What to do with the kids in Greater Moncton December 2025

Welcome to the last month of 2025, everyone! Hard to believe another year is wrapping up on the calendar. As we head into a month that’s both filled with busy-busy-busy days and quieter, family-all-at-home days, we’ve decided to do on MEGA December round up.

We’ll list a few groups of activities first – parades, road trips, etc. – then you’ll find a day-by-day guide to holiday happenings, followed by our usual list of fun family ideas (indoor play spaces, outdoor adventures, etc.). (This is a work in progress; we have more everyday events like swimming & skating to add, so keep checking back!)

If you find this resource useful, PLEASE share this post & drop us a note on social media or in the comments. We spend HOURS curating this list each week – and the holiday versions are often the results of DAYS spent scouring dozens and dozens of sites to read & review information. We’re not funded by any government or non-profit – and we’re not really ‘we’ as much as this is one mom on a mission for the past decade to create connection and build community. 💚 My Christmas wish is to know real people are still reading and using this resource. 💚

Santa Parades in December

You can also visit Santa Claus (Claws?) at the Big Lobster in Shediac December 4 at 6pm, or book a visit with him at Bass Pro or Champlain Place.

🚗 A few festive road trip ideas this season:

Sticking closer to home, Magnetic Hill Wharf Village & Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo with a walk/drive to enjoy The Riverfront Lights in Riverview make for a majestically beautiful night of lights. And little ones along with those young at heart will love a visit to Trueman’s – with train rides (Saturday & Sundays), three holiday villages set up to admire and a trail filled with theme-decorated trees, a bear-building workshop, their amazing ice cream & other treats, and visits from Santa Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-4pm. (Reserve your visit with him in advance to avoid any disappointments!)

Wild Lights is a fantastic outing for all ages, walking through the Magnetic Hill Zoo to see hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, two light tunnels, a polar bear bench, musical light show, outdoor fire pits, treats, some animals, & more! The displays will be open Thursdays through Mondays, 5-8:30pm (you must exit by 9:30pm), as well as Dec 23, Dec 26-31, and January 1-3. (We suggest booking your tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment; cost is $14/person.)

Dieppe’s skating oval at Place 1604 is open(10am-9pm) for the season and so is the Ian Fowler Rink outside the Avenir Centre (10am-10pm). Dieppe’s oval has free skating rentals on site Friday, Saturday, & Sundays at certain times. Both spaces are free to use. (Fun on Ice, the weekly music events at Place 1604, start on December 5 & run until February 27.) Check Dieppe ice conditions here & Moncton conditions here.

DAY BY DAY DECEMBER EVENTS IN GREATER MONCTON

Quickly identify:
🛍️ markets
🎅 parades & special events
🎶 concerts & performances

🛍️Mountain Rose Lodge (on Homestead Road) is hosting a weekly Wednesday evening Holiday Market this year. Think vintage decor, holiday music, hot cocoa bar, and locally made crafts, gifts, and goodies. A perfect way to start a drive to look at Christmas lights! Free entry, open 4-7pm, December 3, 10, & 17.

🎅 Salisbury lights up Highland Park on Thursday, December 4, with a live performance by the SBC junior choir, hot chocolate and cider, outdoor vendors, and a visit with Santa! The fun begins at 5:30pm. Salisbury firefighters will be on hand, collecting turkeys & hams for Salisbury Helping Hands Food Bank, too.

🎅 Santa Claus (Claws?) is coming to the Big Lobster in Shediac! He’ll stop by on Thursday, December 4 at 6pm. There’ll be music, free hot chocolate, and lots of festive fun!

Aura: A Moncton Holiday Experience transforms the Moncton Market on Thursday evenings this December, with cocktail & cooking classes led by Brix Experience, music, wreath making workshops with Shawbrook Farm, holiday films projected outside, and so much more! (We suggest booking in advance for some of the special activities, as spaces are limited.)

🎶 The Academy of Classical Ballet & Modern Dances’ Nutcracker takes over the stage the Capitol Theatre December 4 to 7.

🏒 Moncton Wildcats host the Saint John Sea Dogs Thursday, December 4 at 7pm.

