Thursday, Nov. 16
The Sisters Touch of Christmas, Nov. 16 to Dec. 24: An exclusive fundraising, seasonal Christmas store at the St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, 14155 Caledon King Townline S., in Bolton. It features one-of-a-kind, hand-painted ornaments by “The Sisters.” In addition to festive gourmet and holiday bakery, the store is adorned with beautiful wreaths, elegant garlands, illuminated decor, seasonal linens, precious nativities and a large variety of timeless ornaments. The store will be open Thursday to Sunday all holiday season.
Ontario SPCA Holly Jolly Holiday Auction, Nov. 16 to 26: Santa-Paws is coming to town! Get ready to sleigh on over to the annual Holly Jolly Holiday Auction, starting Nov. 16. With the holidays just around the corner, why not start crossing names off of your list and support animals in need at the same time? Grab a pawsome gift for every member of the family (including those furry friends). Bidding starts Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. Bidding ends Sunday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. Bookmark the auction here: https://can.givergy.com/HolidayAuction2023.
Friday, Nov. 17
Candlelight parade and tree lighting: To celebrate the holiday season in Newmarket, Main Street and Water Street to Park Avenue will be closed from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the Main Street candelight parade and tree lighting.
Markham Home for the Holidays, Nov. 17 to 19: With 130 juried exhibitors offering Christmas decorating accents & accessories, personalized ornaments, stained glass, and more, the event will be at the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Rd., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 19. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $3 for youth, and free for children 12 and under. Learn more here.
Pine Tree Potters’ Guild Annual Fall Sale, Nov. 17 to 19: Get into the holiday spirit by joining the Pine Tree Potters’ Guild at their annual fall sale. Choose from thousands of unique creations of functional and decorative porcelain, stoneware and raku pottery created by more than 35 members at the Newmarket Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St. again this year. New dates and sale hours: Friday, Nov. 17 2 to 9 p.m., Saturday Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit pinetreepotters.ca for more details.
Holiday Home Tour, Nov. 17 and 18: Pickering College is hosting its annual self-guided Holiday Home Tour, presented by Pfaff Audi Newmarket, featuring a variety of resplendent, glittering homes, each uniquely themed, designed and decorated for the holidays by local professional designers and florists in York Region. Individual tickets are $55 and a group package of four tickets is available for $200. Your ticket price includes access to all six homes on the tour, in-home snacks and entertainment. Use the code PICKERING to save $5 off per ticket/package. The Holiday Home Tour is an annual fundraising event for Pickering College and a local charity; this year, Blue Door Leeder Place family shelter.
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland: Winterfest returns on Nov. 17 for its fourth season of magical live shows, enchanting, themed areas, festive food and family entertainment. New this year, the immersive holiday event has been extended with select dates through Jan. 6 and features interactive attractions like cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, lively musical sing-a-longs, skating on Snow Flake Lake, more than 20 WinterFest rides and more. For the full list of shows and attractions, operating hours, tickets and reservations, visit canadaswonderland.com/winterfest
Saturday, Nov. 18
Newmarket Santa Claus Parade: Bundle up and bring your family and friends to see the festive holiday floats followed by special guest Jolly Old St. Nick. Don’t forget to bring your letters to Santa to be picked up by Canada Post and your non-perishable food item to be collected for the Newmarket Food Pantry. The town is also accepting applications for floats and walking groups. The parade runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street and Eagle Street. newmarket.ca/santa.
Trinity Anglican Church Christmas Bazaar: Bake tables, custom jewelry, a luncheon, and prizes all at Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St., in Aurora from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Keswick Santa Claus Parade: Organized by the Georgina Kinsmen, it starts at 1:30 p.m. at Woodbine Avenue and Dovedale Drive. The parade continues north up Woodbine Avenue ending at Wexford Drive. Visit georgina.ca/events to register your float.
Pickering College Seasonal Boutique: Join Pickering College for its annual seasonal boutique, featuring a charming array of local vendors showcasing the finest holiday gifts. Prepare to be captivated as you browse through a delightful selection of jewelry, candles, soap, freshly baked goods and granola, knitted items, hot sauce, woodcrafts, beautiful flowers and more. Free admission, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16945 Bayview Ave., Newmarket.
Christmas Artisan Marketplace: Purchase Christmas gifts from local vendors from the Newmarket and Aurora community at Northridge Community Church of the Salvation Army, 15338 Leslie St., in Aurora from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Merry & Bright: Holiday Market, Nov. 18 and 19: The ultimate local holiday shopping experience in support of the Markham Food Bank. There will be food trucks, vendors, photo booths, and more at Valleyview Gardens Greenhouse, 8636 Reesor Rd., in Markham Nov. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
Merry Marketplace, Nov. 18 and 25, December 2, 9, and 16: Every Saturday from Nov. 18 to Dec. 16, step into a winter wonderland and purchase gifts from local vendors at Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E., in Richmond Hill from 4 to 9 p.m. Learn more here.
Sunday, Nov. 19
East Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade: This year’s theme is Christmas Traditions; experience the variety of traditions that friends and family use to celebrate Christmas every year, whether new or old starting at 2 p.m. at the Civic Centre, 19000 Leslie St. Learn more here.
Christmas Market: From 2 to 6 p.m. at the Sports Complex, 1914B Mt. Albert Rd., in East Gwillimbury, plenty of vendors will be out offering unique gift ideas. Learn more here.
East Gwillimbury tree lighting: Join local dignitaries for the official holiday tree lighting at 5 p.m. at the Sports Complex, 1914b Mt. Albert Rd. Learn more here.
Coming Up:
Pets with Paws in support of OSPCA, Nov. 22 and 29: Pets with Paws is returning to Upper Canada Mall. By participating in the event, visitors support the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA.) The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m.
Magical Christmas Forest, Nov. 24 to Dec. 23: Experience fun-filled with lights, crafts, activities, wagon rides, treats, and a visit to Santa’s cabin at the Kortright Centre, 9550 Pine Valley Dr., in Vaughan every weekend starting Nov. 24 until Dec. 23. Admission for children is $25.70 and $31.05 for adults. Learn more here.
Newmarket Farmers' Market Annual Christmas Market, Nov. 25: Enjoy the farmers' market as it embraces the holiday season from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Center and Lions Hall, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Learn more here.
Holiday Art Show & Sale, Saturday, Nov. 25: Newmarket Group of Artists hosts a holiday art show and sale at the Old Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Amica Newmarket Christmas Bazaar, Nov. 25: Featuring over 60 artisan vendors at Amica Newmarket, 275 Doak Ln., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with money raised going towards Helping Hand Charity. Reserve a spot here.
Markham Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 25: The 49th annual Markham Santa Claus Parade starts at 11 a.m. at Main Street and Highway 7 in Markham. Learn more here.
Trinity Newmarket Christmas Bazaar, Nov. 25: Trinity United Church is hosting a free bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a bake sale, crafts, books vendors, and a roast beef lunch at 461 Park Ave.
Christmas on the Farm — Willowgrove, Nov. 25: A day of festive fun at the farm begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. It includes crafts, games, play in the hayloft, campfire signing, and more. Tickets are $15 per person. Learn more here.
Old Fashioned Christmas and Festival of Lights, Nov. 25: Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of an Old Fashioned Christmas at Georgina Pioneer Village. Experience the enchantment of a traditional 19th-century Christmas with festive twinkle lights, a meet and greet with Santa, a sing-a-long with the Mayor and Members of Council, and free hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is $1 for anyone 15 and under, and $2 for anyone aged 16+. The festivities continue with the Festival of Lights. The kick-off is at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 and the lights will continue to shine until Jan. 2, 2024. For more information visit georgina.ca/events.
Movie Night at the Brewery, Nov. 26: From 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy a viewing of The Grinch in the Main Street Music Hall above Old Flame Brewing Co., 140 Main St. S. Treats will be available for purchase, as well as seasonal holiday brews. The movie is free to attend.
Keynotes Christmas Concert, Sunday, Nov. 26: Join the Keynotes Seniors’ Choir as they present their Sounds for the Season concert. Enjoy familiar favourites, seasonal selections, novelty numbers, sacred choral works, and toe-tapping rhythms, as well as a guest musician or two providing some musical cheer. Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place hosts the free concert at 2 p.m., pre-registration is not required.
The Link Winter Market, Nov. 26 and Dec. 10: The Link Winter Market is back on Sunday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy this popular one-of-a-kind shopping experience right in the heart of Georgina. Find gifts and treasures from local artisans, chefs, farmers and more. A great Sunday outing including live music, food demos and more.
Frozen Fridays Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22: Frozen Fridays returns to Riverwalk Commons with live DJ music, outdoor skating, train rides on the Tim Hortons Express Train (weather permitting), free hot chocolate, performances, LED Mega Tree shows, photo opportunities and more from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free event, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Newmarket. Updates and schedules here.
Gift Wrap with Southlake, beginning Dec. 1: Gift wrap services will be available at Upper Canada Mall in Market & Co. with all proceeds going to the Southlake Foundation. A photo booth in the vicinity offers selfie fun while guests wait for their packages.
Sutton Santa Claus Parade of Light, Dec. 2: Santa arrives in Sutton for the annual Santa Claus Parade of Lights. Beginning at 5 p.m. in Jackson’s Point, the parade travels down Dalton Road to High Street, then along High Street ending at the fairgrounds. Register your float today at georgina.ca/events.
Tapestry Chamber Choir Gifts and Giving Concert, Dec. 3: Enjoy an afternoon of inspiring choral music at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Church Street, Newmarket. tapestrychoir.ca.
Seniors’ Christmas Social Tea, Sunday, Dec. 3: Spend a festive afternoon enjoying music, light refreshments, tea and coffee, door prizes and a great group of friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place, 474 Davis Dr. Register by Nov. 29 with registration code 17696 at newmarket.perfectmind.com. Members $5, non-members $6 See newmarket.ca/adults55+ for more details.
