There's "Snow" Place Like #SJTownsByTheBay for the Holidays ❄

November 17, 2022


It's the most wonderful time of the year, and there is plenty to explore to fill your spirit with holiday cheer.

From tree lightings to craft markets, theatre performances to choral sing-alongs and all the festivities in between, let Saint John & the Towns by the Bay charm you this festive season!

Uptown Sparkles

Uptown Saint John | December 2nd, 2022

Experience the old-world charm of the uptown core at Uptown Saint John's Uptown Sparkles! Outdoor fire pits, ice sculpting, live music, festive light displays, special retail promotions and so much more. Enjoy the Mayor's Tree Lighting, the historic City Market lit up in spectacular splendour, and carolers walking along the cobblestone streets. It's Christmastime in the city, and tonight is the most special evening to enjoy the season uptown.

Miracle on 34th Street

Imperial Theatre | November 23rd to 26th, 2022

Once hired for the holiday season, a kind man's generous spirit spreads goodwill throughout New York City. This department store Santa gives the most precious gift of all: something to bellieve in. Capture the spirit of the holidays with Saint John Theatre Company's original adaptation of the timeless classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Tickets can be purchased here.

Craft Markets

Various Locations | Various Dates

November 18th to 20th: Sleigh it ain't so - Rhoda's Christmas Celebration is back! Visit TD Station to take in a variety of vendors and have a chance at winning the grand prize valued at $1000.

 

November 18th to December 10th, Fridays and Saturdays: Tackle your holiday shopping list at Belding Hill Farm's first-ever Outdoor European Style Christmas Market. The focus will be on eating, drinking, and socializing with friends and strangers while shopping for some of those hard-to-buy-for family and friends from local craftspeople and artisans. Want to bring your littles with you? There will also be family-friendly activities to enjoy earlier in the day - yule be sorry if you miss this unique market!

 

November 26th to December 18th, Saturdays and Sundays: Spark the holiday magic at the Village of St. Martin's Christmas in the Village Craft Market! Don't forget your non-perishable food item for their Grinch Food Drive.

 

November 26th: You'll be walking "au royaume de bonhomme hiver" at ARCf's Marché de Noël communautaire. Artisans from around the region will have a diverse offering of jewelry, baked goods, ornaments, decorations, and more!

 

Until December 2nd, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: Big Brothers Big Sisters' Little Christmas Shoppe holiday fundraiser brings together a unique mix of popular locally sourced and handmade products, all in support of their youth mentoring programs. Spruce up your holiday shopping at this market in support of a great cause!

 

November 26th to December 4th, Saturdays and Sundays: A local favourite market is back once again - check out Kredl's Craft Fair to shop a full house of artisans, crafters, local businesses and yummies guaranteed to make your Christmas spirit soar.

 

December 2nd to 4th: Craft NB's Christmas Festival is the biggest curated fine craft event of the year in New Brunswick! Shop from Craft NB's juried members; from ceramics to photography, craft coffee, hand-dyed clothing and fibres, wood turn bowls and so much more! Support your local craft community and shop directly from the source this holiday season - it's orna-meant to be!

 

December 2nd to 3rd: If you enjoyed the Saint John Seaglass Festival this past August, you won't want to miss their Christmas event at Market Square! It's "fir sure" to be a great event, filled with notable local seaglass makers.

 

December 2nd: Join Heroes' Beacon for their 2nd annual Christmas Crafters Pop-up Market. Visit a plethora of local artist and vendors for a one-night tree-mendous spectacular!

 

December 3rd: Can we get a round of Santa-plause? Bates Barn's Olde Tyme Christmas Local Artisan Market is back! Experience story time with Father Christmas, visit one of the on-site food trucks, browse the vendors, and bring a new toy/book/non-perishable food item as a donation for the Food Bank.

 

December 3rd: Add some handicrafts and artistic gifts to this year's shopping list at the YMCA of Greater Saint John's Holiday Market! Find crafts, photos, toys, international and personalized clothes, jewelry, ornaments, trinkets, and more all made by local artisans, crafters, businesses and knitting groups. There's snow doubt about it, it's sure to be a great event!

