St. John's 
There is only so much that baking gingerbread cookies and drinking hot chocolate will do for your holiday spirit. Luckily, St. John’s has a variety of holiday events going on that will get you into a festive mood. So, grab a festive mug of mulled wine, hot apple cider or hot chocolate and go out and paint the town red. To help you get into the holiday spirit, here is a list of holiday events in St. John’s that you can take part in.
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Christmas Winter Holidays in St, John’s
Christmas Light Displays & Santa Claus Parades
Christmas at Commissariat
Get into the festive spirit with the sights, sounds, tastes, and traditions of an 1830s Christmas in St. John’s during the two weekends of events. Explore the house during the Christmas at Commissariat daytime event where you can enjoy traditional seasonal greenery, holiday music, a taste of Christmas pudding, a sip of hot chocolate, crafts, costumed portraits, and more!Details
November 16 & 17, 2019, from 10 am to 3 pm
The Commissariat, 11 King’s Bridge Road
non-perishable item for Food Bank
Christmas by Candlelight
Enjoy a magical wander through the house by candlelight at your own pace in an informal atmosphere.
Details
November 20, 22, 23, 27, 2019, 7pm – 9pm
The Commissariat, 11 King’s Bridge Road
non-perishable item for Food Bank
Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade
Welcome Santa and his cast of colourful characters, zany clowns, beautiful floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, performing groups, and much more!
Details
November 24, 2019, from 12 pm to 2 pm
Downtown St. John’s
Parade Route: Depart the Fort William Building on Factory Lane and travel along Plymouth Road to Duckworth Street. The Parade then travels through historic Downtown by moving west along Duckworth Street to Prescott Street, down Prescott to Water Street, and west along Water Street, ENDING at Springdale Street!
Free
Festival of Music and Lights
Ring in the holiday season at the annual Festival of Music and Lights. Enjoy musical performances and a free cup of hot chocolate as we officially switch on the beautiful light display. Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Community Food Sharing Association.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 5 pm to 6 pm
Bowring Park
Non-perishable food item for local food bank
Merry & Bright
The MUN Botanical Garden is the home of a spectacular light display in the evening. During the Merry & Bright Holiday Light Festival, you can take a winter stroll, enjoy hot chocolate and be amazed by the spectacular light displays.Details
December 4 to 22 from 5pm to 8pm ( last admittance will be at 7:30 pm)
Memorial University – Botanical Garden, 306 Mt Scio Rd.
Adult (18+): $13.00
Child (3 to 17): $7.00 (ages 2 and under are free)
Family (2 adults & 3 children): $35.00
Festival of Trees
The Annual Festival of Trees and Holiday Gifts gala and auction will be held at the Delta Hotel with host, Anthony Germain. The evening will begin at 6 pm with a Champagne Reception. The silent auction is one of the largest of any local event with over 100 items to bid on. A traditional holiday dinner will be served at 7 pm and will be followed with games of chance, music, dessert auction and a live auction.
Details
December 5, 2019 from 6 pm – 10 pm
Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s Conference Centre, 120 New Gower St.
$150
Christmas Concerts, Theatre and Other Holiday Events
Miracle on George Street
Join for Spirit of Newfoundland Holiday themed Dinner & Show.
November 15 to January 4, 2020
Masonic Theatre, 6 Cathedral St, St. John’s
$72
Christmas Truce
Peace at the war front on Christmas Day during World War I. 104 years ago. A real story. An inspiration, The Christmas Truce performed by 104 voices of boys and young men from the Atlantic Boychoir – Provincial Choir of Boys and Young Men from across Newfoundland. Accompanied by the Atlantic String Quartet, brass quintet and organ with guest conductor Lucius Hemmer (Germany).
Details
November 22, 2019, at 7:30 pm
Basilica of St. John the Baptist, 200 Military Road
$42 – $97
NSO Christmas POPS
Newfoundland and Labrador’s own Robyn Sears takes the stage with Bob McDonald and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra for the Robyn Sears Christmas Special – a reunion of your favourite 80’s CBC classic Christmas show. Featuring the NSO Sinfonia and conducted by Marc David – start your Christmas season with a lovely evening of Christmas classics.Details
November 29, 2019 at 8 pm
Cochrane Centre (Cochrane Street United Church), 81 Cochrane St, St. John’s
$35 to $38
The Magic of Christmas
To celebrate ten years of Christmas joy, we are proudly debuting another new show. “The Magic of Christmas“ features the school’s performing group dancers; examination students and competition dancers.
