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Good morning, Saint John! We’re taking a little holiday pause to recharge our festive batteries…SJ Today will be back in your inbox on December 30th. In the meantime, eat, sip, and be merry… and try not to check your email too much! 🎄

In today’s edition:

Have a great holiday week!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Faces of Fusion returns Friday, February 6, taking over the Imperial Theatre for one of Fusion Saint John’s biggest nights of the year.

Join us for an evening built around connection and recognition. It’s a social night with time to mix, catch up, enjoy food, browse the silent auction, and celebrate five award winners making a real impact in the region.

Award finalists will be shared in January, with winners announced live during the event.

Proceeds support Fusion’s work creating opportunities for Saint Johners to learn, grow, and connect through accessible programming. Tickets are available now.

⚡ Quispamsis opens comfort centre for storm-hit residents

Power’s still out for some after Friday’s storm. About 200 homes in the area are still without electricity, so the town is opening a comfort centre at the qplex this week. Residents can warm up, charge devices, grab a shower, and refill water bottles…basically a cozy pit stop until the lights come back on. Open Monday and Tuesday 8am–8pm, and Christmas Eve if needed. Keep an eye on NB Power for updates.

📈 Chamber wants more grads and skilled workers

Our local business leaders aren’t waiting for luck to grow the city, they’ve taken it straight to Premier Holt. The Saint John Region Chamber, along with Fredericton and Moncton, sent a letter recommending ways to keep more grads and attract skilled immigrants to the region. Highlights include tax credits to keep graduates for three years, better recognition of international credentials, and hooking students into real work experiences. 

🤑 Saint John hits the jackpot

Someone in Saint John just went from maybe I’ll buy a coffee to maybe I’ll buy a private island (or at least a place on the peninsula).A Lotto Maxmillions ticket sold in the city for Friday’s draw matched all the numbers, making one lucky local $1 million richer. Feeling lucky? Check the numbers here and see if your last-minute impulse buy turned into a million-dollar miracle.

🎄 Holiday hours cheat sheet

Need to know when city hall, the library, or the rink are open over the holidays? Most municipal spots are running on special schedules this week, so don’t show up to a locked door.

We’ve rounded up the holiday hours for Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, and Grand Bay-Westfield…because guessing is overrated. Check the full schedules here:

Saint John
Quispamsis
Rothesay

Plan smart, skip the surprises, and get your holiday errands done stress-free!

We can help! Advertise with us and be seen by readers enjoying their morning coffee!

Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!

TUESDAY

Tibb’s Eve at Saint John Ale House | December 23
Tibb’s Eve gets its proper kickoff at the Ale House with a cozy, no-rush kind of night. Rum and eggnog will be flowing, local beers are on tap, and the winter cocktail menu makes its debut. It’s the kind of place to gather with friends before the family rounds begin and ease into the holidays together. Starts at 7pm and rolls on from there.

Tibb’s Eve at Suwanna | December 23
Suwanna leans fully into the Newfoundland tradition with a lively Tibb’s Eve full of kitchen-party energy. Expect traditional music, screech-ins, mummers, and a room that doesn’t stay quiet for long. It’s loud, warm, and built for singing along whether you know the words or not. Doors open early and the night tends to stretch late.

WEDNESDAY

Christmas Eve Skate | December 24
A low-key way to burn off some holiday energy before the big night. Public skating is on at Stewart Hurley Arena and Peter Murray Arena with plenty of room for families, kids, and anyone looking to stretch their legs. A nice afternoon skate to slide into Christmas Eve at a slower pace. Runs from 2:30-4pm.

FRIDAY

Boxing Day Skate | December 26
If the house feels a little tight after Christmas Day, this one helps. Public skating returns at Charles Gorman Arena and Stewart Hurley Arena for a relaxed Boxing Day outing. It’s a good excuse to get everyone moving, laugh off the leftovers, and do something simple together before the week blurs. Skating runs from 2:30-4pm.

Monopolized Year End Weekend at Haven Music Hall | December 26–27
Monopolized Records turns its annual year-end show into a full weekend takeover at Haven Music Hall. Night one brings loud local rock with Adam K & The Natural Causes, Crying Shames, and ER & The Other. Saturday adds a daytime local pop-up market (11am-4pm, free entry) followed by an evening show with Doctor Mother Father, Constant Greetings, and Marian. Evening shows start at 9pm both nights, doors at 8pm. Single-night tickets are $15 at the door, or $20 for the full weekend.

Disco After Christmas at the Kent Theatre | December 26
If Santa skipped the disco record this year, the Kent Theatre has it covered. Club Rewind Productions and DJ 506 turn the post-turkey slump into a full-on dance night with throwback disco vibes and a reason to move after a few heavy holiday meals. It’s upbeat, familiar, and built for anyone looking to shake off Christmas and keep the fun going a little longer.

SUNDAY

Saint John Writes | December 28
A quiet, focused writing session designed to help people actually get words on the page. Writers of all levels gather to unplug, write, and connect in a low-pressure setting. It’s less about critique and more about showing up and making space for creativity alongside others doing the same. Runs from 10am-12pm at The Write Cup Bookstore Cafe.

Saint John vs Charlottetown | December 28
The Sea Dogs are back at TD Station for a Sunday afternoon matchup against Charlottetown. Puck drops at 3pm.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

📸 Dave Sinclair |📍 Prince William Street

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone as the perfect gift! 🎀

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher