Embark on a holiday adventure in Halton Hills! Discover all the top festive events with our guide.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the season is the Santa Claus Parade, where joyful floats and merry music light up the streets. Delight in the captivating displays of twinkling decorations during the Holiday Festive Light Tour, creating a magical ambiance throughout the town. And don't forget the Holiday Craft Show, showcasing unique handmade treasures perfect for gift ideas. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Halton Hills
- Santa Claus Parade (Georgetown)
- Holiday Festive Light Tour
- Holiday Craft Show (Georgetown)
- Festival of Trees (Acton)
- Holiday Train (Georgetown)
- Elf Walk & Run
- Christmas Movie Nights (Acton)
- Holiday Wreath Making Workshop (Georgetown)
- Reindeer Run (Georgetown)
- Gingerbread House Decorating Party (Acton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Halton Hills Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Festive Light Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of elaborately decorated homes
Description:
Halton Hills residents outdo themselves with dazzling light displays during the Holiday Festive Light Tour. This self-guided adventure takes you through neighborhoods where homeowners compete for the most elaborate decorations. The tradition began in 1985 as a friendly rivalry between two neighbors. Now, you can download a map to navigate the twinkling streets at your own pace. Some homeowners even synchronize their lights to music, creating a multi-sensory experience. Keep an eye out for the "People's Choice" winner from last year, known for its 20-foot illuminated snowman.
Where: Halton Hills | More Info: Holiday Festive Light Tour
Halton Hills Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Craft Show
What to Expect:
Emphasis on locally-made, eco-friendly crafts
Description:
Georgetown's Holiday Craft Show spotlights artisans who create eco-friendly, locally-made gifts. The event, held in the historic Georgetown Fairgrounds, brings together over 100 craftspeople from across Ontario. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, including glass blowing and wood carving. The show has roots in the area's 19th-century agricultural fairs, evolving to celebrate modern artisanal skills. Browse handmade jewelry, organic skincare products, and upcycled home decor. The aroma of freshly baked goods from local bakeries wafts through the air, tempting shoppers with seasonal treats.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Holiday Craft Show
Halton Hills Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Concerts from a moving train car
Description:
The Holiday Train rolls into Georgetown, bringing live music performances from a specially converted boxcar stage. This unique event combines rail history with contemporary entertainment, as the brightly lit train stops in town for a free concert. The Holiday Train has been traversing North America since 1999, raising food and funds for local food banks. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate. Local musicians join the train's performers for a collaborative show, blending regional talent with touring artists.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Holiday Train
Christmas Movie Nights
What to Expect:
Outdoor screenings of classic Christmas films
Description:
Acton's Christmas Movie Nights bring beloved holiday classics to life under the stars. The event transforms Prospect Park into an open-air cinema, complete with a giant inflatable screen. Blankets of snow often add to the ambiance, creating a true winter movie experience. The tradition began in 2015 as a way to utilize the park during colder months. Visitors can enjoy complimentary hot cocoa while watching films like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." Bundle up and bring your coziest blankets for this unique outdoor cinema experience.
Where: Acton | More Info: Christmas Movie Nights
Nutcracker Ballet Performance
What to Expect:
Incorporation of local landmarks into set design
Description:
Georgetown's Nutcracker Ballet Performance reimagines the classic tale with a local twist. The production incorporates miniature versions of Georgetown landmarks into its set design, including the historic Georgetown Railway Station. Local dance students perform alongside professional ballerinas, bridging community involvement with world-class artistry. The tradition of performing The Nutcracker in Georgetown dates back to 1975. You can spot references to local history woven throughout the performance, from the Sugar Plum Fairy's costume inspired by 19th-century mill workers to the Mouse King's lair resembling an old limestone quarry.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Nutcracker Ballet Performance
Halton Hills Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Trees decorated by local organizations for charity auction
Description:
Acton's Festival of Trees transforms the Town Hall into a forest of uniquely decorated evergreens. Local businesses, schools, and community groups each sponsor and decorate a tree, showcasing their creativity and community spirit. The festival culminates in a silent auction where visitors bid on their favorite trees, with proceeds benefiting local charities. This event originated in 1997 as a small fundraiser and has since grown into a beloved annual tradition. You can vote for the "People's Choice" tree, adding a competitive edge to the charitable event.
