🍝 Winner Winner Pasta Dinner

Good morning, Saint John. Thanks to everyone who completed our audience demographics survey. As promised, one of you is winning a $100 Italian By Night gift card. And our winner is...

Anne D. !

Check your email, it’s on the way. Enjoy!

Here’s what else is up today:

• Baggage belt getting a boost ✈️

• Tea time in Saint John 🍵 

• Deck the halls, hit the stalls ✨

Have a fantastic weekend!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🧳 YSJ Gets a Bigger Belt for Holiday Season

Santa isn’t the only one upgrading his baggage setup this year. YSJ is installing a bigger, better baggage belt to handle the growing pile of suitcases rolling in from the larger aircraft now touching down. While construction wraps up, bags will arrive via the customs hall, an easy temporary detour that keeps things flowing. The upgrade should be ready in early December, trimming wait times and helping the airport keep pace with rising bag traffic. Travellers may spot some barricades in arrivals, but operations are steady and smooth as ever.

🎭 BMO Doubles Down on Local Theatre

Saint John’s theatre scene just got a major standing ovation from BMO. The bank is renewing its longtime partnership with the Saint John Theatre Company with another $150,000 over the next three years, keeping the applause going at the BMO Studio Theatre on Princess Street. BMO has been in the wings since 2007 and helped turn the space into one of the busiest creative hubs in the province. The new investment means more shows, more music, more Fringe, more Shakespeare, and a thriving arts space that stays buzzing all year. SJTC says the renewed support will help strengthen programming and keep the space vibrant for the community.

🏆 Top clicks of the week

Monday - Christmas at Public Gardens kicks of this weekend
Tuesday - InnovateNB awards scheduled for November 27
Wednesday - Intersection upgrade at Ashburn Lake & Retail Drive done
Thursday - KV Go non-rider survey open for feedback

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

LOCAL BUSNIESS

☕️ A Fresh Pour for the Port City

When the pandemic prompted a change of pace, entrepreneur Zenia Horton and her husband Dave followed their instincts east from Ontario. After first landing in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, they moved to the port city just this past August - a decision shaped by the city’s history, waterfront energy, and the warmth of its people.

“We visited Saint John years ago and were impressed by the incredible mix of heritage and modern life,” Zenia explained. “Everyone is so friendly. It just felt right.”

Their business, Rising Tides Tea, draws its name from both the Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides and the way loose leaf tea gently rises as it steeps. For Zenia, that motion mirrors her philosophy: slowing down, taking a breath, and appreciating small moments of calm. Every handcrafted blend is created with intention, with a goal of bringing comfort, focus, energy, or rest - using carefully sourced ingredients people can trust.

Since arriving in Saint John, Zenia has seen new opportunities emerge for collaborations and community connections. While she currently sells loose leaf tea online and through markets, Zenia hopes to partner with a local café where customers can enjoy a cup on-site as well as purchase her blends.

For the holidays, Rising Tides Tea will appear at local markets including the Public Gardens Christmas Market and the Saint John City Market, with appointments available at her Canterbury Street studio.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

‘Tis the season to shop, sip, and snag all the festive finds! We’ve rounded up this weekend’s local Christmas markets 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

Bobby’s Hospice Christmas Market | November 21–22
Exhibition Park is hosting Bobby’s Hospice annual Christmas Market across two days: Friday, Nov 21 from 2–8pm and Saturday, Nov 22 from 9am–3pm. With 175 tables of local vendors, you’ll find unique gifts, crafts, and home décor, plus raffles, auctions, and a 50/50 draw. Admission is by donation, making it a festive way to support the community while getting an early start on holiday shopping.

Christmas Market at the Public Gardens | November 21–23
The Saint John Horticultural Association is bringing holiday cheer to the Public Gardens with their 3rd annual Christmas Market. Friday, Nov 21, 4–8pm; Saturday, Nov 22, 12–7pm; and Sunday, Nov 23, 12–4pm, guests can wander through glowing greenhouses filled with local artisans, handmade gifts, festive treats, and mulled wine. Step outside to enjoy twinkling lights and holiday décor, it’s a cozy, family-friendly celebration of community and Christmas magic.

Belding Hill Farms Christmas Market | November 21–23
Belding Hill Farms kicks off its Hallmark-worthy Christmas Market this weekend, with nearly 50 artisan huts, cozy fires, hot cider, Glühwein, friendly farm animals, and the Colemans roaming around as old-time Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It’s all outdoors and fully festive, running Friday 4–9pm and Saturday 12–9pm. Admission at the gate, and yes—dress warm.

SATURDAY

Quispamsis Lion’s Club Christmas Market | November 22
The Quispamsis Lions Club is setting up shop behind Foodland with a cozy little Christmas market that’s perfect for early browsing. Crafters will have everything from baked treats to handmade goodies, and they’re even serving breakfast sandwiches with tea or coffee from 9–11am. It’s the kind of drop-in morning market that feels very “small town in the best way.”

KBM Christmas Craft & Vendor Sale | November 22
KBM is opening the doors for its annual Christmas craft sale, running 9am–1pm with a big mix of vendors from around the province. Shoppers can expect treats at the canteen, a door prize packed with vendor goodies, and a chance to drop off food bank donations. It’s $1 to get in, and vendors can still book a table by contacting KBM directly.

Millidgeville North Holiday Craft Market | November 22
Millidgeville North School is turning its halls into a mini holiday village this Saturday with local makers, baked goods, art, décor and all the “I didn’t know I needed this” items you can carry. Entry is $2 and doubles as your raffle ticket for a Holiday Basket Draw, with extra tickets available. It all supports student projects so you can shop local and help the kids at the same time.

Loch Lomond Villa Holiday Market | November 22
Loch Lomond Villa is bringing back its cozy holiday market, and Queen of Tarts will be there with jams, cookies, pickles, and a few diabetic-friendly treats. It runs 9am–1pm in the Simonds Lions Auditorium and has that friendly, stop-and-browse vibe where you always leave with something you didn’t know you needed. A nice, easy Saturday morning wander with plenty of local goodies.

SUNDAY

Juniper Christmas Pop-Up | December 23
Juniper is hosting a holiday pop-up Sunday. Local makers will be set up with handmade jewellery, dress rentals, festive florals, baked treats, and even apple-cider-vinegar drinks for a little seasonal boost. It’s a relaxed, cozy browse on Prince William Street and a smart way to start your shopping in a local way.

My Christmas Art Exhibit | November 23
Lana Langille Doucette is showcasing her seasonal exhibit at the Bill McGuire Centre, designed to capture Christmas on three levels, from bright childhood memories to soft winter moments and cozy nighttime glow. Guests can explore original $100 paintings, greeting cards, canvas prints, and more, all thoughtfully arranged in her signature palettes. It’s an immersive, art-filled way to soak up the holiday spirit from 10am–6pm.

Got an Event to Share?

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Your Holiday Message Could Be Here
Get festive with us! We’re offering special special custom holiday banner placements in SJ Today. Perfect for sharing cheer or giving your brand a seasonal spotlight.

LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday we shared this mysterious round object and asked if you could ID it. Turns out… you absolutely could. We got more responses than ever. Of course it’s the wheel from Motorcycle Man (as most of you called him) in the Hooper’s People collection at City Hall. Shoutout to Edgar D., Gina W., Holly D., Leah S., Rob C., Ken C., Paul O., Casey C., Shawna M., and Justin L. for nailing it. And to everyone who guessed Hooper’s Timepiece…honestly, close enough.

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 who can’t resist a Parmigiana di Pollo 🍝.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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