Plan your festive fun in Brant with our comprehensive event guide. For those who know Brant's rhythm and those just learning its beat, this guide orchestrates holiday harmony.
One of the highlights is the Simcoe Christmas Panorama, a spectacular outdoor light display that transforms a park into a winter wonderland. You can also experience the joyful spirit of the Woodstock Santa Claus Parade, renowned for its creative floats and lively performances. And the Brantford Christmas Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a majestic tree and live music. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Brant
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
Simcoe Christmas Panorama (Simcoe)
What to Expect:
River of Lights display along the Lynn River
Description:
Simcoe Christmas Panorama transforms the town into a dazzling spectacle with its signature River of Lights display. Stroll along the Lynn River to witness over 60 animated light displays reflecting on the water's surface. This tradition began in 1958, making it one of Ontario's longest-running holiday events. Visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the illuminated downtown core. The event showcases Simcoe's community spirit, with local businesses and residents contributing to the radiant atmosphere.
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Woodstock Santa Claus Parade (Woodstock)
What to Expect:
Reverse parade format with stationary floats
Description:
Woodstock's Santa Claus Parade reinvents the traditional procession with its innovative reverse format. Spectators drive by stationary floats, allowing for a more intimate viewing experience. This unique approach originated during the pandemic and has since become a beloved tradition. As you cruise through the parade route, you'll encounter elaborately decorated displays and costumed characters. The event pays homage to Woodstock's agricultural heritage with farm-themed floats alongside holiday scenes.
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Brantford Christmas Tree Lighting (Brantford)
What to Expect:
Community-decorated tree with personalized ornaments
Description:
Brantford's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony centers around a towering evergreen adorned with personalized ornaments created by local residents. This community-driven decoration process embodies the city's collaborative spirit. The event features a countdown led by the mayor, culminating in a brilliant illumination that bathes Harmony Square in a warm glow. Attendees can contribute their own ornament to the tree, becoming part of Brantford's holiday history. The tradition dates back to the early 1900s, evolving alongside the city's growth.
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Brantford Christmas Tree Lighting
Ancaster Christmas Craft Show (Ancaster)
What to Expect:
Artisan demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques
Description:
Ancaster Christmas Craft Show spotlights the region's rich artisanal heritage through live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques. Skilled artisans showcase their expertise in woodworking, glassblowing, and textile arts, offering a glimpse into the area's cultural past. The event takes place in the historic Ancaster Fairgrounds, a site that has hosted community gatherings since 1850. Visitors can purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts while learning about the stories behind each creation. The air fills with the scent of freshly carved wood and homemade treats.
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Waterford Old Town Hall Christmas Market (Waterford)
What to Expect:
Market held in a restored 19th-century town hall
Description:
Waterford's Old Town Hall Christmas Market unfolds within the elegant confines of a meticulously restored 19th-century municipal building. This architectural gem provides a charming backdrop for local vendors showcasing their wares. The market emphasizes eco-friendly and locally sourced products, reflecting the community's commitment to sustainability. Visitors can explore the hall's historic features while browsing unique gifts. The event honors Waterford's past as a thriving mill town, with displays highlighting its industrial heritage.
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Waterford Old Town Hall Christmas Market
Stratford Christmas Trail (Stratford)
What to Expect:
Shakespeare-themed holiday experiences
Description:
Stratford's Christmas Trail intertwines holiday cheer with the town's Shakespearean legacy. This self-guided tour leads participants through a series of local shops and attractions, each offering a unique, theatre-inspired holiday experience. Collect Shakespearean-themed ornaments as you explore the snow-dusted streets of this cultural hub. The trail includes stops at the Stratford Festival Theatre, where you can glimpse behind-the-scenes holiday preparations. This event celebrates Stratford's 70-year history as North America's largest classical repertory theatre company.
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Caledonia Festival of Lights (Caledonia)
What to Expect:
Illuminated displays along the Grand River
Description:
Caledonia's Festival of Lights transforms the banks of the Grand River into a glowing tableau of holiday scenes. The event showcases the town's natural beauty, with illuminated displays reflecting off the river's surface. Visitors can embark on a guided river cruise to view the lights from a unique vantage point. The festival pays tribute to Caledonia's Scottish heritage, incorporating tartan patterns and Celtic designs into its light installations. This celebration began as a small community project and has grown into a regional attraction.
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Port Dover ChristmasFest (Port Dover)
What to Expect:
Nautical-themed holiday decorations and activities
Description:
Port Dover's ChristmasFest embraces the town's maritime heritage with nautical-themed holiday decorations and activities. Fishing boats adorned with twinkling lights line the harbor, creating a unique coastal Christmas atmosphere. Visitors can participate in a "Santa Swim" in Lake Erie, a chilly tradition that raises funds for local charities. The event includes a fish fry featuring locally caught perch, honoring Port Dover's fishing industry. This lakeside celebration has been a community staple since the 1950s, evolving with the town's changing landscape.
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Christmas in Cambridge (Cambridge)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era themed holiday celebrations
Description:
Christmas in Cambridge transports visitors to a bygone era with its Victorian-themed holiday celebrations. The historic downtown core, lined with 19th-century architecture, serves as the perfect backdrop for period-costumed carolers and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Participate in a traditional Victorian tea service, complete with holiday-inspired treats. The event pays homage to Cambridge's industrial past, with displays highlighting the city's role in Canada's textile industry. This celebration brings the pages of Dickens to life in the heart of Ontario.
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Kitchener Christkindl Market (Kitchener)
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market experience
Description:
Kitchener's Christkindl Market replicates the atmosphere of a traditional German Christmas market in the heart of Ontario. The event honors the city's German heritage, dating back to its founding as Berlin in 1833. Wooden stalls line the streets, offering authentic German crafts, foods, and beverages. Visitors can savor the taste of freshly baked stollen while watching skilled artisans demonstrate traditional crafts. The market features daily performances of German Christmas music and dance, creating an immersive cultural experience.
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Hagersville Christmas Parade (Hagersville)
What to Expect:
Tractor-led parade celebrating agricultural heritage
Description:
Hagersville's Christmas Parade stands out with its tractor-led procession, celebrating the town's rich agricultural heritage. Local farmers showcase their decorated farm equipment alongside traditional floats, creating a unique blend of rural charm and holiday spirit. The parade route winds through the historic downtown, passing by buildings that have stood since the town's founding in the 1850s. Spectators can warm up with cups of locally produced apple cider while enjoying the festive atmosphere. This event embodies Hagersville's strong sense of community and connection to the land.
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Oakville Christmas Tree Lighting (Oakville)
What to Expect:
Interactive light display controlled by spectators
Description:
Oakville's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony features an innovative interactive light display that allows spectators to control the tree's illumination patterns. Using a specially designed app, attendees can change the colors and patterns of the lights in real-time, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. The event takes place in Centennial Square, the heart of Oakville's historic downtown. This high-tech approach to a traditional ceremony reflects Oakville's blend of heritage and innovation, a characteristic that has defined the town since its founding in 1827.
Website:
Oakville Christmas Tree Lighting
Burlington Festival of Lights (Burlington)
What to Expect:
Lakeside light displays with panoramic views
Description:
Burlington's Festival of Lights illuminates the shores of Lake Ontario, creating a breathtaking panorama of holiday cheer. The event stretches along the waterfront, offering unobstructed views of the Toronto skyline across the lake. Visitors can stroll through tunnels of light and animated displays, each telling a story of Burlington's history and culture. The festival includes a special section dedicated to Indigenous winter traditions, honoring the area's First Nations heritage. This lakeside celebration has been brightening Burlington's winters since 1995, growing in scale and ambition each year.
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Guelph Christmas Market (Guelph)
What to Expect:
Focus on locally produced artisanal foods and crafts
Description:
Guelph's Christmas Market showcases the city's thriving artisanal food and craft scene. Local producers offer a wide array of handcrafted goods, from small-batch preserves to hand-forged metalwork. The market takes place in the historic Guelph Farmers' Market building, a structure that has been at the heart of the community since 1827. Visitors can sample locally brewed craft beers and spirits while browsing unique gifts. This event celebrates Guelph's long-standing reputation as an agricultural and culinary hub in Ontario.
