411ontariokids.com is pleased to contribute its first blog post to parentscanada.com!
Parents can count on us to provide details about family and kids events, activities and getaways happening in areas north of Toronto and the GTA, from the Bruce Peninsula all the way to the Ottawa Valley!
Please feel free to say hello, to comment and let us know about your family adventures. If you have an event for submission, please email us!
Events and activities for kids and families north of Ontario this weekend are pretty much all about the holidays. Families can head to “city sidewalks” and watch Santa Claus parades, ceremonial holiday tree lightings and the Festivals of Lights. Holiday shopping continues with many annual traditional holiday-themed arts and crafts shows, one-a-kind-shows and unique artisan shows and sales. Who doesn't love a handmade toy for Christmas? There is something for every one.
No matter the event or activity it's time to be merry and have some family fun!
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| Holiday fun with family and friends |
Bancroft
Tree Lighting-Bbq Christmas Carol Event: Location: Farmers Market Square.
Barrie
Family Art Workshop: (Sunday) Regional artist leads the whole family in creating hands-on collaborative art projects with a wide range of materials at the MacLaren Art Centre.
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Barry's Bay
Santa Claus parade: Santa Claus comes to town!
Bracebridge
Annual Christmas Show and Sale: This merry show features 25 festive exhibitors selling a variety of handmade work that's perfect for gift giving.
Featured resort – Club Muskoka
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Collingwood
Christmas Launch and Santa Claus parade: The day features a Holiday Farmers’ Market, visits with Santa’s reindeer-in-training, living Christmas windows, the magical nighttime Santa Claus parade and the official lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
Winter Gift Show and Sale: paintings • photographs • pottery • handmade clothing • jewellery • sculpture and carvings • furniture • glasswork and more.
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Gravenhurst
Black Friday and Tree Lighting: Great shopping at local merchants and a tree lighting ceremony.
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Haliburton
Festival of Trees: The Minden Hills Festival of Trees is a magical event for the entire family, filled with wonderful things to see, interesting shops to visit and fun activities for children all with a Christmas theme.
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Mactier
Santa Claus parade and Children's Party: Family party fun with holiday theme!
Madawaska
Madwaska Mountain Ski Swap: Come and browse new and used ski and snowboard equipment for sale at great prices.
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| Find a perfect handmade gift |
Midland
Farmers' Market: Midland's Indoor Farmers' and Artisans' market is held every Saturday from November 3, 2012 to March 30, 2013 at the North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre.
Magic of Christmas Arts and Crafts Show: One-of-a-kind handcrafted show and sale of gifts from the most talented artisans in Ontario including native crafts, jewellery of all forms including vintage spoons, clothing, paintings, Xmas crafts, pottery, knitting, wreaths, soaps, honey and health products, stained glass, woodcrafts, fairy doors, teddy bears, body care products, pet clothing and accessories, gift baskets, baking more. With over 70 vendors there is a wide variety of exceptional gifts of quality and originality to pick from.
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Minden
Festival of Trees: The Minden Hills Cultural Centre Festival of Trees is a magical event for the entire family, filled with wonderful things to see, interesting shops to visit, fun activities for children all with a Christmas theme.
Owen Sound
Festival of Northern Lights: Enjoy the beauty of Owen Sound in the Christmas season each evening from 5pm to 11pm, as 25+ kilometres of lights illuminate the harbour, the Sydenham riverbanks, the downtown core, and Harrison Park.
Paisley
By Our Hands One of a Kind Show: By Our Hands is a very high quality one of a kind show and is now in its 5th consecutive year Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Penetanguishene
Rotary Festival of Trees: View the beautiful display of decorated tress which will magically tranform three participating malls into a Winter Wonderland.
Peterborough
Festival of Trees: Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.
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| Home-made holiday treats! |
Port Elgin
Santa Claus parade: Young and old can enjoy Santa returning to Saugeen Shores, first in Port Elgin on November 24, 2012at 7 p.m.
Port McNicoll
Christmas Craft Sale: Location Port McNicoll Community Centre, 560 Seventh Ave, Port McNicoll
Sudbury
Festival of Lights: Science North Parking Lot
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Sunridge
Highland Christmas Craft Show: Food Bank donation would be appreciated as admission.
Wasaga Beach
Christmas Tree Lighting: The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Oakview Woods Gazebo, followed by the lighting of the tree at 7:30 p.m.
Santa Claus parade: Line forms facing west on Dunkerron Street, between 18th Street and 22nd Street.
Breakfast with Santa: Hosted by the Wasaga Beach Lions Club.
Funderland: Free family fun: Variety of Childrens' Activities. Wasaga Beach RecPlex, Mosley Street, Hall 1.
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| Families flock to city sidewalks to see Santa Claus Parades |
Waubaushene
Santa Claus parade and Children's Party: Family Christmas cheer as Santa comes to town!
A Santa Claus Parade or Tree Lighting Ceremony, your family can find one every weekend! See our website for more.
Santa Claus parades and tree lightings
Arts and crafts shows and Christmas bazaars
Stay tuned to 411ontariokids.com for all the events, activities and getaway planning a family needs.
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