By Noor Azrieh
As years go by, the Christmas and holiday festivities in Toronto and the GTA have grown in popularity, size and excitement. This year is no different with new programs, events, and activities starting up this holiday season.
There is no doubt that you can fill your calendar up this holiday season with all the free and low-cost programs and events taking place this year.
Virtual events
Vaughan
The City of Vaughan is hosting the infamous annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 3. Each December, the city brings the community together, with this year being no exception. You can tune in virtually at 7 p.m to see the tree in the courtyard of City Hall light up the city.
This year, the tree at City Hall is a 36-feet tall Colorado Blue Spruce from Drysdale’s Tree Farm in Egbert, Ontario. The tree is wrapped in over 35,000 LED lights.
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of the Council will join together to extend greetings and start the countdown to light the tree. Community programs such as this one provide an opportunity for everyone to get involved in the festive season.
Toronto
Toronto is hosting a magical Window Wonderland, a free and immersive urban art walk. The program is returning to the Junction neighbourhood for the second consecutive year.
The program will take place from Nov. 26 to Jan. 2, and is presented by MEDS Junction Pharmacy. This program is transforming the Junction into an interactive outdoor gallery that features 20 unique augmented reality installations by 40 local and international artists.
The art features work from Toronto, Burlington, Mississauga, Vaugn, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US.
This AR installation is the first of its kind for Toronto natives and is hosted in collaboration with an internationally-recognized AR app, ARTivive. ARTivive allows artists to create new dimensions with a digital layer, for an experience in a whole new world of possibilities.
The Toronto Junction website offers a collection of links that will ease participation in this program.
Toronto
Since 1905, the Santa Claus Parade has been the kickstarter of the Christmas season. It began in Toronto, but has expanded in popularity and importance all over the country throughout the years.
This program is officially a broadcast-only event after discussion and consideration of the many factors it takes to host such a large event. On Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. on CTV and CTV2, the Parade will broadcast across the city.
Dating back 117 years, thousands of people took to the streets of Toronto, while millions watched at home to celebrate the start of the Christmas season together. The Parade prides itself on bringing people together, regardless of background, celebrating hope, family, and love.
The program will include performances by Ed Sheeran, Carrie Underwood, Pentatonix, Tyler Shaw, Don Amero, Steven Lee Olsen, and will include nine marching bands from across the city.
In-person events
Mississauga
Light Up the Square made its debut on November 20th with an official ceremony led by Mayor Crombie and Members of the Council at Mississauga's Celebration Square. The 40 inch Christmas tree was lit for the first time this winter season.
This festival of lights program started on Saturday, Nov. 20, and will end on Sunday, Jan. 2. It will feature four artworks by RAW Design, Meghan Cheng, Chris Foster, and Monkey C Interactive.
Art isn't the only feature of this program. While you’re at the Square, you can take pictures in front of the 40 inch Christmas tree, go skating on the city’s biggest outdoor rink, relax on the heated patio, or grab a food truck treat.
On New Year’s Eve, Celebration Square’s program will include a DJ skate party, food trucks, and fireworks to celebrate the new year at midnight. The countdown will begin with Missasagu’s own Scott Wilats at 11 p.m.
Whitby
Whitby has announced that Santa is coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. With the help of the Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, Santa will travel around town as he inspects, brings cheer, and the holiday spirit to the town.
This program and tour will start with checking out the town’s landmarks and neighbourhoods from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. After a quick lunch break from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., he will continue to visit Whitby’s neighbourhoods and landmarks until 4 p.m. when he will head home to Mrs. Claus.
If you spot Santa making his rounds across the town, the City recommends using the #SPOTSANTAWHITBY so neighbours can be on the lookout for his whereabouts. The Whitby Santa Claus Parade website includes a Santa tracker if you find yourself on the hunt for his location.