🎁 Your Ultimate Guide to Local Holiday Markets!

Good morning Saint John Region - This is SJ Today and if your not in holiday mode yet, grab a glass of egg nog or choke down a chicken bone, because Christmas market season is here.

Here’s how we’re kicking off the weekend:

• A run down of every local holiday market we could find 🎄

• Why wait for the Museum to reopen? We can just make it virtual 🖼️

• Area 506 is looking for local talent for next year’s lineup 🤘

Happy Friday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Stuff You Need to Know
🎄✨ Your Ultimate Guide to Local Holiday Markets!

‘Tis the season to shop ‘til you drop (and eat all the holiday treats in between)! Whether you’re on the hunt for unique gifts, cozy vibes, or a chance to snap that perfect family photo with Santa, our roundup of the best holiday markets in the Saint John Region has you covered. Grab your scarf, your shopping list, and your festive spirit—because these markets are ready to make your holiday season sparkle!

Rhoda’s Christmas Festival of Crafts, Antiques, Art & Food
November 15-17 | TD-Station (formerly Harbour Station)
Rhoda’s Christmas Festival is here, with crafts, antiques, and hourly door prizes! Admission is $8, with a grand prize draw valued at $1,000. This is the holiday shopping experience you don’t want to miss!

Rockwood Park Christmas Market
Starting November 15 | Rockwood Park Campground
Step into a winter wonderland at the Rockwood Park Christmas Market, where you can sip mulled wine, enjoy delicious treats, and shop from decorated wooden booths. With Santa, a specialty drink bar, and festive cheer, this is the holiday market to experience. Tickets available on Eventbrite and at the gate!

Grand Bay Westfield Art Sale
November 16 | Brundage Point
Looking for unique holiday gifts? The Grand Bay Westfield Art Group has you covered with paintings and cards galore! Join them at Brundage Point from 10 am to 2 pm for a day of local art and creativity.

Rothesay Yule
November 17 | Rothesay Netherwood School
Brought to you by The Maritime Edit and CAA Atlantic, the Rothesay Yule is a must-attend holiday fundraiser for the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. This indoor and outdoor event will feature a cozy marketplace, live music, magic shows, a petting zoo, and a visit with Santa (complete with a family photo by Enchanted Hill Photography). Tickets are $25 for adults, and kids get in free. All funds raised will support nurses' and students' education through the Transforming Health Care Fund at the University of New Brunswick.

A Very Merry Market Craft and Vendor Fair
November 23 | Carleton Community Centre
Get merry at the Carleton Community Centre’s holiday market! Discover handmade treasures while supporting Gentle Path Counseling Services. Entry is by donation, and you might even win tickets to the 2024 Twinkle Tour!

UNBSJ Campus Small Vendor Market
November 23 | UNBSJ, Oland Hall
Get your holiday shopping started at the UNBSJ Small Vendor Market, where you’ll find handcrafted jewelry, cozy crochet items, and more. Entry is $2 (or $1 for students). It’s a fun way to support United Way and local artisans!

Christmas on The Common Indoor Market
Starting November 29 | One Gondola Point Road, Rothesay
Holiday vibes await at Rothesay's Christmas on The Common! Beginning November 29 and running for three weekends, this festive market is packed with handcrafted gifts and warm hot chocolate. Free entry and festive cheer are guaranteed, so drop by on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays to check out the goods!

Family Christmas Carnival
November 29 | Saint John First Wesleyan Church
Looking for a festive, family-friendly day out? Head to Saint John First Wesleyan Church for a Christmas Carnival! Enjoy free family photos, crafts, games, and treats like hotdogs, popcorn, and cotton candy. Plus, local vendors will have holiday goodies to browse. It’s all happening on Boars Head Road, with free entry for the whole crew!

Bobby’s Hospice Christmas Market
November 29-30 | Saint John
One of the biggest Christmas markets in Saint John is back! With 175 tables filled with local vendors, you’ll find gifts for everyone (and yourself!). Admission is by donation, and proceeds support patient care. Plus, enjoy raffles, auctions, and a whole lot of holiday spirit.

Kredl’s Craft Fair
November 30 & December 1 | Kredl’s Corner Market
Kredl’s Corner Market is bringing the holiday spirit with Christmas trees, wreaths, and gingerbread cookies! With over 50 vendors offering unique finds, it’s a great spot to kick off December and get into the festive mood.

Christmas Market Supporting Heart & Stoke NB
December 1 | Q-Plex
Get your holiday shopping done and support a great cause at the same time! Head to the Q-Plex on December 1 from 10 am to 3 pm for the Christmas Market in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick. Admission is by donation, and there’s a 50/50 draw for a chance to win big (no need to be present!). Enter through the back entrance, and keep an eye on their page for vendor updates!

MacDonald Consolidated Christmas Stop & Shop
December 2 | Kingston Peninsula
Celebrate the season with a trip to MacDonald Consolidated School’s Stop & Shop! Browse for gifts, enjoy chili and rolls, and enter for a chance to win big in the 50/50 raffle. Admission is by donation, so bring the family and shop for a cause.

