St. John's 
May Long Weekend Events & Activities in St. John’s
Friday, May 15– Monday, May 18, 2026
A go-to list of family activities and events taking place during May long weekend in St. John’s: Friday, May 15– Monday, May 18, 2026
Breathturn
On exhibit until May 22, 2026
Tuesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 4 PM
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, 155 Water Street, St. John’s
REVEEN The Impossiblist
People from the audience become STARS in the Wildest Show that has kept audience screaming with laughter, unlike any other Show you’ve ever experience! It’s a Show where ordinary people perform extraordinary things.
What appears to be Magical, is based on the scientific application of Superconscious Psychology, using techniques acquired from the study of Medical Manuscripts tracing back hundreds of years!
This Show demonstrates how even shy everyday people can “rapidly transform” into Fearless, Dynamic Stage Performers within minutes!
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Arts & Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
$44.98 to $60.50
Auks, Wolves and Whales
What fills the void when a species is no more? Legends, folklore, and history worth learning from. Come listen to the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and Endangered Whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones.
Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, hold ossified bones, and see how artists transform tragedy into hope for a sustainable future.
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 3:00 PM — 3:45 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
Included in the cost of admission
Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador
Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM — 7:45 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
Included in the cost of admission
Newfoundland & Labrador Sketch Comedy Festival
3rd Annual NL Sketch Comedy Festival. The festival features dozens of troupes and comedians (many of them local, some from away) performing sketches they’ve curated over the months leading up to the fest.
May 12-17, 2026
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John’s
$53.00 – $59.00 + fees
Friday Drawing at the Rooms
Join us in a welcoming, relaxed environment where creativity flows and everyone belongs. Each week, we explore a new theme while building our skills and own drawing style. From investigating the intricate details of our natural history collection to learning and drawing from our gallery exhibitions.
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
$25 per session plus HST. 10% discount for members. Reserve your spot today online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Homeward Bound: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel
Experience the timeless harmonies and poetic storytelling of Simon & Garfunkel in Homeward Bound: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel, a heartfelt tribute to one of the most beloved duos in music history.
From classics like “The Sound of Silence” to “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” this performance brings new life to the songs that have shaped generations of listeners.
May 14 – 16, 2026
The Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth Street, St. John’s
$53.00 – $59.00 + fees
A Musical Moment with the Atlantic String Quartet
A musical journey from Haydn to Vivaldi and beyond with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra’s Atlantic String Quartet! What does it take to be a professional musician? This conversational performance includes demonstrations of style and technique, ending with a Q&A with performers.
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 1:30 PM — 2:30 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
This is a free program, but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling 709-757-8090.
Nature Tots – Spring
This drop-in family program for ages 1-5 with their adult has a unique theme each week.
Each session has a short hike where we learn about the theme for the week, songs, story time, and ending with a garden tour (time permitting). Adults must bring a snack for their child, to be eaten during the story. Program runs rain or shine. Everyone gets a colouring page at the end.
Wednesdays & Saturdays, May 6 – October 31, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John’s
$15 per session.
Tots: Saturday Playdate
Join Us for a Morning Playdate at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to the enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime, featuring a variety of toys and books designed for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10:30 AM — 12:30 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members.
New Art Gallery Exhibitions
Join us for a guided tour of Jordan Bennett: Souvenir on Saturdays at 3 pm. Souvenir presents paintings and site-specific installations by artist Jordan Bennett in conversation with historical Mi’kmaw quillwork. To learn more about the exhibition, please visit Jordan Bennett: Souvenir | The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 3:00 PM — 3:45 PM
The Rec Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
Included in the cost of admission
NSO Recital 4
The Atlantic String Quartet concludes off the Recital Series with a program full of wit, heart, and musical charm! Haydn’s “The Joke” lives up to its name with clever twists and playful pauses that will keep you guessing (and grinning). Lyatoshyns’kyi’s Suite on Ukrainian Themes follows, weaving traditional melodies into a powerful and evocative soundscape. The evening wraps with Schubert’s String Quartet No. 4, an early work bursting with youthful energy and lyricism.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 8:00 PM
DF Cook Recital Hall at Arts & Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
$10 to $25
St. John’s Farmer’s Market
Saturdays | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
245 Freshwater Road, St. John’s
Free admission
Explore Pippy Park
Pippy Park is a great place to enjoy an outdoor adventure. Explore hiking trails, enjoy scenic views, tee off at the golf course, and spend the night under the stars. Details
15 Mt. Scio Road, St. John’s
You may like: Outdoor Activities & Adventures in St John’s and Avalon Peninsula
Enjoy Hiking or Discover Nature Attractions
Seeking some fresh air adventure this weekend — the good news is there are some natural areas for you to explore. Find a park or walkway nearby or plan new routes. Details
- Best Walks & Hikes in St John’s and Avalon Peninsula
- Best Hikes in Newfoundland and Labrador
- 25 Things to Do During Spring in Newfoundland
Spend time at the MUN Botanical Garden
Explore breathtaking trails that wander through trees, waterways, wetlands, and scenic vistas. There are many spectacular displays of traditional and native plants, as well as beautiful perennial and vegetable gardens for you to see. Details
306 Mount Scio Road, St. John’s
Go Birding
Spring is a great time to go birding and there are many fabulous locations in St. John’s. Details
Enjoy Antique Shopping
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. Visit Newfoundland’s antique shops. Details
Ladies Lookout Trail
With wonderful views of the rugged coastline and stunning seascapes, the Ladies Lookout trail is one of the best trails to enjoy. This is a 1.3 km loop trail with steep and rocky sections and connects with the Burma Road Trail. Details
Trapped
Head to Trapped for an amazing ‘Escape Room’ experience. Enjoy a family fun night when you all work together to get out of one of the nine 5D escape rooms that Trapped has waiting for you. Details
152 Water Street, 3rd Floor, St. John’s
Go Fishing
Enjoy fishing from shore or a boat. Details
Terra Nova National Park
The wilderness awaits you at Terra Nova National Park. This popular park is two and half hours from St. John’s but is worth the drive. There are several hiking trails here including half-hour short trails to multi-day hikes.
Trans-Canada Hwy Glovertown, Traytown
Sugarloaf Path
This is a moderate to difficult 8.8 km trail that takes around 3 to 5 hours one way. This path gives hikers a 360-degree view of Quidi Vidi and St. John’s from the top of the Bawdens Highlands. Details
Go Camping
There are many parks and campgrounds in Newfoundland and Labrador where you can spend overnight. In addition to camping, national and provincial parks offer many activities for a multi-day adventure that makes the journey worthwhile. For more details see 20+ Parks to Go Camping in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Paintball Open at Frontline Action
Paintball is one of the world’s most exciting outdoor sports! It encourages team building, brings people from all walks of life together, and is one of the safest action sports that exists today. Regular Paintball is suitable for players 10 years of age and up and is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience! Details
54 Duffett’s Road, St. John’s
Newfoundland Chocolate Company
The Newfoundland Chocolate Company is the home of Artisan Chocolate on ‘the Rock’ and their flagship Chocolaterie is located downtown in historic St John’s. If you love chocolate, then you are in for a sweet treat because their specialty chocolate and truffles are hand-made fresh daily. Details
166 Duckworth St, St. John’s
A la Carte Price
Have a Feed of Cod at Ches’s Fish and Chips
Take the family out for a feed of the best Fish n Chip’s in Newfoundland on the May long weekend. Ches’s Fish and Chips has been serving fish n’ chips the ‘Newfoundland way’ since 1951 and is one of the most popular restaurant options for both locals and travelers. The cod fish is fresh off the boat daily and they handcut their own fries, it doesn’t get any better than that. Details
9 Freshwater Drive, St. John’s
A La Carte Prices
Visit the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios
The Quidi Vidi Village Plantation is the place to go on the long weekend if you love local art. This unique gallery displays and sells local artist’s creations. It provides a vibrant focal point for visitors to the community through interaction with emerging craftspeople, and historical interpretation of this former fishing plantation. You can always see something interesting and new at the gallery. Details
10 Maple View Place, St. John’s
A la Carte Price
Jack Axe’s
Visit Jack Axe’s to try one of the fastest growing activities in Canada. It seems that everyone who tries their hand at throwing axes is instantly hooked. Jack Axe’s provides a unique, fun, and ‘Axe’-citing environment for you and your group to do a new activity while enjoying a few beers. Details
152 Water St, St. John’s
The Rooms
The Rooms is a cultural facility in St. John’s that houses the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Rooms also offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of downtown St. John’s and its iconic architecture, The Narrows, St. John’s Harbour, and Signal Hill. Details
9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s
Adults $13.80, Senior/Student $8.97, Youth $6.90, Household $35.88
Feed the ducks in Bowring Park
Bowring Park is truly one of the highlights in St. John’s and is a ‘must see’ place to visit. The majestic trees, the different trails that make you feel like you’re a million miles away from the city and the beautiful ponds where you can feed the ducks. You could spend the entire long weekend there walking for miles along the various paths and never see the same thing twice because the park is a lot bigger than it seems. Details
306 Waterford Bridge Rd, St. John’s
Hike Signal Hill’s North Head Trail
On the long weekend, spend a few hours with family and friends hiking Signal Hill’s North Head Trail. It is a very challenging hike but it is a very popular one with locals and visitors alike. The trail connects Cabot Tower and takes you around the cliffs. It has breathtaking views of the ocean and sometimes you can even spot icebergs passing by.
230 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s
St. John’s Award-Winning Boat Tour
Take a trip down ‘Iceberg Alley’ when you go on this tour. You will be awestruck by their shapes, colour, beauty and sheer size, even though they are ninety percent hidden below the ocean’s surface. Details
135 Harbour Drive, St. John’s
Hike The East Coast Trail
Spend some quality time on the long weekend with your loved ones hiking part of the East Coast Trail. It is 300 kilometres of developed trail that is made up of 26 wilderness paths that intersect more than 30 communities. The trail starts in St. John’s and will take you along cliffs, headlands, sea stacks, and deep fjords. From short 3-4 km hikes to 30km adventures, there’s never a dull moment on the East Coast Trail. Details
Highway #10, St. John’s
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