Christmas Events for Kids in Quispamsis (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 3 min read

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the Christmas events for kids in Quispamsis for 2026, and both are free. The 28th Annual KV Santa Claus Parade, themed “A Cartoon Christmas”, leaves KVHS at 6 pm on Saturday, November 28 and heads down Hampton Road, and the Holiday Dreamland light display glows beside Town Hall in the Arts & Culture Park all season, with an outdoor rink right in front of the stage. We check every date on the towns’ own pages and link straight there. For more across the country, see our Canada Christmas events for kids guide.

What Rally found in Quispamsis

  • 2 free Christmas events for kids in Quispamsis
  • KV Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, November 28, 6 pm
  • Parade theme: A Cartoon Christmas, starting at KVHS
  • Holiday Dreamland lights: Arts & Culture Park, all season
  • Bonus: outdoor rink in front of the stage when weather allows

Free Christmas events for kids in Quispamsis

Evening Santa paradeFree

28th Annual KV Santa Claus Parade

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Quispamsis and Rothesay put on the Kennebecasis Valley Santa Claus Parade together, and the 28th edition leaves KVHS at 6 pm and rolls along Hampton Road to the Marr Road and Clark Road intersection.

This year’s theme is “A Cartoon Christmas”, so expect floats built around favourite cartoon characters, with Santa bringing up the rear and a storm date of Sunday, November 29 if the weather turns.

Parent tip: Roads along the route close at 5:45 pm, so park on a side street well before then and claim a curb spot near KVHS if your little ones want to see the floats set off.

Host
Towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay (opens in a new tab)
Address
Hampton Road, from Kennebecasis Valley High School to the Marr Road and Clark Road intersection, Quispamsis, NB (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

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Park light displayFree

Holiday Dreamland Light Display

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Town staff fill the Arts & Culture Park beside Town Hall with Holiday Dreamland, a walk-through display of glowing animals, giant presents, toys, a gingerbread house and Santa’s sleigh with reindeer, switched on at the annual tree lighting.

When the weather is cold enough, the pad in front of the George S. Miller Stage becomes an outdoor rink open 10 am to 10 pm, so families can lace up skates and circle under the lights on the same visit.

Parent tip: Bring skates and helmets for a twilight lap on the outdoor rink, and remind kids that the displays are look-only, with no climbing or sitting on them.

Host
Town of Quispamsis Community Services (opens in a new tab)
Address
Arts & Culture Park, beside Quispamsis Town Hall, 12 Landing Court, Quispamsis, NB E2E 4R2 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Quispamsis Community Services (opens in a new tab)

New Quispamsis events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Quispamsis daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Quispamsis.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists Santa trains and holiday rides across the country.

See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Quispamsis Christmas event for kids happens

Catch the KV Santa Claus Parade on Hampton Road on November 28, then come back on a December evening to walk through Holiday Dreamland and skate on the park rink.

Looking further afield? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the country, and we have city guides for Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The story of Christmas in Quispamsis

Quispamsis and its neighbour Rothesay share one Santa Claus Parade, which reaches its 28th edition in 2026 and travels after dark along Hampton Road so every float can glow. Beside the Quispamsis Town Hall, town staff set out up to 60,000 lights each November, shaped like animals, toys and Santa's sleigh.

One parade for two towns, rolling after dark from KVHS since the late 1990s

The Kennebecasis Valley, the two towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay, celebrates Christmas together with one big evening parade. The KV Santa Claus Parade leaves Kennebecasis Valley High School at 6 pm and travels along Hampton Road to the Marr Road and Clark Road intersection. Because it runs after dark, many floats glow with lights, and the two towns host it together. The 2026 parade is the 28th, so the tradition reaches back to the late 1990s.

Each parade has a theme. The 2025 theme was The Lights of Christmas, and for Saturday, November 28, 2026, it is A Cartoon Christmas. Groups, organizations and businesses can register a float for free, and a storm date the next day is always set aside in case a Maritime snowstorm arrives.

