Newfoundland is one of the best places to experience winter in Atlantic Canada. So, get ready for lots of snowy fun with your family and friends in St. John’s. Dress warmly and head out into the sparkling winter wonderland that is St. John’s.
Winter Fun in St. John’s: Events, Festivals and Outdoor Adventures
Events & Festivals
Winter Pops: The Music of Queen
Join the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, led by Marc David, for a QUEEN-themed night featuring Kelly-Ann Evans and special guests, filled with your favorite hits for the ultimate party on a night you won’t want to miss! Details
January 25-28, 2024
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
Humpday Market
Humpday Market will showcase unique vendors, hot food, live entertainment, and a diverse range of items, including baked goods, jewelry, art, vintage items, self-care products, toys, collectibles, and more every Wednesday. Details
Wednesdays | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
245 Freshwater Road, St. John’s
Youth Talent Show
The City of St. John’s annual event to showcase talents of youth, ages 10 to 16 in a supportive non-judgmental environment. Details
Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 2:00 PM
D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Memorial University
Dungeons & Dragons On The River
Join Manuels River for a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons event. Meet new people, learn the game, and enjoy snacks and beverages available for purchase. Must be 19+ with alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Details
February 8 & 22, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Manuels River, 7 Conception Bay Highway, Conception Bay South
Chillfest
This is a winter celebration that offers free family-friendly activities, including fun days, skating parties, swims, concerts, and more. Details
February 9 – 14, 2024
Around the City, St. John’s
Masterworks 3: Unraveling Ravel
The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks 3: Unraveling Ravel, featuring guest pianist Sara Davis Buechner and conductor Marc David. The program includes Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye and Concerto in G, along with Khachaturian’s Adagio from Spartacus, and concludes with Stravinsky’s thrilling Firebird Suite. Details
February 9, 2024 | 8:00 PM
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
Big Ticket: A Night at the Oscars
Join the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra at the ExxonMobil Big Ticket fundraiser for “A Night at the Oscars,” featuring top local vocalists performing Oscar-winning songs from beloved movies, all under the direction of Marc David. Details
February 23, 2024 | 8:00 PM
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
2024 Craft & Gift Wholesale Show
The 2024 Craft & Gift Wholesale Show, exclusively for retail trade, will provide approved buyers with access to juried craft and gift wholesale producers from Newfoundland. Details
February 24-25, 2024
Memorial University Signal Hill Campus, St. John’s
Recital 3 – Atlantic String Quartet
The Atlantic String Quartet, featuring the principal string players from the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, is celebrated for its versatility and contributions to the St. John’s community. Recital 3 will feature performances of compositions by Jocelyn Morlock, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Antonin Dvorak. Details
March 3, 2024 | 8:00 PM
DF Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s
Sinfonia 3: Oh, What a SOUND!
The concert will highlight exceptional string and choral compositions, featuring K. BISSEL’s 3 Pieces for String Orchestra, A. DVOŘÁK’s Serenade for Strings, and collaborative performances with the Newman Sound Men’s Choir. Details
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 8:00 PM
DF Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s
Masterworks 4: Ode to Joy
The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks 4: Ode to Joy, featuring Beethoven’s 9th Symphony performed by the orchestra, led by Marc David, with four guest soloists and the Philharmonic Choir of the NSO. The concert will also include Peter Gardner’s Beethoven Unwound, with guest soloists Myriam Leblanc, Abra Whitney, David Pomeroy, and Alexandre Sylvestre. Details
Friday, March 22, 2024 | 8:00 PM
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Rd, St. John’s
Attractions & Outdoor Adventures
Go Skating at The Loop
The Loop opens for the season when temperatures are consistently low enough to make and maintain the smooth ice surface. Access to The Loop is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Details
15 Bannerman Rd, St. John’s
Go Dashing through the Snow at Lester Farm Chalet
Mike and Molly, the beautiful Percherons, are happy to pull the sleigh through the snow at Lester Farm. You can book a private ride for your family, or join a public ride. After the fun sleigh-ride, you can warm up with hot cocoa and a freshly baked cookie at the chalet. There is also a petting barn to explore.
Details
92 Pearltown Road, St. John’s
Snowshoe the East Coast Trail
Experience the beautiful landscapes of the East Coast trails this winter. Grab your snowshoes or cross-country skies and hit the scenic trails with some friends. Hike past towering cliffs and headlands, sea stacks and deep fjords.
Details
Go Sledding at Bowring Park
Bowring Park is often called the best place to go sledding in St. John’s. There are number hills that you can pick from around the park. Like any other park, you should make sure that it is safe to sled before going down the hill.
Details
305 Waterford Bridge Rd, St. John’s
Go sliding at Victoria Park
Enjoy a fun day outdoors when you take the family to the ‘sliding hill’ at Victoria Park. Back in 2017, the city added area lighting to the popular sliding hill, which allows for longer days in the park during the winter.
Details
34 Sudbury St, St. John’s
Go Sledding at Pippy Park
Spend a day in one of Canada’s greatest urban parks sledding with the family. There are a number of hills to pick from around the park. Pippy Park is well-known for being a great spot for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. They also offer rentals if you need some equipment.
Details
70 Nagles Place, St. John’s
Snowshoe
Manuels River is the place to be whether you are planning for a wonderful winter date or a family’s day out. Choose between the Ocean Trail or the Canyon Trail, and explore the trails on snowshoes while watching winter wildlife.
7 Conception Bay Highway
White Hills Resort
Head out of the bustling city for a thrilling snow day. Just two hours from St. John’s, White Hills Resort is a popular location for skiing and snowboarding. Ride the ski lifts to the top and zip down the hills. Snowboarders will enjoy freestyling on the terrain park.
Details
100 White Hills Road, Clarenville
Brew Bus Tour
The craft beer scene is growing quickly in Newfoundland. Taste what Newfoundland has been brewing up on this 6-hour tour. Stops on tour include the Dildo Brewery Company & Museum, Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co and Newfoundland Distillery Co.
Details
566 Water Street, St. John’s
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. The park is open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. The trails are not groomed, so be prepared when heading out.
Details
Trans-Canada Hwy Glovertown, Traytown
T’Railway Provincial Park
Stretching almost 900km from St. John’s to Port aux Basques along the main line of the old abandoned Canadian National railway, this is a popular trail for snowmobiling. The trail can also be used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Details
Mount Pearl Trailway System
Explore the over 60kms of trails that link all the neighbourhoods and parks in Mount Pearl. Grab your cross-country skis or your snowshoes and start exploring some of the longer trails. If you don’t have a lot of time, just put on your warmest boots and go for a leisurely walk on one of the shorter trails!
Details
Quidi Vidi Lake Trail
Watch the local waterfowl and seabirds that call Quidi Vidi Lake their home. The level 3.8km trail loops around the lake and is a great spot to go for a leisurely winter walk.
Details
Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s
Take a “Bird⋅The⋅Rock” Tour
You don’t have to be an avid birder to enjoy a tour with owner-operator Jared Clarke because he offers both custom bird and nature tours of ‘the rock’. Jared has extensive knowledge of local birds, nature, culture and history, so he can provide an array of experiences that will help make your tour memorable.
Details
Go Geo-Caching
Find hidden treasures and discover the many geocaches located around the city. All you need is a mobile app or a GPS device and a sense of adventure. Explore the fantastic winter wonderland outside your door with this fun activity.
Details
Explore Downtown St. John’s
There’s so much to do in St. John’s, even during the winter months. Go for a leisurely stroll and do some window shopping. When you get tired or cold, stop into a cafe for a hot drink or one of the many restaurants for a scrumptious meal.
Details