Christmas decorations are starting to appear on houses everywhere, and the snow will be falling any day now. How can you and your friends and family enjoy the holidays here in Kitchener-Waterloo? Here are a few of the many traditional events taking place locally.
A Festival of German Christmas
Kitchener’s City Hall becomes home to Canada’s original Christkindl Market, and this year marks their 23rd anniversary! The market comes alive this December 5th – 8th with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas! http://www.christkindl.ca/
Christmas In The Village
This annual event on Saturday Novemeber 23rd features attractions for children and adults. Belmont Village becomes a festive wonderland with horse drawn wagon rides, a pet parade, kids activities like writing letters to santa and of course Santa himself joins us so that the whole family can have their picture taken with him (even your pets!).
Collect stamps from local businesses on your Christmas In The Village passport and be entered into draws for amazing gift cards from Belmont Village businesses! https://www.facebook.com/events/belmont-village-kitchener/christmas-in-the-village/433651537550683/
Elf The Musical
If you loved Will Farrell’s fil ELF, you’re going to love this hilarious Christmas musical running until Dec 29th at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge. https://www.draytonentertainment.com/Online/default.asp
Waterloo Park
If you’re looking to head outdoors, then check out the annual Wonders of Winter Festival of Lights in Waterloo Park. Experience over 80 displays, both static and animated, with a total of 100,000 lights. Opening night is November 30th, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser with fireworks to kick off the festivities. http://www.wondersofwinter.ca/
Waterloo Region Museum
The Waterloo Region Museum presents a country Christmas from the 1900’s. This attraction includes the sights and sounds of Christmas past with horse-drawn wagon rides and Father Christmas. http://www.waterlooregionmuseum.om/plan-your-visit/holiday-special-events/
Candyland
How does a large park, transformed into a whimsical world of candy and magic sound? Experience live entertainment, interactive activities and more at the annual Candyland in Cambridge on Saturday, December 7th https://www.cambridge.ca/en/parks-recreation-culture/christmas-in-cambridge.aspx
Bingemans
Prefer to see the lights from your car? Visit the Bingemans Gift of Lights at Bingeman’s between November 16th and January 4th. This attraction is a 2km drive-thru light display. Featuring 2 tunnels with year and more lights than ever before!. http://www.bingemans.com/gift-of-lights.ph
Canada Pacific Holiday Train!
The Holiday Train is back again for it’s 20th year, collecting food and raising funds for local food banks! Come experience the train which is 1000 feet in length and features 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights and travels through Cambridge on November 29th
http://www.cpr.ca/en/community/holiday-train
Shopping
Finally, are you looking to do more shopping? If so, there are dozens of Christmas bazaars and craft sales happening around our region: https://www.todocanada.ca/christmas-markets-holiday-craft-fairs-around-kitchener-waterloo-region/
Don’t Forget About Santa!
He loves to visit Kitchener-Waterloo! In fact, he still has a few more visits scheduled! Here are the final dates he will be stopping in our region:
Hespeler http://hespelersantaclausparade.ca/ Saturday, December 7th at 12:00pm
Rockwood https://www.facebook.com/RockwoodParade/ Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm
Aberfoyle/Puslinch: Sunday, November 24th from 2-4pm
Elmira: http://www.elmirakiwanisclub.com/?event=91607 Saturday, December 7th at 10:00am
Elora: http://www.eloralions.org/ Saturday, November 30th at 6:00pm
Fergus: Saturday, December 7th at 1:30pm
New Hamburg: https://www.therecord.com/events/8997187–the-new-hamburg-santa-claus-parade/ Sunday, December 1st at 6:00pm
Paris: Saturday, December 7th at 6:00pm
