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 a MEGA December round up.

🎅 You can book a visit with Santa at Bass Pro or Champlain Place until December 24!

Here you’ll find a day-by-day guide to holiday happenings straight through until school is back in session in January, followed by our usual list of fun family ideas (indoor play spaces, outdoor adventures, etc.). Kicking off this round up – our updated list of decorated houses so you can drive & see holiday lights sparking & making spirits bright!

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. 💚

✨ WHERE TO SEE THE BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & HOLIDAY DISPLAYS IN GREATER MONCTON

Please remember to be cautious when slowing or stopping to admire the handiwork & don’t block anyone’s driveway.

Psst! Our favourite route involves driving across the Gunningsville Bridge, along the Riverfront Trail and through Upper Coverdale to Salisbury’s Highland Park. You can stop there for a short walk around, then continue along Route 106 heading back towards Moncton OR make your way up to Homestead Road (Route 128), turning onto Route 126 just long enough to turn onto Mountain Road at Lyons’ Store, taking in the amazing display at 3202 Mountain Road, then taking Front Mountain Road to sneak a peek at the lights at the Zoo. 

A few must-visit displays:

• Light Up Riverview features tens of thousands of lights along the Waterfront Trail, with amazing photo opportunities and a chance to imagine yourself in Stars Hallow or your own personal Hallmark Christmas movie.
• Salisbury’s Highland Park is lit up for the season! It’s a beautiful space any time of year, but the holiday lights are pure magic – and if there’s snow, bring your sled. There’s a fantastic sliding hill, too.
• Downtown Moncton’s angels, snowflakes, polar bears, and ornament (by the Avenir Centre) are simply majestic, too!
• We’re huge fans of the Shediac Lobster’s Santa hat & nearby lobster trap tree, as well as the Alma lobster trap tree. Both are totally worth the drive if you’re a lover of all things Christmas whimsy!
• The Ahern house near Centennial Park (corner of Milner & Alexander) is now a traditional stop for many, with it’s AT-AT & Starship Enterprise! Pro tip: be sure to watch the upstairs windows when you visit. 🙂
• We are constantly blown away by the set-to-music display at the Hogan’s home on Pasadena Drive in Moncton. Be sure to check it out! (There are some other great light displays with music, too; we’ve listed some below with their addresses.)
• One of the original ‘set to music’ displays locally is at 3202 Mountain Road, featuring an incredible display with homemade decorations that move, 35,000 lights, and music playing on 89.1FM. One of our favourites!!
• You can also bring the family to WILD LIGHTS, the winter exhibit at the Magnetic Hill Zoo. There are hundreds of thousands of lights displayed throughout the 40 acre park, as well as animals to visit. (This is a ticketed experience, available select nights until January 3.)

Riverview neighbourhoods to see lights

🚗 A few festive road trip ideas this season:

• The Village Aglow at King’s Landing
• Arts & Culture Park in Quispamsis
• Belding Hill Farms 4th annual European Style Outdoor Christmas Market
• Christmas at the McAdam Railway Station
• St. Andrew’s Christmas by the Sea
• Charlottetown Christmas Festival
• Glow Gardens Halifax

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.

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

Moonbrook Manor is hosting a last-minute Pop Up Night Market, Friday, December 19 from 5-8pm.

⛸️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.)

Friday, December 19 is a perfect time to head to Three Rivers (Petitcodiac) to see Christmas lights. The community is encouraging everyone to light up from 6-9pm, with plans to share a map of all the submitted houses that are decorated for the season.

You can find lots of local makers, bakers, and more to support your holiday shopping at our local markets on Saturday, December 20!

• The Moncton Market is open 8am-2pm on Saturdays.
• The Dieppe Market is open 8am-1pm on Saturdays.
• The Salisbury Farmers & Artisans Market is open Saturdays, 8am-1:30pm. Pair it with a trip to the Antiques Mall next door, then up the road to the Green Pig, open daily 9am-6pm! (Add in a stop for a pancake breakfast at the Lion’s Club, too!)
• Shediac’s art market, Maritime Crafts & More, is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am-5pm.
• BHome is hosting fabulous pop up markets each Saturday until Christmas, 9am-3pm.
• Latin Connection Market will bring its Christmas edition to Lutz Mountain Heritage Museum, 10am-4pm.

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.

🎅⛸️ Santa is skating at the Moncton Coliseum on Saturday, December 20 from 3:45 – 5:15pm.

Sackville’s Church by the Lake is again holding its Living Nativity drive thru (Mary & Joseph, shepherds, angels, donkey, sheep, & more), along with special treats, a glimpse of Santa, and more! The event runs 5-6pm on Saturday, December 20.

There’s free public skating at Dieppe’s Arthur J LeBlanc Centre 6:15-7:15pm on Saturday, December 20.

The Moncton Library is hosting a K-Pop Demon Hunters dance party! Drop in noon to 4pm on Sunday, December 21 to join the fun. There’ll be crafts, snacks, and more to enjoy, including a selfie booth – costumes always encouraged (but not required).

🎅⛸️ Don your festive wear, grab your skates, and head to the Petitcodiac Arena for a special Sunday, December 21 skate with Santa! There will be hot chocolate & prizes, too. Skating is 1-2:30pm.

Free family skating at Arthur J LeBlanc Centre 1-2pm.

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.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Pointe-du-Chêne is hosting a Christmas Around the World concert on Sunday, December 21 at 3pm, with a great line up of various groups performing.

🎅 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.

