There are so many fun holiday activities going on in the next 6-8 weeks around here. Want to take in the excitement of the season with your family? Check out these Holiday Activities in London Ontario for 2020.
Holiday Activities in London Ontario
Important things to bear in mind: Some of the events listed below are online only. Others are taking place with social distancing and mask-wearing rules in place.
Before heading out, you should always double-check the status of these activities. With things changing rapidly, we may see more cancellations or events being moved to an online format.
Keep checking back and I’ll update this post whenever I receive new information!
LIGHTS AT VICTORIA PARK
There will be no lighting of the lights celebration at Victoria Park this year. The city has released a statement that they have started putting up the decorations but no date on when they will all be ready for viewing.
I’m sure this is to avoid crowds there at that time. Unfortunately, because of that, I can’t give a specific date here. I will update this post once I know when they’re on for sure!
LONDON SANTA CLAUS PARADE
November 14th 2 pm
This year’s parade is a drive-by experience. The parade is being held at the airport in a large open space. All Covid-19 protocols will be in place.
All parade participants and spectators must wear masks unless in their own vehicles. UNLESS IN THEIR OWN VEHICLE!
This year’s Parade Theme is ‘Christmas in the City’.
Free, Please bring non-perishable food items for Food Bank
ONLINE HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS
Nov 16, 5:30-7 pm
In this class, Jill shares some different recipes to make your Christmas dinner effortless, different and special.
Class includes: Attendees will receive our favourite Italian panettone ($25 Value)
Menu:
Winter Salad with apples, toasted walnuts in a honey vinaigrette (Cook along)
Mushroom Truffle Soup (Cook along)
Individual Turkey Pot Pies (Cook along)
***ALL TICKETS ARE FINAL SALE***
Classes are conducted via Zoom.
About three to four days before the event, participants will receive their ID and password, recipe package, shopping list (and sometimes specialty ingredients), and equipment list (and sometimes included kitchenware).
ONLINE HOLIDAY BAKING CLASS
Nov 19, 5:30-7 pm
Join Ran as she shares some different and flavourful sweet treats recipes for sharing with friends and family. Ran will also show you how easy it is to package them for holiday gifts.
Class includes: A 60ml bottle of Nielsen Massey vanilla extract, a bag of Callebaut white chocolate chips, a jar of Akazu chile miso, and a 1 litre of vegetarian soup to help you with a quick super after class ($40 value)
Menu:
- Pecan Sandies (Cook along)
- White Chocolate, Cranberry and Ginger Tiffin (Cook along)
- Dark Chocolate and Apricot Banana Bread (Cook along)
- Spicy Miso Chex Mix (Demo)
***ALL TICKETS ARE FINAL SALE***
Classes are conducted via Zoom.
About three to four days before the event, participants will receive their ID and password, recipe package, shopping list (and sometimes specialty ingredients), and equipment list (and sometimes included kitchenware).
LIGHTS ON STRATFORD
Downtown Stratford, November 19, 2020 To February 14, 2021, Free.
With the City itself as a dramatic stage, Lights On Stratford winter festival of lights will transform the downtown core with luminous art and interactive light installations. Through the use of light and projections, City Hall and the new Tom Patterson Theatre will be dramatically brought to life.
An interactive light exhibition will partner downtown storefronts in a coordinated streetside experience. These exhibits along with the creation of the Shakespearean Garden of a Thousand Lights and the illumination of Tom Patterson Island will bring light and joy to the winter streets of Stratford, Ontario.
KINSMEN SANTA CLAUS PARADE
Saturday, November 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. Free.
Due to the pandemic, the parade will look different this year. Working with the Town of St. Marys, we have developed a safe alternative.
Rather than have the parade process through town, the floats will be in static locations and people can create their own tour to view the floats. Santa will be stationed at the exit of Milt Dunnell Field, at the end of the WinterLights display.
WINTERLIGHTS
80 Water St. N., St.Marys, November 21, 2020 To January 3, 2021. Free, but donations are requested.
Milt Dunnell Field (also known as The Flats) comes alive with animated light displays, including nativity scenes, dinosaurs, reindeer and more from 5 to 11 p.m. nightly.
Enjoy the display on foot or by car. Parking is available at the north end of Milt Dunnell Field.
HOHOHO HOLIDAY 5K
Nov 25 to Dec 31
This 5km run/walk combines the magic of the Holidays with community engagement and fitness. Be apart of a holiday movement and join 10,000 Santa’s virtually across Canada who are spreading cheer in their local community while supporting Make-A-Wish Canada®.
Each registration includes a Santa suit, finishers medal, holiday treat, timing app, and shipping. This is a fun and active way for families and friends to come together, dress up as Santa and celebrate the Holiday Season while social distancing…
And oh ya, this is a FUN RUN so you can take your time, set a new world record, walk it, or jog it… Just make sure to take a picture of you and your bubble in that awesome Santa suit #HoHoHoliday5k.
Once you have registered, a registration pack full of goodies including your Santa Suit will be shipped within 2-3 business days (Starting November 1st, 2020).
During the registration process, you can choose to create a personal fundraising page to raise funds for Make-A-Wish® Canada or you can make a donation to help grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Your 5K Run/Walk can be completed anytime between Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2020.Participate by yourself or with a group. Check out our discounted bubble/group rate option!
You can plot your own 5K course map wherever you like — in your neighbourhood, on a trail, or at the gym on a treadmill. Run it or walk it! You can go at your own pace this is a FUN run.
HYDE PARK SANTA CLAUS PARADE
December 5th, 2020, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 1335 Fanshawe Park Rd W – Lowe’s Parking Lot. Free.
The Hyde Park & District Lions Club and Hyde Park Business Improvement Association (Hyde Park BIA) are proud to present “Here Comes Santa” for the first time.
People will be able to drive by while remaining in their vehicles where they can enjoy live music, Christmas decorations, reindeer, and say “hello” to their favourite famous duo – Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Families are encouraged to bring along food and toy donations to help other families facing unprecedented needs this holiday season. A volunteer team of Elves will be on-site to collect donations from vehicles to maintain social distancing protocol.
The organizers have consulted with the London Middlesex Health Unit to ensure that the event is meeting public health protocols and safety measures currently in place.
Preceding the “Here Comes Santa’ event, Rogers TV will televise the 2019 Hyde Park Santa Claus Parade with some new footage with greetings from London Business Sponsors and the community.
Children are invited to send their videotaped or audio Holiday Greetings which may also be added to the program. Anyone interested can send their greetings to info@hydeparkparade.com.
Do you want to send a letter to Santa? Unfortunately, with COVID-19, paper letters cannot be accepted. But! Santa has gone online and can accept letters by emailing: Hyde.Park.Santa.Letter@gmail.com
SANTA SHUFFLE FUN RUN AND ELF WALK
This is a virtual event.
Every year, Santa Shuffle brings passionate individuals from across the country to support vulnerable Canadians and the work of The Salvation Army. This year will be no exception.
We are excited to announce that Santa Shuffle will be going virtual this year to bring everyone together for a meaningful fun run/walk between December 5th to 12th, 2020.
This year’s Santa Shuffle will be a week-long event full of fun surprises and cool prizes! Please continue to check our page for more updates about this year’s event.
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS TOUR AT ELDON HOUSE
Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13
Appointments between 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO BOOK YOUR TOUR
Groups Size: 4-6
$10.00 incl. HST Registration Required
Experience a traditional Victorian Christmas with a one hour guided tour of Eldon House.
Our costumed Historical Interpreters will engage you with many Christmas facts. These include the origins of Christmas cards and why ghost stories were told as Christmas. This tour will get you in the spirit this holiday season.
Children under 4 are free. Please indicate while booking/purchasing your tour how many children under 4 you have in your visitor bubble. Children under 4 are still included in the total of individuals allowed (4-6 people).
Mask or face covering is mandatory while inside Eldon House.
Social distancing measures will be maintained.
In order to participate you will be required to answer a few screening questions upon your arrival to ensure the safety of both staff and fellow participants.
Please be aware that the format might become an online event or postponed depending on pandemic developments.
