Shopping centres across New Brunswick were filled with activity on Christmas Eve as residents made a final dash to complete their holiday gift lists. The scene was particularly lively at McAllister Place in Saint John, where festive decorations like a towering Christmas tree set the mood for last-minute purchases.
A Festive Rush in Maritime Malls
The hustle and bustle observed on December 24, 2025, highlighted a continued tradition of in-person holiday shopping despite the growth of online retail. Shoppers were seen navigating through stores, carrying bags filled with presents, contributing to a vibrant and busy atmosphere in the mall's corridors. The activity underscored the importance of the final day before Christmas for both retailers and consumers in the region.
Capturing the Holiday Spirit
The festive environment at McAllister Place was captured by CTV News, with visuals showing the decorated tree as a central point of the mall's holiday theme. This scene in Saint John was mirrored in shopping districts across the Maritimes, as people sought out gifts, food items, and last-minute essentials for Christmas celebrations. The day represents a critical period for local businesses relying on strong holiday sales to finish the year.
The Broader Holiday Context
This local shopping news unfolded alongside other significant national and regional stories on Christmas Eve. These included travel updates confirming Santa's airspace clearance for delivery and a federal transport minister's assurance on holiday travel logistics. The busy malls stand in contrast to other headlines, such as families dealing with travel disruptions and hospitals managing flu case surges, painting a complex picture of the holiday season's realities across Canada.
The activity in New Brunswick's retail spaces demonstrates the enduring appeal of the traditional holiday shopping experience, bringing communities together in a shared, albeit hectic, festive ritual just hours before Christmas Day.
