Happy New(s) Year! The countdown is on to bring in 2019

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 22/18

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Bidding adieu to 2018 will be that much more festive if you do it in good company – with perhaps hundreds or thousands of your closest friends.

   Across the land, many cities and towns, both large and small will celebrate an end to 2018 and welcome for 2019 with open-air concerts and street parties.

   New Year’s Eve bashes, family focused public celebrations, a cocktail cruise, dinners and a Brazilian carnival on Dec. 31 make Ontario sparkle.

Two fireworks displays light up the night sky in Niagara Falls to mark the arrival of 2019.

    One of the most happening places is the entire tourism district of Niagara Falls, billed as “Canada’s largest New Year’s Eve bash.”

   Crowds fill Queen Victoria Park overlooking the illuminated Horseshoe and American falls.

   The party kicks off at 8 p.m., attracting about 50,000 people, for the free outdoor event.

   It’s also one of the country’s longest-running celebrations that features entertainment and two explosive fireworks shows launched from the Niagara Gorge and Skylon Tower.

Ho, ho, ho, Santa's soon got to go!

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 15/18

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Santa and Mrs. Claus are about to wind up their 2018 tour that continues to draw huge crowds across the land.

   Like the “rock stars” they are, the dynamic duo will still be making a few appearances before the real work begins in advance of Dec. 25.

   But, there’s still time for kids to get their last-minute requests to Santa in person.

Come on, tell Santa what you want for Christmas at the Ingersoll village. (Photo by Andrea Roulston)

    Santa has had fun riding the rails, visiting with his fans and appearing in hundreds of parades in every city and town.

   In fact, the veteran of parades still has three left this weekend in Ontario: Burgessville, St. George and Woodville, all night-time spectacles tonight (Dec. 15).

The holidays shine brightly at Bingemans in Kitchener, Ontario

Find your Christmas spirit at the third annual Gift of Lights

KITCHENER, Ont. — An even brighter version of a holiday tradition awaits at Bingemans this season.

For the third year, the Instagram-worthy Gift of Lights will delight visitors with a stunning two-kilometre drive through a beautifully lit and decorated campground. New this year, though, is the addition of a second tunnel of lights.           

“The light tunnel has been incredibly well received over the first two years we have showcased Gift of Lights,” says Mark Bingeman, President of Bingemans.

“We wanted to give our guests something even more special this season, so we’ve added the static tunnel from our first year and the animated tunnel from last year."

The 200-foot tunnel lends itself well to stunning photos, as do the rest of the light displays featured throughout the drive. Bingemans has gone above and beyond and have added even more lights to delight guests this season.

Downtown Detroit market vendors are busy for the holiday season

(Media Advisory)

Downtown Detroit Market vendors are busy during this winter season. Local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to test market their business concepts before investing in long term brick-and-mortar spaces in the heart of the city.

 Bedrock and the Quicken Loans Community Fund have created the Downtown Detroit Markets and surrounding activations as part of their ongoing commitment to drive entrepreneurship and increase diverse retail, food, beverage and art focused offerings within the city.

The Cadillac Square Lodge is a family-friendly pop-up space filled with games, cozy décor and ski-lodge themed amenities. This restaurant will be created in partnership with Parc’s team and the food and drink menu will be crafted by Executive Chef Jordan Hoffman.

New this season, Chef Toni Sova will be popping up Nostimo Kitchen in a large greenhouse in Cadillac Square. This location of Nostimo Kitchen will serve as Detroit’s Pantry while featuring a wide array of Michigan-made food goods, cook books and specialty olive oils all hand selected by Toni.

Capitol Park will be home to The Capitol Inn serving gourmet bar snacks, festive cocktails as well as Munich-inspired beer and wine. In partnership with Prime + Proper and Townhouse’s Jeremy Sasson, this pop-up will host rotating live musicians in a comfortable, chic atmosphere.

These activations are created by Bedrock and the Quicken Loans Community Fund, designed by Groundswell Design Group and made possible with the support of the Downtown Detroit Partnership

Hit the festive holiday trails for holly, jolly fun

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 8/18

    (c) By Jim Fox

   Hit the trails for some holly, jolly fun this month.

   Several offerings are the Blumination Dream Trail at Blue Mountain Village, Waterloo Region’s Mistletoe Trail and Stratford’s Christmas Trail.

   Blue Mountain’s event runs from now through Jan. 6 every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

   It’s described as a one-kilometre “magical, illuminated winter stroll through the village, around the Mill Pond and straight through your imagination.”

Horse and wagon rides around Blue Mountain Village on the Blumination Dream Trail. (Blue Mountain)

   The highlights are “interactive and entrancing light installations” called Blue Mountain “through the looking glass, a snow globe with you in it.”

   This free mega-watt winter experience ends in the Events Plaza, with “incredible light shows” daily at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 years of Magic at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

(News Release)

New Venue, New Dates: Tickets On Sale for Toronto Shows

TORONTO, ON -- The celebration of the century comes alive in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. This monumental ice skating spectacular is coming to a new venue with new dates: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto from January 25-28, 2019 for 9 performances. Tickets are on sale now.

Mickey Mouse leads the parade

Audiences will be a part of the magic of Disney as Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse leads a parade of more than 50 beloved characters starring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and featuring an ensemble of Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana.

Santa on the rails on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail

 (News Release) --  All aboard for the Santa Treats train rides on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, weekends through Dec. 23 (2018) at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in Ontario.

   The “Santa Treats” train chugs through the Elgin County’s countryside and “children’s anticipation grows as we near our destination to meet Santa,” said rail president Dan Vernackt.

   The train departs and returns to the Port Stanley station (309 Bridge St.) by the King George Lift Bridge. It costs $15, adults; $9, children ages two to 14. pstr.on.ca; 1-877-244-4478

   “Enjoy a ride through Elgin County in early winter from the warmth of a heated car,” Vernackt says.

   Santa has treats for the kids! Watch your children’s anticipation grow as we near our destination to meet Santa. Live entertainment may appear on some trains.

    PSTR is an operating tourist railway. We are located in the beautiful, lakeside village of Port Stanley, Ontario. We have been operating trains safely for over 35 years and look forward to your visit. We are Elgin County's longest running tourist attraction. All aboard for fun and a scenic ride on the train.

* Please note: The Dec. 15, 11 a.m. train is sold out.

Sneak a peek at Santa and the elves in Ingersoll, Ontario

(News Release) The elves are hard at work at Santa's Village 2018 housed at the Ingersoll Ontario Cheese & Agricultural Museum.

  

Photos by Andrea Roulston

Event Information

Event Date: November 23-December 22

Time: 6 pm - 9pm

Type: Festival

Contact Information

Phone: 519-485-5510

Address: 290 Harris St., Ingersoll

Sneak a peek at Santa’s Workshop at Santa's Festival Village in Ingersoll. Come and see what ol' Kris Kringle and his elves have been working on.

Our theme this year is “Christmas Around the World,” said Andrea Roulston, Coordinator of this year’s Santa's Village.