Santa Parades and Winter Festivals in Southeastern New Brunswick
‘Tis the season for Santa Claus parades, Christmas markets, winter festivals, and all things merry and bright!
SOUTH EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK SANTA CLAUS & CHRISTMAS PARADES 2025
We’ve listed the parades and festivals in order of their scheduled date, so you can plan appropriately. Click through to the highlighted source links for updates on routes, weather, and more. If you know of one we haven’t added yet, please drop the info in the comments!
A Selection of 2025 New Brunswick Santa Claus Parades (listed by date)
Saint John
The 72nd annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 15 at 6pm. The parade will begin at the Cruise Ship Terminals on Water Street, continue along Saint Patrick Street, then across the Viaduct to Main Street North and Lansdowne Avenue.
Shediac
Shediac’s annual Santa Claus parade is Friday, November 21 at 7pm. Gather at Pascal Poirier Park for music & hot chocolate from 6-7pm, too!
Greater Moncton Area
One of the largest holiday parades in the country! The Royale Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, November 22 at 5pm, starting at the corner of Cameron and Main Streets in downtown. Watch for three Family Fun Zones along the way, with entertainment before the big event – and don’t forget your letters to Santa & non-perishable food donations. Check out our tips for watching with littles!
MUST READ: Pickle Planet’s Guide to the Royale Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade
Amherst
We know it’s not in New Brunswick, but we also know lots of folks enjoy skipping across the provincial border to enjoy Amherst’s Santa Claus Parade, happening Saturday, November 29 at 6pm.
Kennebecasis Valley
The annual KV Santa Claus Parade is happening Saturday, November 29 at 6pm (with a storm date on Sunday, November 30).
Fredericton
The 50th Fredericton Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, November 29. It starts on the city’s southside at 5pm.
Tantramar
The Emergency Services Parade of Lights generally happens in late November or early December. We’ll keep an eye out for updates.
Three Rivers (Petitcodiac)
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. The Petitcodiac Santa Claus Festival of Lights Parade takes place Friday, December 5 at 7pm.
Miramichi
The Historic Chatham Business District will host the community’s 38th annual Christmas parade Friday, December 5 at 6:30pm.
St. Andrew’s
St. Andrew’s By the Sea has a whole website dedicated to their Christmas events, including the annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 6 at 5:30pm.
Fundy Albert (Hillsborough)
Hillsborough’s Santa Parade happens Saturday, December 6, starting at 6pm. Santa stops in to the Kiwanis Centre after the parade for hot chocolate and candy!
Bouctouche
The annual Santa Claus Parade in Bouctouche takes place Saturday, December 6 at 6pm.
Sussex
Sussex’s Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 6 at 6:30pm.
Bathurst
Bathurst’s Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 6 at 6pm.
Cap-Acadie
The annual Cap-Acadie Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, December 7 at 6pm.
Champdore (Saint-Antoine)
The community of Champdore hosts its Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, December 7 at 6pm.
Salisbury
The Salisbury Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 13 at 6:30pm.
Pickle Planet’s Parade Watching Tips
- Grab some glow sticks and silly hats.
- Bring snacks, including something warm in a thermos.
- Dress the kiddos in their PJs under their snowsuits for added fun – and ease at bedtime.
- Find a spot with a public washroom nearby (or a workplace you can access in an emergency).
- Don’t forget hats, mitts, and scarves for the adults as well as the kids.
- Most parades have volunteers collecting for the food bank and postal carriers gathering letters to Santa. Don’t forget to bring yours!
- Bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on, but be courteous of others.
- Invite friends and family to join you; it’s great to have one person save your spot while another takes a walk with little people not used to waiting.
- Be sure to take home whatever you bring with you; litter left along the route gets you straight on Santa’s naughty list!
Looking for another way to see Santa? He takes reservations for visits at Bass Pro Shops & he’ll be at Champlain Place again this year, too.
Winter Festivals in New Brunswick
We’ll be adding & expanding this list, but here are some quick dates & ideas to add to your family itenerary!
Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo is an annual fundraiser that transforms the zoo into a sparkling wonderland in December.
Uptown Sparkles & the Gingerbread Trail are must-attend December events in Saint John.
Fredericton’s Frostival has been proclaimed as Atlantic Canada’s largest winter celebration, with more than 150 events over three weeks throughout the city. Enjoy everything from a music festival to an outdoor wonderland to culinary and craft experiences and more.
Shediac’s Winter Carnival starts at the end of January, with festival mascot Bonhomme Coueche arriving for Groundhog Day.
Dieppe embraces winter with Fun on Ice at Place 1604 on Friday nights throughout the winter, with live music and skating on the oval, as well as the city’s annual winter carnival in February.
Riverview’s Winter Carnival takes place at the start of February with lots of great events centered around Winter Wonderland Park.
Moncton’s Polar Fest transforms Centennial Park during the Family Day long weekend in February, turning it into a fabulous winter carnival!