November 29, 2025: The Lights of Christmas, a sensory-friendly zone and letters for Canada Post

The 27th KV Santa Claus Parade rolled at 6 pm on Saturday, November 29, 2025, under the theme The Lights of Christmas. Rothesay's mayor, Dr. Nancy Grant, thanked parks staff for decorating public buildings and streetlamps just in time for it. A sensory-friendly zone was set up within the QES school zone on the route, a calmer place to watch. Canada Post collected letters to Santa at the start of the route, the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department collected new unwrapped toys at the end, and spectators brought food for the KV Food Basket. For anyone who stayed home, the parade was live-streamed on Facebook.

Ten days earlier, on November 19, 2025, Quispamsis held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the Arts and Culture Park, with hot drinks and a visit from Santa, and switched on Holiday Dreamland until January 2. Next door, Rothesay held its 11th annual Mayor's Tree Lighting on December 10 on the Rothesay Common, with live music by Rock n' Roll Cowgirl, skating, and cookies and hot chocolate from NB Power.

A tree-lighting invitation written in rhyme and cadets who help light the town tree

Quispamsis takes its tree lighting seriously enough to announce it in verse. The town's 2026 notice promised that "the tree will sparkle, the lights will glow, and holiday cheer will steal the show," and asked families to bring a mug from home for a festive drink. The ceremony on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, starts at 6:30 pm and ends with a countdown, and Santa stops by with a merry "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

The lighting is a true community effort. In 2026 the town thanked PapadopSmiles Orthodontics, three local cadet corps (170 Raymond M. Cromwell, 140 Kingston Peninsula Army and 268 RCSCC Bras D'Or), NB Power and the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey team. In 2024 the tree was lit in the third week of November, and CTV Atlantic reported that the holiday spirit got off to a bright start in Quispamsis.

Up to 60,000 lights in Holiday Dreamland, from glowing animals to Santa's sleigh

Instead of a railway story, Quispamsis has a light story. Each fall, town staff lay out and secure Holiday Dreamland in the Arts and Culture Park beside Town Hall, at 12 Landing Court. The display includes light-covered animals, giant presents, toys, a gingerbread house, and Santa Claus in his sleigh with reindeer, between 50,000 and 60,000 lights in all.

The display is switched on at the town's tree lighting and shines from 4:30 to 10 pm every day into the new year. In 2025 it ran from November 19 to January 2, and Discover Saint John suggested bringing your skates for some added winter fun as you wander through the LED display. The town asks visitors to respect the fencing and not sit or climb on the light sculptures, so they last for the whole season.

Traditions today

  • The KV Santa Claus Parade: An evening parade along Hampton Road shared by Quispamsis and Rothesay, with a new theme each year. In 2026 it is A Cartoon Christmas on November 28 at 6 pm.
  • Tree lighting in the Arts and Culture Park: A countdown, hot drinks, Santa and special guests on a weeknight in mid-November, when Quispamsis lights its tree and Holiday Dreamland.
  • Holiday Dreamland: Up to 60,000 lights shaped like animals, presents, toys, a gingerbread house and Santa's sleigh, lit nightly from 4:30 to 10 pm.
  • Letters, toys and food at the parade: Canada Post collects letters to Santa, firefighters collect toys and the KV Food Basket collects food along the parade route.
  • Rothesay's Mayor's Tree Lighting: The neighbouring town's own lighting on the Rothesay Common in December, with skating, music and hot chocolate.

A fact for kids

Quispamsis announced its 2026 Christmas tree lighting with a poem, promising that the tree would sparkle, the lights would glow and Santa would stop by with a merry Ho, Ho, Ho.

Questions about Christmas in Quispamsis

How long has the KV Santa Claus Parade been running?

The 2026 parade on November 28 is the 28th annual KV Santa Claus Parade, and the 2025 parade was the 27th, so the tradition goes back to the late 1990s. It is hosted jointly by the Towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay, the two communities of the Kennebecasis Valley near Saint John.

What is the 2026 KV Santa Claus Parade theme?

