The City of St. John's hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Event details are added as they are confirmed.
 
Spring/Summer Events
St. John's Days Celebrations
Canada Day Celebrations
Music @ Concert Series
Party in the Park
Youth Week

Fall Events
National Child Week Activities
Pumpkin Walk

Winter Events
Festival of Music and Lights
New Year's Eve Celebrations
ChillFest

St. John's Days Celebrations
June 21-24, 2019

Join us for a celebration of the incorporation of one of North America’s oldest cities through outdoor concerts, tours, historical characters, family fun days and other events throughout downtown. 
All St. John's Days events are free and welcome all ages. 

Friday, June 21
 
7 p.m.
St. John’s Days: Campfire at Signal Hill featuring Terry Rielly
Signal Hill Interpretation Centre
Roast s’mores and have a sing-a-long with Terry Rielly!
For our family campfire...we have the Teddy Bear Man himself, Terry Rielly coming by to lead all hands in the singing of songs for all ages of children & all those who are young at heart. Got favourites? Let Terry know & he'll do his best to strum his guitar and get us all joining in.
Please remember to bring a camp chair and dress warmly. This free event will take place outside and is weather dependent.

 8 p.m.
 St. John’s Days: Chamber Music Concert
 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 76 Queens Road
Join the Tuckamore Festival for this free concert as they launch their 19th season with a performance by the award-winning Duo Concertante. This delightful annual event is free of charge and will feature music by Bach, Schubert, and Stravinsky, with a special prelude performance by a talented young performer. Presented by the Tuckamore Festival and the City of St. John's.

Saturday, June 22 

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site: free admission
436 Water Street
Free admission and activities in honour of St. John’s Days
With tales of profit, pirates and port, the walls of the Newman Wine Vaults really are infused with the spirits of old St. John’s! Discover the fascinating history of the Newman’s celebrated port
For more infomation visit the Newman Wine Vaults website or call 729-6730.

Commissariat Provincial Historic Site: free admission
11 King’s Bridge Road
Free admission and activities in honour of St. John’s Days.
Celebrate Discovery Days in St. John's by exploring life in the 1830s. Crafts and hands on activities for the whole family. For more infomation visit the Commissariat website or call 729-6730.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. John’s Days: Free Rides on The Link
The Link connects downtown, Signal Hill National Historic Site and Quidi Vidi Village. In partnership with the City of St. John's, rides on the Link are free of charge 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24 (Link route only). Regular service begins on Wednesday, June 26. More details at metrobus.com/thelink

10 a.m. to noon 
Edible Garden Workshop
Paul Reynolds Community Centre
Facilitated by Dan Rubin; this workshop will focus on introducing residents to growing food in our city – whether it be, small scale backyard beds, planting a fruit tree or learning a little bit before signing up for a community garden.  Learn how to grow food, what grows well in our climate, what to expect, when to plant, how to plant, etc. Co-hosted Healthy City St. John’s.
The workshop is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required, please book your space on Eventbrite.   

Workshop facilitator Dan Rubin is a biologist, teacher and musician who moved to Newfoundland seventeen years ago. Living in Pouch Cove, he has become an avid gardener and has found ways to expand the growing season and range of food plants, herbs and flowers you can grow here.  With his son, he established a seed company, Perfectly Perennial Herbs and Seeds, which now focuses on seeds and plants to help restore regional food security. In this workshop, which has been attended by more than 600 people in the past eight years, he will share what he has learned.  By building raised beds, filling them with the best mix of organic soil and adding homemade protective structures to shelter plants from wind and cold, it is possible to harvest food year-round. In his own seaside garden, Dan has grown corn, artichokes, grapes and peaches, along with more familiar local crops.

1 to 4 p.m. 
St. John’s Days: Family Fun in Bannerman Park
Inclement weather date: Sunday, June 23
Come celebrate our birthday with an afternoon of fun in beautiful Bannerman Park. Featuring Wonderbolt Circus, the Kamloops Rube Band, an interactive drum circle, outdoor yoga, face painting, bubble blowing, Sprocket bicycle clinic, Colemen’s bicycle rodeo parade and free lemonade.
Registration for the Coleman’s Bicycle Rodeo Parade is free and will take place onsite, from 1-2:45 p.m. Children are encouraged to decorate their bicycles. All participants in the bike rodeo can have their names entered to win one of two bicycles. 

