Festivales y eventos

Kingston's Nighttime Santa Parade fills Princess Street with floats, live music and colourful characters, running from Bath Road to Ontario Street. It starts Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM, and Santa and Mrs. Claus then light the tree in Springer Market Square at about 7:00 PM. Watching the parade and the tree lighting is free, right on the street and in the square.

Important: free, but you need a free ticket to get in. Montreal's plant based holiday market brings local businesses, makers and food vendors together, with vegan treats to taste or take home, handmade gifts, home products and prize draws. Saturday December 5 and Sunday December 6, 2026, 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, a two minute walk from Place-des-Arts metro.

More than 100 local artisans, different each weekend, bring handmade gifts for every budget to the historic Verdun Auditorium for the Collectif Créatif MTL holiday market. Saturdays and Sundays, December 5 and 6 and December 12 and 13, 2026, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, near De l'Église metro. Free entry; purchases are optional.

Local makers set up in the grand Salle des Pas Perdus of historic Windsor Station for a three day pop up holiday market by Collectif Créatif MTL. Thursday November 26 to Saturday November 28, 2026, opening at 11:00 AM on Thursday and closing at 7:00 PM on Saturday. Entry is free and open to everyone; purchases are optional.

Over 100 Montreal and Quebec makers sell locally made gifts at the Collectif Créatif MTL holiday market, held in a century old converted industrial building in the Angus district, with different artisans each weekend. Saturdays and Sundays, November 14 and 15 and November 21 and 22, 2026, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free entry; purchases are optional. The market supports Le Phare, Enfants et familles.

About 75 Saskatchewan makers fill Remai Modern with handmade goods for holiday gift shopping at the Tiger Lily Artisan Market. Friday, November 13, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (public entry) and Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry is by donation (a donation is suggested but not required), and it includes the galleries. A separate paid VIP early hour runs Friday 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The University of Manitoba Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra team up with guest artist Rodrigo Munoz for an afternoon concert at Desautels Concert Hall. Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Admission is pay what you can at the door, so you can attend for free.

Fort Saskatchewan's holiday kickoff with photos with Santa, a petting zoo, fire shows, ice carving, carolers, a model train display and a lights up countdown at 7:30 PM. Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:15 PM to 7:30 PM at City Hall and nearby, including the public library. The holiday activities are free.

Downtown St. Albert lights up for the holidays with sleigh and train rides, Santa, a petting zoo, street hockey, crafts, costumed characters and a Christmas market at Red Willow Place. Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the Perron District, around Perron Street, St. Thomas Street and St. Albert Place. Free event; food trucks and restaurants are extra.

Listen to an intimate Christmas concert by the Ensemble lyrique du Saguenay, then make your own holiday cards to give to loved ones, at the Chicoutimi library in Saguenay. Friday December 4, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Free library activity for families and friends of all ages.

A free family New Year's Eve with games, ice sculptures, fire dancers, aerial artists, a LEGO display, free skating, snowshoeing, free hot chocolate and s'mores, and fireworks at 8 PM over Broadmoor Lake Park. Thursday, December 31, 2026, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with indoor activities at Festival Place and the Sherwood Park Arena. Activities are free; food bank donations are welcome and the arena concession is paid.

Strathcona County kicks off the holidays with wagon rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, campfire cooking, crafts, face painting, a winter carnival, hot chocolate and a tree light up at 5 PM. Saturday, November 21, 2026, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Festival Place in Sherwood Park, mostly outdoors. Free for everyone.