Celebrate the season in Burlington with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Burlington soil or just planting holiday seeds, our guide helps you bloom.
The Burlington Festival of Lights will illuminate your nights with stunning displays that light up Spencer Smith Park. With captivating performances, the Burlington Sound of Music Christmas Concert promises to fill your ears with festive melodies. And the Holiday Street Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a wonderland of unique gifts and delicious treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Burlington Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Burlington
- Burlington Festival of Lights
- Burlington Sound of Music Christmas Concert
- Holiday Street Market
- Santa Claus Parade
- Royal Botanical Gardens Holiday Traditions
- Lights & Carols Event
- Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Downtown Classics Holiday Concert
- Christmas Craft Show
Burlington Holiday Light Displays
Burlington Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays along the waterfront
Description:
Burlington's waterfront transforms into a dazzling spectacle during the Festival of Lights. Visitors stroll along the shore, marveling at innovative light installations that reflect off Lake Ontario. The event showcases local artists' creations, blending technology with traditional holiday themes. You can participate in a scavenger hunt to find hidden light-based puzzles throughout the display. This annual tradition began in 1995 as a community initiative to brighten the winter nights and has since grown into a major regional attraction.
Website:
Lights & Carols Event
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound installations
Description:
Burlington's Lights & Carols Event reimagines holiday illuminations. Cutting-edge light installations respond to carol singing, creating a symphony of sight and sound. Visitors' voices trigger changes in the light displays, making each moment unique. You can join a community choir for a special performance that controls the main light show. This innovative event reflects Burlington's commitment to embracing technology in public art, a initiative that began in the early 2000s.
Website:
Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Community-decorated tree with personalized ornaments
Description:
Burlington's Tree Lighting Ceremony stands out with its community-driven approach. Residents contribute personalized ornaments, each telling a unique story of local life. The massive tree becomes a tapestry of community memories and aspirations. You can add your own ornament to the tree during the ceremony, becoming part of this living artwork. This tradition began in 2010 as a way to strengthen community bonds and has since become a cherished annual event.
Website:
Burlington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Street Market
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly focus with sustainable gift options
Description:
Burlington's Holiday Street Market stands out with its commitment to sustainability. Vendors showcase eco-friendly gifts, upcycled decorations, and locally sourced treats. The air is filled with the aroma of mulled cider made from Ontario apples. Shoppers can participate in workshops on creating zero-waste holiday decorations. This market reflects Burlington's ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact, aligning with the city's climate action plan initiated in 2019.
Website:
Christmas Craft Show
What to Expect:
Emphasis on traditional Canadian crafting techniques
Description:
Burlington's Christmas Craft Show highlights time-honored Canadian artisanal skills. Craftspeople demonstrate techniques passed down through generations, from quillwork to woodcarving. The show buzzes with the sound of spinning wheels and looms in action. Visitors can try their hand at creating traditional Métis beadwork patterns. This event celebrates the diverse craft heritage of Canada, showcasing skills that have been integral to the country's cultural fabric for centuries.
Website:
Burlington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Burlington Sound of Music Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Fusion of contemporary and classical Christmas music
Description:
The Burlington Sound of Music Christmas Concert elevates holiday tunes to new heights. This unique musical experience blends traditional carols with modern arrangements, creating an auditory tapestry that resonates through the venue. Local and international artists collaborate to present innovative interpretations of beloved classics. Audience members can join in a grand finale sing-along, becoming part of the performance. The concert builds on Burlington's rich musical heritage, which includes the renowned Sound of Music Festival held each summer since 1980.
Website:
Burlington Sound of Music Christmas Concert
Downtown Classics Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Performances of rarely heard classical holiday compositions
Description:
Burlington's Downtown Classics Holiday Concert unearths hidden gems of seasonal music. The program features lesser-known classical works from various eras, offering a fresh take on holiday concerts. Musicians perform on both modern and period instruments, creating a unique auditory experience. You can attend a pre-concert talk to learn about the historical context of each piece. This event celebrates Burlington's commitment to cultural education, a focus that has shaped the city's arts scene since the 1980s.
Website:
Downtown Classics Holiday Concert
Burlington Other Holiday Activities
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Interactive float designs chosen by community vote
Description:
Burlington's Santa Claus Parade brings community engagement to the forefront. Floats feature designs chosen by residents through an online voting system, ensuring each year's parade reflects current local interests. The procession winds through historic downtown streets, passing by century-old buildings. Children can contribute to a massive community art project that travels alongside Santa's float. This parade has been a Burlington tradition since 1965, evolving from a small-town event to a regional spectacle.
Website:
Royal Botanical Gardens Holiday Traditions
What to Expect:
Global botanical holiday traditions showcase
Description:
The Royal Botanical Gardens' Holiday Traditions event offers a journey through worldwide botanical customs. Visitors explore themed gardens representing holiday plant use from various cultures. The centerpiece is a towering tree adorned with international ornaments. You can participate in a hands-on workshop to create traditional plant-based decorations. This event highlights the Gardens' role as a living museum, showcasing its diverse collection of over 50,000 plants from around the globe.
