Winter Fun In New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a winter wonderland, offering a plethora of activities for those who want to brave the cold. From snow-covered landscapes to festive events, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of winter sports and activities to indulge in, such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. For those who prefer indoor activities, there are museums, theatres, and restaurants to explore. Here is a list of some fun-filled winter events and activities across the province:

- Fredericton Frostival: Atlantic Canada's Largest Winter Celebration with over 100 events for the family.

- Shivering Songs Festival: A popular winter music festival featuring renowned artists in rustic and historic spaces.

- Uptown Poutine Fest: A week-long celebration of Canada's classic dish with creative takes by talented chefs.

- Tracadie Pond Hockey Tournament: A weekend of outdoor skating and hockey on the frozen Tracadie Pond.

- Winter Warmer Festival: A cosy small-venue festival featuring award-winning regional and international touring artists.

- HubCap Comedy Festival: Over 20 headline comedians from across Canada come together for laughs in Moncton.

- Moncton Spirits Festival: An extensive lineup of whisky and craft spirit events, including a grand tasting gala and bartender competition.

- World Pond Hockey Championships: A three-day sporting event in Plaster Rock, attracting teams from around the world.

- Northern Odyssey Loop: A 1500-kilometre snowmobile trail through northern New Brunswick, offering beautiful scenery and adventures.

- Crabbe Mountain: With over 30 kilometres of trails, Crabbe Mountain is a premier downhill skiing destination offering rentals and lessons.

- Saint John Wine Fair: An evening of wine, micro-brews, cheese, and chocolate, raising funds for the Canadian Red Cross.

Fredericton Frostival

Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, is home to many winter festivals and activities. The most notable is Fredericton Frostival, a three-week-long event that takes place from mid-January to early February. Here is what you need to know about Fredericton Frostival:

Dates and Location

Activities and Attractions

• Musical Performances: Immerse yourself in the vibrant music scene of Fredericton, featuring one-of-a-kind performances by renowned artists and local talents.
• Enchanting Art Galleries: Explore art galleries showcasing captivating exhibitions that will inspire and delight art enthusiasts.
• Outdoor Adventures: Get your adrenaline pumping with outdoor winter activities, such as winter biking, fat biking, and snowshoeing.
• Culinary Delights: Indulge in local cuisine and savour the creations of talented chefs. Taste your way through the various food vendors and warm up in award-winning taprooms and breweries.
• Family Fun: Frostival is packed with family-friendly events and activities. Bring your loved ones and enjoy quality time together while experiencing the magic of winter.
• Dazzling Performances: Be entertained by dazzling performances, including enchanting storytelling and lively musical acts.
• Winter Wonderland: Experience the Fredericton Capital Region transformed into a winter wonderland. Wander through snow-covered streets and take in the beauty of the season.

Planning Your Visit

When planning your visit to Fredericton Frostival, be sure to check the schedule of events in advance to make the most of your time. With over 100 events to choose from, you can curate your own unique Frostival experience. Whether you're a music enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, or a foodie, there's something for everyone at Fredericton Frostival. So, bundle up, gather your friends and family, and get ready to celebrate winter in style!

Shivering Songs Festival

The Shivering Songs Festival is a midwinter celebration of songwriting and storytelling, which has been promoted as a way of fostering arts and culture during the colder months. Since its inception in 2011, the festival has grown from a small folk music event into a landmark cultural happening that attracts arts fans from across Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States. The festival is hosted in various rustic and historic venues throughout Downtown Fredericton, on the unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik people.

The festival features a diverse array of artists from Canada's east coast, with a strong emphasis on songwriting and original music. It includes musicians from across the country and beyond, with previous performers including Kevin Drew, Bells Larsen, Daniel Romano's Outfit, Thanya Iyer, Les Chanterelles, Flacko Finesse, Hannah Georgas, Martha Wainwright, and many more. The festival also includes unique collaborations and tributes, such as the Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Tribute Band.

