Plenty of events across Niagara to inspire the Christmas mood
The weather outside isn’t all that frightful, so if you have a fire it might not be so delightful. But if you’ve no place to go … here’s a few ways to get yourself into the Christmas mood in the coming days, in no particular order.
Keep in mind, some of the events include an admission charge. More community events are listed at NiagaraFallsReview.ca, StCatharinesStandard.ca or WellandTribune.ca.
Take a walk through the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls – the exhibits are pretty impressive, spread all through the tourism area stretching from Dufferin Islands and the falls through Clifton Hill and the Fallsview area. The festival continues until Jan. 31. The only cost is a voluntary donation booth for cars at Dufferin Islands.
Take in A Christmas Carol, at the Shaw Festival – the story by Charles Dickens has been a holiday classic for more than a century, which tells you something. It’s being presented at the Royal George Theatre in Niagara-onthe-Lake through Dec. 23. To learn more phone 905-468-2172.
Check out the McFarland House – the heritage house at 15927 Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission, and is offering cider, homemade hot chocolate and Christmas cookies on Dec. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.See NiagaraParks.com.
Take a Christmas house tour – in Port Colborne on Saturday, Nov. 24 the St. James and Brendan Anglican Church is hosting its seventh annual Holiday Memories Christmas House Tour featuring seven festively decorated homes. Phone 905-834-3184 for more information.
Santa’s Fantasyland in Fort Erie – each year the Fort Erie Optimists and Omettes present the Fantasyland at their Gilmore Road headquarters. It runs Nov. 23, 24 and 25 and Nov. 30, and Dec. 1 and 2. On the Fridays it opens at 5 p.m., at 10 a.m. on the Saturdays and at noon on the Sundays. Lots of baked goods, plenty of draws, refreshments and crafts for kids to enjoy. More information is on their Facebook page.
Drop in for the annual poinsettia show – it’s at the Floral Showhouse, on the Niagara Parkway across from the falls in Niagara Falls, from Nov. 24 to Jan. 6. The stars of the show, of course, are the poinsettias but there are tons of other plants and flowers whose colours and scents will put you in the Christmas mood. Phone 905374-1616 to learn more.
A little holiday music – on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 2:30 p.m. the Robert Wood Singers present A Christmas Story, featuring the music of Bette Midler, Josh Groban and others. It’s at Central United Church, 12 Young St. in Welland. More info is online at RobertWoodSingers.com.