🛍️The Bouctouche Christmas Market is open Friday, December 5 (4-8pm) & Saturday, December 6 (9am-5pm); it’s worth the drive!

⛸️Dieppe’s Fun on Ice is back for the season! Each Friday night from 6:30-8pm enjoy music, bonfires, free hot chocolate, maple taffy, and skate & helmet rentals. This week, music is by Max & Miguel.

🎅 The Petitcodiac Santa Claus Festival of Lights Parade takes place Friday, December 5 at 7pm. This is always a popular parade – lots of love for the many floats, but a quieter experience for families who don’t love the crowds of the cities.

🏒 Moncton Wildcats host the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Friday, December 5 at 7pm.

Tantramar’s Moonlight Madness is back this Friday, December 5 – and so are the fireworks! Postponed from the Fall Festival, you can expect the sky to fill with colourful displays at 6pm; suggested watching spot is the hill outside Marshview Middle School. You can find lots of great deals at local businesses, Santa will be in town, and there are wagon rides, too!

Riverview’s Youth Drop In in hosting a Holiday Hoopla Hot Chocolate Bar and craft night for ages 12-17, 7-9pm at the Riverview Community Hall on Friday, December 5.

🍗Today is the last day to drop off turkey donations for the annual Sue Stultz & Local 999 Moncton Firefighters Association Turkey Drive. If you’re new to the area, please read the lovely story on their website: Sue was a community champion who saw a need and began this drive in 1991, wanting to ensure every family could have a turkey for Christmas. This has been a cornerstone event of the holiday season for generations and helps so much; please give if you can!

🥞 Hillsborough Kiwanis is holding a community breakfast, 8-10am on Saturday, December 6.

🥞 St Andrews Presbyterian Church is hosting a community breakfast, 8:30-11am on Saturday, December 6.

🛍️ Shediac is filled with holiday fun the first weekend in December, with a Christmas Market at the Multipurpose Centre. Open 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 6 & 10am-3:30pm on Sunday, December 7. Free entry, lots of great makers to visit!

CCNB Dieppe is hosting a Christmas Market Saturday, December 6 from 9am-3pm.

Saturday, December 6 is the annual Kids Day at Green Diamond Equipment. Stop by the shop, 9am-11am, for face painting, colouring & crafts, leaf blower races, remote control tractor trail, and a visit from Santa at 10am!

🛍️ Curt’s 5th annual Christmas Market (Part 2) is happening Saturday, December 6 (9am-4pm) and Sunday, December 7 (10am-4pm) at the Riverview Lions Club. There are 80+ vendors, food truck, free entry, & so much more to see!

🛍️ Blossom Grove Barn is a lovely venue for markets, and their Christmas one is always a hit! Open Saturday, December 6 & Sunday, December 7, 10am-2:30pm. They have a petting farm, Christmas trees for sale, visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate & wonderful vendors.

🛍️ There’s a Christmas Craft Fair at the Irishtown Community Centre on Saturday, December 6 from 10am-2p:30pm.

🛍️ Société Culturelle de Memramcook’s annual Christmas market will feature more than 50 vendors at the Abbey-Landry school on Saturday, December 6 from 9am-2pm.

🛍️ Farmer Brown’s Greenhouse is hosting Christmas in the Country Holiday Shopping again this year! Stop by Saturday, December 6 (9am-4pm) or Sunday, December 7 (10am-3pm) to visit with more than 30 local vendors, enjoy a soup lunch, and beautiful views on your way to and from Osborne Corner, Dawson Settlement (just a few minutes from Riverview).

CARMA Moncton’s Santa Paws Pet Photos are happening at Shur-Gain Feeds’n Needs on Mountain Road, 11am-2pm on Saturday, December 6.

Holiday Tea at Thomas Williams House is always a treat! There are several sittings Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7; reach out to reserve your spot.

Fundy Biosphere is hosting two evergreen wreath workshops where you can make your own holiday creation. Saturday, December 6 at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre and Sunday, December 7 at Broadleaf Ranch. Pre-registration is required.

Artful Wares, an art supply shop in Dieppe, is hosting a beginner needle felting ornament workshop (open to those 12 & older) on Saturday, December 6 at 2pm. All materials and instruction provided; cost is $35.

