Events

Culture & Events: What’s Going on in 2026?

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. Join us on June 6 for a fun community event featuring a 10 km run, a 5 km run and a 5 walk! The 10 km Chaleur is for everyone, including the para-athletes! Don’t miss it!

2. Calling all barbecue fans! This is one event you’re definitely not going to want to miss. Bathurst Rotary Ribfest is a 3-day barbecue competition featuring vendors from Canada. Check them out from June 19-21 in Downtown Bathurst.

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

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

5. Join thousands of people from July 5th-12th as they cheer on teams of rowers racing to cross the Bay of Chaleur and back during the Festival des Rameurs!

6. If you’re in the area on July 11th, be sure to check out the Children’s Art Festival taking place Downtown Bathurst and the Promenade Waterfront!

7. 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 14th-19th for a memorable celebration!

8. Lets start the Hospitality Days the right way! Join us July 31 in Downtown Bathurst for the first Block Party of the year! There’s no better way to be part of the community!

9. The 10th annual Blues D’la Baie blues festival is happening between July 23-26th 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. New this year : a drone show!

10. Belledune Days is an annual community festival that is happening between July 25th-August 2nd! Join in the celebrations in this quaint village as they welcome visitors with events and activities for all ages.

11. New Brunswick Day is a day to celebrate our history, culture and achievements as New Brunswickers! Join in the fun on August 3rd.

12. 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’!

13. Celebrate the arrival of fall at the annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy events, activities for all ages and a market on Saturday, September 19th, at the Promenade Waterfront in Bathurst.

14. From October 17, come celebrate Pokeshaw's annual Cranberry Festival!

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! New this year: local artists will be present everyday from June 17 to September 14, from 11am to 8pm to showcase and sell their art. Stay connected by following their Facebook page.

[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.