AREA 506 exists to celebrate the best of New Brunswick. It’s the music we make and the music we listen to. It’s the culture that surrounds us and that makes us who we are. It’s all of the amazing art, crafts, goods and services that are created right here at home.

Since 2016, AREA 506 has brought all of these things together to create engaging experiences and engaged New Brunswickers. 

We sure are! Mark your calendars for August 2, 3 & 4, 2024!

As always, it’s on the New Brunswick Day long weekend — it just seems fitting for a celebration of everything NB. For 2024, that’s August 2, 3 & 4.

The Festival pops up in the space beside the Waterfront Container Village at Pugsley Terminal. You may also know it as ​‘the parking lot immediately adjacent to the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village’ at 85 Water St. There will be a big tent — you won’t miss it.

Well, that depends — who’s your favourite band? 

On Friday night (August 2) the gates open at 5:30PM. On Saturday & Sunday (August 3 & 4) the gates open at 2PM.

There is no parking available on-site, but our friends at TD Station have graciously offered their parking lot to festival attendees over the weekend. If that doesn’t work for you, uptown Saint John has tonnes of available parking options.

Yes! Thanks to our friends at ANBL Safe Ride, you’ll have a safe and reliable way home. Stay tuned for updates.

Yes, for sure! The whole site is recently paved and relatively flat to help with getting around, and we’ve done our best to create space for anyone with mobility challenges. If you have specific questions, please email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Well, there are loads of options – everything from single day tickets to VIP Weekend Passes & Pods. Just keep in mind that all of the pricing you see is plus tax & fees! Check out the details here.

No. All pricing is + tax & fees.

Plus. Like, ​‘in addition to’.

VIP tickets include access to a preferred viewing area along the waterfront and to the side of the stage that provides great sight-lines, dedicated VIP washrooms (with touchless sinks!) and a VIP bar (with shorter lines!) and — new this year — concierge service.

Note that VIP passes are only for those 19 years of age and older.

Yes! We’ve made a select number of pods available within the VIP area because we heard somewhere that you really like pods. Pods are 10’ x 14’ and can hold up to 10 people comfortably – they include all of the VIP amenities, plus your own private seating. Think of it like your own little party cabana.

Yes, there’s a GA section and a VIP section. Within the VIP section, there are some pods, along with the regular standing room and some extra seating.

Sorry, no personal chairs in the concert site. As always, we’ll have some seating options available, but you should leave any folding/​portable/​camp chairs at home. If you need to take a break from the action, you can also visit the Container Village where you’ll find additional seating.

Apologies, but we do not currently have an in-person option for purchasing tickets. All tickets are sold online at area506​.ca.

Yes! You can use cash at most vendors, and in the merch tent. We’ll be using tokens again for the bar, but you can still buy those with cash, credit or debit.

Uh, YES. We might even go as far as to say ​‘encouraged’. We’ll try to make sure our photographer gets a snap.

Nope! This experience is open to anyone, and if you’re 12 or younger, you can even attend for FREE in General Admission as long as you’re with your grown-up! Not in the VIP area, though — that’s only for those 19+. 

Bring your grown-up with you to the gate, we’ll check everyone’s IDs and get you situated. Everyone receives a wristband at the gate.

AREA 506 is a rain or shine event. We promise you won’t melt, and — as they say — the show must go on. It’s actually one of the reasons we get that big tent!

As long as it’s safe, we’ll be here. May we recommend picking up some ​‘weather-appropriate attire’? Ask your mom, she’ll know what to do. She tried to teach you in junior high.

PRO TIP: get yourself one of those fold-up ponchos. REAL pros know you get a clear one so everyone can still see your ​‘fit.

Yes, they call that ​‘re-entry’. Like with astronauts. You can re-enter with your ticket and wristband.

OK, but really — how much stuff do you need for one day? You can bring a reasonably-sized bag with you — a purse or a small backpack. How big is ​‘reasonable’? Well, whatever size you choose, security is going to check it at the gate, so you can be sure that everyone waiting behind you in line will have an opinion on what’s reasonable. 

Bring a sweater, it’s the waterfront and it can still get chilly at night. You can bring one (sealed) bottle of water and/​or your (empty) refillable water bottle to use at the Refill Station by Culligan Water.

Things you will want to leave at home: folding chairs, umbrellas, pets (see next question), and bad vibes.

Pets are welcome in the Waterfront Container Village (on their leash AND their best behaviour) but no, no furry/​fluffy/​scaly friends will be allowed the licensed, ticketed area.

Unless they have their own ticket, maybe? But how would they even get that — does your dog have a credit card?

Lots of places! Our first suggestion is always with our friends at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Saint John, but there are lots of other options – try the hotel tool at Discover Saint John here.

Ah, you’re probably looking for a Newschaser group. Or perhaps the comment section of a completely unrelated post. Twitter used to be great for that too, but it’s kind of a dumpster fire lately. If you decide to give it a try, make sure to tag us! @area506fest

Well, if you get in on it, Early Bird Weekend Passes are just $229 and they give you the very best bang for your festival-going buck, but you’ve got other options that start at $109.

There were a limited number of Early Bird Weekend Passes available that specially priced for early supporters. Early Bird sales are over now, so your Weekend Pass is where you’ll get the best bang for your festival buck — they’re just $259, but only until June 30.

10. All pods are in the VIP section, are 10’ x 14’ in size and can accommodate up to 10 people. They’ve got some seating in them. They’re pretty good! Reminder: the VIP section is reserved for those 19+.

At par.

Nobody accepts Dogecoin.

Nope, you can have five. Nine. Four. Two. Even ONE if you wanna treat yourself. You do you.

Hmmm, how about ​‘via courier’? They’re bonded, it’s safe. It may take a few days, though, depending on your location. What about one of those Harry Potter owls? That might be faster if you can get your hands on one. Plus, it would be pretty cool. You could send an e‑transfer. Or hold that IOU over your friend’s head until next time you need to move.

We’ve also heard stories from days of yore where people went into banks, made withdrawals, and then paid their friends with cold, hard cash. 

What we’re saying here is that there are options. Wait, do you want the Dogecoin?

Nope. Your purchase will give you 10 tickets, and you can distribute those however you like. (as long as that’s to fans who are at least 19)

You sure can. Tickets went on sale on at 5PM on Thursday, February 8. Don’t wait, though: Early Birds are already gone.