Details
November 29, 2019 at 7 pm
Sorensen School of Dance
$30
The Naughty List 2
The Naughty List is Back. St. John’s degenerate stand ups want to make right this Christmas by telling naughty jokes for a good cause.
Details
December 2, 2019 at 8 pm & 10 pm
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John’s
$8. All proceeds go to charity.
A Time in the Old Hall: Songs and Recitations of the Season
Newfoundland’s beloved variety concert is alive and well again this Christmas! For a third season, songwriter Sherman Downey joins the From Stage to Stage boys – Dave Paddon, Harry Ingram, Dave Penny and Hubert Furey to spread the spirit of the season across the island. These five charming fellas combine songs, stories, and recitations for a brilliant evening of holiday laughs and Christmas cheer.Details
December 3, 2019 at 8 pm
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John’s
$25
A Christmas Carol – A Live Radio Drama
Step back in time to Christmas Eve, 1944, The Newfoundland Broadcasting Corporation is broadcasting from a makeshift studio at the Hotel Newfoundland. Limited tickets are available to watch the behind-the-scenes madness that unfolds as The St. John’s Players perform a live radio broadcast of the perennial favorite, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol . Whatever could possibly go wrong does!
Details
December 4 to 7, 2019 at 8 pm
Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s Art & Centre
$30 Each | $15 Students; $25 Senior (60 and older)
Holiday Luncheon
Join for Spirit of Newfoundland Holiday themed Lunch & Show. Featuring Shelley Neville & Peter Halley.
December 4 to 23, 2019
Masonic Theatre, 6 Cathedral St, St. John’s
$42.95
Our Divas Do Christmas
It’s not Christmas, till Our Divas Do Christmas! The largest and most lavish Christmas Show in the province, Our Divas has become a holiday tradition! This year’s spectacular and colourful NEW show features lots of new numbers while retaining some of the best-loved favourites. With a cast of more than 150 singers, dancers, musicians, choirs and aerialists, Divas has something for everyone. There will be mummers, dancing Grinches, heartwarming standards, and a tribute to Dads at Christmas.
Details
December 5- 8 at 8pm
Art and Culture Centre
$67.50 Each | $44.50 Students & Children
Handel’s Messiah
A Christmas tradition; the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra under the direction of guest conductor Stephen Candow, together with the Philharmonic Choir of the NSO presents Händel’s Messiah. Set in the historic and captivating Basilica, soloists include Suzie LeBlanc (soprano); Aleks Romano (mezzo-soprano); E. Mark Murphy (tenor); and Joel Allison (baritone).
Details
December 6 – 7, 2019, at 8 pm
Basilica of St. John the Baptist, 200 Military Rd
$35 Each | $28 Students & Seniors
Annual Great Big Chocolate Build
The Great Big Chocolate Build special fundraising event is a twist on the traditional Gingerbread House Build, and will see families and friends come together to assemble and decorate chocolate houses with the help of Newfoundland Chocolate Company Chocolatiers. The decorated houses will be taken home by the little builders to be enjoyed throughout Christmas.
Details
December 7, 2019, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (4 time slots available)
Comfort Inn Airport, 106 Airport Rd.
$35
A Christmas Story
Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story © 1983. Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the mid-west in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
Details
November 29 to 30, 2019
Holy Heart Theatre, 55 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
$20 – $26
Christmas with the Atlantic Girls Choir
Join Atlantic Girls Choir for their holiday concert, Light and Love.
Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 5 PM – 6:15 PM
MUN School of Music, Phelan Road
St. John’s Choir Presents: Noel! Noel!
Under the direction of Stephen Candow and accompanied by Phillip Roberts, this is an evening you do not want to miss. Be sure to bring your singing voices as the choir leads you in a merry sing-along of old favorites!
Details
December 15, 2019
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – The Kirk, 76 Queens Road
$20
Christmas in the Country
Rod Jackson & The Perfect Strangers perform the greatest country Christmas songs of all time. Featuring famous songs from Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and many others. It is an evening of country Christmas favourites that should not be missed, especially if you love county music.Details
December 11, 2019 at 8 pm
55 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
$39.50
Seal Slippers: A Hall Family Panto
The Hall Family Panto is back, this time blending the story of Cinderella and classic teen movies of the 80’s, with a dash of the traditional Newfoundland Mummers play mixed in. It’s the night before the big dance and Buttons and his friends have to help Cinderella get to the ball – but the Old Hag has plans of her own and you know she’s going to do whatever it takes to stop her.