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Hamilton Santa Claus Parade (Hamilton)
What to Expect:
Steel-themed floats honoring industrial heritage
Description:
Hamilton's Santa Claus Parade pays homage to the city's industrial legacy with steel-themed floats and decorations. Local steelworkers and their families participate in creating elaborate displays that showcase Hamilton's role as Canada's steel capital. The parade route passes by historic steel mills, providing a striking backdrop to the festivities. Spectators can warm up with "steelworker's cocoa," a special recipe developed by local factory workers. This event, running since 1918, reflects Hamilton's pride in its working-class roots and community spirit.
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St. Thomas Christmas Parade (St. Thomas)
What to Expect:
Railway-themed parade with historic locomotives
Description:
St. Thomas' Christmas Parade celebrates the city's rich railway history with a procession led by beautifully decorated historic locomotives. Known as the "Railway Capital of Canada," St. Thomas incorporates its transportation heritage into every aspect of the event. Floats are designed to resemble vintage rail cars, and the parade route follows the city's historic rail lines. Visitors can tour the Elgin County Railway Museum, decorated for the holidays, before the parade begins. This unique celebration has been a St. Thomas tradition since the early 1900s, evolving alongside the city's railway industry.
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Milton HolidayFest (Milton)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly holiday celebrations and workshops
Description:
Milton's HolidayFest stands out with its focus on eco-friendly celebrations and sustainability workshops. The event showcases innovative ways to enjoy the holiday season while minimizing environmental impact. Participate in upcycling workshops to create unique decorations from recycled materials. The festival takes place in Milton's Conservation Area, highlighting the town's commitment to preserving natural spaces. This green approach to holiday festivities reflects Milton's history as a hub for environmental innovation, dating back to the establishment of its first conservation area in 1960.
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Brampton Christmas Market (Brampton)
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday celebrations representing diverse communities
Description:
Brampton's Christmas Market embraces the city's cultural diversity with a multicultural approach to holiday celebrations. Stalls represent various ethnic communities, offering traditional foods, crafts, and performances from around the world. Visitors can experience how different cultures celebrate the winter season, from Filipino parols to Indian rangoli. The market takes place in downtown Brampton, showcasing the city's vibrant mix of historic architecture and modern development. This inclusive event reflects Brampton's evolution into one of Canada's most diverse cities over the past few decades.
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Mississauga Festival of Lights (Mississauga)
What to Expect:
Fusion of modern light art and traditional displays
Description:
Mississauga's Festival of Lights blends cutting-edge light art installations with traditional holiday displays, creating a unique visual spectacle. The event features works by contemporary light artists alongside classic holiday scenes, reflecting the city's mix of modernity and tradition. Visitors can interact with some of the light installations, creating their own illuminated art. The festival takes place in Celebration Square, the heart of Mississauga's rapidly developing downtown core. This innovative approach to holiday lighting began in 2011, coinciding with Mississauga's emergence as a major urban center.
Website:
Mississauga Festival of Lights
Brockville Christmas Parade (Brockville)
What to Expect:
Thousand Islands-themed floats and decorations
Description:
Brockville's Christmas Parade draws inspiration from its location in the Thousand Islands region, featuring water-themed floats and decorations. The parade showcases elaborately designed "island" floats, each representing one of the area's famous islands. Spectators can enjoy the sounds of steel drum bands playing holiday tunes, adding a Caribbean flair to the festivities. The event winds through Brockville's historic downtown, passing by 19th-century buildings adorned with nautical-themed decorations. This unique celebration has been a Brockville tradition since the 1960s, evolving to highlight the city's connection to the St. Lawrence River.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake Candlelight Stroll (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
What to Expect:
Candlelit walk through a historic 19th-century town
Description:
Niagara-on-the-Lake's Candlelight Stroll offers a serene journey through time in one of Canada's best-preserved 19th-century towns. Participants carry candles as they walk along streets lined with heritage buildings, creating a warm, flickering glow. The event includes stops at historic sites where costumed interpreters share stories of the town's past. Carolers perform traditional songs using period instruments, adding to the authentic atmosphere. This intimate celebration began in 1989 as a way to showcase Niagara-on-the-Lake's rich history and has since become a beloved annual tradition.
Website:
Niagara-on-the-Lake Candlelight Stroll