Where: Acton | More Info: Festival of Trees
Elf Walk & Run
What to Expect:
Participants dress as elves for charity run
Description:
Halton Hills transforms into the North Pole during the annual Elf Walk & Run. Participants don elf costumes and pointy ears as they dash through the streets, raising funds for local children's charities. The event includes a 5K run and a family-friendly 1K walk, accommodating all fitness levels. This whimsical race began in 2010 and has since become a quirky local tradition. You can join the "Best Dressed Elf" contest, adding a competitive twist to the charitable event. The sight of hundreds of "elves" running through town creates a truly unique spectacle.
Where: Halton Hills | More Info: Elf Walk & Run
Halton Hills Other Holiday Activities
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-designed floats showcasing local talent
Description:
Georgetown's Santa Claus Parade transforms Main Street into a lively procession of community-designed floats. Local businesses, schools, and organizations compete for the most creative display, showcasing the town's artistic talent. The parade route follows the original 19th-century stagecoach path through Georgetown. You can join the fun by decorating a small wagon or stroller to pull alongside the main floats. The air fills with the cheerful sounds of marching bands playing holiday tunes as the parade winds through the historic downtown.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Santa Claus Parade
Holiday Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Use of locally foraged materials for wreath-making
Description:
Georgetown's Holiday Wreath Making Workshop emphasizes sustainability and local flora. Participants create unique wreaths using materials foraged from the Halton Hills area, including pine cones, berries, and evergreen boughs. The workshop takes place in the historic Devereaux House, built in 1858. Expert florists guide attendees through traditional wreath-making techniques, sharing knowledge passed down through generations. You'll learn to identify local plant species and their traditional uses in holiday decorations. The workshop culminates in a wreath-hanging ceremony in the Devereaux House garden.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Holiday Wreath Making Workshop
Reindeer Run
What to Expect:
Runners wear antlers and red noses
Description:
Georgetown's Reindeer Run sees participants transform into Santa's helpers for a festive 5K race. Runners don antlers and red noses, creating a herd of human reindeer dashing through the streets. The run follows a route that showcases Georgetown's historic downtown, passing by buildings dating back to the 1850s. This event started as a small community run in 2008 and has grown into a major holiday attraction. Participants can join the "Fastest Reindeer" competition, adding a playful competitive element to the run.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Reindeer Run
Gingerbread House Decorating Party
What to Expect:
Houses modeled after local historic buildings
Description:
Acton's Gingerbread House Decorating Party celebrates local architecture in edible form. Participants decorate pre-baked gingerbread houses modeled after Acton's historic buildings, including the 1883 Town Hall and the old Beardmore Tannery. The event takes place in the Acton Arena, transformed into a giant gingerbread village for the day. Local bakers provide demonstrations on advanced icing techniques and share the history behind each building represented. You can enter your creation in the "Most Historically Accurate" contest, judged by members of the Halton Hills Heritage Committee.
Where: Acton | More Info: Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Christmas Pet Photos
What to Expect:
Photos taken in a vintage 1950s holiday setting
Description:
Georgetown's Christmas Pet Photos event transports furry friends to a 1950s holiday scene. The photo studio recreates a vintage living room complete with a aluminum Christmas tree, retro ornaments, and period-appropriate furniture. This unique setting offers a nostalgic twist on traditional pet photos. The event takes place in the restored Georgetown Railway Station, built in 1856. Professional pet photographers capture each animal's personality against the throwback backdrop. You can choose from a variety of vintage-inspired props to add extra flair to your pet's portrait.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Christmas Pet Photos
Nativity Scene Display
What to Expect:
Life-sized nativity scenes from different cultures
Description:
Acton's Nativity Scene Display showcases life-sized representations from various cultures around the world. The exhibit, set up in Prospect Park, features nativity scenes interpreted through different artistic traditions, from Mexican to Filipino to Indigenous Canadian. This unique display began in 2005 as a way to celebrate Acton's growing cultural diversity. Visitors can learn about holiday traditions from around the globe through informative plaques accompanying each scene. You can participate in a guided tour led by local cultural ambassadors, gaining deeper insights into the symbolism and significance of each display.
Where: Acton | More Info: Nativity Scene Display
Holiday Art Exhibition
What to Expect:
Artwork inspired by local winter landscapes
Description:
Halton Hills' Holiday Art Exhibition celebrates the beauty of the region's winter scenery. Local artists showcase paintings, photographs, and sculptures inspired by the snowy landscapes of the Niagara Escarpment and Credit River Valley. The exhibition, held in the Helson Gallery, highlights how the area's natural beauty has inspired artists for generations. Visitors can watch live painting demonstrations as artists capture the winter scenes visible from the gallery windows. You can participate in a winter plein air painting workshop, learning techniques for capturing the unique light and colors of the season.