NOVEMBER 2024
14 Ways to Get in the Winter Holiday Spirit in NB
Get ready for this Winter Holiday season with fun family adventures across New Brunswick that will make unforgettable memories and bring your loved ones together. Discover what events are happening near you and learn about can’t-miss festivities that are worth the road trip. From far and wide New Brunswick, here are 14 ways to get in the winter holiday mood.
Get Started on Holiday Shopping
Excellence NB has brought together some of New Brunswick’s best local businesses this winter holiday season to build a Holiday Collection. From a present for your mom to needing help with what to have for Christmas dinner, we can help you prepare for this holiday season and have you shopping locally.
Browse through the dozens of New Brunswick-crafted products. Shop Small, Give Big.
Shop Local Holiday CollectionGo to a Santa Parade
Big or small, almost every town in New Brunswick is hosting a Santa Claus Parade, and you will not want to miss out! From silly decorations to singing along with the season's songs, it’s always great seeing everyone get together and see what the community has created for their floats. Here are a few Parades happening around New Brunswick. Let us know which other ones we need to include in the comments below!
• Fireman’s Santa Claus Parade Dec 7, Saint Andrews
• 70th Annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade Nov 16, Saint John Centre
• Christmas Parade de Noël Nov 16, Edmundston
• Christmas Parade de Noël Nov 22, Main Street, Shediac
• Lancaster Santa Claus Parade Nov 23, Lancaster
• Royale Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade Nov 23, Moncton
• 25th Annual KV Santa Claus Parade Nov 30, Rothesay
• Santa Claus Parade Nov 30, Fredericton
• Christmas Parade de Noel Dec 6, Bathurst
• It's a Charlotte Country Country Christmas Parade Dec 6, St. Stephens
• Annual Christmas Parade Dec 7, Sussex
See a Tree Lighting Ceremony
Lights, like stars in the night sky, unite cultures across the globe with their shimmering glow, creating a shared sense of togetherness and hope that we all hold dear. A Tree Lighting ceremony is a great opportunity for all to gather and share this radiant sense of unity and promise. These events can have fantastic food, local vendors selling holiday goods, and fun activities for kids too!
• Light Up Riverview Nov 21 - Jan 1, Riverview Park, Riverview
• Saint Andrews Downtown Tree Lighting Nov 29, Town hall and Market Square, Saint Andrews
• Lighting of the Tree of Hope Nov 22, Shediac
• Mayor’s Tree Lighting Dec 6, Sussex Rotary Amphitheatre, Sussex
• Uptown Sparkles Dec 6, King Square, Saint John
Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
A tradition passed on for generations is the annual visit to a Christmas Tree Farm to pick out a unique tree to hang your decorations and hide your presents. Most are cash only and open in mid to late November. Fresh-cut pine trees will hold their needles for 3-4 weeks, but dress for the occasion; it's cold!
• Lo-Hi Farm 6531 Route 101, Hoyt
• Perry’s Tree Farm 59 ch Perry Settlement Road, Perry Settlement
• Yuletide Christmas Tree Farm 1970 rt.112 Upper Coverdale Road, Moncton
• Crawford Family Christmas Tree Farm 300 ch Royalton Road, Royalton
• Chase’s Christmas Tree Farm 416 rue River Street, Fredericton
• Memramcook Valley Tree Farm 493 Memramcook East, Memramcook
• Balsam Ridge Christmas Tree Farm 479 Route 617, Fredericton
• Alan’s Christmas Trees 940 Route 495, Rexton
Shop at Christmas Markets
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind gift made with love and care? Want some unique decorations that are handcrafted with skill? Try shopping at a Christmas market this winter to find special items to bring your home to life and get the perfect gift you won’t find anywhere else. From small-town craft fairs to giant markets, each Christmas Market is different and offers new and exciting treasures.
Find New Brunswick Christmas MarketsTaste the Season by Visiting a Chocolatier
Every year at this time, chocolatiers create special holiday-themed treats and decorate their locations to become a winter wonderland. Whether you want a lovely gift for a loved one or maybe a snack for yourself, be sure to stop and experience the chocolate New Brunswick has to offer. Little known fact is New Brunswick is home to one of Canada’s oldest chocolatiers; Ganong is celebrating their 150th anniversary as it opened in 1873.
• McGuire Chocolate Company 174 rue Water Street, Street. Andrews
• Ganong: The Chocolate Museum 73 blvd Milltown Blvd, St. Stephen
• Adorable Chocolat 395 rue Main Street, Shediac
• Fancy Bites by Nancy 215 rue Main Street, Unit G, Fredericton
• Chocolat Voyageur 136 rue Ellen Street. Miramichi
• LaRouere Chocolat 150 rue Weldon Street, Moncton
• Gateries JR’s Treats 2104 rue Amirault Street, Dieppe
• Confiserie Andréa Confectionery 120 rue Main Street, Bathurst
Hot Chocolate at a Local Cafe
From candy-cane-sweetened drinks to Christmas tree-shaped cookies, we all love to visit a local cafe when the snow starts to fall. If you are on a date or just catching up with old friends, it always helps to put us in the holly jolly mood to sit in a local coffee shop and embrace the season. Here is a list of our favourite cafes in New Brunswick that are a delight to visit during the lead-up to the winter holidays.
