🎄This weekend's holiday hits

Good morning Saint John! Today is Black Friday…so if you’re a shopper, you’ve probably already sniffed out the deals. If not, you’re likely just ready to dive into another weekend of fun, food, and holiday festivities.

Here’s what we’re bagging up this morning:

• Ball hockey breaks new ground 🏟️

• Listings are stacking up fast 📈

• Parade seats and pint deals 🍺

Have a fantastic weekend!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🏒 Ball Hockey Scores Big on the East Side

Knapper has officially broken ground on its first Atlantic Canada ball hockey centre in McAllister Industrial Park. Opening in late spring 2026, the facility will feature two 4-on-4 surfaces, multi-use spaces and a full sports pub for post-game analysis.

The centre will host year-round leagues, training programs, school partnerships and community events while creating 30 to 40 new jobs. Knapper says Saint John’s love of sports made it a natural choice for its first facility outside Quebec and Ontario.

🏡 Listings Pile Up Across N.B.

New Brunswick just logged its biggest October ever for new home listings, with more than 1,300 houses hitting the market and over 3,500 now up for grabs. But despite the surge, realtors insist the sky isn’t falling. The market has simply shifted from sprint to steady jog, with homes taking 30 to 60 days to sell and prices softening just enough to give buyers a bit of breathing room.

Sellers aren’t seeing the wild bidding wars of 2021, but solid offers are still out there, especially with more locals buying again instead of out-of-province rush-ins. The word they keep using is “balanced,” which is realtor-speak for: nobody’s winning, nobody’s losing, and for once the market is actually behaving itself. 

🌧️ Weather Warnings Changing

Environment Canada just rolled out a new colour-coded alert system, swapping the old warnings for yellow, orange and red levels that spell out how much a storm will actually impact your day. Yellow is your standard “this’ll be annoying” weather, orange means “charge the devices,” and red is the full-on “act now” dangerous stuff.

Special statements still exist in grey, because apparently we needed four colours. They say the goal is clearer communication, so when a colour pops up for Saint John, it’s worth paying attention.

🏆Top clicks of the week

Monday - McAllister Place updates hours for holiday season
Tuesday - Emporia’s magical Christmas event this Saturday
Wednesday - Andrew Clark’s Rockin Ebenezer music video
Thursday - Hope ya got it out with the Collective Scream at Tin Can


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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

We’ve rounded up this weekend’s local Christmas markets and events so you can support local artists, makers, and organizations while decking your halls. Got a market you want the word out about? Send it our way and we’ll give it some holiday love.

FRIDAY

Black Friday at Heroes’ Beacon | Nov 28–Dec 1
Kick off your holiday shopping with big in-store discounts at Heroes’ Beacon! From Friday through Monday, discover door buster deals and special savings across the store. Note: discounts don’t apply to special orders, layaways, or items on hold, and can’t be combined with Hero Points or other offers. Keep an eye out for surprise deals revealed throughout the weekend!

Bobby’s Hospice Christmas Market | Nov 28–29
Exhibition Park is packed with 175 tables of local vendors offering unique gifts, home décor, and crafts. Each weekend brings different goodies, plus raffles, auctions, and a 50/50 draw to keep things lively. Admission is by donation, so bring your holiday spirit, your friends, and your family for a festive shopping spree that supports Bobby’s Hospice.

The Art Assembly Pop-Up | November 28 & 29
Art, community, and craft beer collide at Picaroons General Store with The Art Assembly’s second pop-up show. Over 10 emerging artists will showcase their curated collections, and 10% of art sales go to a local charity. The event runs Friday from
5-10pm, and Saturday from 11am-3pm. Grab a pint, browse the art, and soak up the atmosphere while discovering something new.

Jewelry Making Party | November 28
Grab a fancy cocktail and get crafty at the 3rd annual jewelry making party in West Saint John. Learn to design and build your own pieces, shop a 50% off sale exclusive to party-goers, and enjoy a creative night out. Spots are limited to 12, so send a message to secure your seat!