December 12-15 & 18-21, 2019
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John’s
$22 – $30
The Once Christmas
Christmas is around the corner and NL Promotions is bringing back Newfoundland’s favourite Christmas Tribute Show, Kenny and Dolly’s Once Upon a Christmas! Sheila Williams and Don Brenton are back as Kenny and Dolly and they are sure to get you in the Christmas Spirit! Kenny and Dolly are joined by friends Bob McDonald, Kim Conway, and Lorraine Conway for a special Christmas performance. Backed by Lew Skinner, Joe Thompkins, Chris Harnett and Jason White this is one you won’t want to miss! We’ll be home for Christmas and we can’t wait for you to join us!
Details
December 13 to 15, 2019
Gower Street United Church,99 Queens Rd, St. John’s
$42.50
The Nutcracker
Launch your holiday season with one of the world’s most beloved ballets, The Nutcracker. Kittiwake Dance Theatre proudly presents this timeless yuletide classic, featuring choreography by Artistic Director, Martin Vallée and the talents of more than 300 dancers from all across our province.
Details
December 13 – 19, 2019
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Road
$35, $65 Each for December 14 & 15 evening performances with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Christmas with The Salvation Army Hope For The Holidays
Join the Salvation Army for their annual Christmas concert, Hope for the Holidays – Christmas with The Salvation Army. This is an opportunity for the community to join with The Salvation Army and celebrate together, the Hope of the season.
Details
Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm
St. Mary’s The Virgin Church, 1 Cornwell Crescent
$25
Annual Christmas Cantata
Coastal Sounds Choir Association presents its 11th Annual Holiday Concert featuring performances by the Aurora Women’s Choir, the Coastal Sounds Community Choir and a presentation of the 6th Annual Christmas Cantata Project with massed choir and orchestra.
Details
December 18, 2019, from 7 pm to 9 pm
St. James United Church, 330 Elizabeth Ave
$20 Regular, $18 Students/Seniors. Children 12 & under Free.
O Holy Night
O HOLY NIGHT is packed with unforgettable Holiday showstoppers, bringing together Shelley’s family & friends for a stunning event. Newfoundlander’s Cory Tetford and David Pomeroy are coming home to join this show again, alongside Neville’s long-time stage partners Sheila Williams and Peter Halley. With an all-star band and Shelley’s own Dad, and John Neville taking the stage, this is a ‘must-see’ event of the Holiday season.
Details
December 19 & 20 at 7:30 pm
Arts and Culture Centre, Main Stage, 95 Allandale Road, St John’s
$57
Christmas with The Ennis Sisters
With multiple accolades – a Juno Award, SOCAN Award, multiple East Coast Music Awards, and Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards, The Ennis Sisters, comprised of Maureen, Teresa and Karen Ennis, are world-renowned, celebrated songbirds. With their buttery harmonies, and voices as powerful as the Atlantic, it’s in their bones to sing.
Details
December 21 & 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Holy Heart Theatre, 55 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
$35.20 – $42.10
Celtic Christmas
The Irish Descendants and Navigators come together to form a powerful combination once again. The ever-popular Celtic Christmas has become an annual event for these two legendary Newfoundland and Labrador folk groups. Back for their 9th provincial Tour, the show is a wonderful evening of music, laughter, and stories that will awaken the spirit of the season in all who attend.
Details
December 21, 2019, at 8 pm
Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Road, St John’s
$25 Advance until November 15 | $30 After November 15
The Holiday Wassail
The Annual Holiday Wassail is our year-end fundraiser in which we gather mummers, storytellers and musicians for an affordable and family-friendly holiday singalong and celebration. The lineup includes Abigale, Bob MacDonald, Brew Bread and Jam, Jenny Gear & Sandy Morris, Kat McLevey, The Mummers and the Paupers, Shillon Music and more.
Sunday, December 22, 2019, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
George Street United Church, 25 Buchannan St., St. John’s
$15 in advance and $20 at the door
Penning the Carol
Penning the Carol, adapted and performed by Aiden Flynn, is in its 17th year of production and is a solo retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The play supposes that Scrooge and the accompanying cast of characters are created in a session of intense writing and storytelling on Christmas Eve, 1843.
Monday, December 23, 2019, 8:30 PM
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John’s
The Merchant Tavern
Open Christmas Day, The Merchant Tavern ays homage to hard-working people who appreciate fine fare and spirits. Using fresh ingredients from local purveyors and some inspiration, we create dishes that will make you feel sated.
Details
291 Water Street, St. John’s, NL
St. John’s Fish Exchange Kitchen & Wet Bar
The St. John’s Fish Exchange Kitchen and Wet Bar is open on Christmas offering fresh fish and chicken dishes.
Details
351 Water Street, St. John’s NL