Christmas celebrations, Santa Claus Parades, holiday family fun events, festivals, weekend activities in and around Guelph.
Contents
- Christmas Lights & Santa Claus Parades
- Christmas Carols & Holiday Concerts
- Holiday Theatres across Guelph
- Christmas Theatre & Other Events
I. Christmas Lights & Santa Claus Parades
Spirit of the Season
Taking place in historic Downtown Guelph, Spirit of the Season is an inclusive two-day festival featuring two new holiday markets, the Guelph Community Santa Parade and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting. The event promises to bring entertainment, lights and holiday cheer, to our diverse community. Details
December 1 – 2, 2023
Downtown Guelph
Free
Guelph Community Santa Parade and Santa Run
Celebrate the season in Downtown Guelph with the annual Guelph Community Santa Parade and Santa Run. Get ready your letters to Santa!. Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Santa Run | 4:55 PM
Parade | 5:30 PM
Downtown Guelph
Free; Donation of Non-perishable items to Guelph Food Bank appreciated.
Santa Run $40
Rockwood Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights
Rockwood community of farmers for a unique celebration of the holidays – farm style! Rockwood and area farmers will entertain with their equipment decked in thousands of lights. Details
Thursday, December 14, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Main Street and Highway 7, Rockwood
Free
Mount Forest Santa Claus Parade
The Mount Forest Lions have organized the Santa Claus Parade since 1938. Details
Friday, December 1, 2023 | 7 PM to 9 PM
Old Arena/Victory Church & proceeding north on Main Street to the Firehall
Free
Sparkles in the Park
During the darkest days of the year, Rotary transforms Guelph’s Riverside Park into a winter wonderland of lights and displays, open to the community. Details
December 16 – 31, 2023 | 5:15 PM – 9:30 PM
Riverside Park, 709 Woolwich St, Guelph
Free; Donations encouraged
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II. Holiday Concerts across Guelph
The Nutcracker – Kinderconcerts
Journey to a land of sweets and sugar plum fairies during kid-friendly performances of The Nutcracker. A magical score by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will sweep you away. Details
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$11 – $15
Singing In the Season!
Guelph Chamber Choir’s family-friendly, seasonal concert will include holiday favourites, audience sing-alongs, and the audience gets to pick our final tune of the concert! Details
Sunday, November 26, 2023 | 4:00 PM
Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 Dean Avenue, Guelph
$5 – $30
Royal Wood
Music & Mistletoe Tour. Details
Thursday, November 30, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Fergus Grand Theatre, 244 St Andrew St W, Fergus
$35
ABBA Revisited Holiday Spectacular
ABBA REVISITED is North America’s #1 tribute to ABBA and its members have been dazzling audiences across the globe. ABBA REVISITED recreates the magic of ABBA with authentic costumes, spectacular harmonies, and note-perfect musicianship, taking their audiences on a musical journey back in time. Details
Friday, December 1, 2023 | 8:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$59.00
Shane Cook and the Woodchippers
Shane Cook is a multi-instrumentalist who enjoys everything from traditional Irish and Scottish music to Pop and Bluegrass, but has distinguished himself as a master of the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition. This show is a holiday treat not to be missed! Details
Friday, December 1, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Fergus Grand Theatre, 244 St Andrew St W, Fergus
$35
Men of the Deeps: Christmas in the Mine
This upcoming holiday season, North America’s only coal miners’ chorus are preparing to take audiences on a journey like no other. Treat yourself to some of your favourite holiday tunes, sung in jolly miner style, of course! Men of the Deeps takes show-goers underground to share the experience of celebrating Christmas in a Cape Breton coal mine, with real Cape Breton coal miners. Joining the world-famous group is Cape Breton fiddler, the incomparable Colin Grant. Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 7:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$29 – $59
A Winter Celebration
Don your toques and mittens and join the Guelph Concert Band for a celebration of winter and festive music. Featuring a diverse array of repertoire from Broadway, film, contemporary concert band, traditional and heavy metal music! We welcome one and all to join us for an afternoon of amazing music performed by our 75-piece ensemble. Details
Sunday, December 3, 2023 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 Dean Ave., Guelph
$11.98 – $27.96
The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas
The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season. Details