CSMES Holiday Yule | November 28
The 4th annual Holiday Yule at Chris Saunders Elementary is back and packed with family fun from 6-8pm. Snap a photo with Santa, hang out with Twinkle the Elf, get your face painted, try glitter tattoos, decorate cookies, craft, dance, and play games. Cash concessions are on hand and the Holiday Yule Auction items will be on display through November 30 at 9pm.

SATURDAY

Taste of KV | November 29
Get your holiday cheer on at the Bill McGuire Centre! Snap a free photo with Santa, enjoy kids’ balloon twisting, and explore a holiday-themed photo booth. Local artisans and festive treats are ready to wow your taste buds, while live performances keep the spirit bright. Bring non-perishable items to support KV Food Basket and drop a donation for RICC’s new recreation project. Free entry, family fun guaranteed!

Christmas Workshops at The Sewist | November 29
Get into the holiday spirit with beginner-friendly Christmas workshops at The Sewist on Water Street. From 2–3:45 PM, create festive projects that will make your season extra special. A cozy, crafty way to kick off your weekend and maybe pick up a handmade gift or two!

Christmas Craft Fair | November 29
The Legion 69 Branch on Wilson Street is hosting a Christmas Craft & Bake Sale from 9am to 2pm, featuring local vendors, artisans, 50/50, raffles, and a canteen. Kids can get photos with Santa, and tables are available for $25 plus a donation to a basket raffle. A casual way to pick up holiday gifts and support local makers.

Holly Jolly Holiday Market | November 29
The Holly Jolly Holiday Market turns 5 and pops up in Saint John! Explore a curated selection of local makers, shop unique gifts, and soak in festive vibes at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal. It’s the perfect way to kick off your holiday shopping while supporting Saint John’s artisan community.

27th Annual KV Santa Claus Parade | November 29
The 27th KV Santa Claus Parade starts at 6pm from KVHS and follows Hampton Road to Clark Road. This year’s theme is "The Lights of Christmas." If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the parade moves to Sunday, November 30. A simple evening stroll to see floats, hear some music, and get into the holiday mood.

Grand Bay-Westfield Christmas Parade | November 29
The town lights up as the annual Christmas Parade marches from Grand Bay Guardian to River Valley Middle School, starting at 6pm. Expect festive floats, marching bands, and plenty of holiday cheer. Roads along the route close at 5:30pm, so plan ahead if you’re heading downtown. Free to watch and perfect for families looking to kick off the holiday season with some local sparkle.

KV Parade Viewing Party | November 29
Grab the best seats in Rothesay at Drifter Brew Co. for this year’s KV Santa Claus Parade. Kids get a Santa Claus Special with chicken fingers or grilled cheese, fries, a drink, and fresh gingerbread cookies for $10. Adults can enjoy holiday cheer and cold beers on the front patio while watching the parade roll by. Bring friends, bring the kids, and enjoy the festive fun!

SUNDAY

Santa Paws | November 30
Santa Paws is back! Bring the whole family, including your furry friends (obviously), to the Diamond Jubilee Terminal for a festive photo with Santa, captured by local photographer Flewwelling Photography. Photos are $10 each, and all proceeds support the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue. No registration needed…just drop in, make some purr-fect holiday memories, and help local animals in need.

Gingerbread House Show & Sale | November 29
The last art show of 2025 is happening at the Peter Salmon Art Centre in Saint Martins from 10am-4pm. Explore paintings, woodturning, prints, digital art, jewelry, books, and Christmas ornaments—perfect for handmade gift giving. Kids can join in the fun with gingerbread cookie decorating and small art projects for $3 each. Support local artists and enjoy a creative, festive day out with the family.

Got an Event to Share?

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday we shared a close-up of a hand holding a phone and asked if you could guess where it was in the city. Turns out, no one got it right! It’s at 20 Canterbury Street, part of the Sea Dogs branded content on the building. There’s always next week…

Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone whose already done their Christmas shopping 🛍️!

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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