For immediate release: May 2, 2024



FREDERICTON (NB): Officers’ Square will once again be alive and buzzing with free weekly live music and outdoor films throughout the summer, starting with an official opening Friday, June 28, followed by a weekend GarrisonFest, June 29 - 30, featuring a stellar roster of local and touring bands. The opening weekend wraps up with Canada Day festivities in the Square on Monday, July 1.



The Grand Opening of Officers’ Square comes on Friday, June 28 after a major, multi-year $14 million revitalization that includes a new community performance stage, a winter skating rink, and improved electrical infrastructure for special events.



The Friday evening Grand Opening will kick off with performances by Wolastoqiyik performers, including JUNO and Polaris prize-winning artist Jeremy Dutcher and the Muskrat Singers. Broadway star Tony LePage and the Don Bosse Band will then take the stage, making for a spectacular evening.



“Downtown Fredericton will again be buzzing with creative life this summer. It’s great to see a full summer of City programming return to Officers’ Square. With a summer-long lineup of great concerts, films, dances, and festivals, it’s going to bring a vibrancy back to our downtown. That’s good for the community and good for business,” says Mayor Kate Rogers.



GarrisonFest will take place on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30, with headliners to be announced next week. Canada Day performers will also be announced in the coming weeks.



“All performances are free to the public, so it’s going to be an awesome opening weekend with top local performers, national and international acts,” said David Seabrook, Director of Tourism, Recreation and Culture for the City of Fredericton.



“It kicks off a full summer of programming, and we’re excited to return to live performances showcasing incredible artists. Officers’ Square programming brings a community vibe to downtown we’ve all missed, he added.



Free weekly live concerts presented by the City of Fredericton return on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm starting on July 2 until Labour Day. Thursday concerts will complement an expansion of the popular Garrison Night Market and bring a strong music lineup to thousands of residents and visitors who attend the Market each week.



New this year will be a community dance series called “Groove in the Garrison” featuring live music each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm, starting July 3.



“This is a new idea we’re really excited about. We’ll have live music, but the focus will be on dancing instead of sitting and watching a show. We’re hoping everyone will come out and help us start a new community tradition,” said Seabrook.



Fredericton Tourism is working with Fredericton music experts, the Music Runs Through It Agency, to book artists and curate both the GarrisonFest and the weekly live music series.



Rounding out the summer lineup, Free Under the Stars outdoor films will move to Friday evenings for July and August, at dusk (around 9:00pm) starting July 5.



Watch for The City of Fredericton’s free concerts, Under the Stars and Groove in the Garrison line ups on the Fredericton Tourism Facebook page and website – www.FrederictonCapitalRegion.ca in May.



The GarrisonFest and Canada Day line ups will be launched in the next two weeks.



-30 –



Media Contact:  

Stacey Russell

Manager Fredericton Tourism & Events

(506) 260-6958

Stacey.russell@fredericton.ca