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Can't Miss Festivals of 2023

The Fredericton Capital Region knows how to throw a party. Beyond arts and entertainment, our incredible communities are known for celebrating culture, sport, food and drink. Here are some fantastic festivals to check out in 2024.

Looking for even more events? Check out our Year of Festivals to get your planning started.

Travelling to Fredericton for an upcoming Event? Check out our Accommodation Deals & Packages page

Beer on the Bridge

July 6, 2024

Get ready for an unforgettable event in Atlantic Canada’s Craft Brewing Capital! Enjoy an evening of drinks, fun, and good vibes; Beer on the Bridge 2024 is happening July 6 on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. Indulge in a wide variety of craft brews while enjoying the stunning views of the city as the iconic walking bridge turns into a lively beer festival.

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PRIDE Week

July 12-21, 2024

Join Fierté Fredericton PRIDE in a week-long celebration of our brilliant 2SLGBTQAI+ community! Events promoting equity, visibility, inclusion and intersectionality will take place across the city all week long, July 12-21, 2024. While the complete schedule has yet to be announced, you can count on Fierté Fredericton PRIDE and their incredible volunteers to put on some fantastic events, such as parades, flag raisings, drag shows, lunch and learns, group excursions, markets, panels, and more! Follow Fierté Fredericton PRIDE's Facebook Page for updates and announcements for PRIDE 2024. With many options of where to stay in the city during PRIDE week, consider Delta Fredericton by Marriott, New Brunswick's first Rainbow Registered hotel, assuring all 2SLGBTQIA+ guests and staff feel safe, welcome and accepted.

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festival at the big axe

Big Axe Beer Fest

July 12-13, 2024

Escape to Nackawic for Big Axe Craft Beer Fest! Atlantic Canada's largest outdoor craft beer festival, this event features dozens of craft beer producers from the Maritimes and beyond. Held on the grounds of the World's Largest Axe, shuttle service is offered from Woodstock, Saint John and Fredericton, and a free water taxi service is provided for patrons staying at any of Nackawic's waterside campgrounds! Check out Big Axe B&B or River Valley Escape for accommodations, or take advantage of the water taxi service when you camp at Bear Island Kingdome Glamping, Sunset, or Mariner's Point campgrounds!

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woman playing guitar and singing

Jazz on the Wolastoq

June 17-21, 2024

Jazz on the Wolastoq invites you to enjoy a variety of urban jazz music in incredible venues around the beautiful city of Fredericton. From July 17-21, enjoy a music festival like no other!

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NotaBle Acts Summer Theatre Festival

July 25- August 3, 2024

NotaBle Acts features nightly mainstage performances by acclaimed and emerging dramatists, free outdoor street theatre, and readings by New Brunswick playwrights in Downtown Fredericton! With endless amounts of entertainment, there is a performance for everyone to enjoy at this festival.

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girl dancing at highland games

New Brunswick Highland Games

July 26-28, 2024

Visit the historic Government House grounds for a weekend of award-winning music, piping and drumming, highland dance, traditional Scottish athletics, food and craft vendors, and more! The New Brunswick Highland Games were established in 1981 to celebrate the Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage in the province. This event is open to all, welcoming everyone to learn more about Scottish history and traditions. Book your stay at the Delta Fredericton by Marriott to stay close to the action!

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cello and violin players at nb music fest

NB Summer Music Festival

July 29- August 10, 2024

This two-week festival celebrating classical chamber music at various Fredericton venues features the works of selected composers played by Canada’s most talented classical musicians. The NB Summer Music Festival includes multiple concerts and free community performances.

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people sitting on grass

Nashwaak Music Fest

August 2-4, 2024

Celebrate New Brunswick Day's long weekend with Naswaak Music Fest, a family-friendly music festival! Enjoy music, camping, an arts and crafts village, food vendors, a children's play area, and jam tents. This not-for-profit event gives back to the community while providing a safe and clean festival for all ages. Showcasing up-and-coming East Coast talent, Nashwaak Music Fest attracts people from across North America. RV and tent camping are available on the festival grounds, so you won't miss a beat!

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people at future forest music fest

Future Forest

August 8-12, 2024

A one-of-a-kind experience, Future Forest is an outdoor camping arts festival featuring over 140 musicians in Albrights Corner. With world-renowned international musicians playing alongside local and up-and-coming artists, this unique music festival is focused on electronic music and is described as an adult playground. Not only do they have music, but Future Forest presents a wide diversity of other artists and performers, including live painters, acrobatic dancers, hula hoopers, fire spinners and aerial performers.

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lake

Life at the Lakes Festival

August 9-11, 2024

Life at the Lakes Festival is an annual celebration of Arcadia's arts, nature, culture, and community. Over fifteen locations throughout the area present a variety of activities and events. Enjoy a community breakfast, quilt show, car show, artisans at work, art exhibits, croquet in the lavender, interpretive nature walks, the sharing of literature and history, book sales, wine tasting, triathlon, musical entertainment and more! Live your best life at the lake by booking a stay at Norwood Bed & Breakfast or Jenkins Cove Cottage Rentals.

