What to do with the kids in Moncton this weekend (Dec 16-18)

The countdown is getting to single digits, everyone! Schools are wrapping up & Christmas holidays are coming. Even if you have this weekend filled with preparations, take some time to settle in & read through this INCREDIBLE list of all the things happening in our community & marvel at how lucky we are to have so many options. Who knows, you might be inspired for some experience gifts & plans, too!

Because this is a MASSIVE weekend round up, here’s a quick run down of the way we organized the info:

  • Santa Sightings (tip: he’s doing a LOT of skating this weekend!)
  • Weekend Events
  • Skating (indoor & outdoor)
  • More Indoor Ideas
  • More Outdoor Ideas
  • Markets & Treats
  • World Juniors fun (including a NYE street party!)
  • Must-see Christmas Lights (and our go-to driving route to see them!)
  • Gift Ideas

So, settle in, grab a peppermint mocha or an eggnog latte and start planning your family fun!

RELATED: Christmas Cocktail recipes from our Holiday Party Podcast!

SANTA SIGHTINGS

WEEKEND EVENTS IN GREATER MONCTON

Did you know Mezza has opened their second Moncton location? #ad They’re celebrating the 45 Plaza Blvd location this weekend with great specials each day. Friday is BOGO 50% off bowls & wrap, Saturday is BOGO 50% off regular size poutine, and Sunday it’s two-can-dine for $21.99 (two wraps, two fries, two soft drinks).

RELATED: Mezza opens in Moncton

Wild Lights is open Thursdays through Mondays until January 7 (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays, as well as Dec 24 & 25). We love walking through the Zoo to see all the beautiful light displays!

The Moncton Wildcats are hosting the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Friday night at the Avenir Centre.

The Codiac Concert Band’s Christmas Concert is happening at Mathieu-Martin High School in Dieppe Friday night. Admission is free for students who are accompanied by an adult.

Theatre New Brunswick presents The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at the Riverview Arts Centre on Friday night.

The Anglican Parishes of Waterford, St. Marks, and Sussex will present The Living Manger at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Sussex Corner on Friday at 5pm and 6:30pm. Expect characters in costume, animals, and song – all outside.

The Friends of the SES Cubs are showing The Grinch (the new animated version) on Friday night, 6pm at Salisbury Elementary. Admission is $2/person or $5/family. Bring your blankets and comfy chairs & enjoy popcorn, hot chocolate, and more.

The Salisbury Lion’s Club is holding its monthly Pancake & Sausage Breakfast Saturday morning (7-10am). Children under six eat free, ages six to 10 are $5, and $10/person for everyone else. Pancakes, sausages, coffee, juice, sweets, & more!

It’s time for the annual Christmas bird count! Join Heather Fraser (Explore Nature’s Bounty), Michele Nadeau (bird photographer), & some of the Friends of Fundy at Mary’s Point Saturday at 9am for an intro to birding.

The Riverview Public Library is holding a reading of The Polar Express on Saturday morning at 10am.

The Moncton Public Library always has lots of great events on the go. A few on this weekend’s schedule includes holiday storytime on Saturday morning, chess club for K-12, a teen Magna book club, and a Dungeons & Dragons session.

Coca-Cola’s special holiday truck is planning to be at Sobey’s NorthWest (Mountain Road) on Saturday from 3-6pm.

Sackville’s Church by the Lake is holding a drive-thru Christmas with a Living Nativity on Saturday night, 5-6:30pm. Expect to see wise men and shepherds, a choir, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, and maybe even some donkeys! There will be treats & craft kits, too; donations to Open Sky Co-operative accepted but this is a free event.

Enjoy an elegant Victorian holiday tea Saturday or Sunday at Thomas Williams House, with organic teas and sweet apple cider, biscuits with cream, jams, and pastries with live music. You’re asked to reserve your spot; you can book a table for four ($50) or single seats ($15). Call (506) 856-4327 to make your plans.

Art Richard’s Fêtons Noël takes place at the Centre des arts et de la culture de Dieppe on Sunday at 1pm. He’s a fantastic children’s entertainer and so much more!

