Events

Culture & Events: What’s Going on in 2024?

From music festivals and Pow Wows to art installations, the Chaleur Region has a rich and unique culture locals are eager to share!

Published May 04

Local Festivals

Experience a traditional Pow Wow at Pabineau First Nation, rock out to live music during Hospitality Days, or watch courageous teams of rowers cross the Bay of Chaleur during the Festival des Rameurs!

1. Calling all barbeque fans! This is one event you’re definitely not going to want to miss. Bathurst Rotary Ribfest is a 3-day barbeque competition featuring vendors from the southern United States. Check them out from June 14-16th in Downtown Bathurst.

2. Celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1st! Wear your best red and white and follow the crowd to the fireworks!

3. If you’ve never attended a traditional Powwow, head over to Pabineau First Nation from July 6th-7th! Enjoy traditional Indigenous dancing, singing, crafts, food and contemporary entertainment.

4. Join thousands of people from July 7th-14th as they cheer on teams of rowers racing to cross the Bay of Chaleur and back during the Festival des Rameurs!

5. If you’re in the area on July 13th, be sure to check out the Children’s Art Festival taking place Downtown Bathurst and the Promenade Waterfront!

6. Hospitality Days are a highlight for people in the Bathurst and Chaleur Region! Live music, car shows, activities for the kids, an epic fireworks show and much more! Join us from July 12th-July 21st for a memorable celebration!

7. The 7th annual Blues D’la Baie blues festival is happening between July 25th-28th and is not to be missed! Enjoy the talents of world-class blues artists as they perform next to the beautiful Bay of Chaleur in Petit-Rocher.

8. Belledune Days is an annual community festival that is happening between July 27th-August 4th! Join in the celebrations in this quaint village as they welcome visitors with events and activities for all ages.

9. New Brunswick Day is a day to celebrate our history, culture and achievements as New Brunswickers! Join in the fun on August 5th.

10. On August 15th, you may not hear anyone wishing you a “Happy Acadian Day” but rather “Joyeux 15 août!”, or “quinzou”! Dress in your best Acadian colours (red, white, blue with some yellow), grab your noisemakers and head to the nearest ‘tintamarre’!

11. On August 17th, come celebrate l'Acadie in Bathurst as they will have an afternoon full of activities followed by a Mega Acadian Block Party on Main Street.

12. Celebrate the arrival of fall at the annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy events, activities for all ages and a market on Saturday, September 21st, at the Promenade Waterfront in Bathurst.

13. From October 19-20, come celebrate Pokeshaw's annual Cranberry Festival!

14. It’s the holiday season in the Chaleur Region, which means…Santa’s in town! Join in the downtown fun at the annual Bathurst Christmas Parade on December 6st.

Local Heritage, Arts and Culture

We ❤️ to celebrate arts and culture in the Chaleur Region!

1. Love to laugh? Attend the 2024 Méga Show d’Humour on June 29th at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. *note: this event is in French only

2. Learn about local heritage, history and genealogy at the Bathurst Heritage Museum.

[Bathurst Heritage Museum]

3. Visit a local heritage home restoration project! The Doucet-Hennessy House, 375 St. Peter Avenue in Bathurst.

[Doucet Hennessy House]

4. Can you find all the painted benches in Downtown Bathurst?

5. Take a selfie in front of the recently completed mural Downtown Bathurst by local artist Candice Ostroski. Located on the corner of King and Main St. in Bathurst.

6. Visit Petit-Rocher’s wharf and admire the outdoor art installation!

[Les Arts Visuels de la Baie]

7. …and while in Petit-Rocher, check out the mural at the Maison de l’Acadie, 702 Rue Principale.

8. The Maritime Ringlet Butterfly is an endangered species that has made its habitat in a few locations along the Bay of Chaleur, the Beresford salt marshes being one. Visit the butterfly statue at the Rodolphe Boudreau Sportek on the marsh's edge.

9. Before you head home, pick out a painting by a local artist!