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:

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, 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.

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!) a VIP bar (with shorter lines!) and a 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.

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.

Great question. The experts’ll tell you that it’s best to just let them run it off and hope that they head for the exit. Honestly that will have to be a game-time decision.

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.

You can! Register here and we’ll touch base with more details.

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? 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 approved for media access.

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

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 the comment section of a completely unrelated Facebook post. 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. Single day passes start at $119 and they’re on sale now. There are a limited number of passes available at each pricing tier, and the experience is the same, the only thing that changes with the tier is the price you pay.

A limited number of Early Bird Weekend Passes were available that were specially priced for early supporters. Early Bird sales ended March 31. Tier 1 Weekend passes are on sale now and are still a great deal — $249 for three full days of music. You can check out the rest of the ticket options here.

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. Why would you even want to?