It’s official… Santa has been spotted in and around Bradford West Gwillimbury!
Breakfast with Santa. The Bradford Lions Club and Bradford Leos once again host Breakfast with Santa at the Bradford Community Centre, 125 Simcoe Rd., on Nov. 23 from 8 to 10 a.m. Enjoy a buffet breakfast of eggs, pancakes and sausages, coffee, tea or juice, for only $5 for adults, free for accompanied children under 12 with a donation of non-perishable food. The annual event is a fundfraiser and food-raiser for the Helping Hand Food Bank in Bradford.
Santa is at the Holly Jolly Lodge in Market Court at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, posing for photos with his young fans. He’ll be at the Lodge from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. through Sat. until Nov. 28 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays) with breaks to feed the reindeer; then from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. through Sat. from Nov. 29-Dec. 23 (10 a.m. -7 p.m. on Sun.), and until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Pet Photos with Santa on Nov. 20 and 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., with all proceeds to the OSPCA.
8th Annual Pet Photos with Santa, at Pet Valu in Bradford, 442 Holland St. W., on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only $10 per 5” by 7” photo, taken by ZWoman Photography, with all proceeds going to the Lions Foundation Dog Guides.
The Innisfil Santa Claus Parade takes place Sunday, Nov. 24 starting at 1:30 p.m., on 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 with the York Harmony Chorus 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 and cupcake decorating; free cookies from Sweet B’s, and free hot chocolate courtesy of RBC Insurance. Sarah and Emily Dahlgren will have their ‘pop-up’ shop of crafts, raising funds to provide Christmas Cheer hampers to families registered with the Food Bank. 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.
Victorian Christmas at the Simcoe County Museum. Thurs., Dec. 12 and Fri., Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Simcoe County Museum, 1151 Hwy. 26 north of Barrie – drop in for an evening of Holiday music, seasonal treats, a horse-drawn wagon ride outdoors, artisans and vendors and more, in a Victorian setting. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Simcoe County Paramedics annual Toy Drive; purchase a hand-made bowl and soup to support Barrie & District Christmas Cheer. Admission by donation, to the Friends of the Simcoe County Museum.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church presents C.A.K.E. – Christmas Acts of Kindness Experience, a Christmas Pageant, on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. Do you love to sing? Be part of the program – practices held every Sunday after Service, at 12:15 p.m. For info, contact Brenda Reimer at 705-250-5474.
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.
