PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Merry Christmas to all … The Church of the Ascension, once again, presents a very special performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday at 3 p.m. Featured readers include Bishop Ralph Spence of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara, Coun. Jason Farr, Judy Maddren, Matt Hayes and Anne Bokma, with Connie Smith as emcee, and the Kokoro Singers under the direction of Brenda Uchimaru. General admission is $20; students $10. Call 905-527-3505 to reserve tickets. Ascension is at 64 Forest Ave. Christmas in the Gore The festivities continue Saturday in Gore Park with Santa in the park for free pictures from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Christmas shopping in Santa’s Village with vendors. Take a free miniature train ride or carousel ride operating daily until Dec. 24. Teddy bear time The Erland Lee (Museum) Home presents a Teddy Bear Christmas at the Lee on Sunday at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for children three to eight years and the young at heart. Teddy bears will be featured throughout the museum with Teddy bear stories in the parlour, along with heritage games, crafts, hot chocolate and treats in the Carriage House. Admission is $5 per person. The museum is at 552 Ridge Rd., at the top of the Dewitt access in Stoney Creek. Call 905-662-2691 or visit fwio.on.ca/erland. Santa Claws Bring your pooch, kitty, guinea pigs or any pet to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA to have a picture taken with Santa. The photo sessions run Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Pictures are 5-by-7 for $10 or three 5-by-7 photos for $25. Buy a USB key for an extra $5 or one USB key with five poses for $15. The shelter is located at 245 Dartnall Rd. For information, hbspca.com Christmas in the pioneer spirit
The Gage family home comes alive with evergreen boughs on the mantels and enticing aromas in the air. Be warmed by a crackling fire and relive a holiday when tallow candles lit the way. Visit Battlefield House through to Dec. 31, from noon to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays. All Through the House Families are invited to explore Whitehern Historic House and Garden and look back on the Christmas of the McQuesten children. Original antique dolls and toys are under a decorated tree while cedar roping and satin ribbon adorn the home. The table is set with china used from the 1850s to the 1930s to complete the yuletide picture. Call 905-546-2018 and visit hamilton.ca/index.htm Evening tours See Dundurn Castle decorated for Christmas in these evening tours. There will be carol-singing in the front hall followed by a tour of Sir Allan Napier MacNab’s lavish 40-room, 16,000-square-foot home, and a chance to sample an assortment of traditional Christmas foods. Tours run Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. The cost is $27 per person. Preregistration is required. Call 905-546-2872. Here comes Santa Saturday: Stoney Creek 2 p.m., Grimsby 5:15 p.m., Dunnville 5:30 p.m. and Port Colborne 6:30 p.m. Sunday: Burlington 2 p.m. For more information, see thespec.com/living-story/ 5028316-santa-claus-iscoming-to-town