Saint John 
Credit: Uptown Saint John
It is the most wonderful time of the year, and there are a lot of fun things to do around Saint John this holiday season. Spend some quality-time with friends and family at one of these great events. To make the holidays a little easier, here is a list of holiday events taking place this year in Saint John.
Santa Claus Parades & Light Displays
Annual Pre-Parade Party at Market Square
Strap on your top hats and wrap up in your favorite scarf because Frosty is coming to Market Square! Kick-off the holiday season at the annual Market Square Pre-Parade Party! Get ready to PARTY before the 66th Annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade!Details
November 16, 2019 at 1 pm
Market Square
Free
Saint John Santa Claus Parade
November 16, 2019 at 7pm
The parade will leave Crown onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Holiday Dreamland
Kick off your holiday season at the annual GIGANTIC lighting ceremony at the Arts & Culture Park. Refreshments and a special visit from Santa are also included in this magical evening.
Details
November 21, 2019 at 6:30pm
Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park, 12 Landing Ct,, Quispamsis
Free
Uptown Sparkles
A little extra to celebrate Uptown Saint John this holiday season! We are expanding our ever-popular Uptown Sparkles one-night event to two additional days and evenings with activities on Thursday evening at the newly created Night Time Market. Once again, we will open the nighttime market with live entertainment, food vendors, hot beverages, along with fire and ice displays!
Details
December 5 to 7, 2019
Uptown Saint John
Christmas Carols & Holiday Concerts
Holly Cole Christmas
You can bet that when Canadian Jazz icon Holly Cole and her impeccable band come to town to spread a little “naughty and nice” that like Santa, they will get you into the holiday spirit! Holly brings fresh faces to well-worn standards and an eclectic selection of holiday material with an uncanny combination of sensuality, innocence, originality and sheer musicality. At this year’s Holiday concert you will enjoy songs from her newly released Juno nominated album HOLLY as well as a thoughtful and interesting selection of seasonal favourites.Details
December 2, 2019 at 7:30pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
Adults: $45, Subscribers: $40
Elvis 68 Comeback Christmas Tour
For the first time, the 2-time World Champion is recreating Elvis Presley’s now historic 68 Comeback Special which was aired 50 years ago on NBC. It was originally going to be a Christmas special so we have combined all your favorite songs from the program including Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, If I Can Dream and more, and combined them with Elvis Christmas favorites Blue Christmas, Silent Night, to Elvis gospel greats Where No One Stands Alone and many more.
Details
December 14, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$40
The Barra MacNeils Christmas
The Barra MacNeils are back with their beautiful Christmas show, so bring your clan to enjoy their show. Their unique seasonal show is crafted each year to bring their own special Celtic spin on traditional favourites and original east coast treasures with songs, stories and dance.
Details
December 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$50 – $55
SNB-Christmas Concert of 2019
SNB will delight everyone with their wonderful Christmas Concert. The show will also feature Guest solo soprano Sally Dibblee and Guest conductor Ken Mallon.
Details
December 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$35.70 to $42
Fortunate Ones: Holiday Show
Fortunate Ones: Holiday Show with special guest Dylan Menzie
Details
December 18, 2019 at 8 pm
Sanctuary Theatre, 228 Germain Street
$25
12 Days of Christmas with George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett
Two super popular Canadian country artists come together on stage for an entertaining evening to celebrate the Holidays. In an acoustic collaboration, Multiple CCMA Award winners George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett perform together sharing stories, songs, and even some friendly comedy.
Details
December 19, 2019 at 8 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$50 – $55
Tomato/Tomato: Tis the Season
Tomato Tomato’s annual holiday homecoming, is packed full of holiday songs and visiting friends. It is a sure-fire way to get you and your family in the Christmas mood.Details
December 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$35 – $40
Canadian Country Music Artist Chris Cumming!
An Acoustic Evening with Canadian Country Music Artist Chris Cummings, featuring Sam Patterson. Come on out for an enjoyable evening of music and listen to Chris play all his top hits and new tracks from his amazing music career.
Details
December 21, 2019 at 8 pm
Punch Lines Comedy Club, 9 Sydney St
$20
Live Theatre
WW2 Radio Christmas
An inter-generational performance that features the music of Port City Five, this moving holiday show recreates the experience of attending a recording of a 1940s radio show broadcast on Christmas Eve during World War II. Using period songs and stories that were inspired by actual veterans, World War II Radio Christmas transports the audience to another time, brought to you by such generous sponsors as Vaseline Hair Tonic and Ipana Toothpaste. An inspiring look at strength in the face of hardship, this play is a reminder of the importance of coming together for the holidays.
Details
December 4, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Loch Lomond Villa Lions Auditorium, 185 Loch Lomond Rd, Saint John
Adults: $20, Seniors/Students/Veterans: $15
The Nutcracker
Gala Ballet Productions proudly presents the classic holiday story by E.T.A. Hoffman, set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Once again, The Nutcracker will deliver 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.Details
December 6 & 7, 2019
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
Adults: $32, Seniors: $29, Students: $22, Subscribers: $27
Retro Film: Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation. Kevin initially relishes being home alone, but soon has to contend with two burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.
Details
December 9, 2019 at 7 pm
Irving Oil Auditorium – Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, Saint John
$10
Other Holiday Themed Events
Senior’s Christmas Tea
Join us in the Atrium for our Annual Senior’s Christmas Tea. Enjoy entertainment, tea, coffee, sandwiches and sweets. What a great outing for you and your friends.
Details
November 20, 2019 at 12 pm
Market Square
Crosby’s Gingerbread Trail at Market Square
Take a sweet stroll through this holiday tradition throughout Market Square! You can find outstanding, creative, sweet pieces of Gingerbread throughout the trail, all unique and magical in their own ways. Come and vote for your favourite Gingerbread creation, ballot box located in the Market Square Atrium!
Details
November 25 at 9 am to December 24, 2019 at 5 pm
Market Square
Free
Cranberry Lane Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration
Stroll along Cranberry Lane this holiday season with colleagues, friends or family. Sumptuous festive lunch and dinner buffets served in a magical environment await you. Cranberry Lane has been a popular Saint John Tradition for 30+ years!
Details
December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20, 2019 from 12 pm to 2 pm and 6 pm too 8 pm
Hilton Saint John, 1 Market Square
Lunch $26.95, Sunday Brunch $26.95, Dinner $38.95
Yuletide Stroll
Join us on Front street for an evening of Christmas cheer. Grog, S’mores, hot cocoa, free ornament making for the little ones, a Yule log, carollers, and a chance to buy gifts from local artisans. Santa Claus may even be making an appearance. Come enjoy an old fashioned holly jolly evening in Peyton.Details
December 14, 2019 from 2 pm to 6 pm
Peyton Junction Marketplace, Front St
Christmas Day Brunch
The hotel lower lobby (formerly Turn of the Tide dining room) sparkles on Christmas day as the Hilton’s culinary team prepare a magnificent Hot & Cold buffet brunch! Featured items on buffet include: carved traditional roast turkey, lobster, AAA beef, chocolate fondue, and many more Christmas favourites!
Details
December 25, 2019, from12 pm to 3 pm
Hilton Saint John, 1 Market Square
$75 per adult and $27.50 per child under 12