Looking ahead, there’s an official lighting of the Menorah outside Moncton City Hall on Tuesday at 5pm & an incredible opportunity to see the internationally-acclaimed family show, How the Gimquat Found Her song, with Symphony New Brunswick and Platypus Theatre at the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday as well. A family ticket to this 7:30pm performance is just $40 – that’s for two adults and unlimited children. (Individual pricing available, too.)

OUTDOOR & INDOOR ICE SKATING 

You can find details on all paid & free indoor & outdoor skating time in our full Guide to Ice Skating in Greater Moncton, but here is a quick look at what’s happening this weekend.

OUTDOOR: Both the Ian Fowler Oval in Moncton (in front of the Avenir Centre) & the Dieppe Skating Oval (at Place 1604) are refrigerated & open for outdoor skating now! More outdoor community rinks generally become usable in January.

  • Friday:
    • Dieppe AJL preschoolers with sticks, 9:30-10:30am (FREE)
    • Superior Propane Arena parent & tot 10-11am (FREE)
    • Crossman/Kay Arena 10:15am-11:15am (FREE)
    • Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm (FREE)
    • Crossman/Kay Arena 3:30-4:30pm (FREE)
    • Riverview 12 & under, 4-5:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 8:15-9:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
  • Saturday
    • Moncton Coliseum parent & tot 9:30-10:30am ($2)
    • Hillsborough 2-3pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Crossman/Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Moncton Coliseum 3:45-5:15pm ($2)
    • Riverview 3:45-5:15pm (FREE)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 6:15-7:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 8-9pm ($2/person or $5/family)
  • Sunday:
    • Superior Propane Centre Parent & Tot skating 9:45am-10:45am ($2)
    • Memramcook 11:45am-12:45pm (FREE)
    • Superior Propane Centre 11:45am-12:45pm ($2)
    • Dieppe’s AJL 2:15-3:15pm (FREE)
    • Hillsborough 2:15-3:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    • Crossman/Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
    • Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm ($2/skater, free for ages five & under)
    • Riverview 2:30-4pm (FREE)
    • Sackville 2:30-3:30
    • Dieppe’s UNIplex 3:15-4:30pm (FREE)

To check on information: Moncton Public Skating, Dieppe Public Skating, Memramcook Public Skating, Sackville Public Skating, & Hillsborough Public Skating.

INDOOR FUN IDEAS

OUTDOOR IDEAS

Head to Hiking NB for amazing details on trails throughout the province – including lots of winter options. You might also want to follow along with Maritime Detours and Explore Nature’s Bounty for locally-guided options. For a self-guided option with a little trivia mixed in, why not use the Culture & Heritage Scavenger Hunt for the City of Moncton?

Most kids love animals – and there are some fun options locally to consider, either booking a visit soon or grabbing a gift certificate for a holiday experience!

  • Llamazing Adventures is full of funky options to spend time with their crew all year round.
  • Broadleaf Ranch is a lovely place for a trail ride; we highly suggest an overnight stay in one of their themed glamping cabins, too!
  • Boyle Family Farm offers a petting zoo & horseback rides closer to Moncton.
  • NB Urban Mushing allows you to experience the thrill of dog sledding!
  • And of course, the Magnetic Hill Zoo is open for Wild Lights until the New Year!

Love ninja warrior courses? Parkour? Check out Off Grid Adventure in Anagance for an awesome adventure course!

Maghill Paintball is a fantastic option with older kids. A two-hour rental (birthday party package) is available; great for a group outing.

Don’t forget to take time to enjoy local parks & playgrounds, which can be just as fun in winter as in summer! Here are a few of the large spaces to explore, with trails & occasional activities planned. You can also check out our Playground section for dozens of profiles of local spaces to play. Some of these spaces will even have community rinks this winter!

HOLIDAY MARKETS & MORE

PAW (People for Animal Wellbeing, formerly the Greater Moncton SPCA) is holding a fundraising draw right now with some awesome prizes — like a trip to Disney, Costa Rico, or Paris! What a Christmas gift that would make!! (The draw isn’t until January, so just slip the ticket into someone’s stocking – even if it’s your own!) You can support the work of PAW and get a chance at these & other great prizes on their site: www.bigdrawforpaw.com.