Monday, December 4, 2023 | 7:30 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$72.50
Susan Aglukark’s ᐅᐱᓐᓇᖅ (Upinnaq) Christmas Tour
Celebrate the holiday season with Inuk musician, JUNO and Governor General Performing Arts Award winner, Susan Aglukark. With Christmas songs in Inuktitut and English, this magical evening will feature music and storytelling of Inuit culture. Susan’s beautiful voice and engaging stage presence will take you on a heartwarming journey through the season. The Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute (GCVI) Chamber Choir joins Susan Aglukark on stage to perform a few holiday songs. Details
Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 8:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$29 – $49
The Wonderful World of Christmas
Inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, this Yuletide spectacular is hosted by none other than the man himself. Steve Michaels sings the Christmas classics as well as serenading you with the King’s own holiday season favourites. The Wonderful World of Christmas is a Graceland of wonderment, celebrating the most glorious time of the year. Details
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 8:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$56.50 – $63.50
Guelph Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Celebration
The GSO offers its annual family friendly array of sparkling holiday favourites including “The Polar Express”! And, of course, the concert wouldn’t be complete without the traditional carol sing-along! Details
Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 3:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$20 – $55
Good Lovelies Christmas Concert
This December, the Good Lovelies’ annual Christmas tour hits the road in Ontario, bringing classic holiday songs, timeless winter selections, and original material to Guelph. Details
Friday, December 15, 2023 | 7:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$46.00
A Lunch At Allen’s Christmas
A Lunch At Allen’s Christmas is an enchanting seasonal journey filled with stories, humour and a vast array of superbly-crafted songs – some traditional I’ll Be Home for Christmas, others thought-provoking, Marc’s Sober Up For Christmas, many familiar, like Murray’s Old Tin Star and Ian’s Zuzu’s Petals – creating a bluesy, jazz, pop synergy that warms the heart and soothes the soul. The true essence of Christmas! Details
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 7:30 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$72.50
Boreal’s Songs for a Snowy Season
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with this heartwarming celebration. Join Boreal, the musical collaboration of award-winning singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon, Katherine Wheatley, and Angie Nussey, for an intimate evening of original songs and beloved classics. With beautiful harmonies and melodies, weaving stories and songs inspired by Canadian landscapes, Boreal’s Songs for a Snowy Season is an enchanting celebration of the season. Details
Sunday, December 17, 2023 | 7:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$25 – $30
A Very Charlie Brown Concert
Celebrate the holiday season with the beloved soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas, composed by Vince Guaraldi. This heartwarming performance features music from the Emmy Award-winning special, performed top to bottom by Adam Bowman on drums, Duncan Wilson on piano, and Tyler Wagler on bass. The jazz trio is accompanied by children’s choir, The Kingsbury Music Singers, directed by Shannon Kingsbury. Details
Friday, December 22, 2023 | 7:30 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$10 – $20
Handel’s “Messiah”
“Guelph’s favourite Messiah” will be a highlight of Guelph Chamber Choir’s holiday celebrations. Sung at baroque pitch with period instruments, we will be performing this year in the exquisite Basilica in Guelph. Details
Friday, December 22, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk St., Guelph
$5 – $45
III. Holiday Theatres across Guelph
Cirque Musica – Holiday Wonderland
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is a must-see holiday event to usher in the magic of the season. An all-new musical journey that will transport audiences to a magical land far away for a fun-filled, unforgettable holiday-themed show. Details
Sunday, November 12, 2023 | 8:00 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$49.25 – $76.25
Dear Santa
This is a laugh-filled holiday play innocent enough for the youngest boy or girl, and entertaining for adults. Details
December 1 – 3, 8 – 10, 2023
Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St, Guelph
$12 – $18
Cinderella
