What to do with the kids in Greater Moncton this weekend (Oct 25-27, 2024)

Spooky season is in full swing! There are DOZENS of awesome Halloween events this weekend – and some amazing non-Halloween events, too! Let’s jump right in & get planning!

If you’re looking for some great decorations to check out, here are a few houses & areas we know are keen to have you visit:

• 19 Waterfall Drive in Riverview for Keeping Up With The Bones.
• Killarney Road & neighbouring streets in Riverview.
• Watch for the mannequin family on Coverdale Road in Riverview, near the Gunningsville Bridge.
• The corner of Alexander Avenue & Milner Road in Moncton is always fun, & there are some great displays through the Old West End (with a shout out to Broadview Ave) & along the Salisbury Road.
• The corner of Pellerin & Rockcliffe is amazing (behind the Coliseum) & Falcon Drive in Moncton is another neighbourhood is always worth a visit.
• In Dieppe, check out23 François Court.
• The Hillsborough Halloween House is worth the drive, as is LaFiouk Restaurant in Kouchibouguac.

First up: non-Halloween fun!

• 📚 Bookstravaganza, the annual book sale that raises money for READ NB literacy programs throughout the province, is back! Doors open at 5pm tonight (& close at 8:30pm). There are thousands & thousands of deals to be found. Books are priced from $1 (children’s books) to $4 (hardcovers), with a special section for individually priced books that are rare, etc. There are also puzzles, games, CDs, & DVDs, as well as a treat table. There’s no admission to enter & so many treasures to be found! (Also open Saturday & Sunday, and you can pay cash, debit, or credit.)
• 🧑‍🍼 If you have an infant in your life (or expect one this winter), you might want to tune in to my live chat with Dr. Jesse Papenburg at 2pm this afternoon. (You can watch the replay later, too.) Dr. Papenburg is an expert in RSV & will give an overview of the disease, what to expect this season, and what treatments are available for preemies.
• ⚽ Open Gym at the Kay Arena in Moncton, 10am-noon, parent & tot
• ⛸️ Public skating at the Shediac rink, 10:20am. CSA-approved helmet is mandatory.
• ⛸️ Public skating at the Sackville rink, noon-1pm; parent & tot skating 10:15-11:15am.
• 🏀 Basketball for ages 12-18, $5, 1:30-2:30pm & 8:15-9:50pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
• ⚽ Open Gym at the Kay Arena in Moncton, 2:30-4:30pm, students K-8 (adult supervision required for those Gr 5 & younger)
• 🌟SkyZone’s Glow Zone happens every Friday & Saturday night, 7-10pm. Regular admission rates & you must wear white or florescent!
• 🔫 The SportsDome has laser tag on Friday nights, 6-8pm & group bookings available at other times.
• 🎤 Sing it On, ages 12-18, free, 3:15-4:15pm, YMCA Greater Moncton (also on Thursdays)
• 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim, 7-8pm.
• 🎾 Pickleball for ages 12-18, $5, 7:15-8:45am, YMCA Greater Moncton
• 🎥 Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing Venom: The Last Dance & Saturday Night.

Now, for the spooky & scary!

Talk with Me & the Early Childhood Family Resource Centre are co-hosting an Awesome Autumn Active Storytime for the littles today – going on a leaf hunt! Join them at Rotary St-Anselme Park in Dieppe, 10:30-11:30am.

Dieppe’s Rotary St-Anselme Park will have a family-friendly trail decorated for children and open 5-9pm tonight. Don’t miss stopping at the Witch’s Circle for some treats, too, and live music from 7-9pm.

Petitcodiac’s St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is holding its annual kids’ Halloween dance tonight. Students in K-2 attend from 6-7pm and Gr 3-5 from 7:30-8:45pm. Children must be signed in by a parent or guardian. There will be a cash canteen, prizes for costumes,  & lots of fun! Admission is $2.

New Hope Community Church on the Homestead Road is hosting a Harvest Candy Festival from 6-7:30pm. Carnival games, treats, & more await!

The Milton Mile Farm is hosting a special Halloween Flashlight Maze event, as a fundraiser for playground equipment at Hillsborough Elementary School. Dress up & bring your flashlight, 6-8pm.

