Holidays in Hastings: 18 events to get you in the festive spirit
‘Tis the season for holiday concerts, Christmas markets, festivals of trees and more. To get you ready, we’ve put together this handy list of holiday events happening throughout Hastings County now until the end of December. And if you’re passionate about Santa Claus parades, keep reading to the end for details on the big guy’s processions that have been scheduled so far.
Stirling Festival of Trees
Farmtown Park, Stirling
November 14 – 17
Get into the Christmas spirit early at this annual holiday festival at Stirling’s Farmtown Park, where the theme this years is “Peace on Earth.” The heritage village will be decorated with trees, wreaths, swag and other unique items — all available to be won by raffle.
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Madoc Festival of Trees
Madoc Kiwanis Club, Madoc
November 15 – 17
If you don’t win in Stirling, head to Madoc for more chances to find and nab that perfect tree. Other holiday crafts and goodies will be on offer to be won by raffle too. And you never know, Santa might just make an appearance.
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Marmora Festival of Trees
Marmora Arena, Marmora
November 15 – 17
Round out your festival of trees weekend in Marmora, where the festivities will be similar to those in Stirling and Madoc. Last year was the first for this event, and it was such a success that the town wanted to do it again.
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Santa’s Holiday Market & Luncheon
Madoc Township Recreation Centre, Eldorado
November 16
Keep checking off that holiday list at this market featuring local vendors selling handcrafted goods, holiday décor and one-of-a-kind gifts. Santa will also be there for photos and to hear exactly what your kids want for Christmas. Lunch promises to be tasty too!
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Woodland Christmas Tea
Thomasburg Community Hall, Thomasburg
November 16
This popular Christmas-themed lunch features tea, scones, biscuits, sandwiches, sweets, music, door prizes and more. It goes from 11 am to 2 pm, but you need to reserve ahead. Call 613-970-1340 to book.
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Christmas Sale
Dungannon Recreation Centre, L’Amable
November 16
The Shamrock Club’s annual Christmas Sale is another great place for finding unique holiday gifts and goods made by local vendors and artisans. Think everything from woodworks and jewellery to soaps and gemstones to jams, jellies, baked good and pickles.
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Winter Gala Weekend
Joy Bible Camp, Bancroft
November 22 - 24
Take a full weekend to get into the Christmas spirit at this casual three-day event on the gorgeous grounds of Joy Bible Camp. It will feature youth events, a Christmas market, craft workshops, good food and a formal gala event on the Saturday evening.
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Cinderella Stuck in Hallmark
Stirling Festival Theatre, Stirling
November 22 – December 31
If you’re craving some holiday-themed theatre, check out this modern take on a classic tale. A big-city Cinderella is stuck in a small town with a terrible stepmother and her annoying daughters. But she soon finds a Prince Charming. Will she stay in the quaint town or go back to the big city?
stirlingfestivaltheatre.com
Christmas Craft Sale
Faraday Community Centre
November 23
This annual craft sale is brought to you by the Bancroft North Hastings Heritage Museum. With 24 vendors expected this year, no doubt you’ll find the perfect homemade gift for that special someone on your list.
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‘Twas a Month Before Christmas
Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft
November 25
Hear your festive favourites and support young musicians at North Hastings High School’s annual holiday concert. It will feature students from grades seven to twelve, but a surprise guest or two just might show up as well.
villageplayhouse.ca
Madoc’s Enchanted Village
Madoc
November 30
This day-long event brings together local businesses, community members and visitors to Madoc. It will be packed full of activities, including street hockey games and skills competitions, an artisan show, crafts, public skating, floats, food vendors and live music. Santa will be there too!
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North Hastings Community Band Christmas Concert
Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft
December 2
The North Hastings Community Band is an all-ages group of local woodwind, brass and percussion musicians who play public shows throughout the region. Their annual family-friendly Christmas Concert is one of their highlights.
villageplayhouse.ca
Frolicking on Forsyth
Forsyth Street, Marmora
December 5
Marmora’s main drag will look like a Hallmark card once again this year. As usual, expect local businesses to come together for an evening of holiday music, good food, and activities for all ages.
visit-marmora-and-lake.squarespace.com
Tweed Festival of Trees
Tweed-Hungerford Agricultural Building, Tweed
December 5 – 8
If you missed your chance at winning a tree, wreath or other swag in Stirling, Madoc or Marmora, you’ve got one more chance. This year marks the 20th annual Tweed Festival of Trees. All proceeds go to youth activities in the Municipality of Tweed.
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Christmas at O’Hara
O’Hara Mill Homestead and Conservation Area
December 7
Head to O’Hara Mill for this one day of old-fashioned holiday feels. The 18th-century homestead will be decorated in its Christmas best and set to welcome with horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, demonstrations, food, bonfires, and more. The store will also be open for purchasing those special gifts.
oharamill.ca
It Takes a Christmas Village
Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft
December 7
This family-friendly holiday romance movie should strike a festive chord in these parts. It’s all about a small-town mayor who decides to throw a Christmas market to boost sales when construction threatens local businesses.
villageplayhouse.ca
A Christmas Carol
Marble Arts Centre, Tweed: December 4 – 7
Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft: December 11 – 21
Is it really the holidays without seeing A Christmas Carol at least once? This brand-new retelling from the Tweed & Company ensemble is, as they put it, “a little bit musical, a little bit panto, a little bit puppet show, and a lot of fun for the whole family!”
marbleartscentre.ca
The Fitzgeralds Canadian Christmas
Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft: December 5
Marble Arts Centre, Tweed: December 20
This popular group of fiddling and step-dancing siblings are touring their Ontario Folk Music Award nominated Christmas album across the province this December. Expect original triple-fiddle arrangements of holiday classics, tunes by other great Canadian composers, recent compositions, and the group’s high-energy Ottawa Valley step-dancing.
villageplayhouse.ca
marbleartscentre.ca
Santa Claus Parades
Fill up the thermos and layer up the socks — ‘tis also the season for parades. Here are the Santa Claus parades that have been scheduled so far across Hastings County.
Deseronto Santa Claus Parade
November 30, 5:30 pm
deseronto.ca
Stirling Santa Claus Parade
December 6, 6:30 pm
stirling-rawdon.com
Tweed Santa Claus Parade
December 7, 12:30 pm
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Marmora Santa Claus Parade
December 7, 6 pm
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Maynooth Brighten the Night Parade
December 14, 5 pm
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Coe Hill Santa Claus Parade
December 15, 1 pm
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Stay tuned to our events page for even more festive things to do this holiday season across the region!