Cinderella – Enchanted Edition is a musical based on the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Emmy Award winning Cinderella live television broadcast in 1957 and inspired by the remake in 1997. Cinderella remains the heartfelt tale of the girl from the cinders who connects with her prince as an outsider hoping to find her way in. This version is the second on-stage remake with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this romantic fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike. Details
November 22 – 26, 2023
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$27 – $42
DuffleBag Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge is well-known for being more interested in making money than friends. Above all else, he hates Christmas time and its spirit of giving. Then, one Christmas Eve, several spirits give Scrooge a magical journey through past, present, and future, showing him the true meaning of the season. From Fezziwig to Tiny Tim, all the favourites are included in DuffleBag Theatre’s exuberant version of Charles Dickens’ Yuletide classic! Details
December 12 – 14, 2023
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a heartwarming story about embracing the holiday spirit and believing that dreams do come true by having faith or, as Fred Gayley states, “believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” People of all ages will enjoy this show and leave with a smile on their faces! Details
December 8 – 17, 2023
Fergus Grand Theatre, 244 St Andrew St W, Fergus
$17.70 – $27.70
Ballet Jörgen The Nutcracker
Ballet Jörgen’s seasonal classic sparkles with holiday magic year after year. Set to the much loved Tchaikovsky music, and in collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, this quintessentially Canadian Nutcracker features the vibrant works of the great Group of Seven landscape artists. Join Klara as she embarks on her magical dream journey through our northern landscapes filled with snowflakes, trilliums, loons, chipmunks and other delightful woodland creatures. Ballet Jörgen Canada’s Nutcracker is a national treasure that warms the hearts of young and old alike. Details
December 20 – 21, 2023 | 7:30 PM
River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
$33 – $78
IV. Other Christmas / Holiday Events across Guelph
Fair November Craft Show
Discover one-of-a-kind pieces from 80+ artisans at the University Centre building, University of Guelph. Shop for gourmet food, jewellery, fashion, pottery, and more. Details
November 16 to 19, 2023
University Centre building, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph
Free
Mount Forest Lions 1st Annual Christmas Craft Market
Shop 2 rooms plus the lobby FILLED with all your favorite Vendors and Non Profit Organizations. Kitchen will be open serving Homemade Yummy in your Tummy Chilli & a Bun, Jumbo Hotdogs, Chilli Dogs and all your regular concession stand goodies. Details
Sunday, November 18, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mount Forest District Sports Complex, 850 Princess Street, Mount Forest
Entry is by Monetary Donation with Profits going back into the community
Downtown Elmira Moonlight Madness
Friday, December 1, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Elmira
Free
A Real Christmas Tree Experience
LOTS of premium fresh cut Christmas trees for you to choose from. Cut your own is limited. Details
November 18 – December 23, 2023
Elliott Tree Farm, 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillburgh
No admission
HOHOHoliday 5k
The HoHoHoliday 5K is the most festive FUN run in Canada! This 5km run/walk combines the magic of the Holidays with community engagement and fitness. Be apart of a holiday movement and join 10,000 Santa’s virtually across Canada who are spreading cheer in their local community while choosing to raise funds to support Make-A-Wish Canada. Details
December 1 – 31, 2023 | All Day anytime
Nationwide/Virtual Run
$40 – $45
Guelph Santa Parade Run 2023
e a part of Guelph’s Santa Parade Run in Downtown Guelph on Saturday, December 2nd. Runners will run three kilometres down the Santa Parade route immediately before the 2023 Guelph Community Santa Parade starts. Santa costumes are worn by all participants and are included in the registration fee. Proceeds from the event go to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 4:55 PM
The trail behind the River Run Centre, Guelph
$25 – $40
Caribbean Christmas Dinner and Dance
On Saturday December 2, 2023, the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) invites you to come out and enjoy the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean and dance the night away!! Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 6:30 PM
Puslinch Community Centre, 23 Brock Road South, Morriston
$65 – $75
Christmas Market
Ring in the holiday season at the Wellington County Museum and Archive’s third annual Christmas Market!! Details
December 1 – 2, 2023
Wellington County Museum and Archives, 0536 Wellington County Road 18
By Donation
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.
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