The first snow has fallen. The days are getting shorter. There’s a nip in the air.
And Santa, up in his workshop at the North Pole, is getting ready for a busy season of special events and holiday cheer.
Ad-dictive Design & Promotion hosts its Second Annual Christmas Magic event, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 at 56 Barrie St. in Bradford. There will be a mini-Christmas Market with vendors and food, free BeaverTails courtesy of Majestic Contracting and Brooklyn Developments, and an opportunity meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring your camera for photos with Santa, and two of his reindeer. There will also be a live performance by favourite Frozen characters, courtesy of Moving Art Centre, plus face-painting and balloon twisting, and authentic Italian Christmas cookies for all of the guests. Remember to bring your letters to Santa. Free!
Bradford holds its annual night-time illuminated Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. Holland St. will be closed to traffic, as marching bands, costumed characters and illuminated floats make their way from Bradford District High School on Professor Day Drive, to the four corners, and then south on Simcoe Road. Remember to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Simcoe County Paramedics’ annual toy drive, and letters for Santa - and a lawn chair or blanket, and dress for the weather.
The Innisfil Santa Claus Parade will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24 starting at 1:30 p.m., along Innisfil Beach Road in Alcona, from Innisfil Beach Park to Jans Blvd. Floats, music, costumed characters – and Santa! Remember to bring your letters, and a donation of non-perishable food for the food bank. Float entries for the parade must be received by Nov. 22; contact Innisfil Community Events Corp.
A visit from Sinterklaas! Sinterklaas will be visiting Dutch Treats, 15 Holland St. East, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30. Good little girls and boys can pose for pictures with Sinterklaas, and receive free traditional Dutch treats.
Light Up Night in Cookstown returns on Saturday, Nov. 30, starting at 4 p.m. Shops will be decorated for the holiday season, and open late for treats and special sales. The Cookstown Chamber of Commerce welcomes everyone to this annual event, featuring a Victorian Santa, carollers and more on Queen St. from 4 to 6 p.m., a tree-lighting at 6 p.m., and a night-time, illuminated Santa Claus Parade at 6:30 p.m. There will be music, hot chocolate and cookies at the Cookstown Library from 7:30 to 9 p.m., after the parade.
The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library hosts Festivities with Friends – a chance to meet Santa, courtesy of the Friends of the Innisfil Public Library. From 10:30 a.m. to noon on Nov. 30 at the Lakeshore Branch, 967 Innisfil Beach Rd. in Alcona; Dec. 4 at the Stroud branch; and Dec. 7 at the Cookstown Library. Free crafts, storytime and chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Celebrate Christmas in BWG on Friday, Dec. 6 – a free family event at the BWG Leisure Centre, 471 West Park Ave., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. for a tree-lighting and carolling in Sunshine Square. Then head inside the centre for free photos with Santa, sponsored by KJ Sikkema Photography; free skating from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.; holiday crafts; cookies from Sweet B’s, and free hot chocolate courtesy of RBC. Everyone is invited to enjoy this free community event.
Trim the Tree at the BWG Public Library, a free Family Saturday on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafts, treats and seasonal activities for ages 2 and up, accompanied by a parent or care-giver. Free drop-in program will be followed with a performance by the Bradford School of Dance, 1 p.m. in the Zima Room.
Multicultural Holiday Storytime at the BWG Public Library explores holiday traditions from around the world, on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Stories and crafts in this free program geared to kids ages 3 to 8, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Do you have a holiday event planned? Is Santa coming to visit? Is your company holding a Toy Drive? Please let Bradford Today know, at [email protected].
