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- 🥶 Brrring on Sparkles
🥶 Brrring on Sparkles
SJ Today
December 05, 2025
Good morning Saint John! If you were hoping Sparkles would come with a cold snap, well… wish granted. Tonight’s going to be properly chilly, so grab a hot chocolate, find a fire pit, and enjoy one of the best nights of the year uptown. See you at Sparkles.🧣
Here’s the local heat for the day:
Hilton checking out of the city 🛏️
Could there be treasure at Point Lepreau? 🪙
Weekend holiday market rundown 🎄
Have a fantastic weekend!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
PS - 🎂 Colin Smith celebrates his birthday tomorrow…hope its a great one!
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NEWS NOTES
🧳 Hilton Checks Out, Harbourfront Checks In
After 40 years flying the Hilton flag, the uptown hotel is going indie. InnVest is letting its Hilton licence expire at the end of January and will relaunch the place in February as the Saint John Harbourfront Hotel, same building and new personality with hopefully still decent pillows.
Unifor Local 2002 actually heard the news on November 27. Their memo to members said the Hilton era is ending and the important part is there are no layoffs. About 65 workers keep their jobs, the current contract stays in place through 2025, and guests should not notice anything except a fresh nameplate.
⏳Faces of Fusion countdown is on
If you’ve been thinking about nominating someone for a Faces of Fusion award, this is your final tap on the shoulder, nominations close tonight, and so do those $55 early-bird tickets. The big celebration lands February 6 at the Imperial, where Fusion Saint John brings together networking, great food, a silent auction, and five award winners who make this place better. If someone in your world deserves a little recognition, or you just love locking in a deal, now’s the time.
🏆 Top clicks of the week
Monday - Public Safety Committee’s report on speed cushions
Tuesday - SPCA’s 2026 pet calendars have arrived
Wednesday - Uptown Sparkles event guide
Thursday - ANBL’s AI ad gets roasted
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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Have you met LifeDirt ? 🥕
Fresh, local, delivered. That’s LifeDirt Foods, your shortcut to healthy, Maritime produce without the crowded stores. Biweekly boxes are curated from local farms and show up at your door like a little gift from the earth itself. Add fresh local bread or preserves while you’re at it. It’s convenient, delicious, and supports your neighbours.
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
WEEKEND HOLIDAY MARKET GUIDE
TONIGHT
BGC Holiday Market | December 5
The BGC of Greater Saint John invites you to their first-ever Holiday Market at the Market Square Atrium, 4–9 pm. Part of Uptown Sparkles, the market features photos with Santa, a 50/50 Holiday Club Rush, raffle prizes from vendors, and a chance to learn more about the BGC. Entry is free, with donations welcome on-site. Celebrate the season and support local kids and families while enjoying Uptown holiday cheer.
In Pursuit Sparkles Pop-Up | December 5
In Pursuit is keeping the festive energy going with four local businesses joining for live pop-ups during Sparkles: Eleven, Timeless Trinkets, Erin Elleker, and Eastern Brims with tattoos on site from 5-9pm. Pop-in to enjoy the pop-up.
Heroes’ Beacon Craft Market | December 5
Their fifth annual craft market is back, and it’s one of those easy uptown stops where you can wander through tables of handmade goodies and pretend you’re “almost done” your holiday shopping. Local vendors pack into the Charlotte Street shop with everything from cozy gifts to quirky finds, and it’s a fun little loop if you’re already in the neighbourhood.
Christmas at the Public Gardens | December 5-7
Step into holiday magic at the Saint John Public Gardens with the 3rd Annual Christmas Market, hosted by the Saint John Horticultural Association. Wander glowing, heated greenhouses filled with local artisans, handmade treasures, and festive treats. Outside, twinkling lights, holiday décor, and the charm of the Gardens set the scene. Enjoy food, mulled wine, and a visit from Santa while celebrating community, creativity, and Christmas cheer.
SATURDAY
Day After Sparkles Pop-Up | December 6
If you’re still riding the Sparkles buzz, this little follow-up party on King Street keeps the fun going. In Pursuit is hosting Modern Messybun, The Bread Box, and Maritime Women Apparel for a quick-hit pop-up loaded with gifts, sweet treats, and starts at 10am!
Yip Cider Christmas Market | December 6
Kick off your holiday shopping at Yip Cider Taproom from 2–6pm with local vendors, cozy vibes, and festive treats. Start the day at Fullerton’s Annual Christmas Sale, then head over just in time for Yip’s first Tree Lighting at 4:30 pm. Kids (5–12) can join a Christmas Painting Class throughout the afternoon. Shop handmade gifts from a dozen local artisans and soak up the holiday cheer!
Pop Up Community Market – Christmas Edition | December 6
Celebrate the season at Q-Plex with local vendors, including student-run tables, festive treats, and handmade gifts. Snap a photo with Santa and enjoy 50/50 and Christmas Basket draws. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family (up to 4). A perfect day to support local entrepreneurs, soak up holiday cheer, and enjoy a little Christmas magic with the whole community.
SUNDAY
TSA Curling 2nd Annual Christmas Craft Show | Sunday, December 7
Get your holiday shopping done at the Thistle-St. Andrews Curling Club, 10 am–4 pm. Local vendors showcase handmade gifts, crafts, and festive treasures. Enjoy a day of holiday browsing, creative finds, and community cheer
Christmas Market for Heart & Stroke NB | December 7
The qplex fills up with holiday shoppers from 10am–3pm for this charity market supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick. Expect vendors, gifts, 50/50 tickets, and all the festive bustle you need to feel ahead of the holiday curve. Admission is by donation at the back entrance.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸
📍On Wednesday we shared this mystery close-up and asked if you could identify those bumps…and surprisingly, some of you nailed it. It’s a detail from the beaver fountain in the Loyalist Burial Grounds uptown. Shout-out to Edgar D., Casey C., and Ruth S. for getting it right!
Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!
SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 5:13 AM(Fri 05 December) | 0.7 m(2.3 ft) |
High Tide | 11:21 AM(Fri 05 December) | 8.62 m(28.28 ft) |
Low Tide | 5:45 PM(Fri 05 December) | 0.15 m(0.49 ft) |
High Tide | 11:56 PM(Fri 05 December) | 8.0 m(26.25 ft) |
Today in History
On this day in 1812, the British brig HMS Plumper left Halifax carrying £70,000 in gold and silver to pay troops in Saint John. Then it hit the rocks off Point Lepreau and disappeared into the Bay of Fundy. In today’s money that’s roughly $12 million Canadian and the whereabouts of the treasure were never revealed. So yes, there could still be a fortune sitting somewhere out there in the bay… quietly waiting for you to find a way to bring it up.
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone that knows how to dive for treasure 🤿.
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher