December 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
2025 Holiday Events Guide: Burlington, Oakville & Hamilton
The holiday season is here, and Burlington and Oakville are sparkling with festive fun! From dazzling light displays and tree lightings to holiday markets, concerts, and family-friendly performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to shop for unique gifts, meet Santa, or simply soak up the seasonal spirit, our 2025 guide has all the must-see events to make your holidays magical.
BURLINGTON
1) Burlington Festival of Lights
When: November 28 – January 7 | 5:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Where: Spencer Smith Park
Celebrate 30 years of holiday magic as Spencer Smith Park transforms into a glowing winter wonderland. Enjoy more than 60 illuminated displays along the waterfront, perfect for a festive stroll, drive, or photo op with family and friends.
2) Leahy: Celtic Roots & Christmas Cheer
When: December 5 | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Enjoy an energetic and heartwarming holiday performance as Leahy blends original music with Celtic, Canadian, and classic Christmas favourites. Expect incredible musicianship, lively step-dancing, and festive spirit throughout the night.
3) Santa’s Brunch
When: December 6, 7, 13 & 14 | 9:30 am & 1:00 pm
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a festive buffet brunch with Santa and Mrs Claus, complete with table-side visits and perfect photo moments. After your meal, explore the Botanical Train for even more holiday fun. A family tradition in the making.
4) OG Santa Run
When: December 7 | 1:00 pm
Where: Downtown Burlington
Join Canada’s original Santa race with a festive 3.5K run or walk to kick off the Burlington Santa Parade. Participants don full Santa suits and receive a magical Christmas medal at the finish line. A fun, spirited event for all ages!
5) Santa Claus Parade
When: December 7 | 2:00 pm
Where: Downtown Burlington
Celebrate the season at Burlington’s festive Santa Claus Parade, featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, and costumed characters. Santa will make the grand finale, and children can bring letters for him along the route. Donations for local charities are welcome.
6) The Burlington Christmas Market
When: December 11 – 14 | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Downtown Burlington
Step into a twinkling winter village with over 30 artisan vendors, seasonal treats, live music, and festive entertainment. Enjoy shopping, sipping, and celebrating the holidays in the heart of downtown Burlington.
7) The Foster Festival: A Niagara Christmas Carol
When: December 18 – 21 | 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Experience a uniquely Canadian adaptation of Dickens’ classic, adapted by Jamie Williams and set in 19th-century St. Catharines. This world premiere blends local history with the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge, celebrating the holiday season with heart and heritage.
8) Sultans of String: Christmas Caravan
When: December 19 | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Celebrate the season with Canada’s Sultans of String in their Christmas Caravan show. Enjoy a vibrant mix of original tunes, world-music inspired classics, and holiday favourites performed with their signature global flair.
9) A Whitehorse Winter Classic
When: December 20 | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Join Whitehorse for a festive holiday concert and fundraiser supporting Ladybird Animal Sanctuary. Enjoy holiday favourites, hits from their acclaimed catalogue, and special guest performances in this seasonal celebration.
10) Christmas Town
When: Tuesdays to Sundays until December 23 | 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Where: Mountsberg Conservation Area
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in a magical woodland setting. Enjoy a guided wagon ride, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt, and play areas including Elf Academy and the Gingerbread Room, plus farm animals and resident raptors.
OAKVILLE
1) St. Andrew’s Christmas House Tour
When: December 5 & 6 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Various Homes in Oakville
Tour beautifully decorated Oakville homes and enjoy festive designs by local decorators. This long-standing tradition offers holiday inspiration and a chance to soak up the season’s spirit.
2) Oakville Christmas Market
When: December 6 & 7 | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Where: Bronte Market Square
Celebrate the holidays in Bronte Village with Santa, festive gifts, live entertainment, and over 20 vendors offering treats, crafts, and boutique finds. Enjoy a full day of shopping, fun, and holiday cheer.
3) Balletomane Presents Neige
When: December 7 | 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm
Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Enjoy a festive dance celebration with ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop performances. Neige brings holiday magic to life with sparkling winter scenes, elegant choreography, and high-energy seasonal fun.
4) Hometown Holiday
When: December 6, 13 & 20 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Towne Square
Celebrate the season in Downtown Oakville with horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, candy cane carollers, and hot cocoa. A festive, family-friendly way to enjoy the holidays.
5) Family Holiday Concert
When: December 14 | 1:30 pm
Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Enjoy a festive one-hour concert featuring the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Oakville Choir. Perfect for families to celebrate the season with music and holiday cheer.
6) Snow White & The Secret Vault: A Holiday Pantomime
When: December 19 – 28 | 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Join Snow White on a hilarious holiday adventure with Gen Z sidekicks and surprising new friends. Filled with laughter, music, and festive fun, this pantomime is a must-see.
7) Winter Wonderland of Lights
When: Now until January 2026 | 7:00 pm
Where: Centennial Square
Enjoy a festive stroll through Downtown Oakville’s dazzling light displays from Towne Square to Centennial Square. A perfect seasonal outing for the whole family.
8) The Courage Polar Bear Dip
When: January 1 | 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Coronation Park
Kick off the New Year with a splash! Join participants braving the icy waters of Lake Ontario to support clean water initiatives through World Vision Canada. A daring and charitable way to start 2026.
HAMILTON
1) Hamilton’s Holiday Tree Lighting
When: December 5 | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Gore Park
Celebrate a festive holiday evening filled with free family fun like meeting Santa and ice princesses, enjoying live music and sweet treats, snapping photos in the decorated park, riding the free carousel, and sharing in a joyful tree-lighting that supports local children’s charities.
2) Dickens of a Christmas
When: December 6 & 7 | Saturdays 11 :am – 3:00 pm & Sundays 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Downtown Dundas BIA
Come enjoy Dickens of a Christmas, four festive weekends in Downtown Dundas with free hot apple cider, lively street entertainment, breakfast, and Santa visits and photos
3) Hamilton Farmer’s Market
When: December 6 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Come celebrate a cozy holiday outing with Santa meet-and-greets and free photos, live string music, gingerbread decorating for kids, and festive shopping from local market vendors.
4) Victorian Christmas Evening Tour
When: December 19 – 21 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Dundurn National Historic Sites
Come experience a Victorian-style holiday evening at Dundurn Castle with carol singing, a harp-accompanied guided tour through beautifully decorated rooms, and traditional seasonal tastings in the historic kitchen.
5) Christmas Model Train Show
When: December 20 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site
Come celebrate the holidays with a Christmas model train show featuring festive miniature steam and electric train displays, plus a special train-themed community art project marking the club’s 50th season.
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