The Buzz In New Brunswick: A Weekend Guide

There's plenty to do in New Brunswick this weekend. If you're in New Jersey, you can check out the World Premiere of Once a Child Soldier, Amos Lee's Transmissions Tour, or the New Jersey Jerk Festival. Or, if you're in Canada, why not head to Bathurst to celebrate northern New Brunswick, or check out a metal band in Moncton? You could also grab a Dooryard beer and take in some improv theatre in Woodstock, or head to Fredericton and take part in the New Brunswick Highland Games Festival.

Highland Games Festival

The New Brunswick Highland Games Festival is an annual event that has been held every year since 1981. The festival is a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage. It is a volunteer, not-for-profit, charitable organisation that aims to provide an opportunity for education and growth of Scottish and Celtic culture in an inclusive manner. The festival attracts hundreds of competitors and performers and thousands of visitors, and it has been named one of New Brunswick's 'Top Festivals' and one of the American Bus Association's 100 Best Events in North America.

The festival grounds are located on the beautiful grounds of Old Government House in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The event features a range of activities, including piping and drumming, highland dancing, traditional athletics, entertainment, clans, and workshops. There are also competitions for junior (under 19) and men's amateur heavy athletic events, as well as men's professional heavy athletic events. There is something for everyone at the festival, with a kids' corner offering mini golf and face painting, and a whiskey-tasting workshop for adults (which requires a separate ticket).

The festival kicks off with a five-kilometre kilted run in the parade square, followed by a performance by the Katherine Moller Trio in the Ceilidh tent on Friday night. Saturday night features a free event in Officers' Square, with doors opening at 7:00 pm. On Sunday, there are intermediate and premier dance competitions, as well as a haggis-hunting and -eating workshop, a beer-tasting workshop, a Scottish sing-along, and more.

Tickets for the New Brunswick Highland Games Festival are available online and at the gates. A full weekend pass is $40 online, which includes access to the games grounds for both days and Friday night. Individual day tickets are also available for $20 for Saturday and Sunday (online only), and Friday night is $10 at the door. Children 12 and under can attend the day events for free.

Bathurst Hospitality Days

The festival attracts crowds of 25,000 to 30,000 people and includes a range of activities and events, such as music concerts, a parade, car show, family activities, local delights, and fireworks. The fireworks display has become a coveted event in Northern New Brunswick, with people coming from far and wide to enjoy the show. Other popular events include the parade, dual of the dishes, show and shine, and the concerts.

The festival also has a positive economic impact on the region, with tourist operators offering festival programs to thousands of patrons and visitors from across the country and around the world. The festival has received excellent media coverage over the years and has been featured on CBC, the local community television station, the Telegraph-Journal, and l’Acadie Nouvelle.

• Local Night - Thursday, July 18: $10 + $2 service fee
• Country Night - Friday, July 19: $59 + $5 service fee
• Rock Night - Saturday, July 20: $69 + $5 service fee
• Early Bird Super Pass - Experience All Three Nights for $100 + $10 service fee (offer ends January 31, 2023)

Dooryard Arts Festival

The Dooryard Arts Festival is an annual summer event organised by the River Valley Arts Alliance, a non-profit organisation that aims to increase public access to arts and culture in the upper St. John River Valley. The festival is held in Woodstock, New Brunswick, and features three days of music, art, theatre, stories, workshops, and an open-air market.

The festival showcases a range of talented performers, including Canadian singer-songwriter Kylie Fox, who fuses folk storytelling with vintage elements of jazz and alternative rock. Her music is influenced by artists such as Kate Bush, Sharon Van Etten, and Joni Mitchell. Another performer is Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer Morgantoney, who combines the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with ancient Mi’kmaq songs, some of which date back 500 years. His unique style, which he calls Mi'mkaltic, is a celebration of his language and heritage.

The festival also features an art gallery showcasing local artists, youth events, and a free stage with performances by Tumba Sound, Soaring Sirens, and MOROHUBU. There is something for everyone, with events that are free, walkable, and open to all ages. The festival passes can be purchased online, with discounts for students.

Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival

The Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival is an annual festival held on Lamèque Island, New Brunswick, every July since 1976. The festival is dedicated to Baroque music from the period of 1600 to 1760, or the 1600s to 1800s, performed on period instruments. It was founded in 1975 or 1976 by harpsichordist Mathieu or Matthieu Duguay, and has since become one of Canada's most popular festivals. The festival features vocal and instrumental selections, including choral works, chamber music, and solo pieces, performed by musicians using period instruments or faithful replicas. Most of the concerts take place in picturesque churches, such as the Sainte-Cécile Church in Petite-Rivière-de-l’Île, known for its exceptional acoustics, and other venues on the island.

The festival has attracted thousands of music lovers over the years with its outstanding performances and unique programming. It has also gained a stellar reputation in New Brunswick, Canada, and internationally, especially among classical music enthusiasts. The festival's success is supported by various organisations and individuals, including the Canada Council, the CBC, and local residents.

The 47th season of the festival, which took place from 27 to 29 July 2023, featured various artists such as Vincent Lauzer, Dorothéa Ventura, and Leandro Marziotte. The 48th season will be held from 25 to 27 July 2024, with the programme already announced and tickets available for purchase.

Chocolate Expo

If you're a chocolate lover, this weekend's Chocolate Expo in New Brunswick is the place to be! The Chocolate Expo is America's largest chocolate festival, with a wide range of products from over 60 to 90 vendors, depending on the location. The festival will feature tastings and sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, and craft beverages. For those who enjoy a tipple, there will be wine, spirits, cider, and mead available, too.

Entertainment includes demos, interactive presentations, and a "chocolate smash." There will also be plenty of fun for kids in the Kidz Zone, with face painting, balloon twisting, and craft activities.

This year's Chocolate Expo will also feature the "Extreme Magic" of America's Got Talent former contestant and Rutgers alumni Eric Wilzig. Actor Paris Themmen, who played "Mike TeeVee" in the classic movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, will also be in attendance to greet guests and sign autographs.

The Chocolate Expo is a great opportunity to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy a day of entertainment and family fun. So, if you're in the area, why not go along and treat yourself?

Frequently asked questions