Website:
Royal Botanical Gardens Holiday Traditions
Nearby Events
CP Holiday Train (Hamilton)
What to Expect:
Rolling concert venue on a beautifully decorated train
Description:
The CP Holiday Train rolls into Hamilton, bringing a unique musical experience on rails. This brightly lit locomotive serves as a moving stage for live performances by Canadian artists. Spectators line the tracks to catch a glimpse of the illuminated train and enjoy the concert at designated stops. Attendees can donate to local food banks, supporting CP's mission to combat hunger. The Holiday Train has been crossing North America since 1999, covering over 150 communities annually.
Website:
Hamilton Christmas Market (Hamilton)
What to Expect:
Fusion of European and Canadian market traditions
Description:
Hamilton's Christmas Market blends Old World charm with Canadian flair. Wooden stalls reminiscent of European markets are filled with locally crafted goods and international delicacies. The market buzzes with the sound of live folk music performances. Visitors can try their hand at traditional blacksmithing demonstrations, connecting with Hamilton's industrial heritage. This event pays homage to the city's diverse cultural roots, celebrating the immigrant communities that have shaped Hamilton since the 19th century.
Website:
Candy Cane Lane Bazaar (Milton)
What to Expect:
Handmade candy cane crafting demonstrations
Description:
Milton's Candy Cane Lane Bazaar celebrates the iconic holiday treat. Master confectioners demonstrate the art of hand-pulling and shaping candy canes, a tradition dating back to the 17th century. The bazaar features an array of unique candy cane-inspired crafts and treats. You can participate in a candy cane scavenger hunt throughout the venue. This event honors Milton's agricultural roots, showcasing how local produce can be transformed into sweet holiday delights.
Website:
Christmas Eve Concert (Oakville)
What to Expect:
Candlelit performances in a historic church
Description:
Oakville's Christmas Eve Concert offers an intimate musical experience in a 19th-century church. The candlelit interior creates a warm glow, enhancing the acoustics of the historic space. Musicians perform on period instruments, bringing authenticity to traditional carols. Attendees can participate in a centuries-old bell-ringing ceremony following the concert. This event celebrates Oakville's rich architectural heritage, taking place in one of the oldest surviving churches in the region.
Website:
Holiday in the Park (Stoney Creek)
What to Expect:
Winter sports and activities in a natural setting
Description:
Holiday in the Park at Stoney Creek transforms the landscape into a winter playground. Visitors can try their hand at curling on specially created outdoor rinks or snowshoe through scenic trails. The park comes alive with the sound of sleigh bells from horse-drawn carriage rides. You can participate in a friendly snowman-building competition judged by local artists. This event showcases the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that shapes the region's geography.
Website:
Grimsby Christmas Parade (Grimsby)
What to Expect:
Parade floats inspired by local agricultural products
Description:
Grimsby's Christmas Parade celebrates the town's fruit-growing heritage. Floats adorned with locally grown produce create a unique spectacle, blending holiday cheer with agricultural pride. The parade route passes through the historic downtown, lined with 19th-century architecture. Spectators can sample local fruit preserves offered by community groups along the way. This event pays homage to Grimsby's reputation as the "Gateway to Niagara's Fruit Belt," a tradition dating back to the early 1800s.
Website:
Hamilton's Winter Wonderland (Hamilton)
What to Expect:
Ice sculpture garden with local historical themes
Description:
Hamilton's Winter Wonderland features an extraordinary ice sculpture garden. Master carvers create intricate frozen artworks depicting scenes from the city's rich history. The sculptures glisten under specialized lighting, creating an ever-changing display. Visitors can watch live ice-carving demonstrations and learn about the techniques used. This event celebrates Hamilton's cultural heritage, from its indigenous roots to its industrial boom, frozen in time through the medium of ice.
Website:
Bronte Creek's Victorian Christmas (Oakville)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Bronte Creek's Victorian Christmas transports visitors to the 1900s. The historic Spruce Lane Farmhouse is meticulously decorated in period style, offering a glimpse into holiday celebrations of the past. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and cooking methods. Visitors can participate in authentic Victorian parlor games and activities. This event brings to life the rich history of Bronte Creek Provincial Park, established in 1975 to preserve the area's natural and cultural heritage.
Website:
Bronte Creek's Victorian Christmas
Holiday Art Market (Dundas)
What to Expect:
Focus on avant-garde and experimental holiday-themed art
Description:
Dundas' Holiday Art Market pushes the boundaries of seasonal creativity. Artists present unconventional interpretations of holiday themes, from abstract sculptures to multimedia installations. The market hums with the energy of live performance art pieces. You can engage in interactive art projects, contributing to evolving pieces throughout the event. This cutting-edge approach reflects Dundas' growing reputation as a hub for contemporary art in the region, a movement that gained momentum in the early 2000s.
Website:
Christmas at Westfield (Rockton)
What to Expect:
Reenactment of 19th-century Christmas traditions
Description:
Christmas at Westfield offers a journey back to the 1800s. The heritage village comes alive with historical reenactors demonstrating authentic 19th-century holiday preparations. The air is filled with the scent of freshly baked gingerbread from period ovens. Visitors can try their hand at traditional candle-dipping techniques used in early Canadian settlements. This immersive experience showcases the living history preserved at Westfield Heritage Village, which has been educating the public about Ontario's past since 1964.