As winter break approaches, escape the monotony of staying indoors by exploring the vibrant city of Fredericton.
This guide offers a curated selection of events and activities in the Fredericton area designed to keep you engaged, energized, and entertained throughout the holiday season.
I. Winter Fun
Crabbe Mountain
Plus, the iconic ski location is celebrating 25 years of operation this season!
Hours
December 16: Opening Day (scheduled)! Open from 9 am – 4:30 pm
December 17, 20 to 24 | 9 am – 4:30 pm
December 25: Closed
December 16 to 28, 31 to Jan 3, 7 | 9 am – 4:30 pm
Dec 28 to 20, Jan 4 to 6 | 9 am – 9 pm
Odell Park
As you step into the enchanting Odell Park, a winter wonderland unfolds before you, inviting you to partake in the joys of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or a serene winter walk. The park’s trails wind through one of Canada’s Old Growth Forests, nestled in the heart of Fredericton, offering a peaceful retreat into nature’s solitude. Amidst the crisp, cool air and the gentle crunch of snow underfoot, the park also becomes a gathering place for families, who come together to enjoy the delight of outdoor skating.
Wostawea Ski Club/Cross-Country Skiing
New to Fredericton? Join Wostawea Ski Club. They offer a plethora of options for ski enthusiasts. They run many of its programs out of the Killarney Lake Park and Lodge, where the City of Fredericton grooms an extensive network of cross-country ski trails. They also maintain a network of trails on the western side of the UNB Woodlot and on Kingswood Golf Course.
Mactaquac Provincial Park
Located 30 minutes from Fredericton, Mactaquac Provincial Park offers winter fun with activities like tobogganing on two groomed hills, ice skating on a pond and forest trail, and 7 km of cross-country ski trails. Snowshoeing, walking trails, and snowmobile rides are also available. Rentals are provided for various equipment. The park features lit areas for night activities, and the administration office remains open for inquiries. Visitors can camp in tents or shelters, even in winter, with reservations required.
Sandwith’s Sleigh Rides
Embark on a charming winter journey with Sandwith’s Sleigh Ride, located near Fredericton. Experience the joy of a bonfire, a sliding hill, and a playground in the winter wonderland. Private evening events with charcuterie boards are available.
Devil’s Oven Ice Caves
If the temperature is below freezing (and has been for quite a few days) during the holidays, then plan a day trip to Minto Ice Cave. Located 1.4 km from 3 Tracy Road, Minto, a mesmerizing walk downstream from a bridge leads to the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves, accessible only by traversing the icy river flanked by steep, forested banks. Marvel at the large icicles and the enchanting sight of tall icicles seemingly flowing from the trees. The main cave, adorned with multi-coloured icicles, lies behind a shorter ice wall. Caution is advised, as the beauty of these caves is not worth risking safety in uncertain ice conditions.
For more fun, see:
II. Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations
Christmas Lights Across Canada
Canadians across the city will be able to enjoy the lights of winter throughout the holiday season at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.
Pine Grove Festival of Lights
Pine Grove Festival of Lights is an annual event where 75 Christmas trees are decorated and lit up at grounds of Pine Grove Nursing Home. The tradition started in 2010 and has become a wonderful annual holiday event that people of all ages come out to enjoy. Until January 1, 2024.
Gallery 78 Christmas Choice
Enjoy this group exhibition filled with new small works from Atlantic Canadian artists. Beat the lines and choose from a variety of paintings, prints, heirloom jewellery, timeless and functional ceramics, fibre art, and artisan candles in our cozy shopping environment. You’re sure to find something for everyone on your list—it’s a one-stop shop for all your holiday needs!
Welcome 2024
Annual New Year’s Run
December 31, 2023
Start and finish on the trail behind the Old Victoria Hospital.
