Fredericton

Around Fredericton

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · New Brunswick · 108k people

Fredericton

Locals say Capital Region · “Freddy Beach”, “City of Stately Elms”

Where the river meets the arts

UNB RedRiver Blue

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Welcome to Fredericton, the Capital Region! From the riverfront trails to the farmers market, there's always something to explore. Grab a craft beer, catch a show, and make yourself at home.

Clubs for Fredericton

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The room

One room for everyone around Fredericton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fredericton. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Beaverbrook Art Gallery Premier art museum with Canadian and international works.
  • Boyce Farmers Market Saturday market with local produce, crafts, and food.
  • Odell Park Large urban park with trails and old-growth trees.
  • Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge Pedestrian bridge crossing the Saint John River.
  • University of New Brunswick campus Historic university with a hilltop campus.
  • St. Thomas University campus Small liberal arts university in the downtown.
  • Outdoors Walk or bike the riverfront trail along the Saint John River
  • Outdoors Cross the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge
  • With kids Visit Science East
  • With kids Explore the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
  • Evenings See a concert or play at the Fredericton Playhouse
  • Evenings Catch live music at the Capital Complex
  • Locals love Craft breweries
  • Locals love Farmers markets

Through the year

  • Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival September September festival with local and international acts.
  • FROSTival February February winter festival with outdoor activities and art.
  • Shivering Songs January January winter music festival in downtown venues.
  • Fredericton Craft Beer Festival March March tasting event featuring local breweries.
  • The Fredericton Exhibition August August agricultural fair with rides and livestock.

Fredericton has four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; wet, muddy springs; warm, humid summers; and crisp, colourful autumns. The best time to be out is from late May to early October, when the riverfront is lively and festivals fill the calendar. Best: Late May to early October

Talk like a local

“Freddy”
Short for Fredericton.
“the Market”
Boyce Farmers Market.
“the Cap”
Capital Complex (music venue).
“the Trail”
Riverfront walking trail.

Getaways

  • Saint John Historic port city with the Reversing Falls and uptown charm.
  • Moncton Lively city with the Magnetic Hill and a vibrant downtown.
  • Miramichi Known for salmon fishing and the Miramichi River.
  • Edmundston Gateway to the Madawaska region, near the New Brunswick-Quebec border.

Local flavour

Teams

  • UNB Reds U Sports
  • Fredericton Capitals Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL)

Also rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Boston Bruins (NHL)

Eat and drink

  • Fiddleheads Seasonal fern shoots foraged along riverbanks, a beloved local spring delicacy.
  • Poutine râpée
  • Craft beer A thriving local brewery scene (e.g., Picaroons, Trailway) with a distinct maritime character.

Where people go

  • Riverfront trails Scenic walking and cycling paths along the Saint John River, including the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge.
  • Historic downtown Victorian architecture, the Legislative Assembly, and a lively arts district.
  • Boyce Farmers Market A beloved weekend market with local produce, crafts, and a strong community feel.
  • Beaverbrook Art Gallery A major public gallery with a notable collection of Canadian and international art.
  • University campuses UNB and St. Thomas University bring a youthful energy and cultural events.
  • Odell Park One of the largest remaining old-growth forests in an urban setting, with towering trees.

Heritage and traditions

Fredericton is proud of its blend of Loyalist history, a vibrant arts scene, and its scenic riverfront, all wrapped in a friendly, small-city atmosphere.

This time of year in Fredericton

  • Leaf peeping and apple picking October Fall colours at nearby orchards.

Say it like a local: “Right” — Tag question or affirmation.

Festivals

  • New Brunswick Highland Games August Scottish games with caber toss and pipe bands.
  • Fredericton Fringe Theatre Festival June Independent theatre and comedy performances.
  • Fredericton Multicultural Festival June Food and performances from local communities.
  • Capital Region Pride August Celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Taste of Fredericton September Local restaurants showcase signature dishes.
  • Fredericton Christmas Market December Artisans and seasonal treats in a festive setting.

Landmarks with a story

  • Christ Church Cathedral Historic Anglican cathedral with Gothic Revival architecture.
  • Old Government House Official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, open for tours.
  • Fredericton Region Museum Housed in a 19th-century military barracks.
  • Officers' Square Historic military parade ground with summer concerts.
  • Loyalist Burial Ground Final resting place of early Loyalist settlers.
  • Fort Nashwaak Site of a 17th-century French fort, now a historic park.

Food traditions

  • Fiddlehead picking Foraging for wild fiddleheads along the riverbanks in spring.
  • Poutine râpée Boiled potato dumpling filled with pork, a Maritime Acadian classic.
  • Ployes Acadian buckwheat pancakes, often served with butter and molasses.
  • Rappie pie Grated potato and meat casserole, hearty and comforting.
  • Fricot Acadian chicken stew with potatoes and dumplings.

Music and arts

  • Literary tradition Home to Confederation poets and a vibrant writing community.
  • New Brunswick College of Craft and Design Renowned for fine craft and visual arts.
  • Indie music scene Small venues and house shows foster local bands.
  • Gallery Connexion Artist-run centre for contemporary art.

A little history

  • 1783 Loyalist settlers founded the city.
  • 1785 Fredericton became the capital of New Brunswick.
  • 1800s Timber trade boomed along the Saint John River.
  • 1867 New Brunswick joined Confederation; Fredericton remained capital.
  • 1950s CFB Gagetown established nearby, shaping the region's military character.

Rivalries

  • UNB Reds vs St. Thomas Tommies Cross-town university rivalry in hockey and other sports.
  • Fredericton Capitals vs other Maritime Junior Hockey League teams Junior hockey rivalries with nearby towns.
  • Fredericton vs Moncton Friendly regional rivalry in sports and culture.
  • Game day UNB Reds hockey
  • Game day Fredericton Capitals junior hockey
  • Outdoors Fishing for shad or salmon
  • Outdoors Tubing down the Nashwaak River
  • With kids Fredericton Region Museum
  • With kids New Brunswick Highland Games

Frederictonians speak a friendly Maritime English, with a relaxed pace and a tendency to end sentences with 'eh' or 'right'. The local accent is close to standard Canadian, but you'll hear 'supper' for dinner and 'the river' for the Saint John.

Only here

  • The city's 'stately elms' are a point of pride, with a tradition of planting and preserving them.
  • The Capital Winter Club, founded in 1888, is one of Canada's oldest curling clubs.
  • The Fredericton Region Museum is housed in a former military barracks, one of the few remaining in Canada.
  • The Nashwaak River offers a scenic canoe route just minutes from downtown.
New here? A few tips
  • Winters are cold and snowy; invest in a good winter coat and boots.
  • The city is walkable, but a car is helpful for exploring the region.
  • The Saturday morning market is a must-visit for local produce and crafts.
  • Try fiddleheads in the spring, but only if prepared properly.
  • The river is a central feature; enjoy the trails and bridges.

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Nearby

Every area
OromoctoNew BrunswickWhere the river meets the lakeSussexNew BrunswickWhere the valley meets the maple groves.Saint JohnNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the sea meets the soul.WoodstockNew BrunswickRiver valley charm and potato country warmth.Charlotte CountyNew BrunswickWhere the highest tides meet the sweetest chocolateAroostookMaineWhere the potato fields meet the Acadian heart.MonctonNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the welcome is warm.MiramichiNew BrunswickWhere the river runs deep

Fredericton. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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