Rampocalypse returns to the Riverview Indoor Skate Park & Youth Centre. Come dressed in your creepiest costumes for the competition, starting at 6pm. This year’s theme is Beetlejuice!

Boyle Family Farm’s Forbidden Forest Haunted Corn Maze is open tonight, 6-10pm, for those brave souls willing to enter. (Not recommended for young children.) There will be live music, a bonfire, and some animals to visit, too. Cost is $25/person.

If you’re a ghost story lover, you’re going to want to head to the Albert County Museum this weekend for their annual Haunted Jail experience! It’s well-known that Tom Collins’ ghost is said to haunt the jail in which he sat, awaiting his death sentence for murder (learn more here). Tonight & tomorrow you can can visit the 1845 prison for just $5, with snacks and hot chocolate for sale, too. Open 6-9pm. You can also see Albert the Dinosaur!

BGC Salisbury is holding a kids’ Halloween dance, 6:30-8pm, at Salisbury Regional School. This is for ages five to 12; admission is $5 & kids get a treat bag to take home.

Tonight at the Irishtown Community Centre’s Haunted House it’s Enter if You Dare (scary night). You can pre-order your tickets or pay at the door; open 6:30-9pm. The Irishtown Community Centre’s Haunted Trail also returns this year, with 1/2km of scares & thrills. This is not recommended for young children; open 7-9pm. Tickets available on site; $7/entry.

The Green Pig Market‘s Haunted Maze is open 7-9pm; entry is $20/person (cash only).

The City of Dieppe is hosting theatrical Halloween tours of Maison Doiron this year. It looks like all the spots are full, but you can always check for cancellations or additional times. 🤞

Dieppe’s Trail of Nightmares (meant for those ages 12 and up) is open in Rotary St-Anselme Park from 7-9pm.

Healthy Halloween Treats

• 📚 Bookstravaganza continues today, open 10am – 4pm.
• 🥞 There’s a pancake & sausage breakfast at the Coverdale Masonic Lodge in Riverview, 9am-11am. A great first stop before heading to our next suggestion.
• 🎵 The Record Expo returns to the Coverdale Recreation Centre in Riverview, 10am – 5pm. There are lots of neat collectibles, too – and (weather permitting) a replica Batmobile will be on site for photo ops! (There’s a $10 fee for a photo, but money raised goes to charity.)
• 🥇 2024 Paris Paralympic games Gold medal Danielle Dorris will be at the Moncton Market 10am-noon.
• 🏊‍♂️  Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview public swim, 2-3:30pm.
• 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre’s public swim (with wibit) is 3:15-4:55pm. Cost is $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.
• 🏐 Volleyball for ages 12-18, $5, 4-6:30pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
• 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton has a public swim 6:30-7:45pm.
• 🌟SkyZone’s Glow Zone happens every Friday & Saturday night, 7-10pm. Regular admission rates & you must wear white or florescent!
• 🏀 Basketball for ages 12-18, $5, 7:15-8:30am & 6:45-9:50pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
• 🎥 Shediac’s Neptune Drive In Venom: The Last Dance & Saturday Night.

Now, on to the spooky fun!

Boo at the Zoo is open 10am & 4pm; Halloween activities end at 5pm.

SkyZone staff will be all decked out in their Halloween best today, with special games & more. Wear your costume & join the fun!

The Maplegrove Inn in Riverside-Albert is hosting a Halloween Tea, featuring all sorts of goodies with apple, pumpkin, and chocolate flavours! Call to reserve your spot: 506-882-1854.

Milton Mile Farms‘ corn maze is open noon-5pm.

The Mom Market Moncton is holding a Halloween-themed vendor fair today, starting at noon at Victoria Park. There will be pumpkin painting, trick or treating, and Halloween balloons for the kids!

This one is for the 19+ crowd, but it’s a fundraiser for one of our favourite organizations helping children in our community, so we’re adding it anyway! 🙂 The 2nd annual Witch-toberfest is a fundraiser for Atlantic Wellness, hosted by Holy Whale Beer Hall & Garden. Tickets are $25; you get a special mug & your first beer, and enjoy an afternoon of music by Marco Rocca. There’s also a pie tasting contest, a witch costume contest, & food for purchase by Hub City Foodies. The fun happens 12-4pm.

