What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Oct 18-20, 2024)
Welcome to a weekend filled with spooktacular fall events! We’ve rounded up Halloween events, Fall Festivals, & more to keep the whole family entertained this weekend. A reminder to click through the source links to check for updates & any changes, and be sure to let the organizers know Pickle Planet sent you!
It’s quickly becoming one of the must-attend Halloween traditions – the annual Salisbury Pumpkin Walk at Highland Park. Community groups decorate jack-o-lanterns to fill the park walkways with light. Wear your costumes and enjoy treats along the way! This is a short event, just 6-7pm, and the treats are while supplies last. (Bonus: You might even get to see me in costume! Say hello if you do!)
The Moncton Wildcats host Chicoutimi tonight, 7pm. It’s 80s theme night!
It’s also 80s night at the Roller Disco at the Moncton Coliseum! There’s a low sensory skate from 4-6pm (all ages), a family skate from 6-8pm, and a 16+ skate after that. Skate rentals are available; you must bring a helmet for those 12 & under.
Boyle Family Farm’s Haunted Corn Maze begins tonight with a ‘scary as hell’ version open from 6-10pm.
ArtsLinkNB & ArtsAtlantic are hosting a conference this weekend in Moncton, with several events that are free to the public, as well as some events that you can purchase individual passes to attend. There are some great speakers & events – a great program to review if you have older kids (or yourself!) interested in the arts.
✨ Akadi Lumina is open until October 19.
- ⚽ 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 The Wild Robot (G) & Speak No Evil (14A).
- 🏈 In high school football action, BMHS is hosting Mathieu-Martin & L’Odyssee is hosting Riverview Royals at 7pm.
The Salisbury Lions Club is hosting a pancake breakfast this morning, 7-10am. Preschoolers eat free; children ages six to 10 $5 & others $10. Always a great meal! Follow it up with a visit to the Salisbury Farmers Market & the Antique Mall, grab lunch at Gaxiola Mexican restaurant, & then head to the Fall Festival in Highland Park!
Boo at the Zoo begins today! Enter between 10am & 4pm; Halloween activities end at 5pm. There are lots of spaces decorated in a not-at-all scary way, as well as some that are very scary and not recommended for those under 12 (they’re marked, so you can avoid if needed!). The animals are out and about, there’s a scavenger hunt, and food available for purchase on site. This is a fundraising event; regular admission rates apply. (We highly recommend purchasing online in advance if possible!) Adults are $15, youth & seniors $14, children ages three to 12 $12, and those two and under are free. (While Boo at the Zoo activities are only on the weekend, the Zoo is open daily until October 31. Many of the displays will be visible if you visit during the week.)
There’s a craft fair at the Riverview Lions Club, with two floors of vendors, trick-or-treating for kids, and free face painting. Costumes encouraged! Open 10am-3pm.
There’s a Spooky Slime Workshop (ages seven to 12) at the Moncton Library, 10:30-11:30am. Registration required.
BGC Dieppe invites everyone to their free Family Fun Day, with bouncy castles, live music, face painting, petting zoo, balloon animals, and so much more! Open 11am-2pm. (PS: The club has all kinds of awesome October programming; check their calendar here.)
Boyle Family Farm’s Haunted Corn Maze’s non-scary version is open from 11am-4pm, while their ‘scary as hell’ version is open 6-10pm.
Chapters Moncton has been hitting it out of the park with their in-store events lately! Today, it’s focused on the littles with a Bluey storytime, activities, and Connetix free play. The fun begins at 11am; there are some giveaways, too (while supplies last). At 1pm, there’s an Oliver Jeffers storytime (one of our favourite kids’ authors!), a LEGO make & take, & at 3pm it’s a Robert Munsch storytime with more hands-on activities.
Mastermind Toys is holding an arts & crafts in-store activity from 1-3pm.
The Riverview Royal Storm is again holding a Haunted Hallways fundraiser for the Lions Sick Children’s Fund & Atlantic Wellness, two causes near & dear to our Pickle Planet hearts. Haunted Hallways is a family-friendly event; dress up & enjoy face painting, spooky treats, Mad Science demonstrations, games & more at Riverview High School from 11am-2pm. Cost is $5/person or $20/family. (Keep reading for a scarier option for the tweens & teens later in the day!)
Milton Mile Farms‘ corn maze is open noon-5pm.
Salisbury is hosting an afternoon of family fun in the lower level of Highland Park, with BBQ, hayrides, games, live music, & more from 1-4pm. (Wave & say hello if you see me helping out!)
Pointe du Chêne Recreation and Community Center is hosting a children’s Halloween party today, 1-3pm. Registration is required.
The Moncton Library is hosting a Halloween Bingo for all ages, 2:30-3:30pm. Registration required in advance.
The Art Room’s Halloween Workshop for kids ages three to 13 is full, but be sure to follow them for more great events in the future!
