What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Dec 6-8, 2024)

Who else is already in countdown mode?! December is here & it’s full of fun activities & outings to keep everyone busy until the holidays! We’ve done our best to find all the Santa parades & photo ops, beautiful holiday vibes, markets, & more – plus the usual non-Christmas ideas, too.

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A few ongoing seasonal highlights to share before we dive into the day-by-day events:

SANTA PARADES & SIGHTINGS

It’s a new take on Friday night lights with the Town of Riverview. Meet at the Riverfront Gazebo at 6pm for a guided tour (5.5km round trip) to enjoy the lights from the Moncton side of Riverfront Trail. Bring your mug for a hot chocolate stop!

Dieppe’s Fun on Ice returns for the winter season, kicking off tonight at Place 1604 from 6:30-8pm. Join the fun as Mayor Yvon Lapierre & council switch the lights on and Santa & Acajoux from Jeux de l’Acadie pop in for a visit. There’ll be music, hot chocolate, bonfires, and of course – skating on the oval! Free, with skate & helmet rentals available.

And don’t forget: The Three Rivers (Petitcodiac) Santa Claus Festival of Lights Parade is tonight at 7pm!

Green Diamond’s annual Kids Day is happening from 9am until noon, with a John Deere themed photo booth, leaf blower races, crats, face painting, and a visit from Santa (10:30-11:30am)!

Shediac’s Multipurpose Centre will host a Christmas market today & tomorrow, 10am-4pm.

Santa will be stopping by the Shediac Legion for breakfast today! Admission for the meal is $10; children 12 & under free. 10am-1pm.

Hubcity Theatre is holding two performances of the classic radio play, Miracle on 34th Street, at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre. This is sure to be a great performance that will put you in the holiday spirit!

Might we suggest pairing your theatre trip with a visit to The Arches of St. George? They’ll have an incredible line up of local vendors in their space from 10am-3pm, along with the amazing treasures at BHome. (If you’re on Instagram & don’t follow BHome, you’re missing one of the best accounts in the city!)

Bar Laitier Amiro Dairy Bar is hosting a painting morning (10am-noon), with a lovely Christmas llama design & an ice cream treat included!

Spend your Saturday afternoon (1-2:30pm) at the Riverview Library with New Brunswick TikTok sensation Larry Canam of Milkshake Mondays! You can enjoy a Q&A, meet Larry, & get those books signed for perfect gifting this season – for yourself or others! (Cash only if you’re going to buy a book, please.)

Riverview’s annual Holiday Hoopla free swim is happening Saturday, 2-3:30pm, at the aquatic centre. There’ll be seasonal music & lots of fun!

Keep the family moving with Riverview’s Free Holiday Hoopla Skate from 3:45-5:15pm. There’ll be holiday music, free hot chocolate, and lots of fun.

And while you’re in Riverview, you can check out the Christmas Market at the Riverview Lions Club, open 9am-4pm. Free entry, more than 80 local vendors & ShangGRILLa food truck on site!

The Wildcats host the Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda this afternoon at 4pm.

Teens looking for an activity Saturday? Check out the Youth Drop In DIY Snowglobe making workshop in Riverview, 6:30-8pm. Free, for ages 12-17.

If you’re up for a short road trip, Kings Landing is open today & tomorrow (and next Saturday & Sunday, too) for their annual Victorian Christmas experience!

Holiday Hoopla fun continues in Riverview with FREE admission to the Indoor Skatepark & Youth Centre all day!

Psst! Not sure if the skatepark is for you? Take a look at my first time trying out a board & you’ll know everyone is welcome!

Maritime Collectibles Market is happening today at the Crowne Plaza, 9:30am-2pm. A great chance to find the perfect gift for the collector on your list!

The Christmas Market at the Riverview Lions Club is open 10am-4pm. Free entry, more than 80 local vendors & ShangGRILLa food truck on site!

Shediac’s Multipurpose Centre will host a Christmas market today, 10am-4pm.

The Mom Market is hosting Cozy in the Cabin, a Christmas market at the Rotary Lodge in Centennial Park. Stop by 11am-3pm.

New Hope Community Church is hosting a Gingerbread House Party tonight, 6-7:30pm, with fun for the whole family. Build – and smash! – a gingerbread house, wear your ugly sweaters for the contest, and enjoy games together.

MORE INDOOR & OUTDOOR FUN

🏊‍♀️ The indoor splash pad at the YMCA North End is an amazing option for kiddos – with public openings every day of the week! Check the schedule as times vary day-to-day; cost to attend for non-member is $6.

🏊‍♀️ For indoor swimming, there are public options at the YMCA Greater Moncton (love their small, warmer pool for little ones – Friday public swim 7-8pm, Saturday public swim 6:30-7:45, & Sunday public swim 2-3pm – thanks to the City, Friday & Sunday swims are just $3/person), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview (Saturday public swims, 2-3:30pm), and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!).

👧 Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.

🎳 Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview, check out glow bowling times at Fairlanes in Moncton, or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.)

🎨 Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!

🪨 Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!

🔫 Book laser tag at Marco’s Clinic or the Sportsdome.

🛹 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!

🛹 There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps!

🔐 Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic usually has a few non-scary, kid-friendly options & Mystery Moncton Mystere is great for the teens & up. There are also online options you can purchase to play on your own time, like … Motive for Murder audio game — A great ‘any time of day’ option for the true crime fans who are up for a little hometown sleuthing. Download a whodunnit set in Moncton!

💥 Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions,  Sunday Lorcana Locals & Pokémon sessions, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events. Check out their September calendar for details.

🎲 If board games are your family thing, check out the great shop on Moncton’s Main Street, Board Miniatures! The have a standing paint and play tabletop session on Sundays.

🐟 Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.

🏫  Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too!

📚 Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.

🤘 BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect.

🎧 There’s a roughly one hour iTour of downtown Moncton’s historical & cultural locations you can use to help you explore – a great way to add a little movement, a little history, and a little fun to your family outings! Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!

🦙 Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!

LOOKING AHEAD

The Salisbury Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 14 at 6:30pm.

Holidays at the Park will be held at Rotary St-Anselme Park on December 14 and 15.

The Town of Beaurivage’s (Richibucto) Christmas parade takes place Sunday, December 15 at 6:30pm.

Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo is open December 12-16, 19-23, 26-31, and January 1-4.

For those days between Christmas and New Years, the Capitol Theatre is always there for us – with the annual Dufflebag Theatre performance! Check out one of the two December 28 performances of Peter Pan.

Mark your calendars now – the City of Moncton’s Family Fun Fest returns for New Yea’s Eve! Enjoy live music, two fireworks shows, yummy treats & so much more!

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