The Shivering Songs Festival usually takes place over three days in late January and is part of the Fredericton Frostival—a larger winter festival featuring skating parties, ice sculpting competitions, and live music. The Shivering Songs Festival itself aims to create a sense of warmth and community, bringing people together to celebrate music and storytelling in intimate and historic settings.

The 2024 edition of the festival took place from January 17 to 21 and included performances by Martha Wainwright, Wolf Castle, Ray Legere, and many others. In addition to musical performances, the festival also offered activities such as a guided tour of Fredericton's unique spaces, led by comedian James Mullinger and art historian John Leroux.

Moncton Burger Festival

If you're looking for something to do in Moncton, New Brunswick, this winter, why not check out the Moncton Burger Festival? This festival is a celebration of the best burgers that local restaurants have to offer. This year, a record-breaking 54 restaurants will be participating, each presenting their most mouth-watering and innovative burger creations. The festival runs from January 12-28, 2024, and is the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious comfort food.

During the festival, you can expect to find a variety of burgers, from classic cheeseburgers to more exotic creations. Many restaurants will be offering special deals and promotions, so it's a great time to try something new. You can even turn it into a game and see how many burgers you can try during the festival!

If you're feeling competitive, you can also enter the festival's contest by posting pictures of your burgers on Instagram with the hashtag #FlipBurgerFest or emailing them to the festival organizers. The prize? A big-screen TV! So, not only do you get to enjoy delicious burgers, but you also have the chance to win a fantastic prize.

The Moncton Burger Festival is a great way to support local businesses and indulge in some comfort food during the cold winter months. So, mark your calendars, invite your friends, and get ready for a flavour-filled journey that will delight your taste buds!

Uptown Poutine Fest

If you're looking for things to do in New Brunswick in the winter, there's plenty to keep you busy! One such event is Uptown Poutine Fest, a week-long celebration of the classic Canadian dish, poutine. This festival is a great way to warm up and indulge in some delicious comfort food.

In 2024, the festival took place from January 22 to 28, with over 20 restaurants taking part. Among them was Britt's Pub + Eatery, which offered a range of poutines, including cajun, pork tenderloin and fennel, beef and bacon, and ultimate breakfast poutine. Another participant, Lemongrass/Peppers Pub, served up a Slow Braised Korean Short Rib Poutine with two types of fries and two types of cheese!

Other participating restaurants included Billy's Seafood Company, which had vegetarian and gluten-free options, and Churchill's Pub & Steakhouse, offering a Philly Cheese Steak Poutine. The York bistro + pub served up a unique Donair Poutine, while Union House By Trailway had a vegetarian-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Poutine. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find your new favourite poutine!

World Pond Hockey Championships

The World Pond Hockey Championships is an annual international competition that takes place outdoors on a frozen body of water, playing the pond hockey variant of ice hockey. The event is held in the small, rural village of Tobique Valley, Canada, on Roulston Lake, near Plaster Rock, New Brunswick.

The first World Pond Hockey Championship tournament was held in 2002, featuring 40 teams from Canadian provinces and the US state of Maine. Since then, the tournament has expanded to include 120 teams from 15 countries, including the UK, Singapore, and Denmark, as well as participants from all Canadian provinces and 35 US states. Over 200 volunteers help maintain the ice and run the event, while over 8,000 people attend to watch and participate.

The tournament is played in a four-on-four, round-robin format, with 20 outdoor rinks allowing 40 teams to play simultaneously. Each team consists of four players aged 19 and over, with a fifth member allowed in case of injury or illness. Every team is guaranteed at least five 30-minute games over the four-day tournament. The playoff round starts on Sunday, featuring the best 32 teams.

The Pond Hockey Championships feature some unique rules. The nets are only 10 inches high, so shots must be kept low to the ice. There are no goalies, and players must be over the centre line to score. If any penalties are called, the opposing team is awarded a goal.

Frequently asked questions