🏊 It’s Holiday Hoopla weekend in Riverview, which includes a free public swim at the Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre, 2-3:30pm, on Saturday, December 6.

⛸️Following that, head to the Byron Dobson Arena for a free holiday skate, complete with music, hot chocolate, and more! December 6, 3:45-5:15pm.

🏊Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre’s public swim on December 6 is from 3:15-4:55pm.

🎅 Memramcook’s annual Christmas ATV parade begins at Belliveau Orchard at 5pm on Saturday, December 6, travelling through the community until it reaches the Pré-d’en-Haut Golden Age Club. Fireworks are scheduled at the Pré-d’en-Haut ball field (weather permitting) around 7:30pm.

🎅 Tantramar’s 13th annual Emergency Services Parade of Lights takes place Saturday, December 6; the parade will leave the Sackville Fire Station at 6:30pm and travel through the community. Check their Facebook post for the route!

🎅 The annual Santa Claus Parade in Bouctouche takes place Saturday, December 6 at 6pm.

🎅 Hillsborough’s Santa Parade happens Saturday, December 6, starting at 6:30pm. Santa stops in to the Kiwanis Centre after the parade for hot chocolate and candy!

🛍️ Olympia Allstar Cheerleading is hosting their 3rd annual Mistletoe Market Saturday, December 6 from 6-7:30pm. Admission is $2 (12 & under free).

R in R (Recreation in Riverview) is hosting a group walk to enjoy the Light Up trail. Gather at the Riverfront Gazebo at 6pm and make your way to the Gunningsville Bridge for a beautiful view of the lights.

🛍️ There’s a holiday bazaar at Botsford Station on Sunday, December 7 from 9am-5pm. We see a lot of fantastic artists, makers, & bakers on the vendor list!

🛍️ Dieppe’s Heritage Holiday Market returns to Doiron House, 9am-3pm, on Sunday, December 7. Santa will visit 10:30-11:30am, and there’ll be live music at 1pm.

KOLIADA 2025: Ukrainian Christmas Fest is happening Sunday, December 7 at the Irishtown Community Centre. There are additional workshops you can sign up for, amazing vendors to visit, live entertainment, and a wonderful community to enjoy, 11am-5pm!

🛹 Riverview’s Holiday Hoopla continues with free entry all day to the Indoor Skate Park! Open 11am-7pm on Sunday, December 7.

Artful Wares, an art supply shop in Dieppe, is hosting a beginner crochet workshop (open to those 12 & older) on Sunday, December 7 at 11am and 2pm. All materials and instruction to create a few holiday pieces provided; cost is $35.

🏊Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre’s public swim on December 7 is from 3:15-4:55pm.

🎅 The annual Cap-Acadie Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, December 7 at 6pm.

🎅 The community of Champdore hosts its Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, December 7 at 6pm.

🎶 The Codiac Concert Band is hosting a concert Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30pm at Mathieu-Martin with special solo performances by tompetist Leon Wagaatachchi and trombonist Omar El Harkati, members of the Moncton Youth Orchestra and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra.

Aura: A Moncton Holiday Experience at the Moncton Market is on again Thursday, December 11, 5-9pm.

🎶 Sistema’s Holiday Concert will be at the Tidal Church on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30pm. Free entry!

Petitcodiac Regional School is hosting a Christmas movie night, showing A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. $2 entry (or a food donation), 6-7:30pm on Thursday, December 11.

🎶Les Gars du Nord: La grande tournée du temps des fêtes is at Capitol Theatre on December 11, 8pm.

🎶 A Christmas Carol: The Musicalwill be performed by the Atlantic Ballet Atlantique Canada and the School of Atlantic Ballet with an impressive cast of more than 150 youth, students, and adults – with guest appearances by the professional dancers – and incredible costumes. On stage Friday, December 12 (7pm) & Saturday, December 13 (1pm) at the Riverview Arts Centre.

Riverview Youth Drop-In is hosting a gingerbread house decorating night for ages 12-17. All supplies provided, 6:30-9:30pm, at Riverview Community Hall.