Dieppe’s Rotary St-Anselme Park will have a family-friendly trail decorated for children and open 1-9pm today. Don’t miss stopping at the Witch’s Circle for some treats, too!

The Irishtown Community Centre’s Haunted Trail is a little less scary in the day & open to little ones from noon until 2pm. Enjoy a few treats along the decorated trail. Tickets available on site; $7/entry. (The scary version happens at night; see below for details!) From 2-4pm, you can enjoy a trick-or-treating experience around the Haunted House (without the scary elements). Those looking for a fright can attend Enter if You Dare from 6-9pm.

Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars are planning a Not-So-Scary Halloween Camp for those ages three to six, from 2-4pm today. Kids can enjoy an afternoon with crafts, activities, and fun in the cheer gym. Parents can stay in the Parent Room or drop children off. Cost is $29.99.

SATURDAY TRUNK OR TREATS

• Highfield Baptist Church is holding a Trunk or Treat with additional fun activities inside, 2-4pm. Treat bags while supplies last. (Rain date Sunday.)
• Hillside Children’s Ministry is also holding a Trunk or Treat from 2-4pm, in their parking lot. Sign up to show off your decorating abilities!
• First North River Baptist Church is hosting a fall fun day from 2-4pm, with a trunk or treat, carnival games, BBQ & more. They’re also the start of the 10 Purple Pumpkin Run, an ATV event.
• The City of Dieppe is hosting a Trunk or Treat at Rotary St-Anselme Park at 3pm. Register your vehicle to take part!
• A & A Auto in Shediac is hosting a Trunk or Treat, 5-8pm. They’ll have prizes for best trunk, best costume, & more! You can register at: adam.aa.auto@gmail.com
• Moncton’s Salvation Army is hosting a Trunk or Treat from 6-8pm at their Centennial Drive location.

Steeves House Museum will be transformed into a spooky space today, suitable for children to visit from 2-4pm. Family entry to the Haunted Museum is $20; individual adults $10 & $5 for kids. There’s a scarier version later tonight, 7-9pm, for adults.

Moncton Library is offering a BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) carving workshop at Riverfront Park, 2:30-3:30pm. You bring the pumpkin, they’ll bring the supplies. (If the weather is poor, they’ll host inside the library.)

Riverview’s annual Halloween Skating Party is happening today, 3:45-5:15pm, in the upper rink at the Byron Dobson Lower Arena. Wear your costumes & your helmets! The Riverview Youth Collective will be giving out treats for littles!

Creating Geniuses, an inclusive day camp for children and youth, is hosting an All Hallows’ Eve party at 5pm. Cost is $20; costumes welcome. Space is limited; reach out for more information if you’re interested.

BGC Dieppe is teaming up with Moncton Cares for a Multicultural Halloween Party & Costume Contest! Enjoy dancing, family games, a spooky Zumba session, face painting, and more from 6-9:30pm. Tickets are $2.40 for kids, $3.46 for adults.

Salisbury Baptist Church is creating a Halloween Hallway, with a family-friendly/non-spooky walk from 6-7pm & an extra spooky version 7-8pm. Cost is $3/adult, $2/students, free for those ages four & under. Treat bags while supplies last!

The Riverview YOUth Drop In program will be painting pumpkins tonight, 6-9:30pm.

The Albert County Museum’s annual Haunted Jail experience – featuring a chance to visit with Tom Collins’ ghost – happens tonight from 6-9pm. Visit the 1845 prison for just $5, with snacks and hot chocolate for sale, too.

Shediac is offering free, bilingual ghost tours. Tours begin at Pascal-Poirier Park and end at Seaside Grazing with hot chocolate. There’s a family-friendly tour at 6:30pm, followed by an adult tour at 8pm. Spaces are limited; you must book in advance. Donations are encouraged for the food bank.

506 Elite Allstars is hosting a Halloween Haunted House evening for older kids (those not easily frightened) from 7-9pm, with a scary movie, gross-out stations, and more. Entry is $10 & a non-perishable food item.

