Find your holiday cheer in North Bay with our expert guide. Whether you're a native or exploring North Bay anew, our guide unveils all the holiday festivities.
Popular events during this festive season include the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, where colorful floats and merry musicians create a vibrant atmosphere that welcomes the holiday spirit. Another highlight is the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, featuring stunning illuminations and live performances that transform the city into a winter wonderland. And the Winter Village is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a charming market experience with local crafts and seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around North Bay
- Toronto Santa Claus Parade (Toronto)
- Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)
- Calgary Zoo Zoolights (Calgary)
- Cavalcade of Lights (Toronto)
- Winter Village (Toronto)
- Nathan Phillips Square Christmas Tree Lighting (Toronto)
- Airdrie Festival of Lights (Airdrie)
- Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Santa Visit (Quebec City)
- Bay Roberts Festival of Lights (Bay Roberts)
- Simcoe Christmas Panorama (Simcoe)
See these and even more events listed below!
North Bay Holiday Light Displays
Cavalcade of Lights
What to Expect:
Annual lighting of the city's official Christmas tree with live performances.
Description:
The Cavalcade of Lights is a glittering winter festival that has brought holiday cheer to Torontonians since 1967. It features an unforgettable opening night celebration with live performances and the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree. The event offers nightly ice skating and festive light installations throughout the holiday season.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Cavalcade of Lights
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique light displays and hot chocolate trail.
Description:
The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is Canada's largest FREE outdoor light festival, featuring over 3 million lights and 75 spectacular displays across tourism districts. The event includes the Sparkling Winter Lights Falls Illumination and the Hot Chocolate Trail, offering a variety of chocolatey concoctions and unique flavors.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Calgary Zoo Zoolights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with themed zones and interactive exhibits.
Description:
The Calgary Zoo Zoolights features over one million lights, 250 light figures, and four themed zones celebrating conservation and biodiversity. Visitors can journey through Polar Nights in Prehistoric Park, explore the ENMAX Conservatory, and experience the Boreal Forest Trek. The event includes festive feasts and special activities like the Snow Globe Experience and Beary Merry Holiday Party.
Where: Calgary | More Info: Calgary Zoo Zoolights
Airdrie Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Largest free outdoor Christmas light display in Western Canada.
Description:
Airdrie Festival of Lights is Western Canada's largest free outdoor walk-through Christmas light display, featuring various activities and displays in Nose Creek Park, Airdrie, AB.
Where: Airdrie | More Info: Airdrie Festival of Lights
Bay Roberts Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Provinces first intelligent light park.
Description:
Bay Roberts Festival of Lights is a vibrant celebration of the holiday season featuring a large Nativity collection, live Nativity scene, and the province's first intelligent light park. The festival includes numerous other events and attractions.
Where: Bay Roberts | More Info: Bay Roberts Festival of Lights
Simcoe Christmas Panorama
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn trolley rides through a winter wonderland of lights and decorations.
Description:
Simcoe Christmas Panorama features over 60 displays with 200,000 lights, hundreds of decorated trees, and festive activities like horse-drawn trolley rides and character meet-and-greets.
Where: Simcoe | More Info: Simcoe Christmas Panorama
Victoria Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Thousands of twinkling lights and festive displays.
Description:
The Butchart Gardens transform into a vibrant winter spectacle with over 300,000 lights, festive greenery, and traditional carollers. Stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas displays, enjoy live music, and warm up with hot chocolate and gingerbread at the Coffee Shop.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Victoria Christmas Festival
Nathan Phillips Square Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live performances and tree lighting in a downtown Toronto setting.
Description:
The Nathan Phillips Square Christmas Tree Lighting features live performances, the grand illumination of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, and nightly ice skating amidst festive light installations.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Nathan Phillips Square Christmas Tree Lighting
Nose Creek Park Mini-Train Rides
What to Expect:
Family-friendly train rides through festive light displays.
Description:
The Nose Creek Park Mini-Train Rides offer a delightful experience for children, featuring a charming train ride through beautifully lit displays.
Where: Airdrie | More Info: Nose Creek Park Mini-Train Rides
North Bay Holiday Markets and Shopping
Winter Market
What to Expect:
Locally sourced produce and artisanal goods.
Description:
The North Bay Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with fresh, locally grown food, supporting wellness and agriculture education. Local farmers, food producers, artisans, and community organizations come together to create a sustainable community.
Where: North Bay | More Info: Winter Market
Georgian Bay European-style Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and community celebration.
Description:
The Georgian Bay European-style Christmas Market in Meaford features a traditional outdoor market with wooden kiosks offering locally produced crafted foods, beverages, and wares. It celebrates community, inclusion, and diversity, providing a welcoming environment for all. The market is designed with accessibility in mind, including wheelchair access and dementia-friendly layout.
Where: Meaford | More Info: Georgian Bay European-style Christmas Market
North Bay Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Toronto Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with over 119 years of tradition.
Description:
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a historic event that brings people together, celebrating hope, family, and love. Since 1905, it has kicked off the Christmas season in Toronto and across the country, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and celebrity clowns.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Santa Claus Parade
Winter Village
What to Expect:
Live carolers and Santa's Tower of Toys.
Description:
The Distillery Winter Village is a festive celebration featuring live entertainment, carolers, and Santa's Tower of Toys. Enjoy the Singing Wall schedule and festive atmosphere in Trinity Square.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Winter Village
Almonte Light Up the Night
What to Expect:
Wintry open-air concert with fireworks.
Description:
Almonte Light Up the Night is a wintry open-air concert featuring fabulous guests and a breathtaking display of fireworks. Thousands of people fill the main street of Almonte for one of the largest outdoor Christmas shows in Canada, enjoying early Christmas shopping and dinner at local restaurants.
Where: Almonte | More Info: Almonte Light Up the Night
North Bay Other Holiday Activities
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Meet Santa in a historic and festive setting.
Description:
At Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Santa Visit is an integral part of the holiday season, offering a unique opportunity to meet Santa amidst the historic and festive atmosphere of the Chateau.