7 p.m.
St. John's Days: Lawnya Vawnya All Ages Show
Bannerman Park
Join us in Bannerman Park for a very special St. John’s Days addition Music @ Concert series. In conjunction with Lawnya Vawnya, the All Ages show will feature some local acts Cuerpos (7-7:30), Swimming and Banana Vacuum (7:45-8:15) and Lo Siento (8:30-9).
This event is weather dependent.

Sunday, June 23

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site: free admission
436 Water Street
Free admission and activities in honour of St. John’s Days
With tales of profit, pirates and port, the walls of the Newman Wine Vaults really are infused with the spirits of old St. John’s! Discover the fascinating history of the Newman’s celebrated port
For more infomation visit the Newman Wine Vaults website or call 729-6730.

Commissariat Provincial Historic Site: free admission
11 King’s Bridge Road
Free admission and activities in honour of St. John’s Days.
Celebrate Discovery Days in St. John's by exploring life in the 1830s. Crafts and hands on activities for the whole family. For more infomation visit the Commissariat website or call 729-6730.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. John’s Days: Free Rides on The Link
The Link connects downtown, Signal Hill National Historic Site and Quidi Vidi Village. In partnership with the City of St. John's, rides on the Link are free of charge 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 (Link route only). Regular service of The Link begins on Wednesday, June 26. More details at metrobus.com/thelink.
 
7 to 8 p.m.
A Taste of HOME
City Hall, Foran/Greene room
Join us for a taste of St. John’s! We’ll treat you to Purity Jam Jams and a screening of HOME: Stories of Newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador. 
Produced by the Association for New Canadians in collaboration with filmmakers Conor McCann and Rodrigo Iniguez, HOME presents familiar local images, scenes, and recognizable landmarks alongside the ever-changing cultural landscape of modern-day Newfoundland and Labrador. This 30-minute documentary features firsthand accounts of arrival, integration, and settlement in St. John’s, Gander, Corner Brook, and Labrador City. Interviewees discuss the opportunities and challenges of adapting to life in the province from the perspectives of student, parent, worker, professional, refugee, and new Canadian.
This event will include a screening of the film, a panel discussion and opportunity to sample a locally made treat.
 
Monday, June 24

Beginning at dusk
Reel Downtown St. John’s Days Special Edition: Maudie
Attention Reel Downtown Fans - Downtown St. John's in partnership with the City of St. John's present a special pre-season screening of Reel Downtown to celebrate St. John's Days on Monday, June 24 and come see stars under the stars. This year we are pleased to present 'Maudie', a film that was made right here starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawk. Located in the parking lot on Water Street at the bottom of Solomon's Lane. Show starts at dusk (aproximately 9-9:30 p.m.) but get down early to save your favorite spot. Free admission! Bring your own lawn chair and blankets. Weather permitting; the movie will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Events Hosted by Community Organizations during St. John's Days

Saturday, June 22
Discovery Day Regatta: Quidi Vidi Lake
Each year, the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee kicks off the rowing season with the first on-pond event of the year. Happening Saturday, June 22, 2019 (weather permitting) the Discovery Day races will give rowers the first taste of competition on Quidi Vidi Lake in a fun, informal way.

Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2019
Annually the City of St. John's celebrates Canada Day on July 1. All Canada Day events are accessible, and all activities are free of charge.

From sunrise to sunset, on Canada Day there's something for everyone! With support from the Government of Canada, the City of St. John's and event partners will highlight many of the reasons we are proud to call Canada Home.

6-7 a.m.
Be among the first in the country to start the Canada Day Celebrations. The day begins with a Sunrise Event at 6 a.m. at Signal Hill National Historic Site. A free wheelchair accessible Metrobus Shuttle will bring you from the Signal Hill Visitor Centre up to Cabot Tower. After the return shuttle, join everyone for free birthday cupcakes in the Signal Hill Visitor Centre.

