Holiday Fun in Burlington, Ontario

And so comes the Christmas season (hard to believe it's less than 20 days away) and with it lots of holiday fun. 

Crafting at RBG

Until January 6, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens for Holiday Traditions including an all new and extensive botanical model train installation. You can read all about our sneak peak at this event here. 

Be sure to head to the waterfront during the holiday to take in the Lakeside Festival of Lights running to January 9^th.   

Weekends and evenings (Wed-Fri) you can visit Bronte Creek Provincial Park for Homestead Christmas and experience the traditions of a Victorian Christmas on the farm in 1900.  Visit the reindeer barn and then enjoy a personal visit with the big guy - no reservations required.  

This Friday December 7^th join the Museums of Burlington at Ireland House for A Taste of Christmas Past: Festive Food & Drink of Yesteryear.  Enjoy festive holiday food samplings and beverage tastings from the Ireland Family home. Special activities, live entertainment and costumed historic performers complete the evening. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out.

For those that appreciate the indie music scene, be sure to check out Burly Calling – a DIY Music Festival December 7th-9th.  Hometown Youtube sensation Walk off the Earth return home for this awesome event.

Streetcar Museum

Head to the Streetcar Museum December 8th for Christmas on the Rails and enjoy a ride among the trees with carols in the air.  Also on December 8th you will want to be in Downtown Burlington for the Santa 5k run, when over 3,800 Santas will hit the streets - check out the video from last year here.  

Sunday December 9^th, The Crossroads Centre presents a Kid’s Christmas with crafts, snacks and a God rocks concert. On Monday December 10^th join them for Christmas in the Square.  Country sensation Michelle Wright, along with six other talented Canadian musicians, will perform your favourite Christmas classics . Radio and television personality Casey Clarke will host this inspiring Christmas evening. A limited number of tickets are available for this intimate taping performance.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Conservation Halton has launched a new holiday event at Hilton Falls - December 16^th enjoy the simple pleasures of nature with Christmas on the Trails.  

Experience the Magic of the Holidays at Paletta Mansion Open House on Monday December 17th from 11am-3pm.  Refreshments available to purchase. Donations of unwrapped toys or canned food will be collected for the Salvation Army.

If you are a fan of the arts, there are lots of great holiday performances coming to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre including The Nutcracker Suite, Leahy Family Christmas and many more.  Be sure to check the calendar for a complete event listing and get your tickets before these popular shows sell out.

As the holiday winds-up, take advantage of your last opportunity to celebrate 2012 and welcome 2013 with the City of Burlington New Year's Eve Celebrations at Central Park.  Lots of family fun activities capped off with fireworks to ring in the New Year.  Conservation Halton rings in 2013 with their New Year's Eve Hoopla and Bronte Creek is guaranteed to be a howling good time with their New Year's Eve Howls & Hikes.  

Don't worry the new year will be lots of great events too...no matter what you choose remember if you need ideas and help planning your trip visit our website or give us a call at 1-877-499-9989.

Holiday Traditions at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Every year we look forward to visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens during the Christmas Season.  The holiday decorating coupled with lots of fun activities for both children and adults make for a great way to spend a few hours or more exploring indoors and out.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a sneak preview of this year's Holiday Traditions event which will run from Friday November 16, 2012 to January 6, 2013 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.  From the moment my daughters (aged 2 & 5) heard they were going to the RBG that's all they could talk about. I am sure both the children and teachers at their school and daycare can attest to the excitement surrounding this evening and I have to say that the event did not disappoint.

Upon arrival at the RBG you are greeted by two very large toy soldiers, okay they are not real but they certainly look official guarding the holiday entrance.  Once inside you can't help but feel festive, from the beautiful decorations, live plants and holiday doors that line the walkways to the Pièce de résistance - the train set!

Until you have the opportunity to see the train show you really can't imagine what a work of art it is.  Created by landscape architect Paul Busse this botanical train installation features a coast-to-coast tribute to over 15 Canadian landmarks.  Constructed from over 7 tons of cedar slabs, 3,000 pounds of rock and 250 feet of track this visual homage features landmarks such as LIUNA Station, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, Parliament buildings and so much more.  

We, like everyone else headed straight to the train show and watched as the two trains make their way through this display much to the delight of the children (and adults).  My co-workers arrived shortly after us and my five year old couldn't wait to give them a guided tour of everything - it is a great opportunity to talk to your children about places they might have seen or ones that you hope to visit.  

