Holiday in the Hills

Durham Region's newest holiday tradition is located in Orono. Our festival brings Christmas to life and creates true holiday magic for all ages. This is an event you won't want to miss, and we do Sell Out!

• Santa's Cabin
• Festive Christmas Lights
• Gingerbread Decorating
• Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Festive Bites
• Santa Dance
• Bonfires
• Polar Bear Pub
• Elf School & Toy Shop
• Visit the Grinch in Whoville
• Stories with Rudolph
• Santa's Mail Room
• And much much more, click the link below for more info!

Opening and Closing Hours

Thursday

4:00pm - 8:00pm

Friday

4:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday

3:00pm - 9:00pm

Sunday

3:00pm - 8:00pm

2 Princess Street,
ORONO ON

(For more info go to: www.holidayinthehills.ca )

December 20, 21, 22, 23

(5pm - 8pm)

Festive Nights on the farm!

Join us this Festive Season to take part in a magical evening of lights and live music surrounded by lit bonfires and marshmallow roasting in our enchanted forest!

• Magically Lit Christmas Forest
• Holiday Displays and Plenty of Photo Opportunities
• Live Music Featuring Local Musicians
• Bonfires and Marshmallow Roasting
• Elsa, the Grinch and Holiday Characters
• Story Time Wagon Ride
• Visit with the REAL Santa!
• Craft Market with Local Artisans
• Christmas Treat for every child
• Farm Market with holiday goodies and fresh cut trees
• And much much more, click the link below for more info!

122 Ashworth Road,
MOUNT ALBERT ON

(For more info go to: brooksfarms.com )

Applewood Farm: Holiday sip and sing

We are very fortunate to be located on a beautiful farm with wide open vista views for miles. We are working hard and constantly adding to the beauty of our farm. From time to time, we offer our outdoor space for private events, with very limited availability.

Photography, private parties, small receptions.

2055 Saintfield Road

SEAGRAVE ON

(For more info go to: applewoodfarmwinery.com )

Christmas Light Show - A Journey into Enchantment

Experience the magic of the holiday season with over 2 million lights illuminating a 2-kilometer route featuring your favorite holiday characters, a dazzling drive-thru tunnel, a transition from 2D to 3D displays, musical lights, and much more!

 

Step into a realm of pure enchantment this Christmas and Holiday Season. From Santa and his reindeer soaring through the skies to joyful elves spreading holiday cheer, each scene will fill your heart with delight and wonder.

But the enchantment doesn't end there! When you drive through the dazzling tunnel, you'll be transported to a dreamlike world where lights twirl and glisten all around you, creating an immersive experience that's truly one-of-a-kind.

Watch as the lights harmoniously dance to the melodies of beloved holiday songs, setting the ideal festive atmosphere and adding an extra layer of enchantment to the spectacle.

Prices are per vehicle

What's included

Witness over 2 million lights! Experience unique light decorations and 3D interactive displays while safely driving through over a 2km route right in the comfort of your own vehicle!

Dates: December 20, 2024 to Jan 1,2025
 

Go to the website for times. Show is in 30 minute increments starting at 5 pm and ending anywhere from 9 pm to 10:30 pm:

AJAX CASINO

537 Durham Regional Hwy 2
AJAX ON

(For more info go to: journeyintoenchantment.ca )

LIGHTHOUSE - ROCKIN' THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH OP STRINGS

‘TIS THE SEASON WITH LIGHTHOUSE - ROCKIN' THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH LIGHTHOUSE & OP STRINGS.

Featuring some of your favorite Christmas standards

All of your favourite Lighthouse major hits - One Fine Morning - Sunny Days - Pretty Lady - Hats Off To The Stranger - 1849 - Take It Slow - You Girl and Christmas standards ‘rockified’ by none other than, Paul Hoffert, Lighthouse co-founder. Chances are, as you're reading the titles of these classics, you’re singing them in your head and smiling. Each remains heard daily on Apple Music, Spotify, radio, television, and home sound systems after 54 years plus of continuous play. For a generation of Canadians and worldwide fans, Lighthouse was the soundtrack of their lives.

Ontario Philharmonic’s Strings are proud to share the stage with the iconic Canadian sensation - Lighthouse, for this benefit concert, certain to take you back to some of the best times of your life.

