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 — it’s the 10^th Anniversary! Mark your calendars for August 1, 2 & 3, 2025.

As always, it’s over the New Brunswick Day long weekend — that just seems fitting for a celebration of everything NB. For 2025, that’s August 1, 2 & 3.

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’ll be a big tent — you won’t miss it.

We just announced the lineup. Here’s the poster:

No! 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.

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

On Friday night (August 1) the gates open at 6PM. On Saturday & Sunday (August 2 & 3) 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 in garages and on-street. You could also park at one of the pickup points and take the free ANBL Safe Ride shuttle.

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

This year, the shuttle will run from the Festival site to the Moosehead Taproom, to the Irving Oil Field House, and to the Rothesay Arena.

The shuttles run in continuous loops between the Festival site and the individual pickup points from 6PM until 1AM all three nights.

Yes, for sure! The whole site is recently paved and relatively flat to help with getting around, and we work to create space for anyone with mobility challenges on an individual basis. If you have specific questions and you’d like to chat, please email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Well, there are loads of options — 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.

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!) a VIP bar (with shorter lines!) and a private deck!

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

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.

AREA 506 is a smoke-free site. There is no smoking or vaping on the Festival grounds.

Sorry, there are 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 visit the Safer Space by Emera New Brunswick on the top level of the Viewing Deck, or take a stroll through 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.

Easy! Pace yourself! But if you must know, doors open on Friday at 6PM and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00PM. The first bands will go on shortly after. We will publish set times when they’ve been confirmed — that’ll be closer to the show.

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

Sure. If you register here, you’ll be able to see and sign up for available opportunities.

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 be so bold as to 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, and bad vibes.

OH MAN, have we got food options! Some healthy & some less healthy food vendors and truck options will be available on-site, open all night!

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? Wait, does your dog have a credit card?

We allow phone cameras and point-and-shoot cameras, but cameras with detachable lenses won’t be permitted through the gates unless you’ve been approved for media access.

If you’re looking to apply for a media or photography pass, leave your info here.

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 the comment section of any completely unrelated Facebook post. Twitter (yes, we said Twitter) used to be great for that, but that’s been a real dumpster fire lately.

Well, if you got in on it, Early Bird Weekend Passes were just $229 and they give you the very best bang for your festival-going buck. 

We’ve implemented tiered pricing this year, so the earlier you buy, the more you save. Weekend Passes are now $279 and single day passes start at $129. All of the options are on sale now.

There are a limited number of passes available at each pricing tier, so the earlier you grab yours, the more you’ll save. The experience is the same at each tier, the only thing that changes is the price you pay.

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+.