Dieppe’s Fun on Ice is back for the season! Each Friday night from 6:30-8pm enjoy music, bonfires, free hot chocolate, maple taffy, and skate & helmet rentals. December 12 is UV night with DJ Chris.

🛍️ Lou MacNarin School is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair, 10am-3pm, on Saturday, December 13. There are lots of great vendors; the $5 admission fee (children 12 & under free) goes to support the Give your Love to Lou Playground fund.

🛍️ The Shediac Christmas Market hosted by Love Letters is Saturday, December 13 from 11am-4pm at the Multipurpose Centre. Free admission, with 50+ vendors, holiday music, and more.

🎶 Art Richard is bringing his Christmas concert to Dieppe’s Art & Culture Centre on Saturday, December 13 at 2pm. This is a fantastic holiday show for children who enjoy music in French! You need to reserve tickets ($12) – there were still some left when we checked!

🛍️MOSAÏQ is hosting an international holiday crafts market on Saturday, December 13, 12:30-6:30pm. Free entry, lots of amazing creations.

Art Time Cafe is hosting a Christmas Watercolour Workshop with Svitlana Goncharova, 12-3pm. Cost is $55; all materials included. A perfect way to spend a wintery afternoon AND create a handmade gift (or treasure for yourself).

🎶 Choir! Choir! Choir! brings their group sing-a-long, Un-Silent Night, to the Capitol Theatre for two shows on Saturday, December 13, at 2pm & 8pm. There were still some balcony seats left for both shows when we checked!

🏊Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre’s public swim on December 13 is from 3:15-4:55pm.

🎶 You’ll be sure to find your Christmas spirit at the Greater Moncton Chorale’s Christmas Concert! Saturday, December 13, 7pm, at Central United Church in downtown Moncton.

🎅 The Salisbury Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 13 at 6:30pm.

🏒 The Moncton Wildcats host the Halifax Mooseheads at the Avenir Centre Saturday, December 13 at 7pm.

🛍️ Dieppe’s Heritage Holiday Market happens again Sunday, December 14, at Doiron House, 9am-3pm. Santa will visit 10:30-11:30am, and there’ll be live music at 1pm.

🛍️ The Mom Market is hosting its last holiday market of the season at Canvas Hotel Sunday, December 14, 11am-3pm. There will be more than 30 vendors, hot cocoa, live music, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus!

🎶 The Greater Moncton Chorale presents a matinee performance of their Christmas Concert Sunday, December 14 at 3pm at Central United Church in downtown Moncton.

🏊Dieppe’s Aquatic Centre’s public swim on December 14 is from 3:15-4:55pm.

Salisbury Baptist Church is holding a living nativity in the parking lot on Sunday, December 14. Everyone is welcome, 6:30pm, with refreshments inside after the celebration.

Searching for cozy shops filled with holiday charm? Here are a few we know are bursting at the seams with cute ornaments, local gift ideas, and photos ops: Kept on Main, Gifts Galore, BHome, The Painted Pineapple, Wheaton’s, MacArthur’s Nursery, & Magnetic Hill Wharf Village. There’s also the country charm of Green Pig Market and the thrifty vintage finds at Recollections by Jazz Antique Mall in Salisbury. And you can find Santa at Bass Pro (you can book your visit & free photo online, up to a week in advance) and Champlain Place.

🎶Noël avec Les Muses, les frères Belivo & Roland Gauvin begins its 2025 run at the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, December 17, with shows until December 21. This is a must-attend holiday event for many in the area!

🏒 Moncton Wildcats host the Newfoundland Regiment Wednesday, December 17 at 7pm.

🐦 The annual Christmas Bird Count is a tradition for many – it’s been happening for more than 125 years across North America! You can join in this massive community-science data-gathering event in Memramcook; beginners welcome. Register by December 9; the count is Thursday, December 18.

Aura: A Moncton Holiday Experience at the Moncton Market is on again Thursday, December 18, 5-9pm.

🏒 Moncton Wildcats host the Cape Breton Eagles Thursday, December 18 at 7pm.

⛸️Dieppe’s Fun on Ice for December 19 features Christmas with DJ Dionne from 6:30-8pm, along with bonfires, free hot chocolate, maple taffy, and skate & helmet rentals. (There’s no party on December 26, but the music returns January 2.)

Ferme Tanilou Farm in Shediac River is opening to the public Saturday, December 20 for Christmas at the Farm. Visit with the animals, drink hot chocolate, and you might even get to say hello to Santa! Suggested entry fee of $5/person.

Tiferes Israel Synagogue will kick off its 100th anniversary celebration and celebrate Hanukkah on Sunday, December 21, 3-6pm. Registration is required by December 12 to take part.

🎅 Riverside-Albert Volunteer Fire Department will be helping Santa visit the community on Sunday, December 21, starting at the fire hall at 5pm and ending at the Forest Dale Home.

Bar Laitier Amiro Dairy Bar is hosting a kids paint workshop, Monday, December 22, 10am – noon, with an elf creation and an ice cream treat! Register in advance, cost is $30.

⛸️The Christmas public skate at Memramcook‘s Eugène (Gene) LeBlanc Arena takes place Wednesday, December 24, 11:45am-12:45pm. Enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee, treats, and a visit with Santa and Sparky the Fire Dog.

Dufflebag Theatre returns to the Capitol Theatre for a performance of Cinderella on Sunday, December 28 at 1pm. This is a pay-what-you-will performance, with the minimum donation of $10 & is perfect the littles!

🏒 Moncton Wildcats host the Newfoundland Regimenton Tuesday, December 30 at 7pm.

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

SkyZone’s New Year’s Eve at Noon is back! SkyZone will be open 10am-4pm, with a DJ, noisemakers and games, prizes, glow effects (wear white or fluorescent), and the balloon drop at noon!

New Year’s Eve Family Fest is back in downtown Moncton! There will be family-friendly events throughout the day, live music, skating on the Ian Fowler Oval, food vendors, a beer garden, and two sets of fireworks – including an early show for the younger crowd! There’s also the Moncton Wildcats hosting the Charlottetown Islanders at 4pm.

These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 💚 for our TEEN & TWEEN picks! Some of these are still great with littles, too, but we know it can be tricky to come up with ideas the older kids will enjoy – or can be sent to on their own.

REMEMBER: We’re not always able to update if there are changes due to weather, etc. Please click through the links & call ahead to confirm details for yourself when making plans!

INDOOR 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), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centrein Riverview, 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.
  • 💚⚡Burn off energy at SkyZone Moncton; half-price entry on Tuesday nights, and Glow Zone on Fridays & Saturdays.
  • 🏫  Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays, including long weekends.)
  • ⛪ MR21 is ‘low key Moncton’s best kept secret’ as my kids say. An incredible visual presentation that tells the history of the Acadian community in a beautiful cathedral in downtown.
  • 📚 Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
  • 💚🎥 Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!
  • 💚⛳ The Bunker on Main Street in Moncton is a great indoor golf option & does have times kids are allowed. They also now have a race car simulator! There are more than 50 cars you can choose from & more than 30 tracks to try – it’s not a little kid game.
  • 💚🛹 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
  • 💚🎳 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.)
  • 💚🎮Book a booth at GG Bistrofor some gaming fun & great eats!
  • 💚🎨 Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery or the new Art Time Cafefor drawing & more!
  • 💚🪨 Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
  • 💚🔫 Book laser tag at the Sportsdome or Marco’s!
  • 💚🔐 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.
  • 💚⚒️ Need to unleash some anger? Book a session at the Wreck Room!
  • 💚🎶 Teens & youth (ages 12-25) can book a two-hour spot at Riverview’s Sound Lab for just $2/person. The lab has professional recording software, an electric guitar, bass guitar, electric drum kit, keyboard, microphones, & two amps.
  • 💚💥 Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions,  Sunday Lorcana Locals, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events.
  • 🎲 Board Miniatures also hosts regular table top sessions for various games & free board game days, too!
  • 🤘 BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect, with lots of programming open to everyone.
  • 🐟 Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquariumwith striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.
  • 🤸 Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars have a great space for kiddos looking to bounce around and burn off energy while learning tumbling and cheer moves. Check out their new member trial package & their upcoming events.

OUTDOOR FUN

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