The theme for the 28th KV Santa Claus Parade on November 28, 2026, is A Cartoon Christmas, so expect floats inspired by cartoon characters. The 2025 theme was The Lights of Christmas. The parade starts at 6 pm at Kennebecasis Valley High School.

What was the 2025 KV Santa Claus Parade like?

The 27th parade ran at 6 pm on Saturday, November 29, 2025, with the theme The Lights of Christmas. It had a sensory-friendly zone, collections for the KV Food Basket, letters to Santa gathered by Canada Post, toys collected by the fire department and a live stream on Facebook. Its storm date was November 30.

Is there a sensory-friendly area at the KV Santa Claus Parade?

Yes. In 2025 the parade had a Sensory-Friendly Zone within the QES school zone along Hampton Road, a calmer spot for children and adults who find big crowds and noise hard. Ask the towns whether it returns for the 2026 KV Santa Claus Parade.

Can kids mail letters to Santa at the KV parade?

Yes. In 2025 Canada Post collected letters to Santa at the beginning of the parade route, near Kennebecasis Valley High School. Kids can write their letter at home and bring it along. The Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department also collected new unwrapped toys at the end of the route.

Can I watch the KV Santa Claus Parade online?

Yes. The parade has been live-streamed on the KV Santa Claus Parade Facebook page, so grandparents and anyone who cannot stand out in the cold can watch from home. The towns post updates on the same page, which helps if the parade moves to its storm date.

What is the storm date for the KV Santa Claus Parade?

The parade always has a severe storm date the day after. For 2026 the parade is Saturday, November 28, and the storm date is Sunday, November 29. In 2025 the parade was November 29 with a storm date of November 30. Check the towns' pages or Facebook if the weather looks bad.

How do you enter a float in the KV Santa Claus Parade?

Community groups, organizations and businesses can register a float for free through the online application linked from the Town of Rothesay's parade page. For 2026, applications are open until November 18. Floats are encouraged to follow the year's theme, A Cartoon Christmas, and to light up, since the parade runs after dark.

When is the Quispamsis Christmas tree lighting in 2026?

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the Arts and Culture Park beside Town Hall, with a severe weather date of Thursday, November 19. It ends with a countdown that lights the tree and the Holiday Dreamland display, and Santa stops by.

What happens at the Quispamsis tree lighting ceremony?

Families gather in the Arts and Culture Park for light refreshments, holiday fun and a countdown to light the tree and Holiday Dreamland. Santa visits with special guests. The town asks you to bring your own mug for a festive drink. The Saint John Sea Dogs and local cadets have been part of the evening.

Who helps with the Quispamsis Christmas tree lighting?

For 2026 the town thanked PapadopSmiles Orthodontics, the 170 Raymond M. Cromwell and 140 Kingston Peninsula Army cadet corps, 268 RCSCC Bras D'Or, NB Power and the Saint John Sea Dogs. Town staff lay out and secure the Holiday Dreamland display that is lit at the ceremony.

When was the Quispamsis tree lit in 2025?

Quispamsis held its annual Tree Lighting on November 19, 2025, in the Arts and Culture Park, with hot beverages and a special visit from Santa. Holiday Dreamland stayed lit from that night until January 2, 2026. In 2024 the tree was lit in the third week of November.

How many lights are in Holiday Dreamland in Quispamsis?

The town says Holiday Dreamland has between 50,000 and 60,000 lights. They form light-covered animals, presents, toys, a gingerbread house and Santa Claus with his sleigh and reindeer, all laid out by town staff in the Arts and Culture Park at 12 Landing Court.

What time is Holiday Dreamland lit each night?

In recent seasons the Holiday Dreamland lights have been on from 4:30 pm to 10 pm daily, starting the night of the tree lighting and running into the new year. Since it gets dark early in late November and December, a visit right after supper works well for small children.

Can you skate at Holiday Dreamland in Quispamsis?

In 2025, Discover Saint John suggested bringing your skates for added winter fun while wandering through the Holiday Dreamland LED display at the Arts and Culture Park. Check the town's ice rink updates first, since outdoor skating depends on the weather.

