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Fredericton, New Brunswick
Christmas and the holidays in Fredericton 2026
The craft fairs, the parade, the tree lightings, the lights, the rinks, and what is open on Christmas Day: the season, weekend by weekend.
Every date here comes from the organizer. Where 2026 is not posted yet, we say so and give last year’s date as the guide. Keep this page open from mid-November to New Year’s; it grows as the season firms up.
Coming up
The next dates on the holiday calendar
Confirmed by the organizer unless it says otherwise. The craft fairs have their own guide, weekend by weekend.
- Silver Wave Film Festival opens (to the 12th)
- Remembrance Day at the Provincial Cenotaph
- Northside Christmas Market, Nashwaaksis Lions Club: craft season opens
- NB Spirits Festival, Delta (to the 21st)
- Holly Jolly Holiday Market, UNB (and the 22nd)
- Santa’s Side Hustle, Fredericton Inn (and the 28th)
- Santa Claus Parade and the tree lightings: last year’s weekend, 2026 date to be confirmed
- Christmas in the Village, Gagetown (and the 29th)
- Overnight parking ban enforcement peaks; first plowable snow most years
- Christmas Craft Show at the Ex: last year’s weekend, 2026 dates to be confirmed
The holiday guides
What to read before you plan
The craft-fair guide is dated for 2026 and was checked this week; the others get their 2026 dates as the organizers post them.
Christmas Craft Fairs and Holiday Markets Around Fredericton: The 2026 Dates, Weekend by Weekend
Every Christmas craft fair and holiday market in the Fredericton region for November and early December 2026, with confirmed dates (Northside Market Nov 14, Holly Jolly Nov 21 and 22, Santa's Side Hustle Nov 27 and 28, Christmas in the Village Nov 28 and 29), last year's dates for the rest, admission, and the vendor deadlines.
🎪 Events & festivals · 10 minChristmas and the Holidays in Fredericton: Lights, Markets, Santa, and Traditions
A local guide to the holiday season in Fredericton: the Santa Claus parade, tree lightings, Christmas lights, craft markets, concerts and theatre, skating, tree farms, and New Year's Eve. Warm, honest, and grounded in real local events.
🎪 Events & festivals · 8 minThe Fredericton Santa Claus Parade and Downtown Tree Lighting: A Local's Guide
When and where to catch the Fredericton Santa Claus Parade, the downtown tree lighting, and the holiday markets that kick off the season. Confirm this year's date.
🎪 Events & festivals · 10 minNew Year’s Eve in Fredericton: How to Plan the Night (and the Morning After)
Fredericton NYE planning: where to find downtown events, family early-evening options, hotel and pub parties, dinners, the Jan 1 Levee, and the Frostival lead-in.
🗺️ Things to do · 8 minThe Fredericton Winter Bucket List: Skating, Skiing, Sledding and Crabbe
Officers' Square skating, Wostawea-groomed ski trails, Odell sledding, pond hockey and the Crabbe Mountain debate, winter in Fredericton, done right.
🗺️ Things to do · 13 minFredericton Sledding Hills and Winter Play With Kids
Where to go sledding in Fredericton plus outdoor rinks, snowshoeing, Crabbe Mountain, Mactaquac and Frostival, a joyful, practical family winter guide.
In the works
What this page will hold by December
Named now so the season has a shape; each one replaces its line here the day it ships.
- Christmas lights map 2026A map you add your street to, plus a driving loop. Submissions open mid-November.
- What’s open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’sStores, pharmacies, NB Liquor, restaurants, transit, garbage, the pool and the rinks. One table, updated daily from December 22.
- Christmas tree farms and U-cut near FrederictonPrices, opening weekends, pre-cut or cut-your-own, and what to bring.
- Christmas concerts, the Nutcracker and holiday showsThe Playhouse, the churches, the choirs and UNB, dated.
- Where to skate: outdoor rinks and public skate timesThe City’s rinks on a map, with Officers’ Square and the arenas, when the ice goes in.
The fixtures
The winter guides that come back every year
Ask Freddy, holiday edition