a petting zoo! Open 4:30-7:30pm.
Be sure to check out the East Coast Comic Expo, happening June 9 & 10 at the Moncton Coliseum. Kids 12 & under enter for free with a paying adult!
East Coast Amusements return to the Moncton Coliseum June 1 – 4; they’re back again at the end of September.
We’re starting work on an ongoing list of family-friendly summer festivals & special events for 2023. Here are a few of the highlights so far; watch for more to be added & shared – and be sure to give your fave a shout out in the comments so we don’t miss it!
The 17th annual Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival is always a fantastic family outing, with bouncy castles, face painting, sword fighting contests, heavy event competitions, pipebands, highland dancers, and so much more! Mark June 17 on your calendar now!
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are scheduled to be in Moncton June 17 & 18. Watch for flyovers & more!
On June 18, the Three Fathers Memorial Run returns to downtown Moncton.
Also that weekend, the Shediac Centre for Speed is hosting Monster Mania, billed as the biggest Monster Truck festival in the Maritimes.
Riverview Sunfest is always a great way to kick start your summer, with events June 24 to July 1.
Whoa Canada is Moncton’s big Canada Day concert on the waterfront. Just announced as headliners: Sloan & Les Hay Babies! The city’s press release nots there will be food vendors, family activities, and the tri-community fireworks show, too!
Moncton will host an International Buskers Festival July 14 – 16, with a fantastic line up of fun downtown performances.
Dieppe’s ImaginAIR returns to Dover Park, July 28 – 30. The skies will be full of amazing sights!
We can’t wait to see the streets of downtown Moncton transformed by the International Street Painting Festival happening August 5-7. There are 2D & 3D chalk artists coming to create!
The Napa Auto Parts World Series of Monster Trucks is coming to the Petty International Raceway on August 11-13.
We know there’ll be oodles of awesome parties planned for Quinzou (August 15, National Acadian Day), but we noticed Memramcook is already promoting their family events, market, tintamarre, fireworks, & music with Beauxmont, La Trappe and Louisiana band The Revelers!
Wanna check out that playground in the cover photo? Head to Riverview’s Bridgedale Playground!