• Cali.Co Cafe 1 rue Allan Street, Miramichi
• Boulangerie Seoul 3136 ch Woodstock Road, Fredericton
• Epoch Chemistry Coffee House 400 rue St George Street, Moncton
• Aloha Cafe-Boutique 41 rue Principale, Lameque
• Auberge d’Anjou-Cocooning Café 587 rue Principale, Petit-Rocher
• Honeybeans Coffee Tea & Treats 180 rue Water Street, Saint Andrews
• Picadilly Coffee Roasters 33 ave Rosemont Avenue, Sussex
Take a Weekend Getaway
During this holiday season, be sure to practice some self care. Make a new tradition for yourself and take a weekend getaway to escape before the season's chaos really sets in. Or add a gift card to your wish list! Nothing will ring in the new year better, we promise.
• Algonquin Resorts 184 rue Adolphus Street, St. Andrews
• Sugarloaf Provincial Park 596 ch Val-d’Amour Road, Atholville
• Savasana Nordic Spa 3586 Route 465, Beersville
• Broadleaf Ranch 5526 Route 114 Hopewell Hill, Albert County
• Ledges Inn 30 alée Ledges Inn Lane, Doaktown
Build a Gingerbread House
Whether you want to make it from scratch or buy a boxed set from the store, building a Gingerbread House is a staple for getting in the holiday spirit. Uptown Saint John has a Gingerbread Trail of businesses taking part in displaying a gingerbread house in their stores.
Watch for them from December 2nd to 24th as you take a lovely walk through Uptown.
Experience the Local Theatre
This year, we are in for a treat with the selection New Brunswick theatres have chosen for their holiday shows. From classics that never get old to a new story being told, make sure to see a production at a local theatre this season to support the local arts.
• Noel En Acadie Nov 30, Centre Molson Canadian Centre, Casino NB, 21 prom Casino Drive, Moncton
• Nutcracker Dec 5-10, Théâtre Capitol Theatre, 811 rue Main Street, Moncton
• A Classic Country Christmas Dec 7, Centre Molson Canadian Centre, Casino NB, 21 prom Casino Drive, Moncton
• O Holy Night Show Dec 8, Centre Maillet Centre, 12 Ave Ben-Martin Ave, Saint-Basile
• All I Want For Christmas Dec 8-9, Fredericton Playhouse, 686 rue Queen Street, Fredericton
• Elvis Rockin’ Christmas Dec 14, Centre Molson Canadian Centre, Casino NB, 21 prom Casino Drive, Moncton
• The Nutcracker Dec 13-15, Imperial Theatre, 12 rue King Square Street, Saint John
• Home for Christmas Dec 20-22, Fredericton Playhouse, 686 rue Queen Street, Fredericton
Enjoy the Snow with a Sleigh Ride
Dashing through the snow… on a one-horse open sleigh… over hills, you will go… laughing all the way! One fantastic thing about living near the countryside is the super fun outdoor activities! If you wish to take your kids for a new experience or have a romantic date, there is no reason not to go for a sleigh ride this year.
• Sanwith’s Sleigh Rides 2031 route 620 hwy, Royal Road
• Clark’s Sleigh Rides 379 ch Mainstream Rd, Brighton
• Sunny Side Sleigh Rides 1428 ch Archibald Road, Jacquet River
• Snider Mountain Ranch 461 ch Snider Mountain Rd, Snider Mountain
Try a Holiday-Themed Drink
From Secret Santa to a gift for the hostess, nothing compares to a bottle of someone's favourite. This holiday season, look for NBMade alcohol at the stores. Check out our collection of local drinks in our shop.
Shop New Brunswick AlcoholBuy Holiday Cards
Cards are such an easy and inexpensive way to send a message of love, and isn’t that what the holidays are all about? We have featured a few New Brunswick card companies to show you how you can support small businesses and the fantastic products they can offer.
• PierRo Art Canada
• Tactile Vision Graphics
• Les Cartes Sophie
• Buttercup Cookies
Visit a Local Gift Shop
Running out of time for last minute gifts? Skip the delivery time and shop in person! Check out New Brunswick Gift Shops to find locally owned stores near you that carry New Brunswick-made goodies and your future presents.
• Gifts Galore 569 rue Main Street, Moncton, NB
• La Shop 1633 rue principal Edmundston, NB
• Bliss Gift Boutique 5 rue Acorn St Unit 3, Fredericton, NB
• Living Out Loud 314 rue Main Street Doaktown, NB
• Maritime Crafts, Shirts & More 342 rue Main St Shediac, NB
• Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts 80 blvd Assomption Blvd., Moncton, NB
• The Artisan District 610 rue Queen St, Fredericton, NB
