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!
NEW BRUNSWICK SANTA CLAUS & CHRISTMAS PARADES 2023
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 2023 New Brunswick Santa Claus Parades
Saint John
The 70th annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade takes place at 6pm on Saturday, November 18. was cancelled because of the weather. 🙁
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 Sunday, November 19 at 6pm. It will be an extra special celebration this year, with the send off event for Nova Scotia’s Tree for Boston & the Holiday Light Up in Victoria Square. Please note: the parade route is different than previous years, starting at the Town Square Mall and ending at TD Bank/Dayle’s Grand Market. (PS: We love their ‘shop at a store with a door’ campaign; a great reminder that our communities are built by brick-and-mortar buildings, not big boxes.)
Fredericton
The Fredericton Santa Claus Parade takes place Friday, November 25. It starts on the city’s southside at 5pm.
Shediac
Shediac’s annual Santa Claus parade is Friday, November 24 at 7pm.
Lancaster (Saint John)
Looking for an afternoon option? Saint John’s 19th annual Lancaster Santa Claus parade is happening Saturday, November 25 at 1pm.
Greater Moncton Area
One of the largest holiday parades in the country! The Royale Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, November 25 at 5pm, starting at the corner of Cameron and Main Streets in downtown. Watch for Family Fun Zones along the way, with entertainment before the big event – and don’t forget your letters to Santa; Canada Post carriers will be walking the parade route to collect them! Check out our tips for watching with littles!
Kennebecasis Valley
The 25th annual KV Santa Claus Parade is happening Saturday, November 25 at 6pm (with a storm date on Sunday). The parade begins at KVHS and travels along Hampton Road to Clark Road. The theme is A Silver Christmas: Celebrating 25 Years!
Tantramar
The 10th Annual Emergency Services Parade of Lights takes place Sunday, November 26. It starts at the fire station in Sackville, with line-up at 6pm and the parade at 6:30pm. The emergency vehicles make their way through the community; follow the link to see the route!
Petitcodiac
This is always a popular parade – lots of love in 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 1 at 7pm.
Hillsborough
Hillsborough’s Santa Parade takes place Saturday, December 2 starting at 6:30pm. The parade ends at the Kiwanis Club; head inside to see Santa and enjoy some hot chocolate!
Bouctouche
The annual Santa Claus Parade in Bouctouche takes place Saturday, December 2 at 6pm.
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 December 2.
Cap-Acadie
The annual Cap-Acadie Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, December 3 at 6pm.
Salisbury
The Salisbury Santa Claus Parade takes place December 9 at 6:30pm.
Sussex
Sussex’s Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, December 2 (changed due to weather) December 9 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 also takes reservations for visits at CF Champlain (starting Nov 17) & Bass Pro Shops (starting Nov 12)!
Winter Festivals in New Brunswick
Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo
This annual fundraiser transforms the zoo into a sparkling wonderland! Open all of December, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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!