1-5 p.m. 
A full afternoon of free family fun and entertainment will take place at King George V Park from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will include bouncers, balloon twisters, face painting, interactive games, a cultural concert, free birthday cupcakes and much more. Inclement weather location: Techniplex. Bridges to Hope food bank will be onsite collecting nonperishable donations.
Pets are not permitted at King George V Park or in the Techniplex. 

8-10 p.m. 
The evening will be sure to entertain with a live concert featuring Carolina East at the Quidi Vidi Bandstand at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. Should weather conditions not be ideal, the fireworks will be rescheduled for July 2 at 10 p.m. Pet owners are reminded to keep their pets inside during the fireworks display.

Music @ Concert Series

Music @ is an an exciting mix of sights and sounds in St. John’s.

Many different musical styles are featured in the Music @ concert series including jazz, blues, folk, pop and more. Each concert opens with a youth performer coordinated through a partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society. These opening acts and our headliners showcase the incredible and diverse musical talent the city has to offer.

Kick back with family, friends or co-workers to enjoy your lunch break or weekend activity. It’s like running through a sprinkler on a hot day – refreshing, fun and sure to make you smile!

Music @ Harbourside has become a staple of the St. John’s summer. Every Friday at 12:30 p.m. some of the province’s best performers are joined by rising young stars to present a concert in the sun.

We also have concerts in the works for other wonderful City parks and locations! Check back for updates as more details become available.

Please visit the Arts & Culture pages for a schedule of upcoming concerts.

Party in the Park
July 2019

The City of St. John's Seniors Program hosts Party in the Park.  This is an annual event, held in mid July, and an opportunity for older adults to gather in Bowring Park for an afternoon of free entertainment, light refreshments and socialization. Visit the Recreation pages for further information on Seniors Programs.

Youth Week
May 2019

The City of St. John's Recreation Division celebrates Youth Week May 1 to 7 annually by offering a variety of events and activities for local youth, 12 to 18 years of age. 
Past events and activities have included:

• Youth Art Exhibit
• Free swims
• Carnivals
• Youth of the Year award presentation

Please visit the Recreation pages for further information on Youth Week.

Pumpkin Walk
November 1, 2019
6 to 8 p.m.

After Halloween bring your carved pumpkin to Bannerman Park and help us light up The Loop with a huge Jack O'Lantern display. Bring a flameless light source if you'd like your pumpkin to shine! Costumes are welcomed.
This is an Earth friendly event. Pumpkins will be collected and composted. Let's cut waste - bring a reusuable mug for your FREE hot chocolate
Inclement weather date: November 2

National Child Week Activities
The Government of Canada designated November 20 as National Child Day to commemorate the adoption and convention of the rights of the child.
The key objective is to increase awareness and understanding of the rights of the child that contribute to healthy child development, particularly in the early years of life and to take effective action to help children reach their full potential.

Festival of Music and Lights
Saturday, November 30, 2019

Ring in the holiday season with our annual celebration of bright lights, festive music and free hot chocolate! Enjoy performances by choirs and musicians as we officially switch on the beautiful light display. Don't forget to bundle up and bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank.

This event includes a wheelchair accessible viewing area. A limited number of noise reducing headphones are available to sign out at the Bowring Park Lodge. A photo ID including name and address is required.

New Year's Eve Celebrations
December 31

Join us for a full day of FREE activities to ring in the New Year. We have restructured our annual New Year’s Eve celebrations to be more inclusive to all ages. 

New Schedule for New Year’s Eve Celebrations:
9-11 a.m. Gym & Swim, Paul Reynolds Community Centre
5-7 p.m. Skating Party at The Loop, Bannerman Park
7-8 p.m. Countdown Celebration at Quidi Vidi Lake, Carnell Drive
8 p.m. Fireworks over Quidi Vidi Lake
11:30 p.m. Countdown Celebration and midnight pyrotechnics, George Street

ChillFest
Febrary 13 - 17, 2020
 
St. John’s ChillFest is an annual community-wide celebration of winter, with a variety of events and activities taking place Feb. 13-17. ChillFest includes both indoor and outdoor events; there's something for everyone - plus everything is free of charge to attend. Additional events will be added as details are confirmed.