Experience the excitement of the holidays in St. John's! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. Whether you're rediscovering St. John's or exploring it for the first time, our guide leads you to the holiday fun.
One of the highlights of the season is the Mummers Festival, a lively celebration of Newfoundland's quirky and cherished tradition. Another event to look forward to is the St. John's Christmas Parade, showcasing vibrant floats and festive cheer. And the Festival of Music and Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its dazzling displays and enchanting performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in St. John's
- Mummers Festival
- St. John's Christmas Parade
- Festival of Music and Lights
- Christmas at Commissariat House
- Lights of Love Tree Lighting
- Nutcracker Ballet
- Holiday Light Tour
- Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair
- Santa Shuffle
- A Christmas Carol by Spirit of Newfoundland
St. John's Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Music and Lights
What to Expect:
Fusion of music and light displays
Description:
The Festival of Music and Lights in St. John's orchestrates a symphony of sights and sounds. This unique event combines live musical performances with synchronized light displays, creating an immersive experience. Visitors can stroll through illuminated pathways while enjoying diverse musical genres. The festival showcases local talent and cutting-edge lighting technology. Rooted in the city's rich musical heritage, this event has evolved to become a modern celebration of artistry and innovation in the heart of Newfoundland.
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Holiday Light Tour
What to Expect:
Guided tour of the city's best holiday light displays
Description:
The Holiday Light Tour in St. John's unveils the city's most dazzling decorations. This guided excursion takes visitors through neighborhoods adorned with elaborate light displays and festive scenes. The twinkling lights reflect off the snow-covered landscape, creating a mesmerizing sight. Participants can vote for their favorite displays during the tour. This event showcases the creativity and community spirit of St. John's residents, who have been outdoing themselves with holiday decorations for generations.
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St. John's Holiday Markets and Shopping
Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of Newfoundland and Labrador's finest artisans
Description:
The Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair in St. John's spotlights the region's most talented artisans. This event brings together over 100 craftspeople, offering a diverse array of handmade goods unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. The fair buzzes with creativity and local pride. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques. Established in 1972, this fair has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the province's rich craft heritage.
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Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair
Decorative Poinsettia Sale
What to Expect:
Fundraiser featuring locally grown poinsettias
Description:
The Decorative Poinsettia Sale in St. John's blooms with holiday spirit and community support. This event offers a wide variety of locally grown poinsettias, including rare and unique cultivars. The vibrant colors of the plants create a stunning visual display. Visitors can learn about poinsettia care from expert horticulturists. Proceeds from the sale support local charitable organizations. This annual event has been brightening homes and supporting causes in St. John's for over 25 years.
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St. John's Holiday Giving Opportunities
Lights of Love Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven memorial tree lighting
Description:
The Lights of Love Tree Lighting ceremony in St. John's illuminates more than just a tree. This poignant event honors loved ones who have passed, with each light representing a cherished memory. The community gathers to witness the collective glow of remembrance. Participants can dedicate a light in memory of someone special. Organized by a local hospice, this event has been bringing comfort and unity to St. John's residents for over two decades.
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Santa Shuffle
What to Expect:
Charity run/walk in Santa suits
Description:
The Santa Shuffle in St. John's turns the city streets into a sea of red and white. This 5K fun run and 1K elf walk sees participants donning Santa suits as they dash through the snow. The event raises funds for local charities, combining physical activity with holiday giving. You can join the post-run celebration featuring hot chocolate and festive treats. Since its inception, the Santa Shuffle has become a beloved tradition, embodying the spirit of community and generosity in St. John's.
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St. John's Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Local interpretation of the classic ballet
Description:
St. John's Nutcracker Ballet infuses the classic tale with local flavor. This production incorporates elements of Newfoundland culture, creating a unique twist on the beloved story. The stage comes alive with intricate costumes and set designs inspired by the region. You can marvel at the graceful movements of talented local dancers. This adaptation has become a cherished tradition in St. John's, blending classical ballet with the city's distinctive character for over 30 years.
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A Christmas Carol by Spirit of Newfoundland
What to Expect:
Dinner theater adaptation of Dickens' classic
Description:
Spirit of Newfoundland's "A Christmas Carol" serves up a feast for the senses. This dinner theater production reimagines Dickens' tale with local humor and references. The aroma of traditional Newfoundland cuisine fills the air as the story unfolds. Audience members can interact with the characters during the performance. Running for over 15 years, this adaptation has become a beloved part of St. John's holiday entertainment scene, blending literature, theater, and local culture.
