What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (July 11-13, 2025)

It’s a busy, beautiful weekend in Greater Moncton! The Atlantic Nationals car show is happening (with a street party & fireworks), Shediac’s Lobster Festival is in full swing, there are summer concerts and markets, strawberry u-picks, and so much more! We have links to info on all these events & more more; keep reading & if you find this helpful, please take a moment to share it with a friend or in a group. We’ve been creating this local resource free for the community for 10 years & it’s your word-of-mouth support that keeps this going!

Before we dive into this weekend’s list of family-friendly events & activities, a reminder that the YMCA Mobile Fun Block Parties are still happening each Tuesday night. Here’s a quick look at where you’ll find the fun – foam pit, animals, roaming magician, bouncy castles, games & more! Each event runs from 6-8pm & is free. Pack a picnic supper & head out for some great fun exploring our local parks & playgrounds!

🤸 Tuesday, July 15 📍Bessborough Park, 135 Hedgewood Dr.
🤸 Tuesday, July 22📍Jonathan Park, 39 Salengro Cres
🤸 Tuesday, July 29📍Braemar Park, 45 Centre St
🤸 Tuesday, Aug 5📍Auburn Circle Park, 39 Sands Dr.
🤸 Tuesday, Aug 12📍Canadian Heights, 35 Chelsea Rd.
🤸 Tuesday, Aug 19📍Grove Hamlet Park, 39 Ripplewood Rd.
🤸 Tuesday, Aug 26📍Reade Park, 289 West Lane

DID YOU KNOW? We’ve created profiles of several dozen local playgrounds & parks? Check the Playground section & start planning your next adventure! (This week’s cover photo shows a section of the Rebecca Schofield All World Super Playpark in Riverview – and that black sand beach is outside Saint John.)

Looking for a job opportunity that fits with school hours for the fall? Check out this posting with KDI sent to us by local firm Watson HR. KDI is a third-generation local sales-marketing and distribution company in the food industry, with an office in the Moncton Industrial Park off Edinburgh Drive. You can find details on Watson HR’s Facebook page, too!

Today’s the day to head to Main Street Moncton if you love funky, antique cars & fun times! The Atlantic Nationals brings hundreds of cool vehicles to the city each summer – and Friday is your chance to see them for free. They’ll be lining Main Street starting at 8am, with the annual live music Street Party starting at 6pm.

Shediac’s Lobster Festival continues, with midway rides, music, & more!

And don’t forget Neptune Drive In is open for the season! This weekend they’re showing Jurassic World:Rebirth & Megan 2.0.

Festival By the Marsh is on in Tantramar, with lots of great activities throughout the weekend.

Local strongwoman, Sam Belliveau, will be at Costco between 4 & 5pm today for a meet & greet. She’s the World Record Holder for lifting 200 pounds over her head with one hand!

New Building, New Opportunities at Eastgate Academy for 2025/26 School Year

Moncton Market is open 8am-2pm with The Reade Street Band performaning as part of Acoustica
Dieppe Market is open 8am-1pm
Salisbury Farmers & Artisans Market is open 8am-1:30pm
Green Pig Country Market is open daily 9am-7pm – we recommend the lavender latte for a great summer treat!
Bouctouche Farmer’s Market is open 8am-1pm
Shediac’s art market, Maritime Crafts & More, is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am-5pm

The Atlantic Nationals car show continues today, with a free event 7pm-midnight at Downtown Place (150 Canada Street). The cars will cruise down Canada Street to Vaughn Harvey, then to St George to Highfield and back to Canada Street, followed by trophy presentations and 25th anniversary fireworks at 10pm! (The event is also taking place throughout today & tomorrow at Centennial Park. DYK – Atlantic Nationals helped fundraise to create the splash pad, which is why there are cars as part of the theme?!)

Shediac’s Lobster Festival continues, with midway rides, music, & more – including a chance to watch the lobster eating contest!

We’re loving all the workshops and invitations to imagine at the Maker Hub in Riverview, including a 16+ paint night this Saturday.

Riverview has a new gift shop; The Lucky Rabbit’s grand opening celebration is today!

Salisbury’s Loopy Wool is having a Fibre Art Day, 10am-4pm, with lots of kid-friendly demonstrations and hands-on opportunities to try out a new hobby.

Comic Book Hunter is celebrating Tabletop Day with lots of extra in-store activities & specials, 10am-6pm.

Festival By the Marsh continues, with a 10am play performance Bands of a Feather Rock Together, part of the Theatre Intensive workshop for grades 5 to 8, as well as a 2pm workshop for creative writing for ages 8-12. Check their schedule for events all through the week, too!

Sackville’s Campbell Carriage Factory Museum is hosting a Campfire Night; all ages welcome, admission by donation. Enjoy stories, songs, s’mores & more!

This Saturday, children’s author Sarah Jane Conklin will be at Chapters Moncton – and there’s a new Jelly Cat drop happening, if that’s your jam!

Chapters is hosting free kids’ events every Saturday in July, 11am-1pm, but you need to reserve a spot for each child.
Michael’s Safari Saturday crafts are open to children 6 & over, 10am-noon.
Home Depot has Kids DIY workshops once a month; you need to register in advance.
Mastermind Toys & Scholar’s Choice also often have in-store events – and fantastic staff with great ideas to help you keep kiddos entertained!

Shediac’s Lobster Festival wraps up today, as does Atlantic Nationals car show at Moncton’s Centennial Park.