Regent Theatre Ontario Tech

50 King St E
OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: regenttheatre.ca )

It's A Holly Jolly Christmas Vendor Market

Welcome to the It's A Holly Jolly Christmas Vendor Market!

Come join us at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library in Brooklin for a festive shopping experience filled with unique gifts, delicious treats, and holiday cheer! Our vendors will be offering a variety of handcrafted items, tasty goodies, and one-of-a-kind treasures that are perfect for everyone on your list. Whether you're looking for a special present or just want to soak up the Christmas spirit, this event is the place to be. Don't miss out on this holly jolly opportunity to get into the holiday mood!

Location:

Event is at the back of the building, in the Multi-Purpose Room (MP Room)
Brooklin Community Centre and Library, 8 Vipond Road, Brooklin, Ontario
10 am - 3pm

What You'll See:

*Hot Chocolate being served*

Vendors including Wild Fork Foods, Save The Bread fundraising with Krispy Creme donuts, soap, jewelry, wood, art, knitting, Organo teas and coffee and more, mugs and tumblers, tote bags, natural products, dog cookies and cakes, baking, lavender products, candles, and so, so much more!

Check us out on Instagram for all the vendors and content as well as details!: @dragonflyeventsbysarah

8 Vipond Road
WHITBY ON

(For more info go to: eventbrite.ca )

Salsa Jeans - 12 Days of Jeansmas

Countdown to Holiday Style!

Get ready to sleigh your style game with Salsa Jeans’ 12 Days of Christmas event! Starting December 10th, we’re unwrapping exclusive daily deals on your favourite denim fits, festive tops, and chic outerwear. From iconic push-up jeans to cozy knits and must-have accessories, there’s something festive for everyone!

Don’t miss out—each deal is available for 24 hours only. Check our socials daily to discover what’s under the tree and level up your wardrobe.

28 Bathurst Street
TORONTO ON

(For more info go to: stacktmarket.com/event )

The Temptations & The Four Tops

Important Event Info: The Temptations are legendary in American music, celebrated for their iconic hits like ?My Girl,? ?Just My Imagination,? and ?Papa Was a Rollin? Stone.? Under the leadership of Otis Williams, they continue to captivate audiences across the globe. Recognized by Billboard and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest R&B groups of all time, the Temptations have amassed an impressive 50+ Gold and Platinum records and five Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy.
The Four Tops, originally called the Four Aims, began their career in 1956 with jazz-inspired harmonies and rose to fame after signing with Motown in the early 1960s. Their powerhouse sound, led by Levi Stubbs, produced timeless hits like ?Baby I Need Your Loving,? ?I Can?t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),? and ?Reach Out I?ll Be There,? cementing their place in music history.
A full show description is available at: pickeringcasino.com/entertainment ALL AGES WELCOME.


The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort

PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: livenation.com or livenation )

Studio9's 3rd Annual Christmas Adult Party

Get ready to jingle and mingle at Studio9's 3rd Annual Christmas Adult Party - it's gonna be lit! Secret Santa gifts included

1380 Hopkins Street #Unit 9 Unit 9
WHITBY ON

(For more info go to: www.durhamregion.com )

Meet Santa

Santa and his live Reindeer visit Historic Downtown Bowmanville on select Saturdays in December. Come have your photo taken with the big guy and get up close to real reindeer at the corner of Temperance Street & King Street. Each child will receive a special holiday gift compliments of the businesses of Historic Downtown Bowmanville. Professional photographs available for $15 minimum CASH donation to The Salvation Army Bowmanville.

Temperance St
BOWMANVILLE ON

(For more info go to: bowmanville.com )

Pickering Ajax 2024 Holiday Food Drive

Non perishable food ingredients and personal hygiene items are being collected by the St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank to support its mission “to provide a nutritional supply of food, in a welcoming and supportive environment to residents of the City of Pickering and Town of Ajax”.

Most needed items include peanut butter, tuna, pancake mix and syrup, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, canned fruits and vegetables and halal food items.

