Thursday, Nov. 30
Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts at Cardinal Press Espresso Bar at 200 Main St. Newmarket from 6 to 10 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.
Keswick Ladies Night with Magic Mike style show: Klub Kave Toronto are back in Keswick at 8 p.m. at Offsides Sports Bar, 200 Simcoe Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Tickets $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
Friday, Dec. 1
Frozen Fridays Dec. 1, 8, 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 are available here.
Aurora’s Christmas Market, Dec. 1 to 3, Dec. 8 to 10: Aurora’s Christmas Market will be filled with good cheer, hands-on workshops and activities, fantastic seasonal vendors, and more at Town Park from 5 to 9 p.m.
Gift Wrap with Southlake: 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.
Vince's Market Winter Table Centrepiece Workshop with Planted by Peter: Learn to make a traditional winter centrepiece with evergreens and foliage to adorn a special spot in your home, or someone else’s home as a hostess gift this holiday season, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Vince's Sharon, Leslie Street. Frame, tools, and all supplies provided. Relax and enjoy charcuterie boards and warm mulled wine while you create. Register, $60.
Curtain Club presents The 39 Steps, to Dec 2: See this spy-thriller-spoof at the Curtain Club Theatre, 400 Newkirk Dr., Richmond Hill. Tickets, $24, 905-773-3434.
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. 2
Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Show: More than 70 artisans and crafts, Christmas cafe, prizes and more at the 8th annual show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Centre, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Learn more about the show and donating to the birthday bag program for local seniors here.
The Pairs: The Newmarket Folk Society presents singers/songwriters Renée Coughlin, Noelle Frances Coughlin, and Hillary Watson and their unique blend of music with stories of life's hope, hilarity, hardship and an unbottled chemistry that quickly connects them to their audience. This award-winning group has toured internationally in Canada, U.S. and Europe playing different shows and festivals. The concert starts at 8 p.m. at the Newmarket Legion, 707 Srigley St. Tickets are $30 at newmarketfolk.com or 705-431-7182 (leave a message).
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.
Aurora Cultural Centre presents Windborne: The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice. But there’s another, crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labour and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. From 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. (doors open 6:45) at Aurora Armoury, 89 Mosley St, Aurora. Tickets, $30.
Merry Marketplace, Dec. 2, 9, and 16: Every Saturday from Nov. 18 to Dec. 16, 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.
Schomberg Village Association’s A Main Street Christmas: Schomberg invites everyone from near and far to come and enjoy a fun family outing on historic Main Street from 3 to 9 p.m., with street performers, carollers, children's entertainers, fireside readings, holiday creations, two parades and, of course, Santa Claus. The event starts with a Santa Claus parade at 4 p.m., with floats and marching bands. Then wander along Main enjoying the sights and sounds of a bygone era with carollers, jugglers, musicians, and refreshments such as hot apple cider, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, cookies. The evening ends with the Farmers' Parade of Lights, starting at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per adult, and no cost for children 12 and under.
Sutton Santa Claus Parade of Light: Santa arrives in Sutton for the annual Santa Claus Parade of Lights. Beginning at 5 p.m. in Jackson’s Point, the parade travels down Dalton Road to High Street, then along High Street ending at the fairgrounds. Register your float today at georgina.ca/events.
Curtain Club presents The 39 Steps, to Dec 2: See this spy-thriller-spoof at the Curtain Club Theatre, 400 Newkirk Dr., Richmond Hill. Tickets, $24, 905-773-3434.
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
Sunday, Dec. 3
Seniors’ Christmas Social Tea: Spend a festive afternoon enjoying music, light refreshments, tea and coffee, door prizes and a great group of friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place, 474 Davis Dr. Register by Nov. 29 with code 17696 at newmarket.perfectmind.com. Members $5, non-members $6 See newmarket.ca/adults55+ for more details.
Newmarket ComiCon: Vendors from all over Ontario, with toys, comic booksf, funko pops, jewelry and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.
Tapestry Chamber Choir Gifts and Giving Concert: Enjoy an afternoon of inspiring choral music at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Church Street, Newmarket. tapestrychoir.ca.
Old-Fashioned Christmas: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum, 18974 Leslie St., enjoy an artisan vendors market, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot beverages, and don't forget to take a photo with Santa.
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
Coming Up:
Season of Light Christmas Concert, Saturday, Dec. 9: Encore! presents a choral concert at 3 p.m. at Bethel Community Christian Reformed Church, 333 Davis Dr. (at Lorne Ave.) in Newmarket with conductor Dee Lawrence, accompanist George Vandikas and guest instrumentalists Kaipa Bharucha, flute, Jenny Liu, violin, Isaac Chan, cello. Tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors/students. Call 416-402-4409.
Lunch at Allen's, Thursday, Dec. 21: Canadian music supergroup Lunch At Allen’s is coming to Newmarket at NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, 505 Pickering Cres. at 7:30 p.m. Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas formed the band in 2004. Individually, they’ve written for or sung on over 25 million CDs and are known for their contributions as songwriters to music heavyweights such as Chicago, Santana, Cher, and Rod Stewart. Tickets can be purchased here.
