Check these off your Christmas List: Holiday events in Waterloo Region
Christmas is in full swing in Waterloo Region with plenty of events to get you in the holiday spirit.
Here are a few of those activities that are sure to make you feel merry and bright!
GIFT OF LIGHTS
This holiday drive-thru at Bingemans will feature two light tunnels and more than 300 animated and static light displays.
The event opened daily on Nov. 26. The following days will be open for walk-through visitors only: Dec. 13, and Jan. 2. Gift of Lights closes Jan. 9.
More information here: Gift of Lights
SANTA’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
Santa’s schedule is set for his upcoming trips on the Waterloo Central Railway.
The Christmas trains will take kids of all ages from the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Station on Farmers Market Drive to the North Pole. In addition to music, contests and plays, the Big Man in Red will be on board for the one-hour trip.
Travelers are encouraged to wear their Christmas best or pajamas, and don’t forget to bring along your letters!
The trains depart Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Santa will also be there for nighttime trips called the “Christmas Lights Experience,” with 15,000 twinkling lights decorating the train. Those rides depart on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
More information here: Waterloo Central Railway
CHRISTKINDL MARKET
This year marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved German-themed tradition, but this year they’re doing something a little different.
The Christkindl Market is set up in downtown Kitchener from Dec. 2 to Dec. 5.
In addition to the in-person event, there will also be an online marketplace with gifts and a digital advent calendar.
For more information go to: Christkindl Market
CAMBRIDGE CELEBRATES WINTERFEST
Winterfest is back in Cambridge from Nov. 22 to Jan. 2, with three main events: Cambridge Christmas Market, Winter Illumination and the New Year’s Eve Skate.
More information can be found here: Cambridge Celebrates Winterfest
OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT SNYDER’S FARM
Snyder’s Family Farm, just outside of Kitchener, is hosting weekend events for the family. There will be a Farm Christmas Bakery, gift barn and visits from Santa, as well as campfire pods where you can roast s’mores and other menu items.
They will also be selling trees from their farm.
More information here: Snyder's Family Farm
CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE
Take a trip back in time, celebrating a Victorian Christmas at Castle Kilbride in Baden.
The holiday event will continue all month until Jan. 2.
More information here: Castle Kilbride
CHRISTMAS ON STAGE
Drayton Entertainment has a special show at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge.
“Back Home for the Holidays”, running from Dec. 1 to Dec. 26, will inspire holiday cheer.
More information here: Back Home for the Holidays
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.