SATURDAY NIGHTTIME CORN MAZES

• Milton Mile Farms has a flashlight maze option (no scary actors in the fields!) 7-9pm. $5/person, bring your own flashlight.
• The Green Pig Market‘s Haunted Maze is open 7-9pm; entry is $20/person (cash only).
• Boyle Family Farm’s Forbidden Forest Haunted Corn Maze is open today from 11am-4pm for a kid-friendly experience, then agan from 6-10pm for those brave souls willing to enter. (Not recommended for young children.) There will be live music, a bonfire, and some animals to visit, too. Cost is $15/person during the day or $25/person for the night experience.

Dieppe’s Trail of Nightmares (meant for those ages 12 and up) is open in Rotary St-Anselme Park from 7-9pm; there’s live music in the park, too!

The Caledonia High School grads are holding a Haunted Trail fundraiser, 7-10pm. The trail will be at 3724 Route 910 Osborne Corner; there’s a campfire to enjoy at the end. Admission is by donation.

The Irishtown Community Centre’s Haunted Trail returns this year, with 1/2km of scares & thrills. This is not recommended for young children; open 7-9pm. Tickets available on site; $7/entry.

The haunted house on the corner of Pellerin & Rockcliffe has live actors tonight, 7:30-9pm. Donations accepted for Birchmount School.

The City of Dieppe is hosting theatrical Halloween tours of Maison Doiron this year. It looks like all the spots are full, but you can always check for cancellations or additional times. 🤞

Three Quick Halloween Crafts

Bookstravaganza continues today, open 10am – 2pm. The selection will be lower – but you can fill a box for $10 today!

• 🎾 YMCA Moncton has drop-in badminton for youth ages 12 to 18 on Sundays from 1-2:45. $5
• 🏊‍♀️ YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim is 2-3pm on Sundays.
• 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre’s public swim is 3:15-4:55pm. Cost is $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.
• ⛸️ Public skating at the Shediac rink, 5:30pm. CSA-approved helmet is mandatory.

For the Halloween crowd …

It’s the final day for Boo at the Zoo! Open 10am & 4pm.

Cap Acadie Community Market is hosting a Halloween Market, 10am-2pm. There will be food trucks, vendors, a photobooth, trick or treating for the kiddos, and a scary room for those who dare!

The Maplegrove Inn in Riverside-Albert is hosting a Halloween Tea, featuring all sorts of goodies with apple, pumpkin, and chocolate flavours! Call to reserve your spot: 506-882-1854. You’ll get $5 off your ticket for an adult plate & $3 off a child’s plate for dressing up! Seatings 11am-3pm.

Boyle Family Farm’s Forbidden Forest Haunted Corn Maze is open today from 11am-4pm for a kid-friendly experience, including some animals to visit. Cost is $15/person.

Milton Mile Farms‘ corn maze is open noon-5pm.

McKenna Entertainment is offering free face painting at Toys R Us from 1-3pm.

Mastermind Toys has a Halloween-themed Lego make & take in store today, 1-3pm.

The Petitcodiac Arena will have a Ghoul & Goblin skate, 1-2:30pm. Wear your costume; there are door prizes & treat bags!

Atelier Tony is hosting a Halloween theme afternoon tea today! (Costumes optional.) You need to book in advance; check out the instructions on their Facebook post. (They also have Christmas teas sessions you can book now, too!)

From 2-4pm, you can enjoy a trick-or-treating experience around the Irishtown Community Centre’s Haunted House (without the scary elements). Those looking for a fright can attend Enter if You Dare from 6-8pm.

SUNDAY TRUNK OR TREATS

• RE/MAX Avante is hosting a Treat Accessibility event in their parking lot (123 Halifax Street, Moncton) from 2-4pm. The event will have sensory-friendly options & be wheelchair accessible.
• Nicholas’ Hope Family Services is holding a Trunk or Treat, starting at 5pm & going until the treats run out, at the Riverview Lions Club. Please reach out to them if you’d like to donate candy or take part.

The Shediac Arena will have a Halloween public skate, 5:30-6:30pm. Wear your costume & expect some surprises!

Quick and Easy Halloween Decorating Ideas