The Riverview Royal Storm is again holding a Haunted Hallways fundraiser for the Lions Sick Children’s Fund & Atlantic Wellness, two causes near & dear to our Pickle Planet hearts. Tonight’s scary version is meant for the middle & high school students (we think their grown ups are allowed, too!) & is open 6-9pm. Admission is $10.
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.
Salisbury is planning fire works at 7:30pm tonight. (These were originally planned for Community Days in the summer.)
The haunted house on the corner of Pellerin & Rockcliffe has live actors tonight, 7:30-9pm. Donations accepted for Birchmount School. Check out the photo of their set up during the Northern Lights last week!
- 🏈 In high school football action, Tantramar is hosting Moncton at 11am.
- 🏊♂️ 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 is showing The Wild Robot (G) & Speak No Evil (14A).
- ✨ Akadi Lumina‘s last day of the season is today!
Boo at the Zoo is open 10am & 4pm; Halloween activities end at 5pm. There are lots of spaces decorated in a not-at-all scary way, as well as some that are very scary and not recommended for those under 12 (they’re marked, so you can avoid if needed!). The animals are out and about, there’s a scavenger hunt, and food available for purchase on site. This is a fundraising event; regular admission rates apply. (We highly recommend purchasing online in advance if possible!) Adults are $15, youth & seniors $14, children ages three to 12 $12, and those two and under are free. (While Boo at the Zoo activities are only on the weekend, the Zoo is open daily until October 31. Many of the displays will be visible if you visit during the week.)
The Magnetic Hill Lions Community Centre is hosting a Handmade Fall Market from 10am-2pm today, with face painting, photo booth, vendors and more.
Boyle Family Farm’s Haunted Corn Maze’s non-scary version is open from 11am-4pm.
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 is holding an bracelet in-store activity from 1-3pm.
YMCA Moncton is hosting a FALL MOBILE FUN PARTY! Head to YMCA Moncton North (70 Twin Oaks Drive) from 1-4pm for bouncy castles, petting zoo, magic tricks, & more!
The Skyline Kite Club is holding its monthly flight this afternoon, 1-3pm, at Dover Park in Dieppe.
- 🎾 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.
October is made for apple picking, pumpkin decorating, and corn maze adventures! You can find links to all sorts of options throughout New Brunswick in our annual guide. Here are the closest options you might want to visit this weekend:
- 🍎 Appleview Orchards is open 10am-5pm daily. U-pick prices are 10lbs for $22. The trees have lots of large apples, low to the ground – a great option for little hands!
- 🍎Belliveau Orchard in Memramcook is open daily, 10am-5pm.
- 🌽 The Green Pig Market in Salisbury’s corn maze is open for the season. The Green Pig features mini corn mazes perfect for toddlers, a bounce pad, straw mountain, the pumpkin blaster, and a larger maze for those looking for a longer adventure. The main corn maze takes about an hour-and-a-half to complete, while the mini maze is full of activities for young kids and takes less than 30 minutes to walk through. The mini maze is $5, while the regular maze entry is $12. All are open 10am-5pm. Follow along on their Facebook page for updates. They have some lovely pumpkins & other fall decor/food available at the market, too!🎃
- 🍦 Trueman Blueberry Farm in Aulac is always a great adventure; they have a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and after dark options this fall, along with their amazing ice cream & Happy Place play area open on weekends.
- 🌽Milton Mile Farms is a lovely option for local corn maze fun. They’re open Saturdays & Sundays, noon-5pm.
- 🌽 Boyle Family Farm’s corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo is open Saturdays & Sundays until Halloween, 10am-4pm.
INDOOR
- 🏊♀️ 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 – Friday public swim 7-8pm, Saturday public swim 6:30-7:45, & Sunday public swim 2-3pm – thanks to the City, Friday & Sunday swims are just $3/person), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview (Saturday public swims, 2-3:30pm), 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.
- 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!
- Want to move as a family 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!
- 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!
- Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too!
- The Albert County Museum is open weekends in October, with a special guest – Albert, the Albertosaurus!
- 💥 Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions, Sunday Lorcana Locals & Pokémon sessions, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events. Check out their September calendar for details.
- 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.
- 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.
- BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect.
OUTDOOR
- The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open seven days a week through October.
- 🛹 There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps!
- Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
- 🎧 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!
You can find our FULL HALLOWEEN EVENT ROUND UP online now to plan all your October adventures, but here are a few things happening this week:
Irishtown Community Centre’s popular Haunted House is open for a trick or treat experience Wednesday, 6-8pm. There won’t be any scary features tonight. You can pre-order your tickets or pay at the door. On Thursday, it will open for an accessible & sensory friendly event. The full hall will be decorated but the lights will be on & there will be no strobes, etc., from 6:30-8pm.
The Green Pig Market‘s Haunted Maze nights begin Thursday night. Entry is $20/person (cash only), open 7-9pm.
For the first time in months, there’s still been openings showing for the next Home Depot Kids DIY Workshop when we checked. It’s coming up November 9.