Plan your festive adventure in Newmarket with our ultimate event guide. For Newmarket experts and novices alike, our guide is your compass to seasonal celebrations.
One event that brings joy to all ages is the Santa Claus Parade, lighting up the streets with festive floats and holiday cheer. Embrace the magic of the season at the Newmarket Winter Wonderland, featuring enchanting light displays and family-friendly activities. And the Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering 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 Newmarket Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Newmarket
- Santa Claus Parade
- Newmarket Winter Wonderland
- Christmas Market
- Holiday Artisan Market
- Candlelight Christmas
- Christmas at the Elman W. Campbell Museum
- Christmas Tree Farm Tours
- Newmarket Christmas Bird Count
- Christmas Craft Show
- Santa's Workshop
Newmarket Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional European and Canadian market elements
Description:
Newmarket's Christmas Market blends Old World charm with Canadian flair. Wooden chalets line the streets, offering a treasure trove of handcrafted gifts and local delicacies. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked strudel and mulled wine. This unique market draws inspiration from both European traditions and Canadian craftsmanship, creating a cultural fusion. Artisans showcase their skills through live demonstrations, allowing visitors to witness the creation of everything from blown glass ornaments to intricate woodcarvings. The market reflects Newmarket's diverse heritage, dating back to its founding in 1801.
Website:
Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly artisanal products
Description:
Newmarket's Holiday Artisan Market spotlights local creators committed to sustainable practices. Eco-conscious shoppers will discover a curated selection of handmade gifts, from upcycled jewelry to organic skincare products. The market buzzes with creativity as artisans share their eco-friendly techniques. Participate in a workshop on creating zero-waste holiday decorations, learning skills to reduce your environmental impact. This event reflects Newmarket's growing commitment to sustainability, building on the town's green initiatives launched in the early 2000s. You'll find unique, earth-friendly treasures that embody the spirit of conscious giving.
Website:
Christmas Craft Show
What to Expect:
Focus on traditional crafting techniques and artisanal skills
Description:
Newmarket's Christmas Craft Show celebrates the art of handmade creations. This event showcases artisans who specialize in traditional crafting techniques, from blacksmithing to quilting. The exhibition hall hums with activity as craftspeople demonstrate their skills, offering visitors a glimpse into the intricate processes behind their work. Try your hand at spinning wool or carving a wooden ornament under the guidance of skilled artisans. This show pays homage to Newmarket's rich history of craftsmanship, which played a vital role in the town's early economy in the 19th century. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts that carry the legacy of time-honored traditions.
Website:
Newmarket Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pantomime
What to Expect:
Interactive theater experience blending local history with holiday themes
Description:
Newmarket's Holiday Pantomime brings together local history and holiday cheer in an interactive theater experience. This unique production weaves tales of Newmarket's past with classic holiday stories, creating a performance that's both educational and entertaining. The audience becomes part of the show, participating in call-and-response segments and helping to guide the plot. Elaborate costumes and set designs transport viewers to different eras of Newmarket's history. This pantomime tradition, introduced to Newmarket in the early 20th century by British immigrants, has evolved to celebrate local heritage. Immerse yourself in a theatrical journey through time and holiday spirit.
Website:
Christmas Carolers
What to Expect:
Flash mob-style caroling performances throughout town
Description:
Newmarket's Christmas Carolers bring surprise and joy to unexpected places with their flash mob-style performances. Groups of singers, disguised as ordinary shoppers or passersby, suddenly burst into harmonious carols in public spaces around town. The sudden swell of voices fills the air with holiday melodies, delighting unsuspecting audiences. These pop-up performances can happen anywhere from busy shopping centers to quiet park corners. Join in the singing if you know the words! This modern take on caroling began in 2015 and has since become a beloved local tradition, spreading holiday cheer in innovative ways.
Website:
Newmarket Other Holiday Activities
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-wide participation with elaborate floats
Description:
Newmarket's Santa Claus Parade transforms Main Street into a dazzling spectacle of lights and music. Local businesses and community groups showcase their creativity with elaborate floats, each telling a unique holiday story. Children can spot their favorite characters come to life and wave to Santa as he makes his grand appearance. This beloved tradition dates back to 1922, making it one of Ontario's longest-running holiday parades. You'll be captivated by the joyous atmosphere as the town comes together to celebrate the season.
Website:
Newmarket Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations
Description:
Newmarket's Winter Wonderland brings a frosty twist to holiday celebrations with its stunning array of ice sculptures. Master carvers demonstrate their skills live, transforming blocks of ice into intricate works of art before your eyes. Visitors can explore a gallery of completed sculptures, each illuminated to showcase its crystalline beauty. The event pays homage to Canada's rich ice carving heritage, which dates back to the 19th century. Try your hand at ice sculpting in a beginner-friendly workshop and create your own frozen masterpiece.
