Monthly Archives: December 2025

Holidays

what’s open and what’s closed

 

The new year is almost upon us and that means more holiday closures as we enter 2025. 

New Year’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year and most retail and grocery stores will close for the day, while transit and city services will also stop.

Here’s a look at what’s open and what’s closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day across the province:

Retail and grocery

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31:

  • Sobeys, Walmart and Atlantic Superstore locations will close early, most at 6 p.m.
  • N.B. Liquor will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Cannabis N.B. will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open with hours depending on location.
  • Saint John City Market will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton, Champlain Place in Dieppe and McAllister Place in Saint John will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore will be closed.
  • N.B. Liquor and Cannabis N.B. will be closed.
  • Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open with reduced hours, with some exceptions.
  • Saint John City Market will be closed.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton, Champlain Place in Dieppe and McAllister Place in Saint John will be closed.
A bus that says 95 Amirault
Codiac Transpo is offering a free service on New Year’s Eve for certain routes. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)

Government offices, public services

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

  • Saint John Transit will operate as usual. 
  • Codiac Transpo in Moncton will end some of its routes early on New Year’s Eve. But for 10 of its routes, a free bus service will be offered from 5:30 p.m. until 2 a.m.
  • Fredericton Transit will operate normally until noon. Half-hour service begins at noon and all services will end early at 7 p.m.
  • Fredericton city hall will be open until 3 p.m.
  • Saint John city hall will be open until 3 p.m.
  • Moncton city hall will be open until noon.
  • Fredericton arenas will close at 3 p.m.
  • Saint John city arenas will be closed, except for free public skating at Stewart Hurley Arena and Peter Murray Arena from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • The Crossman Community Centre-Kay Arena and the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex in Moncton will close at noon.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Saint John Transit, Codiac Transpo in Moncton and Fredericton Transit will not run.
  • Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton city halls will be closed.
  • Fredericton arenas will be closed.
  • Saint John city arenas will be closed.
  • The Crossman Community Centre-Kay Arena and the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex in Moncton will be open.
  • All public libraries will be closed.
  • Service Canada will be closed. 
  • Service New Brunswick offices will be closed.
CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices·About CBC News
Fun Holidays

Make Up Your Mind Day 2025

“Make Up Your Mind Day” is celebrated every December 31st—a fun, unofficial day dedicated to decision-making! It’s the perfect time to tie up loose ends, resolve indecision, and finalize plans before the new year begins. Whether it’s deciding on New Year’s resolutions, big life choices, or even small things you’ve been procrastinating, this day encourages you to commit.

Ideas to Celebrate:

  1. Tackle One Big Decision – Pick something you’ve been indecisive about and make a firm choice today.
  2. Make a Pro-Con List – Use this tool to weigh the options and help you decide.
  3. Reflect on Past Decisions – Look back on choices you made this year. Celebrate the good ones and learn from the tough ones.
  4. Help Someone Else Decide – Be a sounding board for a friend who’s struggling with their own choices.
History

This Week in Canadian History

🇨🇦 This Week in Canadian History — Welcome, 2026! 🍾🎹

As we raise our glasses to welcome 2026, it’s a great moment to look back at some meaningful moments in Canadian history that happened during this same week over the years. These events remind us of Canada’s evolving identity — from citizenship and culture, to media and governance:

📌 January 1, 1947 — The Canadian Citizenship Act came into effect, and Canadians officially became Canadian citizens rather than British subjects — a defining step in Canada’s national identity. Sask Today

📌 January 1, 1885 — Sandford Fleming’s proposal for standard time and time zones was adopted by 25 countries — a Canadian idea that changed how the world measures time. Sask Today

📌 January 4 — In recent years, National Ribbon Skirt Day has been recognized in Canada, celebrating Indigenous culture and empowering Indigenous voices. Sask Today

📌 January 6, 1786 — The first sitting of the New Brunswick legislature took place in Saint John, shaping early governance in what is now Canada’s Maritime region. Sask Today

📌 January 6, 1936 — Barbara Hanley was elected mayor of Webbwood, Ontario, becoming the first female mayor in Canada — a milestone for women’s leadership. Wikipedia

📌 January 7, 1967 — Robert Nixon was elected leader of the Ontario Liberal Party — a political moment happening during Canada’s centennial era. Wikipedia

🎉 As 2026 begins, we celebrate not just a new year, but the ongoing story of Canada — a nation shaped by innovation, culture, and community.
Here’s to reflecting on our history and making new history in the year ahead! 🇨🇦🥂