What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (July 19-21, 2024)
Welcome to another busy weekend of community fun in Greater Moncton & throughout Southeastern New Brunswick!
Thursday, July 18
- 📚 The author series at Magnetic Hill Wharf Village continues today, with Jeff Somers & his book, Avery and the Special Shoe.
- 🪻Four Girls Lavender is open; 10am-8pm. You can pick your own 2-inch bouquet for $15 cash or just enjoy the field for $5! Their season ends on July 20 so don’t wait to visit!
- 🏰 YMCA Block Party @ Lewis Park, (96 Lewis St.), 6-8pm
- 🧺 Riverview’s Block Party for Wards 3 & 4 is
happening tonight with BBQ, games, bike rodeo, and more!postponed again due to weather; they’ll host one big party for all wards on August 13. - 🎥 Outdoor Cinema featuring Trésors des Bayous (French) (in collaboration with FICFA) @ Place 1604, dusk
- 🍿 Salisbury is hosting a free outdoor movie night, behind the recreation building on Douglas Street, at 9:30pm. There’ll be popcorn, water, and WISH on the big screen.
- 🎪 The Great Benjamin Circus is in town Thursday until Sunday. They have multiple shows daily at the Moncton Coliseum, with trick motorcycle riders, acrobats, clowns, and more. Purchase the tickets online in advance; there are various pricing structures and saving options.
- ⚾ Tonight is the Youth vs Adults baseball game as part of Hillsborough Homecoming Days! Head to Kiwanis Park at 6:30pm to cheer on the teams!
NEED SOME INSPIRATION FOR DAILY FUN? CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER BINGO BUCKET LIST!
FRIDAY, JULY 19
- 🏀 Youth (ages 12-18) drop in basketball at YMCA Vaughan Harvey, 8:15-9:50pm, $5
- 🎈 The RE/MAX hot air balloon is in town & offering free rides (must be over 75lbs). They’re scheduled to be at Dieppe’s Rotary St Anselme Park, 5-8pm. Check their Facebook page for updates based on weather, etc.
- 📸Hillsborough Homecoming Days is holding a Selfie Scavenger Hunt today; head to the Gazebo for 6pm to take part.
- 🕹️ Dieppe is hosting a series of Friday night fun inspired by game shows this summer! This week it’s a Connais-tu cecitte? based on Trivia Crack, happening at the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre, (reserve free tickets in advance), 6:30-9pm.
SATURDAY, JULY 20
🥞 Skip breakfast prep and head to the Salisbury Lions Club for their amazing pancakes! The Girl Guides will be on site with cookies for sale, too. Open 7-10am; pre-school & toddlers eat free, children six to 10 $5, everyone else $10. It’s a great feed for the whole family! Keep the local fun going with a trip to Highland Park, picking your own bouquet at Four Girls Lavender (10am-8pm – cash only & it’s their last day for the season), lunch or a boba treat at Gaxiola Mexican Restaurant, a visit to the local markets or one of the several local ice cream spots! It’s also the 1st annual Loopy Fiber Day, with demonstrations of rug hooking, tufting, & more.
Another great reason to spend Saturday & Sunday in Salisbury – Riverglade Motocross is hosting the Triple Crown Series, with amateurs on Saturday and pros on Sunday.
Hillsborough Homecoming Days big celebrations are today, with yard sales, Farmer’s Market, Kiwanis breakfast, High Tea at the Steeves House Museum, the Lois Snider Children’s Parade, open house at the Fire Station, & free family swim.
Moncton Cares is hosting a Festival of Colours on the Moncton Riverfront, noon to 5pm.
The Magnetic Hill Zoo’s first Pizza for the Primates event is today. You can learn about primates while prepping a meal for them & enjoy a special behind-the-scenes view of the animals. (There are a few of these throughout the summer & you can book special group visits, too.)
Moncton Toyshow & Maritime Collectibles are hosting a Collectible Convention at the Crowne Plaza, 10am-5pm, with seminars, workshops, Pokemon tournament, & more. Children 12 & under are free, ages 13-18 $5, and adults $10, with a family rate of $20 for two adults and two youth.