The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturdays (8am to 2pm) with fantastic options for local goodies.

The Moncton Market is also holding a special Friday evening Very Merry Market (4-7pm) with dozens of vendors and special guests.

The Arches of St. George have another fabulous pop-up planned for Saturday (10am – 3pm), with an incredible line-up of some of our most-loved local makers and creators, including: All the Pretties, Doughlicious, Garden Bar (Little Miss Pickle keeps stealing my syrups & adding them to mugs full of fresh snow!), & Ever After Acres. Make sure to head upstairs to Apple Art Gallery, too – always a great selection of thoughtful gifts, any time of the year.

Curt’s Christmas Market is taking place at the Riverview Lions Club (9am-4pm) on Saturday, with two floors of vendors for your last weekend shopping!

Maritime Crafts & More in Shediac features items from more than 80 local artisans, open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am – 5pm.

Looking to relax with a seasonal drink? Here are a few fun spots to spend some time!

The holiday offerings from Halo Donuts &  Lost and Found Ice Cream are simply mouth-watering & worth a stop along St. George while you’re out and about this weekend, too.

WORLD JUNIORS FUN

The World Juniors are happening now in Moncton! Downtown is filled with banners and fun displays – including an amazing gingerbread house & hockey team in the lobby of the Delta.

There’s a community festival  filled with free events happening around the tournament, including live music at Downtown Place (outside the Avenir Centre) on Monday from 4-7pm, before the 7pm IIHF World Junior Championships exhibition game between Team Canada and Team Switzerland. On Wednesday, it’s US vs Sweeden (in the afternoon) and Canada vs Slovakia (in the evening), with live music outside between 6 & 7pm.

You can find the full  community festival schedule below – including info tail gate parties at the Moncton Market and a special New Year’s Eve Party with the Wildcats & fireworks!!

In all, there will be 10 preliminary-round World Juniors games played at the Avenir Centre & two quarter-final games played here as well, with the rest of the action happening in Halifax over the holiday season. You can find a single seat ticket at Moncton games for just over $60 with fees.

These images can be found with additional information at www.experiencemoncton.ca.

MUST-SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS

  • We love the lights at Moncton’s Centennial Park, as well as the home just up the hill at the corner of Milner & Alexander. A great area to walk & enjoy!
  • Downtown Moncton’s angels, snowflakes, and ornament (by the Avenir Centre) are simply majestic.
  • Phillips Brothers on Edinburgh Drive has a backhoe covered in lights that’s a must-see!
  • We’re also huge fans of the Shediac Lobster’s Santa hat and the Alma lobster trap tree.
  • Steeves Mountain (Homestead Road, by the Mountain Top Motel) is home to a high tower owned by Xplore (formerly Xplornet) that is fully covered in Christmas lights for 2022. It’s impossible to miss, trust us.
  • A trip to 1150 Elmwood Drive is a tradition for many, and for good reason! Right across from the entrance to Irishtown Park you’ll find a display that’s simply incredible. Check out this great television story on the display and how it all began.
  • And of course a stroll along the Riverfront Trail in Riverview is a must!

Looking for a full evening driving route to enjoy some of the best Christmas light displays in Moncton, Riverview, & Salisbury? Keep reading!

With hot chocolate & cookies stops and time spent admiring the hard work of these homeowners, this route can take a couple of hours, but it touches on some of the best displays in the area. (If you’re not up for such a long adventure, consider creating your own route in Riverview using the Town’s Merry & Bright map, featuring several dozen homes & businesses decked out for the season!)

🚗 Start by driving across the Gunningsville Bridge; the view of Riverview’s Riverfront lights from this approach is my favourite.

🚗 Turn left on Buckingham, then right onto Sussex. Watch for Lindsay on your right & turn along this little street.