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A Christmas Carol by Spirit of Newfoundland
Tibb's Eve Concert
What to Expect:
Celebration of a unique Newfoundland holiday
Description:
The Tibb's Eve Concert in St. John's honors a distinctly Newfoundland tradition. Held on December 23rd, Tibb's Eve marks the official start of the holiday season in local culture. The concert features performances by renowned local musicians, celebrating the province's rich musical heritage. Attendees can learn about the origins of this quirky holiday during the event. Tibb's Eve, also known as Tipsy Eve, has been observed in Newfoundland since the 1800s, evolving from a time of pre-Christmas indulgence to a celebration of local culture.
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Christmas Concert Series
What to Expect:
Diverse lineup of holiday music performances
Description:
The Christmas Concert Series in St. John's orchestrates a symphony of seasonal sounds. This event showcases a variety of musical styles, from classical orchestras to contemporary bands, all with a holiday twist. The series takes place in historic venues across the city, each with its own unique acoustics. You can experience the evolution of holiday music through different eras and genres. This long-running series has been a platform for both established and emerging local musicians for over three decades.
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Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Symphony orchestra performance of holiday classics
Description:
Holiday Pops in St. John's orchestrates a grand celebration of seasonal music. The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra performs beloved holiday tunes with a full symphonic arrangement. The concert hall resonates with the rich, full sound of the orchestra. Audience members can sing along to familiar carols during designated portions of the show. This event has been a highlight of St. John's cultural calendar for decades, blending classical music with holiday favorites.
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Christmas Organ Recital
What to Expect:
Showcase of historic pipe organ music
Description:
The Christmas Organ Recital in St. John's resonates with centuries of musical tradition. This event features performances on a historic pipe organ, filling the venue with powerful, majestic tones. The program includes both classic and contemporary holiday compositions. You can observe the intricate workings of the organ during the performance. Held in one of St. John's oldest churches, this recital connects listeners to the city's rich musical and architectural heritage.
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St. John's Other Holiday Activities
Mummers Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional Newfoundland mummering customs
Description:
The Mummers Festival in St. John's revives a centuries-old Newfoundland tradition. Participants don outlandish disguises and parade through the streets, embodying the spirit of mummering. You can join workshops to create your own mummer's costume using recycled materials. The festival culminates in a raucous parade where the streets come alive with the sound of accordion music and jingle bells. This event preserves a unique aspect of Newfoundland's cultural heritage, dating back to the early 19th century.
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St. John's Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas parade in Atlantic Canada
Description:
St. John's Christmas Parade transforms the city into a moving spectacle of holiday cheer. As the largest parade of its kind in Atlantic Canada, it features over 100 floats and attracts thousands of spectators. The air fills with the aroma of hot chocolate as families line the streets. You can bring non-perishable food items to donate along the parade route. This community-driven event has been a staple of St. John's holiday season for over 60 years, bringing together residents and visitors alike.
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Christmas at Commissariat House
What to Expect:
Historical Christmas experience in a 19th-century building
Description:
Christmas at Commissariat House transports visitors to a 19th-century Yuletide celebration. This Georgian-style residence, built in 1818, comes alive with period-accurate decorations and customs. The crackling of the fireplace adds to the authentic atmosphere. Guests can participate in traditional crafts like making pomanders or writing with quill pens. This event offers a glimpse into St. John's colonial past, showcasing how early settlers celebrated the holidays in Newfoundland.
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Christmas at Commissariat House
Nearby Events
Merry & Bright Holiday Light Festival (Paradise)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in Paradise
Description:
The Merry & Bright Holiday Light Festival transforms Paradise into a luminous spectacle. This drive-through event features over 500,000 lights arranged in elaborate displays and tunnels. Visitors can tune their car radios to a special station for synchronized holiday music. The festival includes a special section dedicated to local folklore and legends. Initiated in 2020, this event has quickly become a new holiday tradition for families in the St. John's area.
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Merry & Bright Holiday Light Festival
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Mt. Pearl)
What to Expect:
Community-driven event in Mt. Pearl
Description:
Mt. Pearl's Tree Lighting Ceremony ignites the holiday spirit in this close-knit community. The event centers around the illumination of a massive evergreen tree, symbolizing unity and hope. Local choirs perform carols, their voices rising into the crisp winter air. Attendees can contribute to a community time capsule to be opened in future years. This ceremony has been bringing Mt. Pearl residents together for generations, fostering a sense of belonging and shared tradition.