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woman at the acadian day festival

Acadian Day

August 15, 2024

Celebrate Acadian language and culture with the annual Acadian Day celebration! Visit downtown Fredericton for family-friendly activities, including Acadian food, a flag-raising ceremony and a boisterous tintamarre (parade). All are welcome to partake in the celebration of Acadian history and joie de vivre!

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arial view of minto bike park lakes

Trail Folk Music Festival

August 16-18, 2024

Trail Folk and nature lovers, you’re invited to experience Minto in a whole new way this summer. Tiny Trails and the town of Minto are excited to announce the inaugural Trail Folk Music Festival. Enjoy the hospitality and rich history of music and culture that Minto is renowned for and explore the world class trail system created by their Historical coal mine.

Whether you like to mountain bike, hike, ATV, forest bathe or just enjoy good music and nature, this is sure to be the perfect setting for your summer outdoor adventure.

Come for the Trails, Stay for the Music!

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horses at horse pull

Stanley Fair

August 16-18, 2024

Canada's longest continuously running agricultural fair, the Stanley Fair, has been offering an annual weekend full of fun since 1851! Visit the fairgrounds Friday through Sunday to see the educational and interactive exhibits, live agricultural demonstrations, antique cars and tractors, and the brilliant work of local quilters and crafters. Don't miss the competitions, including horse pulls, washer toss, talent shows and scavenger hunts!

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New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition

September 2-8, 2024

The New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition is a favourite Fredericton tradition. Since 1827, this weeklong event has brought fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Happening at the Capital Exhibit Centre September 2-8, enjoy carnival games, food vendors, midway rides, stage shows, a petting zoo, an agricultural show, and so much more!

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woman singing

Harvest Music Festival

September 10-15, 2024

Every September, Fredericton shuts down the street and turns up the volume for Harvest Music Festival, Atlantic Canada's Best Festival Experience. Founded in 1991, Harvest has welcomed performers from around the world to perform across several stages in the heart of downtown Fredericton. Celebrating music across several genres, Harvest offers programming for all ages, with daytime kids' shows, late-night afterburners, and everything in between. Take advantage of the festival's free safe ride program to get you back to your Fredericton hotel after the show!

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audience waiting for show to start

Silverwave Film Festival

November 7-14, 2024

Experience the homegrown talent and spectacular features being made in New Brunswick. For 24 years, the Silver Wave Film Festival has celebrated films shot in the province and those produced by New Brunswick filmmakers. Also showcasing films from Canada and worldwide, this annual festival is held each November at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

With screenings on the UNB Campus, this festival is a short walk from downtown Fredericton's hotels or B&Bs like Quartermain or Carriage House.

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people serving spirits at festival

New Brunswick Spirits Festival

November 19-23, 2024

Take part in Canada's oldest whisky and spirits Festival! Hosted in Fredericton at Delta by Marriott, the New Brunswick Spirits Festival was established in 1995. The festival now spans five days, offering pairing dinners, master classes, and special tastings on whiskies and spirits led by world authorities. This prestigious event attracts whisky and spirits enthusiasts from around the world!

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Missed out on a festival or event?

Plan ahead and see below for upcoming festivals and events coming up in 2025 below

Many people skating on a snowy day, at the officer's square ice skating loop

FROSTival 2025

January 23 - February 9, 2025

Save the date for FROSTival 2025! Experience Atlantic Canada's largest winter celebration from January 23 to February 9, 2025. With three fun-filled weekends of indoor and outdoor wintery experiences to explore, the Fredericton Capital Region is transformed into a winter wonderland like no other.

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girls at craft beer festival

Fredericton Craft Beer Festival

March 7-8, 2025

The Fredericton Craft Beer Festival is coming back to town, bringing together the largest selection of craft beer available on the East Coast. Celebrate Atlantic Canada's Craft Brewing Capital and get ready to sip, savour, and socialize at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

With fantastic brews, good vibes, and great company, it's no surprise this event sells out each year.

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man preparing maple candy

Maple, the First Taste of Spring

March 8-9, & 15-16, 2025

Celebrate the coming of the new season with "Maple, the First Taste of Spring" at Kings Landing. Guests will enjoy a 19th-century sugaring demonstration, delightful maple candy on the snow, fun horse & wagon rides, lovely scenery, visits to select historic homes, and more. Since 1984, Kings Landing has welcomed guests in March to mark the coming of spring and partake in New Brunswick's delicious maple history.

This event is a tradition many New Brunswickers hold dear, and it's a must-do for first-timers too.

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Animaritime

May 29 - June 2, 2025

Animaritime is back! For its 17th year, Animaritime is excited to invite you to the Fredericton Capital Region, where over a thousand fans celebrate all things fan-related, including anime, manga, and gaming. With this year's theme, "Elements," we are excited to see your costumes and introduce special guests! As well as meeting special guests, enjoy various activities, discussion panels, workshops, showings, and tournaments! We can't wait to see you there!

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Honouring culture, music, food, drink and history all year round, the festivals are endless and offer plenty of reasons to come celebrate in the Fredericton Capital Region. With a diverse population, buzzing entertainment and arts scene, and rich cultural experiences, the Fredericton Capital Region fills the calendar with festivals all year round. You're invited to come party with us!