2010 Burlington Ontario Area Santa Claus Parades and Christmas Events

The Holiday season is fast approaching, and as always, there are numerous Holiday parades, activities, and events to choose from in our area. Most of these have free admission and are great for the whole family to attend. In the past we have invited grandparents to come along with us, and even attended two events in one day! Remember, if you are attending an outdoor event, dress in layers and ensure everyone uses the washroom BEFORE you get in the van (you too, Grandpa). This would also be a good day to have dinner started in a crockpot or slow-cooker before you leave for the parade or tree lighting. It’s simple for mum or dad to dish out some beef stew and crusty rolls when you all tumble in the door ravenous and red-cheeked. Finish the evening with a favourite holiday DVD, hot chocolate for the kids and a nice Merlot for mum…..

Start a new family tradition, and mark these on your calendar. Please note that admission is free unless stated otherwise.

• Schools. This is the time of year that many schools showcase their musical and dramatic talents.
• Churches: Pageants, concerts, craft and bake sales abound at this time of year. Be entertained, support a good cause (as these are usually fundraising events for the church itself or charities that the church supports), and pick up some unique gifts or goodies.
• Libraries: Christmas-themed story times and workshops are often popular this time of year.
• Malls: Of course Santa Claus is a prime attraction for November and December! Most malls host some sort of “Have Your Picture Taken With Santa” and often have a great Christmas Display set up as well. If you are near a larger urban centre check out the department store windows. As a child growing up in downtown Toronto it was a thrill to see the animated Christmas scenes in the Simpsons and Sears windows.
• Provincial Parks or Conservation Areas: While many of these wind down for the winter or may even close completely, some of them do hold special holiday events.

OAKVILLE -General Museum Holiday Tours Enjoy a tour with family and friends through the Chisholm family home, decorated for Christmas
Dates: November 23, 2010 to Jan 3, 2011 Tuesday to Sunday
Time: 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Erchless Estate, 8 Navy Street, Oakville, ON
Cost: Admission by donation

ROCKTON AREA CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE

Dates: November 27, 2010 through December 24, 2010

Time: 9:30am to 4:00 pm

Location: Rina's Christmas Tree Farm, Rockton, Ontario

see website for map (within half an hour from Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton)

Start a new family tradition. Hayrides on weekends.

BURLINGTON CANDLELIT STROLL

Date: Friday December 3, 2010

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Meet at City Hall, Main Foyer, Downtown Burlington to stroll to TreeLighting

Cost: purchase a candle in support of the United Way

ROCKTON: 4 Course Historical Christmas Dinner at Westfield Heritage Village

Dates: Saturday December 4, Saturday December 11, Saturday December 18, 2010

TIme: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: Westfield Heritage Village, 9 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, ON

For ticket availability and more info please call 1 800 883 0104

OAKVILLE Creative Christmas Workshop for Children Ages 4-6

Date: Sunday December 5, 2010

TIme: 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Location: Oakville Museum, 8 Navy Street

Cost: $35.00 **Please see the museum website for registration particulars

BURLINGTON Choral Society Wonderful Songs of Christmas

Date: Sunday December 5,2010

Time: 3:00 pm

Location: Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Drive, Burlington

Cost: $15.00

BURLINGTON Halton Youth Symphony Christmas Concert

Date: Sunday December 5, 2010

Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Location: St. Christopher's Anglican Church, 662 Guelph LIne, Burlington

Cost: $15.00

BURLINGTON Senior's Centre******FREE****** Christmas Concert

Date: Sunday December 5, 2010

Time: 2:00 pm

Location: 2285 New Street, Burlington, ON

Phone (905) 335-7888 for more details

BURLINGTON 45th Annual Santa Claus Parade

Date: Sunday December 5, 2010

Time:2:00 pm

Location: Burlington Mall, the corner of Guelph Line and Prospect Street

BURLINGTON Festival of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Sunday December 5,2010 ** Lights are up through Monday January 11, 2011.
Time: 5:00 pm

Location: Spencer Smith Park

BURLINGTON Candlelight Tours of Yesteryear at Ireland House at Oakridge Farm Museum - Holiday crafts and refreshments

Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010

TIme: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Location: Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON

Cost:$12 for adults, $10 for children

* Ticket includes refreshments & activities. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

For more information please contact Ireland House Museum at (905) 332-9888

BURLINGTON A Christmas Carol Dramatic Reading

Date: Saturday December 11, 2010

TIme: 7:30 pm

Location: Port Nelson United Church, Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Drive, Burlington

Cost: A Christmas Dinner is being held at 5:30PM in advance of the Reading. Dinner & Dickens Tickets $38 are available from the church office (in advance only) and tickets for the 'reading only' $15, are available from the Church Office see website for details.

BURLINGTON A Family Christmas Carol Sing with Symphony Hamilton

Date: Sunday December 12, 2010

Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington Burlington, ON

Cost: Adults $28, Students/Seniors $15, under age 12 $5

HAMILTON - A Holiday Celebration with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

Date: December 18, 2010

Time: 2pm and 7:30 pm
Location: Hamilton Place, 1 Summer’s Lane, Hamilton
Cost: Adult - $19 - $64

BURLINGTON The Historic Paletta Lakefront Park and Mansion Open House- decorated for Christmas - Date: Monday December 20, 2010

Time: 11:00 am - 2 pm

Location: The Paletta Mansion, 4250 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario