What's going on in and around Newmarket this weekend

Thursday, Dec. 1

A Season for Giving, Hands Across the Nations Holiday Event, Thursday, Dec. 1: Enjoy a glass of wine or beer, some great food and find out what HATN has been up to and plans for the future from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at EVENTMRKT, 352 Doug Duncan Dr #1, Newmarket. Tickets $80.

Friday, Dec. 2

Pickering College Holiday Boutique Soiree: This new Pickering College event offers a unique elevated experience with exclusive access to specialized décor and floral design demonstrations and festive cocktails and appetizers from 6 to 10 p.m. Shop select boutique vendors and visit the outdoor market to find the perfect gifts. Kick off your holiday season with a fun-filled night with friends. Parking available on campus at 16945 Bayview Ave. Limited number of tickets available. Purchase in advance online. Tickets: $75 single, $250 four ticket bundle

River Town Saints at Main Street Music Hall: River Town Saints live at the Main Street Music Hall, at Old Flame Brewing, 140 Main St. from 7 to 10 p.m. Known for their energetic live show, rich vocal harmonies and good times, the Saints are just getting started with multiple shows across Ontario, millions of YouTube views and Spotify streams, a top 10 hit with their single Bonfire, CCMA nominations, CMAO and Canadian Radio Music Awards. They have also been instrumental in raising over $50,000 for mental health and wellness in Ontario. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, and $45 at the door. Bring non-perishable items to give back to the community during the holiday season.

Aurora Christmas Market, Dec. 2 to 4, Dec. 9 to 11: Check out one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario. Aurora's Christmas Market will be filled with good cheer, hands-on virtual workshops and activities, fantastic seasonal vendors. Friday to Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (no admittance after 8:45 p.m.) at Aurora Town Park, 49 Wells Street. Free, check online for events and workshop schedules.

Niemi Christmas Market: The Niemi Family Farm's annual Christmas market runs on weekends throughout December. The farm, located at 18463 Highway 48 in Mount Albert, is transformed into Christmas land with bonfires and smores, the Polar Express that takes visitors on a ride to see the animals, Santa in his workshop, and a Christmas market of vendors. Tickets are required and can be booked online. The market is open Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22.

The Distillery Winter Village: Toronto's popular distillery district is once again welcoming guests to its festive winter village this year. Along with the local shops and restaurants in the area there will also be vendor cabins featuring a number of unique artisans. Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4 p.m. but all other times you can access the village free of charge. The winter village is open to Dec. 31.

Festive Nights at Brooks Farm: Visitors are invited to experience the season of lights at Brooks Farms, at 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert. The festive event features an enchanted forest, holiday displays, live music, a bonfire with marshmallows, holiday characters, a storytime wagon ride, a craft market with local artisans, gifts for the kids, festive foods and Santa. Tickets are required and can be bought online. Festive Nights runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5 p.m. to Dec. 18 with two extra nights on Dec. 22 and 23.

7th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Show: Presented by the Grandparent Connection, the show features more than 70 local crafters and artisans,a Christmas cafe, prizes, music, Sign a Card for a Senior, donation drop for the Birthday Bag program, North Pole mailbox for letters to Santa and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Centre, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.

Pickering College Holiday Boutique and Cafe: With over 45 vendors, you are sure to find the perfect gift or holiday décor item for anyone on your shopping list. Christmas décor, art, pottery, baked goods, skin care products, handmade goods, jewelry, home décor, clothing, accessories and more. Free admission, open to the public, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pickering College, 16945 Bayview Ave.

Winter Winds: York Chamber Ensemble performs at St. Paul's Anglican Church at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 227 Church St., Newmarket. Featuring local musicians Stephen Fox on saxophone and Kelly Kaddatz on french horn, Maestro Michael Berec leads the ensemble in a performance of works by Vaughan-Williams, Manfredini, Glazunov, Humperdinck and your favourite holiday tunes. Tickets, $25.

Richmond Hill Merry Marketplace: The Merry Marketplace features a local artisan market, live entertainment, food concessions, contests and activities Saturdays until Dec. 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Richmond Green Park.

Sutton Parade of Lights, Saturday, Dec. 3.: The parade starts at 5 p.m. in Jackson’s Point and travels south along Dalton Road and east along High Street to the Sutton Fairgrounds. The Kinette Club of Sutton will be collecting non-perishable food items along both parade routes for the Georgina Community Food Pantry.

