Note: Here you will find our recommendations for things you can do over the upcoming month to experience some of the best Fredericton has to offer. While this is far from a complete list, we try to provide a well-rounded mix of everything from events to attend, places to go and things to try. Something you’d like to see included in an upcoming edition of Things to Do? Send your suggestions to editor@thebruns.ca!
Soupfest
When: Jan. 31, 11 a.m.
Where: 28 Saunders Street
Channel your inner food critic at Fredericton’s first ever Soupfest! The event is organized by United Way of Central New Brunswick and will feature soups submitted by up to 20 restaurants within the city. Attendees will have an hour to eat as much soup as they can before ranking their three favourites to help decide which soup will reign supreme and earn their restaurant a fancy trophy.
There will be two separate tasting sessions; the first begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at noon while the second goes from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Tickets for each session cost $15 per person and additional donations to United Way will also be accepted.
RBC Winter Carnival Concert
When: Feb. 1, 9 p.m.
Where: Aitken Centre
Headlined by Juno Award-nominated DJ Shaun Frank, the RBC Winter Carnival concert is the latest in the series of new major events being presented by the UNBSU in the 2018-19 school year. The concert will feature a licensed bar operated by The Cellar, meaning entry to the concert will be limited to UNB or STU students aged 19 years or older.
Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door and you will need to present your student I.D. upon entry.
Winter Beer Olympics
When: Feb. 2, 12-3 p.m.
Where: Officer’s Square
The Winter Beer Olympics is exactly what it sounds like; teams of four will spend the afternoon drinking beer and competing in a variety of games in an effort to win gold, silver or bronze. While the specific events and rules have not yet been announced at the time of writing, the organizers promise they will be “fun, yet challenging.” Rumor has it The Bruns may even be sending some of its finest athletes to the event.
Registration costs $120 per team ($30 minimum donation per person) and includes three beers for each competitor. All proceeds go towards type 1 diabetes research and tax receipts will be provided. There will be no charge for those who just want to watch.
Roller Disco Night
When: Feb. 9, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Capital Exhibit Centre, 361 Smythe Street
It may be 2019 but, thanks to the Capital City Rollers and the Fredericton Junior Roller Derby Association, you can still party like it’s 1979. Roller Disco Night will serve as the conclusion of the second annual Winter Wonderslam event, which is a roller derby triple-header also taking place in the afternoon. Entry to the disco is $5 at the door if you do not attend the derby earlier in the day, while tickets to the full event are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Roller blades and roller skates will be available to rent for $10 if you don’t have your own.
Pink Lobster Film Festival
When: Feb. 14 – 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Tilley Hall
As New Brunswick’s first LGBTQ+ film festival, Pink Lobster aims to share the stories of LGBTQ+ communities in Canada and around the world by featuring a selection of international films as well as short films made by local filmmakers.
The festival is three days long, with each of the screenings beginning at 7 p.m. at Tilley Hall. Passes for the entire festival cost $15 while individual passes for each of the three nights are also available for $6.