Fredericton

Fredericton (; French pronunciation: [fʁedeʁiktœn]) is the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, which flows west to east as it bisects the city. The river is the dominant natural feature of the area. One of the main urban centres in New Brunswick, as of 2026, according to the city's update on building development, it has a population of approximately 79,000 with the metropolitan population in 2025 estimated at 125,303. It is the third-largest city in the province, after Moncton and Saint John. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities, The University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, as well as the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, New Brunswick Community College and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue. The city hosts the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting regional and international jazz, blues, rock, and world artists. The city also hosts the Garrison Night Market during the summer months which showcases many local vendors, artists, and musicians. Fredericton is also an important and vibrant centre for the region's top visual artists with artists such as Goodridge Roberts, and Molly and Bruno Bobak having lived and worked here. As a provincial capital, its economy is tied to the public sector; however, the city also has a growing IT and commercial sector. The city has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province and the highest per capita income of any city in New Brunswick.