Stay safe celebrating this holiday season with drive-thru, virtual events

By Stella Acquisto

Many are already thinking about the holidays. Stores across the city are in full holiday mode, with Christmas music playing and décor already up. Soon, you’ll start seeing holiday events popping up as well.

Here is a list of things to do over the next few months that will get you in the mood to celebrate the spirit of the season while still staying safe

Drive thru and Drive-in:

Holiday Nights of Lights

Put on by the team who brought you Halloween Nights of Lights, comes Holiday Nights of Lights. This location has moved to 120 Interchange Way in Vaughan. It features more than one million LED lights animated and in sync with holiday tunes.

Canadian Tire’s Christmas Trail

Another drive-thru Christmas Trail will be open to the public from Nov. 18 to Dec. 9 on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

The winter wonderland is a multi-sensory outdoor experience and costs $25 + HST per car with all proceeds supporting Jumpstart Charities. Tickets must be purchased online.

Glow Gardens

Glow Gardens will have a 3-kilometre drive-thru this year fitted with lights from Nov. 18 to Jan. 2. It will take place at Safari Niagara. You can admire the surrounding while listening to music on their station GLOW FM.

Journey to Enchantmen

“Journey into Enchantment” will take place in Markham at Angus Glen Golf Club. It’s another drive-thru light experience. Tickets start at $29.95 plus tax and they’ve partnered with Sick Kids and Toronto animal shelters. According to their website, they will be dedicating up to $100,000 for SickKids and $20,000 to Toronto Animal Services.

Ontario Place Drive-in

A number of Holiday films will be playing at the Ontario Place Drive-In theatre. For a full list of movies and to purchase tickets, you can go to their website.

Virtual events:

The Santa Claus Parade

Since 1913, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade has been taking place, but this year, it will only be televised. To find out more information, you can go to their website.

Leslieville Virtual Flea Market: Holiday Edition

This is your chance to shop local over the holidays. The event has already kicked off with a number of different dates to shop. You can find out more information here.

One of a Kind Show: Online Winter Show

This yearly event is happening online this time around and will take place from Oct. 22 to Dec. 20, 2020. You will have a chance to shop more than 700 small business from across the country.

Virtual Santa Canada

This is your chance to meet Santa Claus without leaving home. The event takes place from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, 2020. According to the website, each session will feature personalized Santa greetings, a short story, and one-on-one time for families to take a photo and tell Santa what they would like. Packages start at $39.99.

In person:

The Junction’s 1st Window Wonderland

The Junction’s first annual immersive urban art-walk will take place from Nov. 14 to Jan. 31. It allows people to walk along Dundas Street West and enjoy the winter-inspired artwork from 20 local artists. According to their website, the new exhibition will feature artists and animators who will paint 10 storefronts. It’s interactive and attendees will be able to enjoy the work using Augmented Reality.

Enchanted Christmas Pioneer Village

This event allows you to discover a Victorian-style Christmas. You and your family can tour the main street of the Village, with oil-lamps. There will be performances, demonstrations and a chance to snap a (physically-distanced) selfie with Santa! Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and it will take place Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20, and Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2020.

Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace

Support local at the Toronto Zoo this holiday season. The zoo will transform it’s front courtyard into a marketplace, showcasing local producers, processors and artisans.

Kortright Magical Christmas Forest

Starting Nov. 27, 2020, the Kortright Centre will be transforming into a Magical Christmas Forest filled with lights, crafts, activities and treats. For pricing, tickets and dates you can go to their website.

Winter Wonders

The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is hosting a winter wonderland, which is an outdoor event taking place at Hendrie Park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nov. 18, 2020 to Jan. 3, 2021. This is not a drive thru, but instead visitors will be allowed to walk the light filled pathways. You can grab food, a beer, take part in activities and shop.

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