What to do with the family Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 in Greater Moncton
Welcome to Thanksgiving Weekend, everyone! Fall is fully here and it’s a wonderful time to explore where you live and create deeper connections with this place. (That’s the real WHY behind this whole site, by the way. Creating a sense of belonging and pride of place is the passion that keeps Pickle Planet publishing week after week for more than a decade.)
A reminder that schools, government offices, and many businesses will be closed Monday – but many attractions like corn mazes will be open!
It’s Rising Tide Festival & Alma Fleet Launch time! Albert County will be full of fun activities & events over the coming days! We’ll highlight a few in our round up but be sure to check them both out to see what appeals to you!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
🎡 East Coast Amusements is set up at the Coliseum! All times open are weather permitting; it’s a cash only set up, but there is an ATM. Unlimited ride wristbands are $45. Friday they plan to open at 3pm; they close based on ‘weather and attendance.’
🌽 10am-5pm (but really, you should get there by 4pm at least) – Safari Theme Corn Maze & smaller mazes, play area, pumpkin blaster & more at the Green Pig Country Market. The mini mazes are great for toddlers! $3/child (under age 3) & $6/person. Play area only is $3/child. Large maze (takes more than an hour to complete for most people) is $12.50/person (kids 12 & under $10). You can buy pumpkins to paint or take home, lots of treats for sale, and awesome photo ops! The market is open till 7pm each day, and the coffee bar/bistro until 5pm.
The SportsDome offers drop in parties on Friday nights, for ages 6+, with laser tag, bouncy castles, and more. Pricing is $375 for up to 16 kids.
🎥 Neptune Drive In in Shediac is showing Heart of the Beast & the new Resident Evil this weekend; gates open at 6pm, showtime is 7:10pm.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
🎡 East Coast Amusements is set up at the Coliseum! All times open are weather permitting; it’s a cash only set up, but there is an ATM. unlimited ride wristbands are $45. They plan to open at noon; they close based on ‘weather and attendance.’
🚢 Alma Fleet Launch has lots planned over the coming days, but Saturday morning at the Activity Centre will be great for kids! Head there for 11am for kids zone fun!
⛺ If you’re camping in Fundy this weekend, be sure to check out Rising Tide Festival pumpkin carving today & campfire stories tomorrow!
🍂 Looking for a whimsical reason for a road trip? Check out the colours along the way to Miramichi and take in the Haggis Hunt & Fall Fair! Lots of local vendors and a fun hunt with prizes for the kids.
🍂 It’s Fall Festival time at Poley Mountain! Weather permitting, take the chairlift up starting at 11am (last ride at 4:45pm), cheer on the Peak Pursuit Trail Running Race, visit the market, enjoy some BBQ, and the kids can have fun on the bouncy castles. Live music in the afternoon, too!
✨ The Wicked Witches of Oz musical show is at the Capitol Theatre with two performances, 11am and 2pm.
🏒 The Wildcats are taking the ice against Huskies De Rouyn-Noranda at 7pm – and it’s Country Night!
🌽 10am-5pm (but really, you should get there by 4pm at least) – Safari Theme Corn Maze & smaller mazes, play area, pumpkin blaster & more at the Green Pig Country Market. The mini mazes are great for toddlers! $3/child (under age 3) & $6/person. Play area only is $3/child. Large maze (takes more than an hour to complete for most people) is $12.50/person (kids 12 & under $10). You can buy pumpkins to paint or take home, lots of treats for sale, and awesome photo ops! The market is open till 7pm each day, and the coffee bar/bistro until 5pm.
10am-6pm (but arrive by 5pm at least to get in) – Trueman’s Fall Festival is on Saturdays & Sundays! Enjoy the corn maze, train rides, wagon rides, mega slide, play area, and of course treats & produce. Adventure Farm is open 10am-6pm – last entry at 5pm, canteen 11am-5pm. Day passes are $15/person; under age two enter free.
11am-4pm – Boyle Family Farm Saturdays & Sundays you can enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and family fun zone for $15/person (kids under two are free) or a family (up to six people) for $50.
