Special Events
ChillFest
Youth Week
Canada Day Celebrations
Party In The Park
Victoria Park Vatern Festival
Royal St. John's Regatta
Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival
Pumpkinfest
Pumpkin Walk
National Child Day
Festival of Music & Lights
ChillFest
February 13-17
St. John's ChillFest is an annual community-wide celebration of winter, with a variety of events and activiites taking place Feb. 13-17. ChillFest includes both indoor and outdoor events; there's something for everyone - plus everything is free of charge and for all ages. For complete details check the Special Events webpage or the Calendar of Events.
Youth Week
May 1 - 7
The City of St. John's annually celebrates Youth Week May 1 to 7 by offering a variety of events and activities for local youth, 12 to 18 years of age. A variety of events designed to appeal to youth are offered; check the Youth Week page for details.
Canada Day Celebrations
July 1
Each July 1, when the sun rises over Signal Hill, the people of St. John's become the first in Canada to celebrate this country's birthday. Events throughout the city entertain residents and tourists alike. Outdoor fireworks at Quidi Vidi Lake cap off the day of birthday celebrations. Happy Birthday Canada!
The City of St. John's Party in the Park is an annual event and an opportunity to gather in Bowring Park for an afternoon of free entertainment, light refreshments (while supplies last) and socialization.
Registration is not required for this event and open to all ages. Accessible parking is next to the bungalow with limited spaces available. Cars and buses are permitted to enter through the duck pond entrance to drop patrons off at the bungalow but must leave the site immiedately after. For more information please call 576-8411 or 576-8490.
Victoria Park Latern Festival
July
The Victoria Park Lantern Festival is an all-ages celebration of community in St. John’s historic west end. A participatory and volunteer-driven event, the annual festival takes place on the Saturday of the last full weekend in July following a couple of months of public lantern-building workshops. Contact: http://www.lanternfest.ca/
Royal St. John's Regatta
First Wednesday in August (weather permitting)
The annual Royal St. John’s Regatta is North America’s oldest organized sporting event. The Regatta began officially in 1825 and has run the first Wednesday in August ever since. Regatta Day is probably the only municipal holiday in Canada that is dependent on weather. If it is raining or too windy, the holiday is simply put off until the next suitable day. Contact: http://www.stjohnsregatta.org/
Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival
July
The good times in St. John’s keep rolling with the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival held in Bannerman Park featuring musicians, dancers and storytellers from around the province. To learn more check the NL Folk Festival website.
Pumpkinfest
October
There are games to play, contests to crush, prizes to win, tractor rides to enjoy, and animals to pet not to mention the pumpkins - So. Many. Pumpkins! For event schedule and information visit the Lester's Farm Market website.
Take the FREE Metrobus Park & Ride to Pumpkinfest due to temporary 'No Parking - Tow Away' zones in place on Brookfield Road around Lester's Farm Market. Hop on the free Park & Ride at the NL Housing building parking lot at 2 Canada Drive. Park & Ride will operate on a continuous, load and go basis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - the first bus leaves NL Housing at 10 a.m. and the last bus leaves the farm at 4 p.m.
Pumpkinfest is in support of the REAL Program.
Pumpkin Walk
November 1
6 to 8 p.m.
Bannerman Park
After Halloween bring your carved pumpkin to Bannerman Park and help us to light up The Loop with a huge Jack O'Latern display. A light source will be provided for pumpkins and costumes are encouraged. This is an Earth friendly event. Pumpkins will be collected and composed. Let's cut waste - bring a reusuable mug for your FREE hot chocolate.
National Child Day
November 20
The Government of Canada designated November 20 as National Child Day to commemorate the adoption and convention of the rights of the child so that we can do everything to protect and promote their rights to survive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential.
The City of St. John's recognizes National Child Day each year with activities listed on the Calendar of Events.
Click here to view more Family activities the City offers!
Meet the Mayor Contest
As part of the National Child Week celebration, the City of St. John's coordinates a 'Meet the Mayor' contest with elementary schools in the City where two children are selected to visit different City departments such as Waste Management, Humane Services, and the Depot. The children end at City Hall where they Meet the Mayor and attend the council meeting to proclaim National Child Day.
Photos taken from Meet the Mayor contest November 2019 below.
For more information on National Child Day, email recreation@stjohns.ca or call 709-576-8388 or 709-576-6196.
Festival of Music & Lights
November/December
St. John’s comes together to ring in the holiday season with bright lights and beautiful song as the City of St. John’s celebrates the lighting of Bowring Park at the Duck Pond.
There will be holiday singing from local choirs and free hot chocolate. Don't forget to bundle up and bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Community Food Sharing Association.
This event includes a wheelchair accessible viewing area. A limited number of noise reducing headphones are availabe to sign out at the Bowring Park Lodge. A photo ID including name and address is required.