St. John's 
It is a well-known fact that spring in Newfoundland and Labrador is cooler than in all the other Atlantic Provinces.
Credit: Fin Beales
Oftentimes in Newfoundland, the winter weather continues after April, but here are 25 ways to shake off the winter blues this spring in Newfoundland. There is something for everyone from the West Coast’s mountains to the eastern fjords.
1. Spring Festivals
Songs, Stages, and Seafood Festival
Songs, Stages, and Seafood Festival celebrates the sea and the local culture. The sea has curved its way into daily life and the local songs and stories. This five-day festival explores how the sea affects life on the coast. There will be food tasting, demos, workshops, dances, hiking, and much more.
Bay Roberts
May 22 to 26, 2026
Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival
Norris Point is located in Gros Morne National Park, and the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival brings this lovely town to life. There will be daily walks, culinary events, storytelling, live music and much more for the whole family to enjoy.
Norris Point
May 15-24, 2026
Gros Morne Theatre Festival
Enjoy the grand theatre! Theatre Newfoundland Labrador usually presents Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head from June through September.
Various Venues, Cowhead
June through September
The Iceberg Festival
The Iceberg Festival takes place every June and celebrates the coming of spring in the north. It is also the time when the icebergs arrive in the area. There will be local food, music, entertainment, and fun for the whole family.
St. Anthony
June 5 – 14, 2026
Varies depending on the event
NL Tulip Festival
The Newfoundland Tulip Festival is a vibrant celebration of spring and nature. The festival is a colorful and fragrant display of thousands of tulips of various colors and sizes, showcasing the beauty and diversity of this beloved flower.
Bay Roberts
2026 TBA
June 7 – 8, 2025
2. Reserve Your Campgrounds
Planning to go camping this year at NL provincial parks? Then, campsite reservations will begin on the thrid week of April.
Camping is available at:
Barachois Pond Provincial Park
Blow Me Down Provincial Park
Butter Pot Provincial Park
Dildo Run Provincial Park
Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park
La Manche Provincial Park
Lockston Path Provincial Park
Notre Dame Provincial Park
Pinware River Provincial Park
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Park
3. See the Fjords on Western Brook Pond Boat Tour
Nestled deep in the heart of Gros Morne National Park, you’ll find the jaw-dropping beauty that is Western Brook Pond. You’ll feel tiny amongst the gigantic walls of the billion-year-old fjord. A classic spot to catch wildlife and watch the cascading waterfalls pour into the sparkling pond. Paired with the cool air and new life of the spring, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated.
Open May-October, Daily 8am-8pm
BonTours, 105 Pond Road, Norris Point
4. See Spring Ocean Critters at Bonne Bay Marine Station Public Aquarium
A division of the Ocean Sciences program at Memorial University of Newfoundland, this aquarium lets you get up close and personal with some of the marine creatures that live in Bonne Bay, and that appear seasonally. Led by a student interpreter, you’ll learn about the unique and diverse ecosystem from the spring shore to the ocean floor.
1 Clarke’s Rd., Norris Point
Bonne Bay Marine Station Public Aquarium
5. Have a Feed at The Duke of Duckworth
Ready for the best fish and chips of your life? The Duke of Duckworth is famous for its battered fish and crispy fries and chatty locals. You’ll be immersed in stories and folklore, passed on from one skipper to the next. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a few Great Big Sea songs by a local cover band (or maybe the real one, you never know in St. John’s). Sink into your fish and chips and relax in this underground gem.
325 Duckworth St, St. John’s
6. Bring your Binoculars to the Tablelands
Known for its rocky landscape and home to beautiful birds such as Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker and Northern Saw-whet Owl. Bring your favourite binoculars and watch these birds soar.
Bonne Bay Rd, Bonne Bay
7. Watch the Honeybees at the Newfoundland Insectarium
The Newfoundland Insectarium is every bug lover’s dream! Featuring thousands of live and mounted insects, arachnids, and arthropods from around the globe, this nature museum is family-friendly and has something for everyone. They feature a Honeybee exhibit in the springtime after the bees have woken up from their winter slumber!
