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 fifteen fantastic festivals to check out in 2023.
FLOURISH Fest
June 15-18, 2023
FLOURISH Fest is an independent, interdisciplinary music and arts Festival held annually in Fredericton. Founded by locals in 2014, FLOURISH welcomes and presents all kinds of projects, including but not limited to music, visual art, spoken word, writing, installations, theatre, comedy and more.
Dedicated to showcasing emerging artists, FLOURISH is a not for profit festival that has grown into a 4-day event taking place across the city of Fredericton, in venues such as The CAP and the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Visit the FLOURISH website for updates on their collection of art, music and theatre coming to their 2023 festival. To fully immerse yourself in the FLOURISH features, consider staying in one of downtown Fredericton’s hotels, or B&Bs like Quartermain or Carriage House.
Sitansisk Powwow
June 16-18, 2023
All are welcome to the annual Sitansisk Powwow, June 16-18, 2023. Come hear the drum beat of Mother Earth and witness the sharing of Wolastoqiyik culture through dancing, drumming, traditional ceremonies, and other demonstrations over the three-day event. Held at 510 Union Street on Fredericton’s Northside, this Powwow is known to draw crowds and tour buses from all over Canada and the US. Book a stay at the nearby Heaven Inn Devon, or Ramada!
Watch for upcoming details on Welamukotuk Powwow, to be held in July, and Bilijk Powow in September.
Big Axe Beer Fest
July 15, 2023
Escape to Nackawic for Big Axe Craft Beer Fest on July 15! 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!
PRIDE Week
July 15-23, 2023
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 15-23, 2023. While the complete schedule has yet to be announced, you can count on Fierté Fredericton PRIDE and their incredible volunteers to put on some amazing 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 2023. 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.
New Brunswick Highland Games
July 28-30, 2023
Visit the grounds of the historic Government House 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!
Nashwaak Music Fest
August 4-6, 2023
A family-friendly music festival on the New Brunswick Day long weekend! Enjoy music, camping, an arts and crafts village, food vendors, 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 and drawing patrons from all over Canada and the US, RV and tent camping are available on the festival grounds so you won’t miss a beat!
Life at the Lakes Festival
August 11-13, 2023
Life at the Lakes Festival is an annual celebration of the arts, nature, culture, and community in Arcadia. Taking place the weekend after New Brunswick Day in August, 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.
Acadian Day
August 15, 2023
Celebrate Acadian language and culture with the annual Acadian Day celebration! Visit downtown Fredericton for a variety of 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!
Stanley Fair
August 18-20, 2023
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!
A Taste of the Atlantic
August 18-20, 2023
After a successful pilot program in 2022, A Taste of Atlantic Canada Festival will take place August 18-20, 2023 across the City of Fredericton. This indigenous culinary festival highlights indigenous culture through food from across the Atlantic Provinces with a goal to connect communities and foster an appreciation for traditional food and culture. Indigenous chefs will offer multiple dining experiences highlighting foods from their communities and territories. The festival will also feature Indigenous artists, music, workshops, artisans, storytellers, knowledge keepers and indigenous tour operators. Stay at one of Fredericton’s many hotels to take in A Taste of the Atlantic!
Harvest Music Festival
September 12-17, 2023
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!
Kings Landing Thanksgiving Weekend
October 7-8, 2023
Step out of the kitchen and back in time this Thanksgiving. Made with farm-fresh, local ingredients, Kings Landing’s traditional Thanksgiving Dinners offer a taste of time-honoured recipes in the historic Kings Head Inn. Gather friends and family for an unforgettable meal and visit the village during peak autumn colours. Stay tuned for details on Thanksgiving dinners and additional fall festivities at Kings Landing, like their annual auction!
Only 20 minutes from Fredericton or Nackawic, Kings Landing is a short commute from any Fredericton hotel or Nackawic accommodation!
Silverwave Film Festival
November 2-9, 2023
Experience the homegrown talent and spectacular features being made in New Brunswick. For 23 years, the Silver Wave Film Festival has celebrated films shot in the province, as well as those produced by New Brunswick filmmakers. Also showcasing films from Canada and around the world, 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.
New Brunswick Spirits Festival
November 14-28, 2023
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 5 days, offering pairing dinners, master classes, and special tastings led by world authorities on whiskies and spirits. This prestigious event attracts whisky and spirits enthusiasts from around the world!
Christmas in the Village
Welcome the Holiday spirit and get started on your shopping list at Gagetown’s Christmas in the Village. Stroll around this charming Christmas town as artisans, crafters, bakers and yes, even candlestick makers, open their doors to welcome visitors during their annual celebration. Renowned for pottery, knits, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and so much more, this two-day event features over 20 stops around the village. The Steamers Bed & Breakfast is conveniently located and fully licensed, offering the perfect spot to rest between shops, and overnight!
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!