A Main Street Christmas, Schomberg, Saturday, Dec. 3: The Santa Claus parade starts at 4 p.m. at the Shomberg Arena to Western Avenue, then travels south along Main Street to Church Street. Following the parade, stroll down Main Street Schomberg and enjoy the holiday festivities, including jugglers, musicians and plenty of food. Admission is $5 and includes entrance to the Christmas market. The night ends with the many festive lights of the Farmers Parade of Lights beginning at 8 p.m.

Whitchurch-Stouffville Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, Dec. 3: Enjoy the magic of Christmas with the nighttime parade of lights along Main Street from Ninth Line to Park Drive starting at 6 p.m.

Mount Albert and District Lions Santa Parade, Saturday, Dec. 3: The parade begins at 11 a.m. and travels north on King Street, east on Shannon Road, south on Victoria Street, east on Mill Street, south on Centre Street, and west on Main Street to the Mount Albert Community Centre. Visit the community centre after the parade for hotdogs, hot chocolate and a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Toy and non-perishable food donations will be collected along the route.

Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 3: Visit Unionville for a merry afternoon from 2 to 6 p.m. featuring holiday light displays, live music and a parade starting at 5 p.m. on Main Street Unionville.

Niemi Christmas Market: The Niemi Family Farm's annual Christmas market runs Fridays and Saturdays throughout December. The farm at 18463 Highway 48 in Mount Albert is transformed into Christmas land with bonfires and smores, the Polar Express that takes visitors on a ride to see the animals, Santa in his workshop, and a Christmas market of vendors. Tickets are required and can be booked online. The market is open Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22.

Festive Nights at Brooks Farm: Experience the season of lights at Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert with an enchanted forest, holiday displays, live music, a bonfire with marshmallows, holiday characters, a storytime wagon ride, a craft market with local artisans, gifts for the kids, festive foods and Santa. Tickets are required and can be bought online. Festive Nights runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5 p.m. until Dec. 18 with two extra nights on Dec. 22 and 23.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Newmarket Comicon, Sunday, Dec. 4: Vendors selling comic books, toys, video games, sports cards, jewelry and pretty much anything geeky cool from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Admission $5 online or cash at the door for adults, children age 12 and under get in free. If you purchase your ticket online you will get a limited edition comic free at the door. Please bring non-perishable food items for your local community food bank and get entered to win some fun prizes. One raffle ticket will be given for each item.

Old Fashioned Christmas at Sharon Temple, Dec. 4: This free event — with a donation of a non-perishable food item — at the Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum at 18994 Leslie St, East Gwillimbury, includes an artisan vendors market inside the temple and hall, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse and wagon rides (noon to 4 p.m.), charity barbecue for purchase, free hot chocolate and hot mulled wine, and kids holiday crafts ($5)

Coming Up:

Barra MacNeils Live in Newmarket, Sunday, Dec. 11: The Barra MacNeils - An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season. With their captivating vocals, distinctive harmonies and extraordinary musicianship, The Barra MacNeils inject new life and energy into the sights and sounds of Christmas. Tickets can be purchased online or call (905) 953-5122. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, 505 Pickering Cres.

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket Three for the Show concert series: VPAN's 2022-23 concert series at 2 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre in Newmarket features: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 (Old Town Hall) Young Artists Showcase; Sunday, March 26, 2023, The Quatuor Despax; Sunday, May 7, 2023, the Drew Jurecka jazz trio. To subscribe by cheque, VPAN subscription form 2022-2023.docx. To subscribe online, visit the website.

Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts every other Friday at Cardinal Press Espresso Bar at 200 Main St. Newmarket at 6 p.m. The games are provided and teachers are available, or you bring your games to teach others. Note from organizers: We don't tend to play a lot of 'traditional' board games such as Monopoly, Clue, Sorry! Let them know what you would like to play when you RSVP and they will bring those games.

English Country Dance: Join the dance at Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave. at Main Street, Newmarket from 2 to 4 p.m. Beginners welcome; all dances taught; you don't need to bring a partner. Admission by donation; your first class is free. Join the group on the first, third and (when there is one) fifth Saturday of the month.

To have your event included in this regular feature, send an email with full details to [email protected]