New Brunswickers welcome 2026 with levees, polar dips

New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault is pictured hosting her first New Year’s Day levee at Government House in Fredericton on Jan. 1, 2026. (Nick Moore/CTV Atlantic)

New Brunswickers were eager to welcome 2026 on Thursday, attending New Year’s Day traditions across the province.

New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault hosted her first New Year’s Day levee at Government House in Fredericton.

“It’s great to have this opportunity to greet people from New Brunswick, from all over New Brunswick, because everyone is welcome,” said Imbeault, who took photos and met with attendees throughout the event. “I want this house to be known as the “Citizen’s House.’ It’s called Government House, but really it belongs to the citizens of New Brunswick.”

In Saint John, Mayor Donna Reardon hosted the city’s New Year’s Day levee at ‘Ihtoli-Maquhamok Gathering Space’ by the boardwalk. In Miramichi, Mayor Adam Lordon hosted the city’s New Year’s Day Levee at the Knights of Columbus Hall, recognizing city staff retirees and community volunteers.

New Brunswickers also gathered at several beaches and lakes across the province for polar dips, including Killarney Lake in Fredericton.

“This is the fourth year we’ve had this organized,” said Rick Stairs, who cut a rectangle into the frozen lake to find cold water for participants. “We had 50 (people) the first year, 100 the second year, over 200 last year, and probably over 200 probably this year.”

“Everybody wants a challenge, and this is a good day to do it.”

It was Stephanie Beach’s third New Year’s Day taking part in the Killarney Lake polar dip.

“Normally you can walk in, but this year you’ve got to plunge in a bit more,” said Beach. “This year has been much colder.”

For Joanna Dinan, it was her first polar dip and something she’s been waiting do for many years.

“It was euphoric, it was amazing,” said Dinan. “It was really cold at first, but then I went numb and all of a sudden it was refreshing and awesome.”

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