Snow White
This holiday season, DuffleBag Theatre brings the classic story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to life. Everyone knows the classic tale: a princess, an evil queen, a cottage in the woods, seven dwarves, a hapless Huntsman, and some bad apples. Unpredictable, whimsical, and adventurous, this performance is guaranteed fun for the whole family! Details
December 27, 2023 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Fredericton Playhouse, 686 Queen Street, Fredericton
Pay What You Will -Tickets
III. Indoor Fun
Beaverbrook Art Gallery Exhibitions
The Beaverbrook Permanent Collection, established in 1959 with Lord Beaverbrook’s donation of 300 artworks, has expanded to over 5,000 items, including outdoor sculptures. Initially focused on British and Canadian art, it now boasts a comprehensive British Collection, featuring works from the Elizabethan era to the 20th century, including portraits, landscapes, and abstract pieces. Current exhibitions include Shane Perley-Dutcher, Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Pazienza, and Paul Édouard Bourque, while upcoming shows feature Joseph Kashetsky, Greg Charlton, Kenojuak Ashevak, and Graeme Patterson. Details
Hours Vary during the holidays
Beaverbrook Art Gallery, 703 Queen Street, Fredericton
Quartermain Earth Science Centre
Explore the geology at the Quartermain Earth Science Centre, which is located within the historic Forestry & Geology building at the University of New Brunswick. The centre encourages visitors to have fun with the events, exhibits, programs and displays that explore how the world works.
NB Sports Hall of Fame
The NB Sports Hall of Fame is fun for all ages and will wow any avid sports fan. You can try out the Virtual Sports Simulator, learn the science behind sports and muscles in the Biomechanics and visit the Sports Discovery Centre. There is also the Hall of Famers and Virtual Locker Room, where you can learn more about players who have been honoured for their athletic achievements.
Kingswood Resort
There are over 80,000 feet of fun to be had at Kingswood Resort this holiday season. You can go bowling or spend some time in the cosmic zone. There is fun to be had for kids of all ages. If you get hungry while having fun, there is a food court where you can find Pizza Hut and Café. The Entertainment Centre will be closed on December 24-25. Check out their Facebook page for any announcements/changes to their operating hours.
Fredericton Bouldering Co-op
Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market
The Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market is a Saturday morning staple where people go shopping for local goods. This popular market has both indoor and outdoor vendors who bring local seasonal products, baked goods, handcrafted gifts and much more to Fredericton each week. Going to the market is a great way to spend a blustery winter morning with family and friends. You can enjoy fresh coffee and healthy locally produced food while having meaningful conversations with people you care about.
Clay Café
Become an artist and create your own holiday gifts this year at the Clay Café. There are over 300 kinds of pottery to paint. Everything from mugs, to vases to cool designs for kids. Spend some time relaxing and painting with your friends and family.
Unplugged a Board Games Café
The Unplugged a Board Games Café is New Brunswick’s first ever board game café, and has over 700 of boards that are kid and family friendly. They are also a fully licenced café that serves great finger foods for you to enjoy with your games.
Fredericton Indoor Pool
Take a dip in the Fredericton Indoor Pool this holiday season. There is a water slide and a Tarzan rope to keep you busy and jumping into the pool. There is a swirl pool and a sauna, if you need a break from the main pool. There are multiple swim times, so you definitely need to check the schedule to see when the pool is open to the public.
Indoor Skating
Enjoy indoor skating at the City Arenas. Don’t forget to book your slots in advance.
- The Grant-Harvey Centre features an Olympic sized surface, which makes it a great place to go skating. If skating is not your thing, they also have a walking and running track.
- The York Arena was opened in 1947 and is the longest-serving arena that is still in operation in Fredericton. The ice surface is mainly used for hockey, and ringette, ball hockey and lacrosse in the summer.
- Willie O’Ree Place has two NHL-sized ice surfaces for ice skating and holiday games. It’s also the home of the YMCA Northside Wellness Centre, an indoor walking track and an indoor skateboard park.
- The Lady Beaverbrook Arena was refurbished in 2007, and is home to a 190 ft by 82 ft ice surface that is used for figure skating, hockey, and speed skating.
Other Fun Activities
Children’s Activities
Keep your child engaged at home with these fun activities.
Go Bird Watching
Birding is a fun activity to do in winter. What are the popular winter birds that you can spot? Can you notice any winter adaptation changes in them? Grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird ID app, and try to name all the birds that you can spot. Do a Christmas Bird Count. If you don’t want to venture outside do an unofficial count of the birds that visit your bird feeder.