Cash donations (E Transfer Foodbank@Stpaulsonthehill.com)are always appreciated and are used to purchase milk and eggs, produce and non perishable food items to restock the “Grocery Style” shelves of our food bank where clients choose their meal ingredients

Non perishable food items can also be left for pick-up by St. Paul’s on-the-Hill volunteers at DaCostas No Frills, Dereks Independent Grocer, Food Basics, Freshco, Loblaws and Metro in Pickering and at either Sobeys location in Ajax.

Large donations can be dropped off at our food bank (1535 Pickering Parkway) Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday’s from 9:00 to 11:30.

Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
(Donations bin inside front entrance)

1867 Valley Farm Road
PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: www.durhamregion.com )

THINGS TO DO

To find out all things "Durham Region", click on the link below.
It contains THINGS TO DO, latest news stories and more




(For more info go to: durhamregion.com)

FIRST DAY OF WINTER

When is the first day of winter? In 2024, the winter solstice date is Saturday, December 21, 2024

CHRISTMAS

Hanukkah

Evening of Wed, Dec 25, 2024 – Thu, Jan 2, 2025

BOXING DAY

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

NEW YEAR'S DAY 2025

AJAX Family New Year's Eve

Event Details:

Join us to ring in the New Year at the Ajax Community Centre (75 Centennial Rd.) from 6 – 9 p.m.

Families can celebrate the start of the New year with children’s activities, games, live entertainment, interactive experiences, air brush tattoos, ice skating, and a DJ. Party favours are included as participants gather on the ice rink for the special countdown and balloon drop at 9 p.m. It’s a great way to ring in the New Year!

There is only one entrance into the event -- Pad 4 entrance. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. There is no re-admission once you leave.

Check here for more details pertaining to the 2024 NYE Celebration.

Ajax Community Centre

75 Centennial Rd
AJAX ON

(For more info go to: events.ajax.ca )

New Year's Eve - PICKERING

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Enjoy free swim and skate for all ages, along with family friendly activities in the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex lobby.

Join Mayor Ashe and Council for a memorable countdown, marking the beginning of the new year.
Balloon Drop at 8:30 pm.

Chestnut Hill Developments

1867 Valley Farm Rd
PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: www.pickering.ca )

New Year's Eve - OSHAWA

This free event includes free skating, free swimming, free ticketed magic shows in the Library, live entertainment, a zoo, dinosaurs and crafts!

Help us wind down 2024 and kick off 2025!

You don't want to miss this free family-friendly event!

Delpark Homes Centre

1661 Harmony Rd. N.
OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: www.oshawa.ca/ )

New Year's Eve - TORONTO

Ring in the new year with the City of Toronto at a spectacular celebration on the waterfront, featuring high-altitude fireworks, music and pop-up performances.

On Tuesday, December 31, the City will host a 10-minute fireworks display synchronized to music, lighting up Toronto’s inner harbour at midnight. As one of the largest shows in Canada, it will offer stunning views for residents and visitors alike. The event will be livestreamed for those celebrating remotely.

Residents and visitors can catch the show from designated viewing areas:

• Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W.

• Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr.

• Sugar Beach Park, 11 Dockside Dr.

• HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W.

• HTO Park West, 375 Queens Quay W.

• Harbour Square Park, 25 Queens Quay W.

• Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.

Pedestrians are encouraged to use York Street, Jarvis Street, Spadina Avenue and Bay Street to access any of the seven waterfront viewing areas for spectacular views of the fireworks display. 

New Year’s Eve programming

The City’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will also feature pop-up performances from 10 p.m. onwards at various locations across Toronto’s waterfront including:

• Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr.

• Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W.

Performances include DJ sets by Traxx & Feels collective at Bathurst Quay Common and participatory dance sessions at Sherbourne Common, co-produced with The Dance Together Festival, where the public is invited to join in and dance. INCIRQUE performers will entertain audiences at various waterfront locations, while a curated selection of short films from the National Film Board of Canada will be projected on the east side of the Canada Malting Silos, visible from the Toronto Music Garden. The festivities will culminate in a countdown celebration at 11:45 p.m., led by Mayor Olivia Chow and renowned drag entertainer Sanjina DaBish Queen.

For those celebrating from home, the live webcast begins at 11:45 p.m. and features discussions and short performances leading up to the countdown. The webcast includes ASL interpretation and closed captioning and is available on the City’s CultureTO YouTube channel .

(For more info go to: www.toronto.ca )