Tis the season to be jolly…and busy! Take a break this weekend and enjoy some family time to get you in the spirit of Christmas. There are 45 Santa Claus parades listed for you to go see the big man in red this weekend. We’ve also got craft shows, festivals of lights, tree lighting ceremonies and meet and greets with Santa and so much more in our AROUND TOWN section. Love this time of year as there is so much family fun to be had!
Santa Claus Parades
Acton Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 1:00pm
Angus Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @10:00am
Bala Santa Claus Parade - November 17TH @ 1:00pm
Barrhaven Lions Club Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 5:30pm
Barrie Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @ 5:00pm
Belleville Santa Claus Parade - November 18th @ 5:00pm
Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 10:30am
Bradford West Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:30 pm
Brampton Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 5:00pm
Brockville Santa’s Arrival Parade - November 18th @ 2:00 pm
Cambridge Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:00pm
Chatham Santa Claus Parade – November 16th @ 6:30pm
Cobourg Santa Claus Parade - November 18th @ 2:00pm
Cornwall Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 5:00pm
Dryden Santa Claus Parade – December 17th @ 6:30pm
Fort Erie Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 2:00pm
Georgetown Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 5:00pm
Goderich Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:30pm
Guelph Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 1:30pm
Kanata Santa Claus Parade – Saturday November 17th @ 10:00am
Kemptville Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 1:00pm
Keswick Santa Claus Parade - November 17 @ 1:30pm
Kingston Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @ 5:00 pm
Kingsville Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:30pm
Kitchener Waterloo Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 11:00am
Lindsay Santa Claus Parade - November 18 @ 2:00pm
Maxville Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 5:30pm
Milton Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 2:00pm
Newmarket Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @ 11:00am.
Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 11:00am
North Bay Santa Claus Parade - November 18th @12pm
Oakville Santa Claus Parade– November 17th @ 9:00 am
Orangeville Santa Claus Parade
- November 17th @ 5:00pm
Orillia Santa Claus Parade - November 18th @ 1:00pm
Oshawa Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @ 6:00pm
Ottawa Help Santa Toy Parade - November 17th @ 5:00pm
Owen Sound Santa Claus Parade - November 17th @ 10:00am
Petawawa Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @ 1:00pm
Port Severn Santa Claus Parade - November 18th
Sault Ste. Marie Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:00pm
St. Mary’s Kinsmen Club Santa Claus Parade – November 16th @ 7:00pm
Sudbury Santa Claus Parade – November 17, 2012 @ 5:30 pm
Thunder Bay Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @10:00am
Toronto Santa Claus Parade – November 18th @12:30pm
Woodstock Santa Claus Parade – November 17th @ 6:00pm
Around Town this Weekend…
Barrie
Artisan’s Christmas Show @ Simcoe County Museum – 14th Annual one-of-a-kind sale of distinctive gifts and home decor created by local artisans.
Brampton
Annual Tree Lighting in Ken Williams Square (Friday night @ 6:00pm) – Official Tree lighting, live entertainment, ice sculpting demonstration and more
Burlington
Olde Fashioned Christmas @ Ireland House (Sunday 11:00-4:00) – Celebrate the season with memories of Christmas long ago. It’s a day away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the smells, sounds and tastes of Christmas on a historic farm. See baking demonstrations, tour the Ireland House decked out for the holidays, make crafts, visit with the Clauses in SANTA’S CABIN and so much more.
Santa Arrives by Helicopter @ Burlington Mall at 10:00am- They will be serving hot chocolate starting at 9:30 so come early, get some hot chocolate and look up in the sky. Once Santa has landed, kids can join the parade and escort Santa to his cabin.
Cambridge
David Durward Christmas Bazaar – Visit the DDC Christmas Bazaar, and enjoy a light lunch in the ‘Christmas Cafe’. Baked goods, Christmas items, jewelery, knitting, mystery parcels, used books, woodworking and much more for sale.
Goderich
Festival of Lights @ Lions Harbour Park – Friday night @ 7:00pm there will be a Candlelight Ceremony and Tree Lighting. Saturday is the official opening of the Festival of Lights with seaonal music by the Goderich Laketown Band, lighting of the lights and the start of the Santa Claus Parade.
