Wednesday, Dec. 13
Deck the Halls, to Dec. 23: Take a nightly drive through the Town of Aurora and visit the best holiday lighting there is to offer. A map of the tour will be available in December by visiting here.
Society of York Region Artists Small Works, to Dec. 15: A holiday art show and sale weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Dec. 15 at the Aurora Town Hall Skylight Gallery, 100 John W. Way. There will be extended hours Dec. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Santa’s Tiny Big Town, to Dec. 24: At Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., families can immerse themselves in the magic of the season with one-on-one time with Santa, interactive displays, festive activities and support SickKids.
DIY Reusable Gift Bag: Create a reusable gift bag using the Cricut machine and heat press at the East Gwillimbury Public Library Holland Landing Branch, 19513 Yonge St. The workshop runs from 6 to 7 p.m.
Handmade Holidays: Teens and adults are invited to make their own gifts for their loved ones at the East Gwillimbury Public Library Holland Landing Branch, 19513 Yonge St. The workshop runs from 6 to 7 p.m. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 14
Brownman's Holiday Madness: Holiday cheer interpreted and re-imagined by acclaimed modern jazz iconoclast Brownman Ali at Old Flame Brewery, 140 Main St. S. from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The internationally acclaimed jazz trumpet player's annual jazz Christmas show is a unique reading of classic holiday tunes by the Brownman Akoustic 4-Tet, which features a hand-picked cast of some of Toronto's top-shelf jazz and studio musicians. Tickets, $20 at the door or $15 in advance.
Newmarket Artisans' Holiday Show and Sale: The holiday event features a curated selection of 12 talented artisans, each with their own unique crafts, including basketry, illustrations and cards, ceramics, textiles, soap and skincare, leatherwork, mixed media and fibre arts, jewelry from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1235 Gorham St., unit 1, Newmarket.
Holiday Around the World, Dec. 14, 21: A free evening of crafts and activities for children to honour different celebrations from around the world during the holiday season. Ages 7+ from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Gwillimbury Public Library Holland Landing Branch, 19513 Yonge St.
Maker Day- Ribbon Christmas Tree: From 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge St., create easy ribbon Christmas trees that make the perfect holiday decoration.
The Sisters Touch of Christmas, 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.
Friday, Dec. 15
Frozen Fridays Dec. 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, to Dec. 24: 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.
Magical Christmas Forest, 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.
Regenesis Holiday Party: Learn how to upcycle your old clothes into holiday decorations at YSpace Markham, 169 Enterprise Blvd., from 4 to 8 p.m.
Christmas Baby Craft: Families can work together to make a work of holiday-themed art with their baby at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library, 2 Park Dr., from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Holiday Bricktacular, to Dec. 24: Legoland Discovery Centre, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., in Vaughan will be hosting seasonal LEGO build activities and holiday theming throughout the centre. There’s plenty of photo opportunities, including in front of the 10-foot LEGO tree with the LEGO reindeer and snowman. There will also be iconic holiday scenes of LEGO to explore.
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland: Winterfest returns 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, Dec. 16
Merry Marketplace: 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.
Brooks Farms Festive Nights, to Dec. 23: Every Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 23, Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Rd., in Mount Albert will have everything from a magically lit Christmas forest to a story time wagon ride. There will also be a craft market with local artisans.
Breakfast with Santa on Main Street, Dec. 16 and 17: From 9 a.m. to noon on Main Street in Unionville, you can enjoy breakfast with Santa and his helpers at Jakes, 202 Main St., on Dec. 16 and Unionville Arms, 189 Main St., Dec. 17.
A Christmas Celebration of Song: Enjoy a choir performance of holiday classics at Christ Church Anglican in Whitchurch-Stouffville, 254 Sunset Blvd., from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Christmas Buffet Lunch at Oakview, Dec 16 and 17: A mouthwatering Christmas feast, where you can indulge in a delightful buffet lunch and celebrate the holiday at Oakview Terrace Reception Centre, 13256 Leslie St., from noon to 2:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
A Ben Heppner Christmas: Hear the voice of renowned Canadian tenor Ben Heppner at Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., at 8 p.m. Get tickets here.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Trinity On Main Presents The Painted Chest: A Christmas Story: All welcome, adapted from the book The Painted Chest by Judith Christine Mills, begins at 7 p.m., followed by candlelight carol sing at Trinity United Church on Park at Main. Free admission, nonperishable food donations for the food bank appreciated.
Children’s Brunch with Santa: Delicious food, festive fun, and magical moments with Santa at Forty 40 Resto Lounge in Vaughan, 4040 Hwy. 7, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. and again from 1 to 2:45 p.m.
Christmas Celebration with The Church on The Rock: Christmas carols at 3 p.m. for the The Church on the Rock’s Christmas celebration service at 45 Crosby Ave. in Richmond Hill.
A Christmas Carol: A performance of the Christmas classic at Nineteen on the Park in Whitchurch-Stouffville, 19 Civic Ave., from 2 to 4 p.m. Get tickets here.
Coming Up:
The Real Thing Film Series Presents Elf, Dec. 19: Enjoy a viewing of Christmas classic Elf at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is free.
Holiday Social and Movie, Dec. 20: Newmarket Public Library, 438 Park Ave., is hosting a holiday social and movie from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Elf Trivia Night - Boston Pizza, Dec. 20: Head to Boston Pizza in Aurora, 8 First Commerce Dr., to flex your knowledge of the Christmas classic Elf.
Holiday Music with The Sonical Bees, Dec. 22: Drop in at Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge St., from 3:30 to 4 p.m. for a pop-up holiday concert featuring Aurora's own Sonical Bees.
York Symphony Orchestra Presents Christmas at the Symphony, Dec. 23: Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora, 79 Victoria St., hosts its annual holiday concert filled with good cheer, all your favourite carols, and the audience sing-a-long.