Can kids climb on the Holiday Dreamland lights?

No. The Town of Quispamsis asks visitors to respect the fencing and barricades around many of the Holiday Dreamland features and not to sit or climb on them. Keeping off the light sculptures protects them so they stay lit for everyone through the holiday season.

When is the Rothesay Mayor's Tree Lighting?

Rothesay, Quispamsis's partner in the KV parade, holds a Mayor's Tree Lighting on the Rothesay Common each December. The 11th annual one was Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 7 pm, with live music by Rock n' Roll Cowgirl, skating and NB Power cookies and hot chocolate. Bring a reusable mug and a food item for the KV Food Basket.

What other Christmas parades are near Quispamsis?

In 2025 the Saint John Santa Claus Parade ran on November 15 on a new route along Water Street in uptown Saint John. The KV, Fundy-St. Martins and Grand Bay-Westfield parades were all on November 29, and the Dirt Road Christmas Parade was on November 23. Dates for 2026 are posted by each community.

Where else can families see Christmas lights near Quispamsis?

Nearby Hampton lights up its Town Square from early December to January 2, a display friendly to both families and dogs, and hosts a Winter Wonderland day with Santa. In uptown Saint John, the Gingerbread Trail fills shop windows from December 1 to 24, and Uptown Sparkles is a one-night celebration of lights.

Where does the KV Santa Claus Parade start and finish?

The parade starts at 6 pm at Kennebecasis Valley High School and travels along the Hampton Road to the intersection of Marr Road and Clark Road. It runs after dark, so floats and lit-up vehicles show off best along the way. Families spread out along Hampton Road to watch, and traffic is held at major intersections while it passes.

Is there a Christmas village with Santa near Quispamsis?

Yes, down the coast in Fundy-St. Martins. In 2025 its Christmas in the Village ran November 29 and 30, with pictures with Santa at the Sea Caves, a visit with the Grinch, holiday activities and a vendor market, and the community also held its own Christmas parade on November 29.

Can you donate at the KV Santa Claus Parade?

Yes. Spectators are asked to bring non-perishable food for the KV Food Basket, and the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department collects new, unwrapped toys at the end of the route. Food donations are also collected at Rothesay's Mayor's Tree Lighting in December, so one shopping trip can help at both.

Sources

  1. KV Santa Claus Parade, Town of Rothesay
  2. R-Insider Winter 2025 Newsletter, Town of Rothesay
  3. Up to 60,000 lights shine daily at Holiday Dreamland display, Town of Quispamsis
  4. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the Arts and Culture Park set for Nov. 18, Town of Quispamsis
  5. Holiday Traditions by the Bay, Discover Saint John
  6. Quispamsis lights up Arts and Culture Park for holiday season, CTV Atlantic

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Canada city.

Quispamsis Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Quispamsis this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 2 free Christmas events for kids in Quispamsis for 2026: the 28th Annual KV Santa Claus Parade on November 28 and the Holiday Dreamland light display at the Arts & Culture Park.

When is the KV Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 6 pm. It starts at KVHS and travels along Hampton Road to the Marr Road and Clark Road intersection. The storm date is Sunday, November 29, and the theme is “A Cartoon Christmas”.

When do roads close for the KV Santa Claus Parade?

Road closures along the route begin at 5:45 pm, and all traffic on the parade stretch of Hampton Road is stopped from 6 pm until the parade has finished.

Where is the Holiday Dreamland display in Quispamsis?

In the Arts & Culture Park beside Quispamsis Town Hall, 12 Landing Court. The lights are switched on at the town tree lighting on November 18, 2026, and it is free to walk through.

Who do I contact about Quispamsis holiday events?

Town of Quispamsis Community Services and the Facilities, Parks and qplex office: communityservice@quispamsis.ca or (506) 848-5900.

Are there more Christmas events near Quispamsis?

Yes. Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists confirmed events across Canada, and the national search sorts events by distance from your town.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official town or tourism calendar. We last checked Quispamsis on November 11, 2026. Rally is also contacting each organizer to confirm details like parking, restrooms and bad-weather plans.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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