Shop Local in #SJTownsByTheBay This Holiday

Stuck on holiday gift ideas for friends and family who seem to have everything? Saint John & the Towns by the Bay have the unique retailers, restaurants, events, and attractions to help you find the perfect gift you're looking for! As a plus? You'll be supporting local businesses and people who make our region the perfect stay-cation and bay-cation destination all year round.

Need some inspiration? Check out just some of the #ShopLocal opportunities below:

Come On, Entertain Me!

There are so many great acts and events coming to Saint John & the Towns by the Bay in 2023 - why not give the gift of tickets! A few notable ones include:

• Lunasa - February 11th, 2023
• Classified: The Retrospected Tour - March 2nd, 2023
• Saint John Theatre Company: Sense and Sensibility - March 22nd to 25th, 2023
• Canada's Ballet Jorgen: Cinderella - April 27th, 2023
• Area 506 Festival - August 4th to 6th, 2023
• Saint John Sea Dogs Home Game - various dates in 2023

For more event options, check the Imperial Theatre or TD Station event calendars or visit our event calendar here.

Retail Therapy

Find the perfect gift in store or online at any one of the boutiques or stores in the region! Browse stores like In Pursuit Boutique, Sweet Boutique, Lordon, or Pristine for one-of-a-kind clothing options. Pick out beautiful crafts, jewelry, and handworks in galleries like Spicer Merrifield Gallery, Glass Roots Inc., W. Smith & Co. Fine Jewellers, or Handworks Gallery. Discover the perfect creative items at unique shops like Obscurity, The Feel Good Store, Bubbles & Balms, or Heartbreak Boutique.

Not sure what the perfect gift would be? Give the gift of a gift card to any of these shops instead! Don't want to limit your gift-receiver's options to just one store? Why not gift an Uptown Saint John Gift Card that can be used at retailers throughout the uptown core!

Interested in uptown shops but don't want to journey to the city centre? Take advantage of Uptown Saint John BIA's Uptown in Your Town delivery program throughout the holiday season.

There are also stores in East Point Shopping, Lancaster Mall, Market Square, and McAllister Place to explore. Check out of these options and so much more in the shopping and galleries sections of our website.

The Way to Their Heart...

There are SO many fabulous dining options in Saint John & the Towns by the Bay - why not give the gift of a certificate to one of your favourite haunts, a new-to-them restaurant or even a dinner with date included!

Drinks at Hopscotch Whisky Bar, Ka•ku•tə•ru, or Happinez Wine Bar. Dinner at Italian By Night, Berc's Cookhouse, MiMiMi, Mexi's, the Saint John Ale House, or Vito's. Dessert at East Coast Bistro, or picked up from Wild Flours Sweets and Treats. Coffee at Garden Grove Cafe, Java Moose, Station 33 Cafe, or Catapult. Visit the Food and Drink section of our website to help narrow your choices, whether you're looking for dinner, drinks, or a combination of the two!

Experience #SJTownsByTheBay

Learn, taste, experience... give the gift of experiencing #SJTownsByTheBay. Eat and drink around uptown Saint John on a tour with Uncorked Tours. Kayak St. Martin's with Bay of Fundy Adventures. Adventure through the treetops with TimberTop Adventures. Explore the wilderness oasis of Elmhurst Outdoors. Your opportunities for gifting adventure are endless!

Holiday Cheers

Create a personalized 12 beers of Christmas! With so many local brews available, this is a fantastic way to try them! Moosehead Small Batch Brewery, Hampton Brewing Company, Big Tide Brewing Company, Picaroons General Store, Foghorn Brewing Company, Long Bay Brewery, Loyalist City Brewing Co., Gahan House Port City, and more! Want to mix things up? Throw in a Yip Cider, too. Find your next favourite brew at the Food and Drink section of our website!

Family Fun

Whether gifting to the kids, neighbours, or friends, there are some great ways to get the whole family excited! Test your skills at Breakout Saint John, bounce the afternoon away at Oasis Trampoline Park, or compete for bragging rights at Vegas Family Entertainment Centre. Enjoy the great outdoors with Inside Out Nature Centre or Elmhurst Outdoors. Bowling, laser tag and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre are great options, too! 

For all these and more, check out the recreation and outdoor adventures listings on our website.

A Sweet Escape

Everyone needs a change of scenery from time to time, and gifting an overnight or weekend getaway is the perfect way to let loved ones relax and recharge. Book a night at any one of the hotels in the region, like the Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint John, Hilton Saint John, or Chateau Saint John Hotel and Suites. Escape into the woods at La Belle Cabane or Ridgeback Lodge. Get spoiled with a five-course tasting menu and overnight stay at the Shadow Lawn Inn. Experience a retreat to the Bay of Fundy at the Beach Street Inn. There are accommodations for every traveler style, offering the perfect holiday gift! 

Find more places to stay here.

Sit Back and Relax

Saint John & the Towns by the Bay is home to a number of spas throughout the region. What better gift to give then an afternoon full of pampering and relaxation! Breathe a sigh of relief at Intuitions Spa & Salon. Recharge your mind at Nakai Spa. Say goodbye to holiday stress at Serene Physique Massage Therapy. Find your bliss at At the Lake Spa & Studio.

For more spa inspiration, check out the relax & pamper section of our website.

Try Something New

Not sure what to give the person who seems to have everything? Why not give the gift of knowledge this holiday season! Understand the culture and history of Indigenous People in Saint John & the Towns by the Bay with First Nations Storytellers. Discover geological history going back 1 billion years at Stonehammer Geopark. Develop your physical skills with bouldering at Fit Rocks Climbing Gym. Become a woodworking pro at any workshop offered by the Saint John Tool Library. There's so much to learn and explore!

Merry & Bright Date Nights

Hold on to the warmth of the holiday season by gifting a date night to that special someone in your life - whether romantic partner or best friend! Escape reality and feel the rush with Breakout Saint John. Take aim at Woodchucks Axe Throwing. Enjoy a day on the links at one of our many golf courses or driving ranges. Try your hand at cross country skiing on Rockwood Park's trail system and visit Lily Lake for a hot chocolate and snack when you're done. Schedule a group event with Be Rad Adventures and conquer the local trails. Whatever your interests might be, Saint John & the Towns by the Bay offers a number of creative date night options for everyone!