Events

Culture & Events: What’s Going on in 2025?

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! Visit the events section of our website for more details!

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 13-15th in Downtown Bathurst.

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

3. If you’ve never attended a traditional Powwow, head over to Pabineau First Nation from July 5th-6th! Enjoy traditional Indigenous dancing, singing, crafts, food and contemporary entertainment.

4. Join thousands of people from July 6th-13th 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 12th, 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 15th-20th for a memorable celebration!

7. The 9th annual Blues D’la Baie blues festival is happening between July 24th-27th 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 26th-August 3rd! Join in the celebrations in this quaint village as they welcome visitors with events and activities for all ages.

9. Come celebrate during the second Block Party Block Party of the summer, on Saturday, August 2nd on Main Street in Bathurst! More details to be released soon.

10. New Brunswick Day is a day to celebrate our history, culture and achievements as New Brunswickers! Join in the fun on August 4th.

11. 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’!

12. Celebrate the arrival of fall at the annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy events, activities for all ages and a market on Saturday, September 20th, at the Promenade Waterfront in Bathurst.

13. From October 18-19, 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 6th.

Local Heritage, Arts and Culture

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

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

[Bathurst Heritage Museum]

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

[Doucet Hennessy House]

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

4. 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.

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

[Les Arts Visuels de la Baie]

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

7. 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.