🚗 When you come back onto Sussex, you’re quickly going to turn onto Wentworth, then onto Killarney. There’s a great house here with music playing 6-9pm each night. (This whole neighbourhood is a great option for a walking tour, too!)

🚗 From Killarney, you’ll turn left onto Ogden, following it back to Coverdale Road.

🚗 Head left along Coverdale, making sure to watch for Riverview Lawn & Garden’s display at 795 Coverdale Road & the lovely Big Fiddle at Ivan & Vivian Hicks’ home.

🚗 As you’re coming towards the end of Route 112, turn left onto Douglas Street (runs alongside Salisbury Elementary School), then right (still Douglas Street) by Salisbury Regional School. At the intersection with Salisbury Road, look across at 3167 Main Street & the lovely mannequin decorated on the step of Sew Clever!

🚗 Turn right onto Salisbury Road (Route 106), making your way past a fantastic display of inflatables at Kayla’s Keepsakes. There’s a traffic light you’ll approach; take the right onto Parkin Street instead for a lovely little detour through a great neighbourhood, turning left onto Larsen to bring you back to Salisbury Road.

🚗 Just after Salisbury Road Automotive and across from O’Blenis Auto Body, turn right onto Brighton Street then right on Green Briar Drive and marvel at all the fantastic lights in this little subdivision! Greenvale Street brings you right back up to Salisbury Road.

🚗 Next up, a left turn onto Lower Mountain Road. Head up to the Homestead Road, and turn right (though take a look to the left to see the Explore tower covered in lights near the Mountain Top Motel).

🚗 Turn off Homestead onto Route 126 – but just for a moment! Turn as if you’re stopping into Lyon’s Country Store, and make your way to 3202 Mountain Road. This incredible display is set to music, featuring more than 35,000 lights. It’s one of our family’s favourites!

🚗 Now continue on Mountain Road, towards the Casino. (You’ll spy some of the amazing lights at the Zoo as you drive by; a visit here is always a treat – a great experience gift for the family!)

🚗 By Glad Tidings Chruch, turn onto Sunshine Drive. From here, it’s a left onto Oak Ridge Drive, then a right onto Falcon. All of these streets have some lovely displays & homes – another area you could enjoy a walking tour. (Shout out to 59 Falcon, who have an incredible display now & at Halloween, too!)

🚗 From here, we suggest making your way back to Mountain Road, then turning left onto Frampton Lane. Lots of great houses to admire along here; in particular, take the right turn to check out Thistlevale Drive. Take Mount Pleasant Road back to Mountain. Now, we’re turning right & then a quick left onto Hildegard Drive.

🚗 Just as you get onto Hildegard Drive, you’re going to take a left onto Laforge – the house right here on the corner is such fun! And finally we reach one of the stars of the night – the Hogan’s home at 114 Pasadena Drive. You’re going to want to stop, maybe even have a snack. 🙂 This is an incredible display set to music that can take awhile to fully appreciate.

🚗 Leaving Passadena, make your way to Mailhot (via Barrieau, Ivy, & Hildegard), turning left and driving until you turn right on Ryan Road. Follow along until you can turn onto Amiens Drive, which brings you to another musical light show at 73 Salengro Cresent.

PS: We’re working on a simplified photo version of this but ran into some technical hiccups. Hope to add it soon!

GIFT IDEAS

We didn’t have the capacity this year for many of our traditions, including one of my favourites – Pickle Planet’s 12 Days of Local Gifting! For several years, we asked local parents to share their go-to local gifts for everyone from teachers to grandparents to party hosts and more. Check out our 2018 and 2019 Gift Guides for some last-minute ideas, as well as our 2020 Made in NB Gift Guide for Kids. There are more than 100 awesome gift ideas from New Brunswick businesses on those pages — though we do know a few of those great businesses have moved on to other pursuits, so we’re going to give a quick shout out to a few more gifts ideas that we’d add this year:

Happy almost-Chanukkah (starts this Sunday!) & Christmas (next Sunday!) & Winter Solstice (Wednesday) & Kwanzaa & Yule & Festivus & whatever special celebrations you might enjoy in the coming weeks!

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