2 Bonne Bay Rd, Reidville
Open Daily from May to October
Newfoundland Insectarium
8. Be a Viking in L’Anse aux Meadows
Known for its rich history of Viking settlement, this trail will awe you with its rugged coastline and grassy flats where spring wildflowers populate the vast plains. One of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Newfoundland, this trail is home to the only Viking settlement in North America. The site will show you what it was like to live as a Viking, with artifacts and a re-created village offering visitors an educational experience. A unique experience that will make you feel confident enough to bring horned helmets back into fashion.
St. Lunaire-Griquet
9am-5pm . June to October
9. Bask in the Springtime Sun at Deer Lake Beach
Located in the heart of Deer Lake is the sandy shore of Deer Lake itself. The city has poured their heart and soul into making this beach accessible and enjoyable for visitors, featuring an accessible beach ramp that extends to the water. The views are stunning, and you’ll be basking in the spring sun and cool breeze, looking out to the rolling hills of Humber Valley.
1V4, 85-131 Nicholsville Rd, Deer Lake
10. Birding on the Deer Lake Trail System
Considered a prolific stopping point for many spring birds, the Deer Lake Trail System is an incredible spot for birdwatchers, beginners and experts alike. Find springtime winged friends such as Ruffed Grouse, Osprey, Pine Siskin, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, and more.
11. Go Root Cellar Spotting in Elliston
Newfoundland is known for its quirky folklore and timeless traditions that have been passed down for generations. The Root Cellar is an integral part of Newfoundland’s food preservation culture for its historically harsh winters. Elliston has more than 133 documented root cellars; as you walk through this bright and proud community, try to find all of them!
12. Catch the Icebergs at Long Point Lighthouse Trail
Iceberg season is one of the most exciting times of the year for Newfoundland locals and tourists, spanning throughout the spring season. Long Point Lighthouse Trail in Twillingate is one of the most desired iceberg spotting spots; this trail is a springtime must. Located right in the middle of Iceberg Alley, the nickname for the southern coast of the island, you can head straight out to the point and watch these 10,000-year-old giants float on by on their annual parade.
Lighthouse Rd, Twillingate
13. Have a Whale of a Time at the Skerkwink Trail
Considered a moderate to difficult 5km hike, this trail follows the rugged coastline and the beauty of the harsh storms that Newfoundland often endures. You’ll find sea stacks towering closely to the path, and you’ll be able to spot some icebergs and whales as they migrate on through the spring. Keep an eye out overhead for Eagles and Arctic Terns as they soar and dive into the water for dinner!
14. Lookout to Bird Rock at Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve
Experience the natural beauty of the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, home to Thousands of gulls, razorbills, common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, northern gannets, and double-crested and great cormorants that nest here. Known as Bird Rock, you’ll find these birds sitting perched on rocks awaiting their next meal in the salty water below.
15 km east of St. Bride’s and 15 km west of Branch.
Credit: Ernest Ackermann/Flickr
15. Forest Bathe in Terra Nova National Park
Check out Newfoundland’s second National Park in the central part of the island. It offers many trails ranging from easy to challenging, often offering views of saltwater lakes and basins. Most notably, the Malady Head trail is a refreshing hike through the black spruce forest. Touch the mossy forest floor and breathe in the fresh spring air as you look through the trees and out to the blue ocean waves.
Trans-Canada Hwy, Glovertown, Traytown
16. Rock your World at Fortune Head Geology Center
Alternatively known as “The Rock,” Newfoundland is a paradise for geology lovers. The Fortune Head Geology Center showcases the beauty and mystery of Newfoundland’s geological presence, featuring island minerals, rocks, and billion-year-old fossils. Visit and learn about Newfoundland’s geological history and why it is a pioneer in geological research; it rocks!