Website:
Candlelight Christmas
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments by candlelight
Description:
Candlelight Christmas in Newmarket transports visitors to the 19th century. The historic downtown district is illuminated solely by candlelight, creating an authentic atmosphere of yesteryear. Costumed interpreters bring the past to life, sharing tales of holiday traditions from Newmarket's early days. The gentle flicker of candles casts dancing shadows on heritage buildings. Visitors can participate in traditional caroling, using songbooks printed with historical lyrics. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into Newmarket's rich past, highlighting the town's founding in 1801 and its evolution through the Victorian era.
Website:
Christmas at the Elman W. Campbell Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits showcasing holiday traditions through the decades
Description:
Christmas at the Elman W. Campbell Museum offers a journey through time, showcasing holiday traditions from the 1850s to the present day. Each room of the museum is decorated to represent a different era, allowing visitors to experience the evolution of Christmas celebrations. Hands-on exhibits invite you to try on vintage holiday attire or write with a quill pen on reproduction Victorian Christmas cards. The museum, housed in Newmarket's former Land Registry Office built in 1884, provides a fitting backdrop for this historical exploration. Discover how local holiday customs have changed and which traditions have endured over the centuries.
Website:
Christmas at the Elman W. Campbell Museum
Christmas Tree Farm Tours
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes look at sustainable Christmas tree farming
Description:
Newmarket's Christmas Tree Farm Tours offer an insider's view of sustainable forestry practices. Visitors traverse the picturesque farm, learning about the lifecycle of Christmas trees and the importance of responsible harvesting. The crisp scent of pine fills the air as you walk among rows of different tree varieties. Participate in a tree-planting activity, contributing to the farm's ongoing reforestation efforts. This educational experience highlights Newmarket's commitment to environmental stewardship, building on the region's agricultural heritage dating back to the early 19th century. Gain a new appreciation for the work that goes into growing the perfect Christmas tree.
Website:
Newmarket Christmas Bird Count
What to Expect:
Citizen science project combining birdwatching with holiday tradition
Description:
Newmarket's Christmas Bird Count merges holiday spirit with environmental conservation. This annual event, part of a continent-wide initiative, invites bird enthusiasts and novices alike to participate in a crucial citizen science project. Participants fan out across designated areas, carefully counting and identifying bird species. The crisp winter air carries the calls of chickadees and cardinals as counters record their observations. Learn about local bird populations and their winter habits from experienced ornithologists. This tradition, started in North America in 1900, provides valuable data on bird migration patterns and population trends. Contribute to important ecological research while enjoying the beauty of Newmarket's winter landscape.
Website:
Newmarket Christmas Bird Count
Santa's Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive STEM-focused holiday activities for children
Description:
Santa's Workshop in Newmarket puts a modern twist on holiday fun with its focus on STEM education. Children engage in hands-on activities that blend science, technology, engineering, and math with holiday themes. Build and program a light-up reindeer nose, experiment with the chemistry of snow, or design a 3D-printed ornament. The workshop buzzes with the excitement of discovery and creation. This innovative approach to holiday entertainment reflects Newmarket's commitment to education and technology, building on initiatives launched in the early 2010s. Young visitors will be inspired to see the world of science and technology through a festive lens.
Website:
Nearby Events
Magical Christmas Forest (Aurora)
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling trails through a decorated forest
Description:
Aurora's Christmas Forest comes alive with tales of holiday cheer. Winding paths lead visitors through a grove of decorated trees, each telling a different story through creative displays and audio narration. The forest rustles with the sounds of hidden speakers, bringing each narrative to life. Children can embark on a scavenger hunt, searching for clues hidden among the branches. This innovative approach to storytelling draws inspiration from Aurora's rich literary history, including connections to famous Canadian authors. Explore the forest to uncover stories both familiar and new, reimagined in this unique natural setting.
Website:
Santa Train (Uxbridge)
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride with Santa through scenic countryside
Description:
Uxbridge's Santa Train offers a nostalgic journey through the picturesque Oak Ridges Moraine. Passengers board a beautifully restored vintage train, traveling back in time as they chug through the winter landscape. The rhythmic clacking of wheels on rails provides a soothing backdrop to the onboard festivities. Children can meet Santa in the special Christmas carriage, decorated with twinkling lights and garlands. This unique experience celebrates Uxbridge's railway heritage, which dates back to the 1870s and played a crucial role in the town's development. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as you take in the snow-covered scenery from the comfort of your heated carriage.