For more information about our COVID-19 sanitation procedures and preventative measures please call 519-661-5169 or email info@eldonhouse.ca
KISSING BALL WORKSHOP
Saturday, December 12
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Eldon House Interpretive Centre
$30.00 incl. HST
Registration Required
Join Eldon House’s Program Coordinator Brenna Ardiel in creating your very own Kissing Ball, a classic Victorian tradition. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe was costly in Victorian Canada as the plant had to be imported from overseas.
Because of this, the kissing ball was formed with seasonal holly berries and sweet-smelling cedar that continued the custom of a Christmas kiss. Come and craft your very kissing ball to brighten up your holiday this season.
Supplies will be provided for you including paper, scissors, glue and twirling pen.
Mask or face covering is mandatory while in the Interpretive Center.
Social distancing measures will be maintained while each participants work station.
If you wish to go inside the museum you must book a self-guided tour in advance between Thursday to Sunday afternoons.
In order to participate you will be required to answer a few screening questions upon your arrival to ensure the safety of both staff and fellow participants.
Please be aware that the format might become an online event or postponed depending on pandemic developments.
For more information about our COVID-19 sanitation procedures and preventative measures please call 519-661-5169 or email info@eldonhouse.ca
A VILLAGE MESSIAH WITH THE ELORA SINGERS
This is not really in the London area, but it’s an online event.
December 12, 8-9:30 pm.
An Elora tradition! Highlights from Handel’s jubilant Messiah with soloists drawn from The Elora Singers, accompanied by the Festival Orchestra.
Ticket prices vary and are on a “choose your own price” system.
“We ask you to consider how many people in your household will be watching the stream, and how much you would normally spend to attend a live concert when choosing your price.”
Ticketholders will be sent a unique link for each concert the week before it is launched. This concert will be available to watch until January 3.
LONDON SYMPHONIA – FROST, FIRE & BRASS
Sunday, December 20, 3 pm, 4:20 pm. Online and in-person.
With Guest Artists, Rant Maggie Rant
This holiday season, London Symphonia “rolls up the rug” for the Celtic-fusion virtuosity of Rant Maggie Rant.
Nobody does December quite like Rant Maggie Rant. Their annual Frost & Fire concert combines their favourite traditional winter tunes with heartwarming originals and barn-burning instrumental jams that have their legions of loyal fans coming back year after year.
This year the Symphonia Brass will also put its signature warmth and beauty on the table for everyone to share. Gather the family together to start the holidays under the baton of London Symphonia’s own Scott Good who will be bringing some of his own fresh and delightful orchestral arrangements to the party.
Livestream $17 Single, $34 Household
In-person* $65 Premium, $47 Adult, $17 Student
*You will be notified by email if health regulations allow these tickets to become available.
More Info
*Special Covid-19 physical distancing measures will apply
JOHN D. HUSTON’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dec 24th
The Aeolian takes the virtual stage with the launch of our brand new “Phoenix Sessions.” Each month we bring premier artists to you virtually in the comfort of your own home. A one month subscription and access to at least four performances is available for $20.
Aeolian’s Phoenix Sessions are proud to produce four outstanding performances in December. For just $20 you have access to all four digitally streamed productions anytime, anywhere.
One new show will be released every Friday including: pianist Dan Luong, Dan Needles in True Confessions from the Ninth Concession, Andrea Ramolo, John D. Huston’s A Christmas Carol with a special appearance by the El Sistema Teachers Quartette and a surprise from the Pride Men’s Chorus London. Subscribe once, enjoy live music all month long!
You will receive a confirmation email including a link that you will use each time you wish to view a performance. Save that link… or follow the instructions on our FAQ PAGE to receive it again.
John D. Huston’s A Christmas Carol with Special Guests the El Sistema Quartette is taking place on December 24th.
REMEMBER: UPON SUBSCRIBING, YOU WILL RECEIVE A PASS BY EMAIL. THE SAME PASS IS VALID FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A NEW PASS FOR EACH SHOW.
Christmas is not cancelled. We can still have fun with our families despite the pandemic with these Holiday Activities in London Ontario. If you know of any I’ve missed, drop me a comment or email and I’ll get them added!
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