🎥 Neptune Drive In in Shediac is showing Heart of the Beast & the new Resident Evil this weekend; gates open at 6pm, showtime is 7:10pm.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
🚒 Open House at Saint-Antoine’s Fire Department, 11am-2pm & at Cap-Acadie Fire’s Station 1 at 10am.
🎡 East Coast Amusements is set up at the Coliseum! All times open are weather permitting; it’s a cash only set up, but there is an ATM. Unlimited ride wristbands are $45. They plan to open at noon; they close based on ‘weather and attendance.’
- 🏀 Drop in open gym basketball for ages 14&Under (under 10 requires an adult) and 15-17 from 4-6pm at Maple Hills’ gym
⛸️ Free public skating at Memramcook’s Eugène (Gene) LeBlanc Arena, 11:45am-12:45pm – cancelled due to tournament this weekend- ⛸️ Free public skating at Petitcodiac Arena, 1-2:30pm
🌽 10am-5pm (but really, you should get there by 4pm at least) – Safari Theme Corn Maze & smaller mazes, play area, pumpkin blaster & more at the Green Pig Country Market. The mini mazes are great for toddlers! $3/child (under age 3) & $6/person. Play area only is $3/child. Large maze (takes more than an hour to complete for most people) is $12.50/person (kids 12 & under $10). You can buy pumpkins to paint or take home, lots of treats for sale, and awesome photo ops! The market is open till 7pm each day, and the coffee bar/bistro until 5pm.
10am-6pm (but arrive by 5pm at least to get in) – Trueman’s Fall Festival is on Saturdays & Sundays! Enjoy the corn maze, train rides, wagon rides, mega slide, play area, and of course treats & produce. Adventure Farm is open 10am-6pm – last entry at 5pm, canteen 11am-5pm. Day passes are $15/person; under age two enter free.
11am-4pm – Boyle Family Farm Saturdays & Sundays you can enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and family fun zone for $15/person (kids under two are free) or a family (up to six people) for $50.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
🎡 East Coast Amusements is set up at the Coliseum! All times open are weather permitting; it’s a cash only set up, but there is an ATM. Unlimited ride wristbands are $45. They plan to open at noon; they close based on ‘weather and attendance.’
Hey Play Date is hosting two family activities today; pre-registration is required. Email them to book a spot & learn more about The Big Build and The Inventors Lab.
- ⛸️ Free public skating at Petitcodiac Arena, 1-2:30pm
- ⛸️ Free public skating at Memramcook’s Eugène (Gene) LeBlanc Arena, 2:30-4:15pm
🌽 10am-5pm (but really, you should get there by 4pm at least) – Safari Theme Corn Maze & smaller mazes, play area, pumpkin blaster & more at the Green Pig Country Market. The mini mazes are great for toddlers! $3/child (under age 3) & $6/person. Play area only is $3/child. Large maze (takes more than an hour to complete for most people) is $12.50/person (kids 12 & under $10). You can buy pumpkins to paint or take home, lots of treats for sale, and awesome photo ops! The market is open till 7pm each day, and the coffee bar/bistro until 5pm.
LOOKING AHEAD
Moncton’s Heritage Week begins Tuesday.
Tuesday is also the day registration opens for the next Kids’ DIY workshop at Home Depot.
There’s an awesome clay polymer jewelry at the Dieppe Arts & Culture Centre with the fantastic Christa Martin on October 15.
Atlantic Entertainment Expo is at the Moncton Coliseum October 17 & 18; this looks like a fantastic event if your family loves gaming culture – and children 13 & under are free with an adult!
BGC Dieppe’s Family Fun Day is coming up October 17.
Chapters Moncton has holiday play days coming up October 17 & 18.
Moncton’s Art Room has a Halloween event coming up; registration closes October 17.
Enjoy Family Day at Memramcook’s salle mère Marie-Léonie on Sunday, October 18. There will be a circus workshop, games, art market, and so much more!
Moncton KIOTI Stampede comes to the Avenir Centre on October 24.
FOR HALLOWEEN EVENTS:
Ongoing Family-Friendly Activities in Greater Moncton (Indoor & Outdoor)
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 seven days a week right now!