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Soccer lovers take note! The Ipswich Town Football Club & Middlesbrough FC will take the field at Croix Bleue Medavie Stadium at 1pm, followed by the HFX Wanderers FC vs. NB Selects. Tickets are on sale!
Sports & Olympic trivia, Dieppe Wingate, 7-8:30pm
Here’s our list of attractions & activities that are always a great option!
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open seven days a week.
🪨 There’s an exhibit of local fossils & more at Moncton’s Treitz Haus this summer? Pop in for a free look at a scale reproduction of the Hillsborough Mastadon’s skull & tusks! Grab a map of the area at this information kiosk and explore the waterfront for a fun, free adventure.
🎧 There’s also a roughly one hour iTour of downtown Moncton’s historical & cultural locations you can use to help you explore further – a great way to add a little movement, a little history, and a little fun to your family outings!
East Coast Karting is open for the season if you feel the need for speed!
The Boardwalk & Butterfly World is open daily, weather permitting, with driving range, go karts, bumper cars & boats, mini golf, & paddle boats.
🎢 Magic Mountain is open for the season – don’t forget they have outdoor rides, an arcade, mini putt & more, too! You can go without getting wet if you want!
Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
Book laser tag at Marco’s Clinic or the Sportsdome.
Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
The YMCA Moncton North has a new outdoor park for skateboarding, roller skating, & biking. There’s also the amazing indoor splash pad & play structure – a must visit if you have little ones!
Dieppe is welcoming people to skate the Oval at Place 1604 with in-line skates for the summer!
Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.
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.)
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!
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, like … Motive for Murder audio game — A great ‘any time of day’ option for the true crime fans who are up for a little hometown sleuthing. Download a whodunnit set in Moncton!
If board games are your family thing, check out the new shop on Moncton’s Main Street, Board Miniatures! The have a standing paint and play tabletop session on Sundays. And on sunny days, there’s the huge chess set outside Moncton’s City Hall you can use!
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.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
Resurgo Place is another spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too!
The Albert County Museum is open for the season, with a special guest – Albert, the Albertosaurus!
🚂 Pair this with a trip to the New Brunswick Railway Museum in Hillsborough for a great Albert County Adventure! Open daily through the summer.
Poley Mountain has mountain bike trails, including beginner routes for ages 6+ – and they’re planning some summer events geared to the littles with bouncy castles, balance bikes on the lawn, & kid-friendly options on the Slope Side Bar & Grill. DYK: They have an RV park, too?
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
Ice cream is always a great treat & our GUIDE TO HARD SCOOP ICE CREAM SPOTS IN GREATER MONCTON is updated for 2024!
Trueman’s Blueberry Farm is also a fabulous ice cream destination – and on the weekend they have a train you can ride!
BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect.
Tennis Dieppe has their nets up; check them out for some fun summer programming.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Monday, July 22 – Diversity Monday featuring Rwanda @ Place 1604, 6-8pm
Tuesday, July 23 – YMCA Block Party @ Jonathan Park, (39 Salengro Cres.), 6-8pm
Tuesday, July 23 – Active Tuesday @ Place 1604, 6:30-7:30pm
Tuesday, July 23 – Acoustica concert with Francine McClure Trio @ Victoria Park, 7pm
Wednesday, July 24 – Acoustica family fun with Resurgo Place @ Centennial Park, 6pm
Wednesday, July 24 – Accros de la chanson “public’s favourite” performer and Sirène et Matelot, Place 1604, 6:30pm
Wednesday, July 24 – Miscellany of Folk @ Caseley Park (rain location Riverview Community Hall), 7-8:30pm
Thursday, July 25 – Outdoor Cinema featuring Sweet Home Alabama (French) @ Place 1604, dusk
Goat Yoga is back at Blossom Grove barn July 26.
July 27 is the annual sand sculpture competition at New River Beach & the annual Kids Fest in Tantramar.
August 2 there’s a fantastic circus performance by Vague de Cirque at the Harvey Hall – and on August 3 The Great Balancing Act will be there for a concert!
And be sure to mark August 9 & 10 on the calendar for the 3rd annual Children’s Festival at the Albert County Museum – this year with a dinosaur theme!