Once we were finished viewing the train show we headed upstairs for the children's activities.  There was holiday crafting and both my daughters were excited to make ornaments with oranges & cloves, which now smell amazing hanging next to our fireplace. Throughout the event there are various children's activities running on weekends that will keep your little ones engaged and in the holiday mood.  You will also have the opportunity to get outdoors with a guided winter hike.  

Of course no holiday event would be complete without the big man in red - SANTA!  Be sure to bring a camera to capture your visit with Santa and his reindeer.  I hope everyone has managed to stay off the "naughty" list this year.  If you want a chance to get a little more up close and personal with Santa be sure to reserve your spot at the Breakfast with Santa on December 8th or 16th.

Nothing puts me in a festive mood quicker than a jaunty holiday carol and for me, one of the highlights of the evening was the carolling by Harbourtown Sound Chorus Hamilton (also appearing Nov. 25th).  Visitors to Holiday Traditions will be treated to some great entertainment (selected dates) including the Bel Canto Strings Academy, Phunktown 5 and more.

If you plan to visit this weekend you can do double duty and get some holiday shopping done at the annual Auxiliary Christmas Show and Sale.  If you are looking for a unique gift for under the tree this year, this sale is for you.

Aside from the event at the RBG you can also take time to relax and unwind with a stroll through the indoor gardens - nothing like tropical temps and the smell of fresh flowers to melt away the stress!

If you are coming in from out of town we are happy to help you plan your visit via phone, email or check out our website.  

Happy Holidays!

Downtown is Alive with Santas & Lights

Have you ever seen almost 4,000 Santas all in one place?  This Saturday December 10th, Santas of all shapes, sizes and ages will be running amok in the downtown when they participate in Canada’s largest 5k Santa Run.  All race entrants receive a Santa suit which they wear for the duration of the race.  This event is organized by VR Pro and some of the proceeds are donated to St. John’s Ambulance here in Burlington.  This event is so fun and quirky it has been featured on the Canadian Runner Magazine website.  Gotta love that! 

When you see all these red and white Santas laughing and jogging along the waterfront route,  it really gets you in the holiday spirit.  If running is not for you, be a cheerleader by lining the race route and encouraging the racers, it is really something to see!  The race begins at 9 a.m. at Pearl and James St. and the runners head east along scenic Lakeshore Rd., north on Maple Ave., and then cut back through quiet residential streets towards downtown where the race ends on Lakeshore just east of Pearl St.

Check out this video of the 2010 race.

While you are downtown you can also get in a little holiday shopping at the unique boutiques and then enjoy some lunch at one of the fabulous bistros, cafes or restaurants.  Don’t forget to stop in and see us at the visitor information centre and pick up information on things to see and do in Burlington over the holidays or get some great stocking stuffers such as books, t-shirts and other city souvenirs.  If you say you read this blog we will even give you a gift!  You can also enter into a draw brought to you by Burlington Downtown to win 1 of 2 - $500 shopping sprees during the month of December from downtown merchants.  Now that helps with your nice and naughty list!

The downtown is a magical place to visit in December especially after dark with everything decorated for the holidays.  Downtown merchants have enthusiastically decorated their storefront windows with various holiday themes, the lampposts and trees are alight on the major routes and best of all Spencer Smith Park is ablaze with the Lakeside Festival of Lights.

Include visiting the lights as part of your family’s annual traditions.  The holidays would not be the same without a drive past the Burlington Teen Tour Band red coats that line Lakeshore Rd. or a walk through the park on a crisp winter evening surrounded by the many glowing lights from numerous displays.  There is no entrance fee to the Festival of Lights, it is a gift to the community thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the support of many generous sponsors  that make the festival possible every year. The Festival is in its 16th year and glowing and runs nightly until January 12th, 2012.  We suggest that you park in the parking garage, it is free after 6 p.m. and then walk along Lakeshore to Brant St. and down the stairs or roadway into the park.  If the cold weather continues you can bring your skates and test out the rink at the Rotary Centennial Pond at the west end of the park.  As I am writing this I clicked on the waterfront web cam and the mini zamboni is clearing the ice, so it is looking good! Check out the website before you go to make sure the rink is open.

The Tourism elves decorated our window in the theme Holiday at Home this year and we featured various local attractions that you should check out during the holidays, including the RBG, Art Centre, Museums, Performing Art Centre, Conservation Halton parks, Bronte Creek etc.  Although we never seem to win the window competition, we have fun decking the halls and hope that our partners see some increased visitation from this promotion. 

Hope you Holiday at Home this year, bring friends and family to events, attractions and to dine and shop and enjoy everything Burlington has to offer.

tourburlgirl