- Akadi Lumina is open until the end of October. This is an incredible light and culture show through the woods at Le Pays de la Sagouine.
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! You can take the llamas for a walk all through the year.- Boyle Family Farm is open for private bookings & special occasions – and fall fun weekends.
- Trueman Blueberry Farms has an outdoor play area, a train that circles the property, amazing treats, and more!
The City of Moncton has four designated spaces for wheeled fun (skateboarding, BMWX, etc.): the Downtown Skate Park on Assomption Blvd., the Renton All-Wheels Park on Noel St., the Lewisville Skate Park on Glenmoor Dr., and at the YMCA Moncton North on Twin Oaks Dr.- 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. The all wheels park is open daily till dusk. 
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! (And we hear it’s just been updated, too!)- Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!
- There are pickleball & tennis courts at four city parks; you need to bring your own rackets, balls, and/or paddles. Find them at Candlewood, Lewisville, East End, and Alexander Parks. You can register for a code to use the equipment kept on-site for the Shuffleboard Court at Fairview Knoll Park. Basketball courts are found at 19 different city parks & playgrounds.
AND DON’T FORGET OUR GUIDE TO PLAYGROUNDS IN MONCTON, DIEPPE, RIVERVIEW, & MORE!
We’ve blogged about dozens of local playgrounds so you can find the best spot for your next family adventure!
Your Guide to Playgrounds in Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe & More! – Pickle Planet Moncton
Want to craft a little fall staycation without a lot of travel? Head to Albert County! Consider a weekend at Broadleaf Ranch! Themed glamping units, horseback rides, go kayaking at the Hopewell Rocks, head to Alma for some sticky buns & seafood – all while the trees start to change into the most magical colours! Perhaps even book a visit to the Hidden Hollow Hammock Theatre to catch a vintage film under the stars!
INDOOR IDEAS
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays.) The current temporary display is all about food!
Homarus Centre in Shediac is open until October 11, then closed until the summer. Touch tanks for the win!
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.
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. Reach out to them to book a tour (minimum five people, 24 hours notice required) or to find out when they’ll be open: info@mr21.ca or call 506-800-3194.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
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!).
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 at the Pit Stop! There are more than 50 cars you can choose from & more than 30 tracks to try – it’s not a little kid game, but it’s great for an outing with the teens.
Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
The indoor walking track at YMCA Moncton North is open to the public daily, free of charge.- The indoor walking track at the Crossman Centre is open to youth 12+ daily 3-5pm (and sometimes later) & for parents with strollers 10:30am-12:30pm daily.
Bowling is always a fun idea! Head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe, Fairlanes in Moncton, or Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview.
Book a booth at GG Bistrofor some gaming fun & great eats! Maybe even book a visit with Game On mobile fun!
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery or the Art Time Cafe for drawing & more!
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! 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.
CAFES, RESTAURANTS, & FUN PLACES TO EAT WITH KIDS IN GREATER MONCTON
There are more & more awesome places to take a break and enjoy a meal locally! Here are a few top picks you might want to try:
- Book a booth at GG Bistrofor some gaming fun & great eats! You might think a place with consoles at the table would be basic pub food, but you’d be wrong. The food will blow you away!
- 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 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 on St. George Street & in the North End is always on our family wish list.
- And if bread & pastries are what you want, Co Pain Artisan Bread Company is where you need to go!
- Looking for some whimsy? Head to Shediac to visit Adorable Chocolat & Bistro Moque-Tortue.
- Candy Depot Moncton on Mountain Road & Freak Lunchbox at Champlain Mall have oodles of funky candies & more!
- Have you checked out Blend Point Cafe in Dieppe yet? They have some killer milkshake creations!
- LaRouère Chocolat is a fantastic local chocolatier – and they have a series of cold drinks for the summer that sound amazing! Iced Choco, Aquapanela, Iced Caramel, and Iced Mocha.
- Magnetic Hill Wharf is open again for the season, with gift shop and ice cream open on weekends in May
- In search of a special? Our friends at Feast Atlantic always have the inside scoop on local restaurant specials, promos, & more!