🔭 It’s a bird, it’s a plane...

Good morning, Saint John! Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year is parasocial, meaning you feel a connection to someone famous you don’t actually know. Kinda like the feeling you get when you pass Maestro in the pedway uptown…🎤

Here’s the what’s up this morning:

• Out of town landlords passing more than GO 🎲

• Snowbirds fly over SJ ✈️

• Grants make great ideas richer 💰

One more sleep ‘til the weekend!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🏚️ Empty buildings, full wallets 

Some investors are turning Saint John’s housing crisis into a game of Monopoly, buying up residential buildings, leaving them empty, and cashing in while the rest of us hunt for a place to live. The City is keeping an eye on 175 vacant properties, and councillors like Brent Harris are pushing hard for a “vacancy tax” to make empty units less profitable. The province is reviewing the idea, but any changes won’t kick in until 2027. Until then, some buildings stay ghosted while the owners’ wallets stay full.

💰 Saint John hands out community cash 

The City of Saint John just opened applications for its 2026 Community Grants Program, offering funding for organizations that keep the city active, inclusive, and fun. Apply for support for your group, a project, or an event and choose one of four sectors: Inclusive, Vibrant, Green, or Engaged Communities. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on size and scope. Deadline is January 31, 2026, at 4pm. Apply online and get your ideas moving.

✈️ Snowbirds set to wow Saint John 

It’s not Anne Murray at TD Station, but it’s the next best thing! The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are coming for Airshow Atlantic’s first-ever Saint John stop, August 29–30, 2026. The iconic red-and-white jets will celebrate 55 years of precision flying, swooping and looping across our skies while leaving jaws on the tarmac. Families, aviation fans, and anyone who enjoys a good wow moment should mark their calendars. Stay tuned for performer announcements and ticket info on Airshow Atlantic’s website.

🚛 Holiday pickup shuffle

With all the calendar craziness this month, the Fundy Regional Service Commission has a handy tool to keep you from putting your bins out on the wrong morning. Pop your address into their online wizard and it’ll tell you exactly when your pickup days land over the holidays. Quick, simple, zero guesswork and no standing at the window wondering if that truck rumbling by is yours.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

THURSDAY

Fundy Sea Shanty Night | December 11
O’Leary’s Pub is setting sail on December 11 with a festive Fundy Sea Shanty Night. Join Before the Mast for nautical tunes and seasonal songs, and catch David Goss reading from Atlantic Canada Christmas, with copies available for sale and signing if you’re quick. The fun starts at 7pm at 46 Princess Street, and there’s no admission fee, making it an easy, cozy night of music, stories, and holiday cheer.

St. Mary’s Band Christmas Concert | December 11
St. Mary’s & Bartholomew’s Church is hosting a festive evening with the St. Mary’s Band, bringing holiday tunes to the Westmorland Road community. The concert starts at 7:30pm, and admission is by donation at the door, making it a simple, feel-good way to kick off the Christmas week with live local music.

FRIDAY

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | December 12–13
InterAction School of Performing Arts is staging a festive run of Rudolph: The Musical, complete with all the classic characters and plenty of holiday charm. It’s a family-friendly pick for anyone who wants a little sparkle before the season ramps up. Tickets are selling fast, and there’s also a Rudolph raffle supporting their kids’ theatre program, with the draw happening during the Dec. 13 show. 

The Nutcracker | December 12–14
Rothesay Ballet School and GALA Ballet are bringing their annual Nutcracker to the Imperial, complete with local dancers, visiting pros, and all the magic that makes this holiday staple feel timeless. Clara, the Nutcracker Soldier, the Mouse King, and the Sugarplum Fairy all take the stage in a production that’s big, bright, and built for all ages. The show opens December 12 at 7pm and continues through the weekend.

SATURDAY

KBM Kids Christmas Party | December 13
KBM’s free holiday party is back with a two-hour burst of kid energy... cookie decorating, crafts, colouring, and photos with Santa all packed into a 12-2pm window. The canteen is stepping up too, offering free hot dogs, juice, and treats for families. They’re asking folks to RSVP so they can plan for numbers, but otherwise it’s a simple, cheerful drop-in afternoon on Westfield Road. Donations are welcome to support KBM.

Sarah Hebert Holiday Set | December 13
Market Square is bringing in UNB Saint John’s own Sarah Hebert for a cozy mid-afternoon Christmas set in the Atrium. She grew up learning guitar with her dad and now pops up everywhere from Uptown Sparkles to local nursing homes - so expect an easy, warm vibe as she rolls through festive favourites from 2-4pm. It’s free, relaxed, and a nice little soundtrack for a December stroll through the Square.

Christmas Gala at Trinity | December 13
The Saint John Chorale is packing Trinity Church with more than 200 performers for its big annual Christmas variety show. Expect a full lineup featuring the Saint John High School choirs, the 3rd Field Regimental Band, the Forest Hills Elementary choir, and a big crowd-pleasing sing-along to wrap it all up. It’s one of those classic uptown holiday nights that feels very Saint John. The show starts at 7pm at Trinity Church.

Ugly Sweater Curling Night | December 13
TSA Curling Club is hosting a relaxed Friday-night throw for anyone who wants to get on the ice, members and curious first-timers alike. Curling starts at 7pm, and they’re keeping everyone fuelled with pizza and snacks while teams rotate through. It’s a low-pressure, community-style night out for anyone who wants to slide, sweep, or just hang out. Runs at TSA Curling Club on Dufferin Avenue.

Candlelight Christmas Classics | December 13
Stone Church is getting the full glow-up with a candlelit concert of Christmas favourites performed by a live string quartet. Think Sugar Plum Fairy, Carol of the Bells, Mariah, Wham!, and all the holiday heavy hitters wrapped in that warm, cozy candlelight vibe. It’s a 60-minute escape from the December rush and one of the prettier ways to take in seasonal music this year. Multiple showtimes at Stone Church - 6:30pm & 8:30pm.

SUNDAY

Santa Sunday | December 14
The Write Cup Bookstore Café is rolling out the holiday magic with an afternoon visit from Father Christmas himself. He’ll be hanging out from 1-3pm, chatting with kids (and the kids-at-heart), sharing stories, posing for photos, and adding a little sparkle to a quiet December Sunday. It’s a simple, sweet drop-in moment for families looking to slow down and soak up some festive cheer.

Symphonette by the Sea | December 14
Symphonette by the Sea returns with a joy-packed evening of holiday music inside Portland United. Conductor Hok Kwan leads the group through Locatelli, Rameau, and classic carols, with local favourite Paul Bustin stepping in as soloist. It’s an easy, feel-good way to warm up a December Sunday and hear the city’s musicians shine. The show starts at 7pm at Portland United Church.

The Winter Solstice and Contemporary Dance Project | December 14
First City School of Dance is marking the season with a one-hour showcase that pairs a children’s ballet about light returning in winter with a contemporary piece performed alongside cellist Emily Kennedy. It’s a family-friendly mix of storytelling, movement, and local talent, all staged by young dancers who’ve built these works from the ground up. The performance begins at 4pm at Saint John High School.

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who has met someone famous 🌟.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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