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 2024

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 2024 New Brunswick Santa Claus Parades (listed by date)

Saint John
The 71st annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at 6pm. The parade features nearly 50 entries this year!

Shediac
Shediac’s annual Santa Claus parade is Friday, November 22 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 23 at 5pm, starting at the corner of Cameron and Main Streets in downtown. Watch for five 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!  High winds and heavy rains forced the cancellation of the parade this year.

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 23 at 6pm.

Lancaster Saint John 
The Lancaster Saint John parade takes place at 1pm on Saturday, November 23 – one of the few afternoon visits! This parade is also cancelled for 2024, due to weather.

Tantramar
The Emergency Services Parade of Lights generally happens in late November. We’ll keep an eye out for updates.

Fredericton
The 50th Fredericton Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, November 30. It starts on the city’s southside at 5pm.

Kennebecasis Valley
The 26th annual KV Santa Claus Parade is happening Saturday, November 30 at 6pm (with a storm date on Sunday, December 1).

Cap-Acadie
The annual Cap-Acadie Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, December 1 at 6pm.

Shediac
Santa is making a stop at Shediac’s Big Lobster December 5th at 6pm. You can check out some of the parade floats, enjoy festive music, & sip on hot chocolate!

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 6 at 7pm.

Miramichi
The Historic Chatham Business District will host the community’s 37th annual Christmas parade Friday, December 6 at 6:30pm.

Fundy Albert (Hillsborough)
Hillsborough’s Santa Parade happens Saturday, December 7, starting at 6:30pm. Santa stops in to the Kiwanis Centre after the parade for hot chocolate and candy!

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 7 at 5:30pm.

Bouctouche
The annual Santa Claus Parade in Bouctouche takes place Saturday, December 7 at 6pm.

Sussex
Sussex’s Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 7 at 6:30pm.

Bathurst
Bathurst’s Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 7 at 6pm.

Champdore (Saint-Antoine)
The community of Champdore hosts its Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, December 8 at 6pm. (Storm date of December 15).

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

Beaurivage (Richibucto)
The Town of Beaurivage’s Christmas parade takes place Sunday, December 15 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

Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo
This annual fundraiser transforms the zoo into a sparkling wonderland! Visit November 29-30, December 1-2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-31, and January 1-4.

Uptown Sparkles & the Gingerbread Trail are must-attend December events in Saint John!

Fredericton’s Frostival
Proclaimed as Atlantic Canada’s largest winter celebration, Frostival is nearly three weeks long, with more than 150 events throughout the city January 19 to February 5, 2023! 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.

The Greater Saint John area celebrates Fundy Winterfest throughout the season, with activities from late January through early March.

Heading out to these events – or taking part in other fun, family activities and events this winter? We’d love to see what you’re up to and discover more ways to enjoy New Brunswick in the winter. Share your adventures with us on Instagram using #pickleplanetwinter and we’ll celebrate all the fabulous ways families are connecting with each other and their communities this winter!