49-51 Bunkers Hill Rd, Fortune
17. Watch the Puffins Swim Around Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
Home to the largest puffin colony in North America, you can watch these rainbow-beaked birds flop around in the water. The best way to get up close and personal is to take a boat tour. O’Brien’s is highly recommended by tourists and locals, and through their storytelling and interpretation, you’ll be a puffin expert in the end.
May-September
18. Pet Springtime Newborns at Lester’s Farm Just Outside St. John’s
Springtime brings new life; come pet some furry spring babies at Lester’s Farm. Baby chicks, lambs, calves, and piglets are among the most common springtime animals that Lester’s has. Great fun for little ones and adults!
173 Brookfield Road, St. John’s
19. Explore the East Coast Trail
With 336km of trail to explore, rugged coastlines, deep fjords, natural geysers, caves and more, it’s obvious why the East Coast Trail is considered one of Canada’s best trail systems. Choose a trail that will suit your hiking level, from beginner to experienced. Start in Downtown St. John’s or explore the backcountry in Cape Broyle. The East Coast trail has something for everyone!
The first Saturday in June is International Trails Day and the East Coast Trail’s Annual Trail Raiser.
20. Watch the Icebergs Float by at Cape Spear Lighthouse
Welcome to the most easterly point in North America (excluding Greenland)! This is as close you’ll get to Europe without leaving Canada, and staring out at the big, vast ocean, you’ll believe it. Visit the Lighthouse and watch the icebergs sail on by from the drop cliffs as you feel the wind in your face.
Blackhead Road, Cape Spear
21. Take a Look at the Narrows in The Rooms
Newfoundland’s resident cultural facility, you do not want to miss this beautiful site. Breathtaking exhibits focus on Newfoundland and Labrador art, the island’s indigenous history, and the poetic nature of Newfoundland’s people and the quiet magic of oceanside living. Grab a coffee at The Rooms Café and take a peek over the cityscape and rainbow of houses to see past the Narrows of the St. John’s harbour and the beauty of the ocean in spring.
9 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
22. Watch the Springtime Bloom at the MUN Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Garden is Memorial University’s public garden and the best place to see as native and exotic spring plants bloom outdoors or in the greenhouses, explore lush vegetable gardens and thick forests of spruce and cedar. Must-Visit Gardens in Newfoundland
306 Mt Scio Rd, St. John’s
MUN Botanical Gardens
23. Sip Iceberg Beer at Quidi Vidi Brewing Company
Known for its famous Iceberg Beer, Quidi Vidi has a cult following in Newfoundland and beyond. Earning their drinkers over with catchy beer names and supporting local artists by adorning their art on their cans, not to mention great-tasting beer. Their taproom sits atop Quidi Lake, which flows between steep cliffs and out into the ocean. Go for the beer, stay for the views.
35 Barrows Rd, St. John’s
24. See Spring Colouring of St. John’s from Signal Hill
A St. John’s classic, this National Historic Site offers a glimpse into St. John’s past and triumphs. Check out Cabot Tower, the old guard tower, or hike around the gorgeous trails that circle the hill itself. Although the ocean view is spectacular, don’t forget to turn around and see the city come to life from a distance.
230 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s
25. Grates Cove Studios & Café
Explore the beautiful, rugged coastal landscapes of Grates Cove and the Baccalieu Trail. From the Grates Cove Studio & Café, you can spot seals, whales, icebergs and the Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve. The café serves a Newfoundland Cajun fusion meal that you should try. Plan a getaway!
Main Road, Grates Cove
Grates Cove Studios & Café
26. Go Antiquing
There is a certain excitement that surrounds answering a compliment about your furniture with, “Thanks, it’s vintage.” Along with adding a unique flair to your home, shopping for antiques and retro items can save an item from hitting the landfill. Newfoundland antique and vintage shops have a uniqueness to them as they highlight the island’s beautiful history.