St. George’s Anglican Church in Moncton is hosting a Christmas Caroling sing-a-long at 6pm on Sunday, December 21.

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 Town of Riverview is hosting free public skating, 1:30-3:30pm, on Monday, December 22.

⛸️ The City of Moncton is holding a special free skating session, 3:30-4:30pm, on Monday, December 22 at the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex.

⛸️ The City of Dieppe has free skating Monday, December 22 for preschoolers (no sticks) at the Arthur-J.-LeBlanc Centre from 9:30–10:30am, family skating from 1:15–2:30pm & 2:45–3:45pm.

⛸️ The City of Dieppe has free skating Tuesday, December 23 for preschoolers (no sticks) at the Arthur-J.-LeBlanc Centre from 9:30–10:30am, family skating from noon to 1:15pm & again from 1:30-2:45pm.

⛸️ The Town of Riverview is hosting free public skating, 2-4pm, on Tuesday, December 23.

There’ll be a special opening of the Dieppe Market on Tuesday, December 23, 1-6pm. Lots of meat & other producers will be on hand to help you stock up for the holidays!

🎅 Santa is stopping by Maple Hills for some early milk & cookies on Tuesday, December 23. There’ll be gym activities (bring indoor shoes), crafts, & more, 3-4:30pm.

⛸️ The City of Moncton is holding a special free skating session, 3:30-4:30pm, on Tuesday, December 23 at the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex.

⛸️ On Christmas Eve, family skating takes place at Dieppe’s UNIPlex from 9:30–10:30am.

🎅⛸️ Skate with Santa at the Community of Three Rivers Christmas Eve Skate! The arena is open from 10am-noon, with hot chocolate & cookies for all!

🎅⛸️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.

⛸️ The City of Moncton is holding a special free skating session, 2:30-4pm, on Saturday, December 27 at the Kay Arena (Crossman Community Centre.)

⛸️ The City of Moncton is holding a special free skating session, 2:30-4pm, on Sunday, December 28 at the Kay Arena (Crossman Community Centre.)

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!

⛸️ The City of Moncton is holding a special free skating session, 3:30-4:30pm, on Monday, December 29 at the the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex.

⛸️ The Town of Riverview is hosting free public skating, 1:30-3:30pm, on Tuesday, December 30.

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

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

⛸️ The City of Dieppe offers free family skating at UNIPlex from 9:30–10:30am.

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!

⛸️ The Community of Three Rivers is hosting a New Year’s Eve Glow Skate, 6-7:30pm. Be sure to wear florescent gear to really bring the fun!

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.

NEW YEAR’S DAY EVENTS

On New Year’s Day there are generally several municipal levees and open houses. The Town of Riverview invites the public to Town Hall for a levee from 1-2:30pm to welcome the new year with music, light refreshments, and good cheer.

The City of Moncton is hosting a free fun event at the Kay Arena/Crossman Community Centre on January 1, 1-4pm. Stop in for free skating, open gym, bouncy castles, photos, and more! (You need to bring your own skates & helmet for the ice, and indoor shoes for the gym.)

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

• ✨ Riverview’s waterfront is a must-see! Whether you drive by or can get out for a walk under the lights, this seasonal display is sure to make you smile!
•  The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open for Wild Lights!
• 🚂 Trueman Blueberry Farm has train rides, Christmas trees, photo ops, their amazing ice cream & treats, & more every Friday to Sunday until December 21.
•  Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! You can take the llamas for a walk all through the year.
•  Faith First Mini Horses offers pony walks & cuddles; check their site and reach out for availability. The minis will be masquerading as reindeer in December!
• DYK  There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps when weather permits.
•  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!
• 🏂 Poley Mountain is always fun!

Sleigh Rides

Obviously this is a very weather-dependent activity, so you may or may not make those sleigh ride dreams come true this season, but here are a few options to check out:

• Country Sleigh Rides (near the Irishtown Community Centre) offers private group bookings for sleigh rides, as well as some pop up spots open to the public.
• Broadleaf Ranch offers several winter activities including horseback rides and sleigh rides.
• If you’re up for a road trip, we’re in awe of the videos coming out of Sandwith’s Sleigh Rides outside of Fredericton!

Santa Parades in December

The parades have wrapped up for 2025, but I’m leaving this here for future planning. Most parades tend to stick to the same schedule each year – and this is a great reminder that there are always several in December.

• 🎅Petitcodiac Santa Claus Festival of Lights Parade Friday, December 5 @ 7pm
• 🎅Miramichi’s 38th annual Christmas parade Friday, December 5 @ 6:30pm
• 🎅St. Andrew’s By the Sea Santa Claus Parade Saturday, December 6 @ 5:30pm
• 🎅Tantramar’s Emergency Services Parade of Lights Saturday, December 6 @ 6:30pm
• 🎅Memramcook’s annual Christmas ATV parade Saturday, December 6 @ 5pm
• 🎅Hillsborough’s Santa Parade Saturday, December 6 @ 6:30pm
• 🎅Santa Claus Parade in Bouctouche Saturday, December 6 @ 6pm
• 🎅Sussex’s Santa Claus Parade Saturday, December 6 @ 6:30pm
• 🎅Bathurst’s Santa Claus Parade Saturday, December 6 @ 6pm
• 🎅Cap-Acadie Santa Claus Parade Sunday, December 7 at 6pm
• 🎅Champdore hosts its Santa Claus Parade Sunday, December 7 @ 6pm
• 🎅Salisbury’s Santa Claus Parade Saturday, December 13 @ 6:30pm

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