Uptown Sparkles
Friday, Dec 6, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Uptown Saint John
Kick off the holiday season in style at Uptown Sparkles, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! Wander through a twinkling wonderland with cozy firepits, live entertainment, festive photo spots, and endless shopping. Enjoy a Jolly Trolley ride, roast marshmallows, and capture a memory at the 360° photo booth. Participating businesses will be open with seasonal delights, and there’s even a “Find Fleaburn” contest for a fun holiday twist. This Uptown tradition is a must-do for everyone looking to soak in the holiday spirit.

Lovely Little Holiday Market
December 7 | Wasted Day Brewery
Sip, shop, and support local at the Lovely Little Holiday Market at Wasted Day Brewery! From 12 pm to 4 pm, peruse unique finds from makers, bakers, artists, and more. Free to enter, so bring friends and enjoy the holiday spirit with a side of craft beer.

Did we miss any?

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NEWS NOTES

The New Brunswick Museum Has One Hell of a Collection of Cool Stuff! 🏺

While we eagerly await the museum's exciting expansion and reopening, the good news is we don’t have to wait to dive into its rich collection. Thanks to a $107,190 boost from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the museum’s website is getting a digital makeover that’ll bring its treasures right to your screen. Soon, you’ll be able to explore exhibits, enjoy educational content, and immerse yourself in New Brunswick’s history—all from the comfort of your own couch. For us locals and tourists alike, the new website will make it easier than ever to enjoy the museum's gems. (g)

Calling All Rockstars 🎸

In a band? Know someone who plays so well that New Brunswick needs to see 'em? Area 506 is on the hunt for homegrown talent to light up their 2025 festival lineup next summer. Musicians across the province, this is your cue! Got a press kit? Links? A demo that’ll knock their socks off? Send it all over by November 30 for a shot to hit the big stage. Friends with a killer band? Forward this along—you might just help them land their breakout moment!

Santa Ain’t Afraid of No Rain 🌧️ 🙅‍♀️

In what we assume is a move to avoid what happened last year, it’s been announced the Santa Claus Parade is happening tomorrow (Saturday) at 6 PM, rain or shine! Also, remember there is a slight change to the route this year - instead of going around King Square, the parade will go up Union Street, turn onto Charlotte Street, then down King Street, across the Viaduct to the North End, and finish at Wellesley and Somerset. Don’t forget Toy or Food Donations and letters to the fat man himself!

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

TODAY

Lana's Christmas Art Show | November 15
Get into the holiday spirit with Lana’s Annual Christmas Art Show! Starting today (3-8 PM) and continuing tomorrow, Saturday, November 16 (9 AM-5 PM) at the Hammond River Angling Association, browse an array of new artwork, including $100 originals, prints, greeting cards, and more. This festive event offers a cash bar for a little extra cheer while you shop. It’s the perfect spot to find unique holiday gifts and enjoy a cozy, creative atmosphere!

All Ages Concert at Haven Music Hall | November 15
Catch a night of live music with Kendra Gale, Charlotte Bartlett, and Peter Hicks (of Sleepy Driver) on Friday, November 15 at Haven Music Hall, 201 Union Street, Saint John. Doors open at 7 PM, and the show starts at 8 PM. Advance tickets are $10, or $15 at the door. This is an all-ages, wet/dry show, so both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be served (ID required for 19+). Kids 15 and under must be with a guardian.

SATURDAY

Indoor Jump Party with Jump For Fun | November 16
Ready to tire the kids out before the Santa Claus Parade? Jump For Fun’s Pop-Up Indoor Jump Party is here to help! On Saturday, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at St. Mark’s United Church, 50 Dexter Drive, Saint John, they’ll have bouncy castles, obstacle courses, and all things inflatable. Rain or shine, it’s a perfect way to burn some energy indoors before the holiday excitement begins!

Art Battle Returns to Saint John | November 16
Get ready for a night of colour and creativity as Art Battle returns to Saint John, Saturday night at the Kent Theate. Watch 12 local artists go head-to-head in a live painting showdown, with the winner securing a spot at the Art Battle Canada National Championship. Proceeds fund the winner’s trip to nationals. Don’t miss it—grab your tickets now, or register as an artist to join the action!

Got an Event to Share?

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YOUR PICS
Where Were We Wednesday? 📸

ANSWER:

As we gear up for Beer Fest this weekend in support of Bobby’s Hospice, we took some time to sample a glass or two in Rothesay this week. This is a picture of the Foghorn patent, which is displayed in the bathroom at Foghorn Brewing…(like you’re not reading this in there right now ​​🧻). Did you know that the steam powered foghorn was invented in Saint John by a Scottish immigrant named Robert Foulis and installed at Partridge Island in 1859?

Thanks for playing and congrats to Dave Hartly with our only correct answer!

Be sure to always tag @sjtoday in your pics to get them featured in the newsletter!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today. If you found it useful, share it with someone that says they have no plans this weekend - they clearly need someone to tell them about everything that’s going on! ℹ️

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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