Kapuskasing
Festival of Lights – This is one of the more popular events in Kapuskasing. It kicks off mid-November and continues until mid-January. The festival consists of several winter activities including the lighting of thousands of Christmas lights in the Riverside Park.
Kingsville
Fantasy of Lights – The 20th Annual Kingsville Fantasy of Lights Festival has an outstanding line up of entertainment for the whole family. Don’t miss Dinner With Santa, Opening Ceremonies with Fireworks at lakeside Park, Ice Wine and Art at the Park, The Santa Claus Parade, Special Senior’s Day, Train Rides around the Park, and of course over 200 lighted displays that bring lakeside park to life.
London
Samko & Miko Toy Warehouse Sale @ London Western Fairgrounds – Kick start your Christmas shopping! 1,000s of brand name toys and books at the lowest prices in Canada.
Technology & Electronics Show – Companies from all across North America will showcase their latest products and technology at TES. Early technology adopters and progressive thinkers will not want to miss seeing the latest products and learning about what’s coming up in this ever-changing world of technology.
Markham
Home for the Holidays @ the Markham Fairgrounds – Over 130 exhibitors offering Christmas Decorating Accents & accessories, furnishings, Christmas accents, Christmas greenery, folk art, and THOUSANDS of affordable Christmas gift ideas for a perfect old fashioned Christmas
Mount Forest
Big Brothers Big Sister’s Annual Christmas Craft Sale @ Mount Forest & District Sports Complex – Deck the halls with crafts from our Annual Craft Market and you could start something big
Milton
Christmas Open House with Santa @ Springridge Farm – Visit with Santa, decorate a gingerbread man or ornaments, shop in the country store or sample on of the many yummy bakery treats.
Parade of Lights @ Country Heritage Park (Saturday and Sunday at 6:00pm) – Come and enjoy this spectacular parade of antique tractors and farm implements decorated with coloured lights. After the parade join Santa and Mrs. Klaus in the Gambrel barn for some hot chocolate and cookies. (bring your camera). This event is FREE
Newmarket
Main Street Candle Light Parade and Tree Lighting (Friday @ 7:00pm) – Come on down to Main Street for the annual Candle Light Parade. Festivities include Christmas carols, music, watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and see the windows decorated. Meet at Main and Water St. Please bring a candle.
Niagara
Winter Festival of Lights – Get bundled up, gather your kids, fill their memories with winter fun as you enjoy the Winter Festival of Lights from November 3, 2012 to January 31, 2013. With over three million sparkling lights, fireworks, concerts, amazing performance of great artists, water parks, casinos and wine tours, the CAA Winter Festival of Lights is the most enchanting of Niagara attractions and has become a tradition for over one million people from around the globe on winter getaways.
Niagara-on-the- Lake
Fabulicious – An opportunity to dine at some of Niagara-on-the-Lakes finest restaurants with special three course menus at amazing prices.
Taste the Season – Taste the Season is the “must-do” event of the season for many Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country visitors. Taste the Season touring pass holders will be treated to more VQA wine and food pairings than ever before. Touring passes are $44.25 per person (plus tax) and are valid any Friday, Saturday or Sunday in November 2012 from 11 am to 5 pm (event weekends only).
Oakville
Oakville Tree Lighting – Celebrate the lights, the magic, and the charm of Downtown Oakville this Christmas as the businesses kick-off the holiday season with the official lighting of the Towne Square Tree. Santa and his elves will be treating everyone to hot apple cider and holiday cheer. A special part of this evening is the annual downtown Christmas carol sing-along with Oakville’s Mayor and the Salvation Army Band. The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. in Towne Square,
Orillia
Annual Candlelight Parade and Tree Lighting – Hundreds of children carry candles & carol through Downtown Orillia to turn on the giant Opera House Christmas tree & light the way for Santa! Free cookies & hot chocolate! 7:00 pm, Mississauga Street from Legion to Opera House
Artisans Christmas Show @ Simcoe County Museum – Visitors will be able to purchase unique handcrafted gifts from 50 regional artisans, including potters, painters, photographers, jewellery artisans, food artisans, clothing creators, and more. Guests can also enter to win a wreath decorated by select artisans.