The Maker Hub in Riverview has a great felt stuffed toy keychain workshop today, perfect for ages 8+ (those under 12 require adult supervision).

These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 💚 for our TEEN & TWEEN picks!

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!

STRAWBERRY U-PICKS

🍓 Les Petits Fruits de Pre-d’en-Haut (Memramcook) is open daily 9am-5pm
🍓 Hicks Berry Patch (Sackville) is open 9am-7pm, cash only & bring your own containers
🍓 Michaud Farm (Bouctouche) is open for the season
🍓 Poirier Strawberry Farm (Bouctouche) is open, generally 7:30am-8pm
🍓 Walker’s Strawberry Farm (Sussex) is open for the season
🍓 Bates Landing (Belleisle Bay) is open for the season

OUTDOOR FUN

🏊 Outdoor pools in Moncton are the East End pool at 35 Fergus Street and the Centennial Park pool at 811 St George Blvd (both open 11am-7pm). In Riverview, there’s the Lion Ken Gabbey Pool on Killarney Road (check open swim times on their schedule).
🛟 If you’re up for spending money on the ultimate local splash experience, head to Magic Mountain. Even little ones can enjoy several features at the water park, including four slides at the Puddle Jumpers Pond, and a splash pad pirate ship, lighthouse, and whale.
🌊 Tidal Bore presentations are back for July & August; a great way to learn about this awesome phenomenon in our backyard!
🛼 Dieppe wants to offer free rollerblade rentals at Place 1604 but needs more pairs to make it happen! They’re also looking helmets, too.
♟️ And speaking of Dieppe, ConneXion Zone is back for the summer, with giant games, picnic tables, hammocks, & more at Place 1604.
♟️ We love seeing the giant chess set outside Moncton City Hall, too!
🛹 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 Magnetic Hill Zoo is open daily through the summer.
💚⛳ The Boardwalk is open for the season, daily from 10am-9pm (weather permitting), with Butterfly World, driving range, go karts, bumpber cars & boats, mini golf, batting cages, paddle boats, and more!
💚⛳ GolfZone at Magic Mountain is open (weather permitting). For those rainy days, check out what’s on offer at The Bunker on Main Street in Moncton!
🏰 Jump to the Sky is a new inflatables adventure space in Grand Barachois.
💚🏎️ East Coast Karting is open (weather permitting). Check their Facebook for updates & details!
🎧 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! Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!
💚 Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
💚🐴 Pony Trails – Ammon Stables offers pony walks & cuddles; check their site and reach out for availability.
🎥 Drive In Movies are back for the summer! Check out what’s playing at 📽️ Shediac’s Neptune Drive In & the Sussex Drive In.(This weekend it’s Jurassic World: Rebirth & The Phoenician Scheme in Shediac & in Sussex it’s Jurassic World: Rebirth & Megan 2.0.)

INDOOR FUN

🏊‍♀️ 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 Centre in Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!).
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.
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays, including long weekends.)
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
💚 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
💚🎳 Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview, check out glow bowling times at Fairlanes in Moncton, or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.)
💚🎮Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats!
💚 Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!
💚 We’re loving all the workshops and invitations to imagine at the Maker Hub in Riverview. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.
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 & Mystery Moncton Mystere is great for the teens & up. 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 aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.
🤸 Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars have a great space for kiddos looking to bounce around and burn off energy while learning tumbling and cheer moves. Check out their new member trial package & their upcoming events.
🎥 Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!

Four Girls Lavender is scheduled to open from July 11-20; always a great visit with fun photo ops! ($5 to walk & smell, no picking required; $15 for a 2-inch you-pick bouquet.)
Monday, July 14 – Diversity Mondays at Place 1604, 6-8pm, Philippines
Tuesday, July 15 – Acoustica concert in Victoria Park with Fundy Ceilidh; YMCA Mobile Fun Block Party at Bessborough; Dieppe Ward 3 Block Party
Wednesday, July 16 – Place 1604 concert in Dieppe with Tina Gautreau & Signal Hill; Art in Caseley Park free concert in Riverview at 7pm
Richibucto Scallop Festival of Beaurivage (July 17-20)
Moncton’s International Buskers Festival (July 18-20)
Lady Smith Manor’s 5th Annual Summer Market (July 19-20)
Saturday, July 19 – Acoustica concert at the Moncton Market with Pony Rouge; Riverglade Nationals/Maritime Amateur Open Championship begin; Hike & Seek in Riverview
Monday, July 21 – Diversity Mondays at Place 1604, 6-8pm, Colombia
Tuesday, July 22 – Acoustica concert in Victoria Park with Harmonie Codiac Concert Band; YMCA Mobile Fun Block Party at Jonathan
Wednesday, July 23 – Place 1604 concert in Dieppe with Broche à foins & Samuel Bourgeois; Art in Caseley Park free concert in Riverview at 7pm
Saturday, July 26 – Acoustica concert at the Moncton Market with Chris & Lavina Colepaugh; Color Festival at Riverfront Park; African Festival outside the Avenir Centre
Sunday, July 27 – Peruvian Independence Day celebration, Centennial Park Moncton
Monday, July 28 – Diversity Mondays at Place 1604, 6-8pm, Central Asia
Tuesday, July 29 – Acoustica concert in Victoria Park with Lupin; YMCA Mobile Fun Block Party at Braemar; Dieppe Ward 4 Block Party
Wednesday, July 30 – Place 1604 concert in Dieppe with Jacques Surette & La Virée; Art in Caseley Park free concert in Riverview at 7pm