Website:
Christmas in the Village (Unionville)
What to Expect:
Recreation of a Victorian-era Christmas village
Description:
Unionville's Christmas in the Village recreates the charm of a 19th-century holiday celebration. The historic Main Street is transformed into a Victorian wonderland, with gas lamps casting a warm glow on snow-dusted storefronts. Costumed performers roam the streets, engaging visitors with tales of Christmases past. The air is filled with the sound of hooves on cobblestones as horse-drawn carriages offer rides through the village. Try your hand at traditional crafts like candle dipping or gingerbread decorating. This event pays homage to Unionville's founding in 1794 and its preservation of Victorian architecture, offering a glimpse into holiday traditions of yesteryear.
Website:
Holiday Celebration (East Gwillimbury)
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday traditions showcase
Description:
East Gwillimbury's Holiday Celebration embraces the diverse cultural tapestry of the community. This unique event showcases holiday traditions from around the world, featuring performances, displays, and activities representing various cultures. Visitors can sample international holiday treats, from German stollen to Indian gulab jamun. Learn about different cultural gift-giving customs and create traditional decorations from various countries. This celebration reflects East Gwillimbury's growing diversity and commitment to inclusivity, a trend that has shaped the town's development since the early 2000s. Immerse yourself in a global holiday experience without leaving Ontario.
Website:
Holiday Light Tour (Vaughan)
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of elaborate residential light displays
Description:
Vaughan's Holiday Light Tour invites visitors to explore a dazzling array of residential light displays. This self-guided adventure takes you through neighborhoods where homeowners have transformed their properties into spectacular illuminated showcases. The tour map highlights particularly impressive displays, including synchronized light shows set to music. Twinkling lights reflect off snow-covered lawns, creating a mesmerizing winter landscape. This community-driven event began as a friendly neighborhood competition in the 1980s and has since grown into a beloved local tradition. You'll witness the creativity and dedication of Vaughan residents as they bring holiday cheer to their streets.
Website:
Holiday Train (King City)
What to Expect:
Moving light display on a decorated train through town
Description:
King City's Holiday Train illuminates the night as it winds its way through town. This unique mobile light display features a locomotive and several cars adorned with thousands of LED lights, creating intricate moving patterns and holiday scenes. The train's arrival is heralded by festive music, drawing crowds to watch it pass. Spectators can track the train's progress through town using a special app, ensuring they don't miss this dazzling spectacle. This event pays homage to King City's railway history, which played a crucial role in the area's development in the late 19th century. Experience a modern twist on holiday lights and local heritage.
Website:
Outdoor Nativity Pageant (Aurora)
What to Expect:
Living nativity with local farm animals and period-accurate costumes
Description:
Aurora's Outdoor Nativity Pageant brings the Christmas story to life with meticulous attention to historical detail. This immersive experience features local farm animals, including sheep and donkeys, creating an authentic atmosphere. Actors wear carefully researched, period-accurate costumes, transporting viewers to ancient Bethlehem. The pageant unfolds in a series of scenes, allowing visitors to follow the narrative at their own pace. Soft lighting and subtle sound effects enhance the ambiance without overshadowing the natural setting. This event, first staged in 1960, reflects Aurora's commitment to preserving and sharing cultural traditions. Witness a thoughtful and reverent portrayal of the nativity story in a unique outdoor setting.
Website:
Winter Fun Fest (Stouffville)
What to Expect:
Combination of winter sports and holiday activities
Description:
Stouffville's Winter Fun Fest blends athletic excitement with holiday cheer. This dynamic event features a range of winter sports activities, from ice skating competitions to snowshoeing trails, alongside traditional holiday festivities. The festival grounds buzz with energy as participants and spectators move between sporting events and holiday-themed attractions. Try your hand at curling or watch an exhilarating ice hockey tournament. This unique combination celebrates Stouffville's strong sporting culture, which has been an integral part of the community since the early 20th century. Experience the thrill of winter sports and the warmth of holiday traditions in one action-packed event.
Website:
Christmas Choir Performances (Markham)
What to Expect:
Choral performances in unique acoustic spaces around town
Description:
Markham's Christmas Choir Performances showcase the town's rich musical heritage in unexpected venues. Choirs perform in locations chosen for their unique acoustic properties, from historic churches to modern atrium spaces. The soaring harmonies of traditional and contemporary carols resonate in these carefully selected settings, creating an immersive auditory experience. Audiences move from one performance to the next, discovering the town's architectural gems along the way. This innovative approach to choral music celebrates Markham's diverse musical traditions, which have been an important part of the community since its founding in the 1790s. Immerse yourself in a musical journey that combines local history, architecture, and holiday spirit.