4 Festive Events to Celebrate the Season

With Winter kicking off it is an exciting time to be in Ontario! November and December feature some of Ontario’s most popular festivals and events. We’ve picked out four of Ontario’s most memorable festive moments to help you plan your holiday season.

1. The Santa Claus Parade – Toronto, Ontario (November 20th, 2011)
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade has been a family tradition for 107 years and has a rich history. Did you know that live reindeer pulled Santa’s sleigh around the city in 1913? Today, the fun includes world-class floats, celebrity clowns and the brand new Santa Cam which captures photos from Santa’s view throughout the parade! Get in the parade spirit ahead of time by sharing your favourite memory on the parade website and don’t forget to download their TrackSanta app to keep you on Santa’s path throughout the parade.

2. Candy Cane Lane 5K Race and Fun Run – Niagara Falls, Ontario (November 20th, 2011)
The holiday season is known for tasty treats and time relaxing with family. Why not shake things up a little with one of Niagara Fall’s favourite festive traditions, the Candy Cane Lane fun run! Part of Niagara’s CAA Winter Festival of Lights, the run raises money for the SHARE Christmas Basket program. Festive costumes are encouraged!

3. Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, Ontario (December 12th – January 7th, 2012)
Where can you admire half a million Christmas lights? At Upper Canada Village’s annual Alight at Night Festival! Throughout the year the village is the place to experience 1860s life in Ontario, featuring everything from a schoolhouse to a blacksmith’s shop. During the festive season Upper Canada Village is a must see as the festival of lights transforms it into a winter postcard. Find out what is new at Alight at Night this year!

4. Christmas Lights Across Canada – Ottawa, Ontario (Starts December 1st, 2011)
Love the lights at Upper Canada Village? Just down the road Ottawa celebrates the season with their own tribute to the colours of the season with more than 300,000 dazzling lights illuminating the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau. Be sure to visit the illumination ceremony on Parliament Hill on December 1 to celebrate the start of the holiday season!

Want more? Check our Family Fun calendar – we’ve got these events and many many more to make some festive memories in Ontario!

What is your favourite Ontario holiday memory?