 

December 4th: May your day be merry and bright while shopping at the Quispamsis QPlex Holiday Market in support of Heart and Stroke NB! Pick out a gift for someone special, or find something unique for yourself!

 

December 10th: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so join Lakewood Heights School for their first annual Holiday in the Heights Christmas Market! Get your friends and family together for this local shopping experience.

Festive Performances

Various Locations | Various Dates

November 27th and December 4th: All is calm and bright at The Saint John Early Music Festival's Silent Night - A Candlelight Concert featuring New Age Arrangements of Traditional Carols. Admission is by freewill offering at the door. Please note, masks are required for these performances.

 

November 29th: Experience a beautiful evening of holiday music from Newfoundland at Ennis Sisters Christmas. With a mix of original songs, holiday classics, humorous recitations and a little Irish step-dancing, the evening is sure to ignite your festive spirit.

 

December 1st: God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to skewer everything from fruit cake to Boxing Day in an all new and special holiday addition - God is a Scottish Drag Queen Christmas Special

 

December 9th and 10th: Gala Ballet Productions proudly presents the classic holiday story by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker, set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Feel the magic of the season in this annual holiday tradition for the whole family. Local dancers share the stage with guest principal artists from some of Canada's most renowned professional ballet companies.

 

December 10th: Have yourself a merry little Christmas at the Saint John Men's Chorus and Cantores Celestes Maritimes String Quartet performance of Winter Solstice, music celebrating the Christmas season. Please note, masks are required for this event.

 

December 11th: Bring your family along for some holiday cheer at The Wickhams Christmas at Pemberley, presented by Theatre New Brunswick. Great theatre, a great story, and great memories to be made! 

 

December 15th: Uplifting, heartwarming, hilarious and inspiring, with enough Christmas fun to fill a magical sleigh! Enjoy Mike Biggar's Songs of the Season with Jessica Rhaye and Friends!

 

December 22nd: What better way to get in the holiday spirit than at A Down Home Christmas with Tomato/Tomato. The feel-good, high-energy vibe of their performance is the perfect way to bound into a New Year!

Local Favourites

Various Locations | Various Dates

November 23rd: Kick off your holiday season at the Quispamsis Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Arts & Culture Park. Bring your mug from home to enjoy a hot beverage at the event and visit the table near the stage to enter to win 1 of 10 Solar Power Banks. Light refreshments and a special visit from Santa are also part of this magical evening.

 

November 26th to December 17th, Saturdays: Santa Claus is coming to town on Saturdays with Santa at Market Square! Enjoy the Christmas decorations, music, Christmas shopping while you wait for your turn with Saint Nick. 

 

November 26th: Join the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield at Unity Park for the Mayor's Tree Lighting! You'll be singing joy to the world at this wonderful family event, featuring live music, the tree lighting, and Christmas carols.

 

November 28th to December 24th: Why spend time traveling through the seven levels of the candy cane forest and past the sea of twirly-swirly gumdrops, when you can experience your own winter adventure throughout uptown Saint John? Take a magical winding tour of gingerbread displays at local businesses during The Ginger Agency's Gingerbread Trail!

 

December 3rd to 10th: Deck the halls at the Town of Hampton's Light Up the Town and Shop the Town! Tour through the beautiful light displays in the neighbourhoods, while supporting their local businesses with great deals.

Reconnaissance du territoire

La région de Saint John est située sur le territoire traditionnel et non cédé des nations Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq et Peskotomuhkati. Ce territoire est couvert par des traités de paix et d’amitié conclus avec la Couronne britannique au cours des années 1700. Les traités ne cédaient ni le territoire ni les ressources, mais reconnaissaient les titres des Wolastoqiyik, des Mi’Kmaq et des Peskotomuhkati, en plus d’établir les règles pour ce qui se voulait une relation durable entre nations. 

Envision Saint John : l’agence de croissance régionale rend hommage aux aînés, passés et présents, et aux descendants de ce territoire, et s’engage à aller de l’avant dans un esprit de vérité, de collaboration et de réconciliation.