Ottawa
Signatures Show @ Ottawa Convention Centre – 180 of Canada’s best artists, artisans and designers! Experience an urban shopping event like no other. Unique jewellery, fabulous fashions and accessories, visual art, functional home accessories & décor, natural body care lines and gourmet treats are just some exciting handmade creations you will find.
Ottawa Kennel Club Dog Show – Lots of dogs, entertaining and educational demos, plus vendors. The Ottawa Kennel Club is Canada’s oldest dog club.
Ottawa Christmas Craft & Good Show @ RA Centre – CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA! Two days – Nov. 11th & 18th. A christmas celebration of over 40 vendors featuring local artists, artisans and craftspeople presenting a wonderful array of handmade work and quality gifts. Come on out and support our local artisans and small businesses.
Owen Sound
Festival of Northern Lights – No grinch can resist the magic of the lights as they gradually illuminate the Sydenham River from the Sound to the downtown city core on opening night! Join thousands as we enter The Gateway to the Holiday Season together on Friday November 16th. Continues until January 6th, 2013
Parry Sound
Light Up Market Square Park (Friday @ 6:30pm) – Start off the festive season with music, caroling, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
2012 Christmas Craft Show @ the YMCA Building – Get a head start on your Christmas shopping on Saturday from 9:00-4:30
Prince Edward County
Wassail “Raise thy cup to the vines” – Once again county wineries will be celebrating the end of the growing season and the burying of the vines. Tour the wineries and sample new vintages, mulled wines, Christmas treats, shop for wine, stocking stuffers, gifts.
Sarnia
Celebration of Lights – Many displays & thousands of lights along with a 72 foot arch over Front Street, light up Centennial Park during the holiday season. Opening ceremonies includes fireworks, entertainment, trolley rides, etc
Scarborough
Out of the Cold @ Scarborough Museum – Come in out of the cold and warm up by the fire! See how Scarborough’s settlers baked over the open hearth and in the wood stove as they prepared for the cold winter ahead. Sample baked treats and a warm drink. Family activities for all ages! Admission is by donation.
Smith Falls
31st Annual Art Show & Sale @ Heritage House Museum – Original works by over 25 local artists. Whether your personal taste leans towards landscapes, still life studies, impressionism or sculpture, you will be surprised and pleased by the wide variety of works available. Come find the perfect Christmas gift for family, friends or yourself!
Toronto
Cavalcade of Lights – The 46th annual Cavalcade of Lights kicks off the holiday season at Nathan Phillips Square. The evening begins at 7 pm with live musical performances, the first lighting of the Cavalcade of Lights display, a breathtaking fireworks display at 8 p.m. and an open-air DJ dance party with JJ Rock under the glow of thousands of twinkling lights
Christmas at Black Creek Pioneer Village – Create a new Holiday family tradition with Victorian Christmas activities throughout the Village. Don’t miss the special family programs on weekends in December including horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, cookie decorating and more
Gourmet Food & Wine Festival @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre – offers over 40,000 guests an unparalleled opportunity to sample over 1,500 fine wines, beers and spirits from around the globe. The Expo embraces the style and sophistication of a cocktail party paired with unprecedented educational opportunities and compelling feature areas.
Seasons Christmas Show @ International Centre – Browse over 200 amazing vendors displaying everything from spectacular Christmas décor, one of a kind gifts to entertaining ideas & products that are sure to make you the ‘hostess with the mostess’ this holiday season.
Winter Woofstock – Allows people to celebrate their dogs, indulge them, party with them and let them show off their special talents in fun and wacky contests and fashion shows. There isn’t a toy, fashion line, accessory, line of treats, or exclusive service for dogs that you can’t find at Woofstock.
Vaughan
Vaughan of Kind Art & Craft Show – Join fellow artisans during this annual retail event for a one day art and craft show. View a fine selection of traditional and contemporary art and craft media. Participate in an exciting shopping experience where holiday gift seekers can meet the makers of one of a kind items!
Windsor
Made in Windsor Holiday Show 2012 @ Walkerville Brewery – Sample a wide range of local brews while shopping a wide assortment of beautiful craft items for gift giving! Over 30 local artisans will be displaying their work. From paper to wood, ceramics to glass, clothing to jewelery – everything is one-of-a-kind and hand-made! Don’t miss it!
Vacationing with Kids 