The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, along with one of the busiest times ones. There are many family fun activities and events taking place across the Annapolis Valley this holiday season. As it gets closer to Christmas, you should watch social media because even more events may be scheduled. Here are great things to do during Christmas time in the Annapolis Valley.
You may like: Christmas Markets in Annapolis Valley
Santa Claus Parades & Light Displays
New Minas Rotary Parade of Lights
Organized by the Rotary Club of New Minas. Fireworks will shoot off at the conclusion of the Parade beside Canadian Tire.
Details
November 18, 2023 from 6:00 pm
Commercial Street from Crescent Drive to Cornwallis Avenue
New Ross Christmas Festival
New Ross boasts a spectacular weekend of Christmas fun, which is held annually on the first weekend of December. This Christmas celebration begins with hundreds of people gathering at the heart of New Ross to countdown the lighting of the tree, while sipping hot chocolate after having a full belly from the earlier potluck supper. This is followed by a weekend of craft fairs, home-cooked meals, carollers, Christmas tree U-picks, children’s fun and visits to local artisans, topped off with magical entertainment, wonderful singers, and dancing the night away.
Details
December 1 – 3, 2023
New Ross, NS
Free
Festival of Trees & Dickensville
Queens County Museum once again turns into a holiday wonderland with its annual “Festival of Trees & Dickensville”. The Museum is transformed into a magical Christmas showcase, featuring over 30 modern-themed and vintage-style Christmas trees.
The stunning display of trees is accompanied by a beautiful themed village of Dickensville, with over 80 little buildings taking you through the time period of Charles Dickens and all his delightful characters in the city of London, England. Details
2023 dates TBA
2022 – Daily, November 23 – December 23, 2022
Monday to Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Queens County Museum, 109 Main St., Liverpool
Free
Weymouth Santa Claus Parade
Sanaty is arriving at Weymouth with floats on December 2nd!
Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 5:30 PM
Sissiboo Landing, Weymouth
Entrance fee $2 for adults, $1.00 for children under 12
Holly Days Festival 2023
Kickstart the Holiday season in Kentville November 17th – 19th. There is a full weekend of events planned, starting with a tree lighting in downtown Kentville at 6pm on Friday, November 17th and then a Late Night Shopping Party until 8pm with a visit from Santa, live music, treats, a holiday market, and more!! Details
November 16 – 19, 2023
Christmas Tree Lighting on Main Street/ Santa visit | November 17 at 6 PM
Various streets and neighbourhoods in Kentville
Free
Christmas Carols & Holiday Concerts
Thane Dunn – Elvis Rockin’ Christmas
Join the two-time World Champion along with his amazing Cadillac Kings as they bring you “Elvis Rockin’ Christmas. The new show features your favorite Elvis Christmas, Gospel and Rock classics plus he will be joined onstage by singing sensation Melly Dunn for duets that will blow your mind. From “Blue Christmas” to “Blue Suede Shoes”.
There will be a ton of surprises, costume changes and we promise you will laugh, cry and cheer in amazement as Thane Dunn recreates Elvis like none other. If you love Elvis and having fun get your tickets before it sells out, again! Details
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Old Orchard Inn, 153 Greenwich Road South, Wolfville
$51.75
Laila Biali: Wintersongs & Holiday Classics
Experience winter-inspired original music and dance alongside thrilling arrangements of beloved secular and sacred classics. This incredible show features LAILA BIALI on piano and vocals, BEN WITTMAN on drums and percussion, and TOM EASLEY on bass. They will be joined by special guests: multi-instrumentalist JEFF GOODSPEED, members of ATLANTIC STRING MACHINE, and award-winning Mi’kmaw dancer SARAH PROSPER. Experience an enchanted world of snow-swept landscapes, twinkling lights, and the magic of the holiday season. Details
Thursday, November 30, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
$5 – $20
JP Cormier, Dave Gunning & Terra Spencer
A Christmas Concert Special. 19+. Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre, 106 Gerrish Street, Windsor
$49.99
Christmas Hymn Sing
Join us for an exciting evening of Christmas music. Everyone is invited to our Christmas Hymn Sing. Details
Sunday December 10, 2023 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Wilmot Baptist Church, 208 Dodge Road, Wilmot
Free
Lisa Brokop Trio: A Classic Country Christmas
Following close behind her highly successful show Legendary Ladies of Country, Lisa will continue the theme with some of her favourite country Christmas songs! Just about every famous country artist has recorded a Christmas album and Lisa has gathered up the songs that have meant the most to her over the years. “Oh Holy Night”, “I’ll Be Home With Bells On’, and “Shake Me I Rattle” – a Christmas recording of Lisa’s that has been a December radio favourite across Canada. These are just a few of the classics you’ll enjoy. There is nothing like the simple joy, peace and warmth that comes from a night of Christmas music and everyone is sure to leave fully filled with the spirit of the season! Details
Wednesday December 13, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
Youth $10, Adult: $30
Matt Andersen Holiday Show
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Andersen is taking the holiday party out on the road again this year! Details
December 15 – 17, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Acadia University – Convocation Hall, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville
$53 in advance $58.50 day of show (including tax & service fee)
Christmas with Friends
Presented by DEACON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. Details
Sunday December 10, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Acadia University – Convocation Hall, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville
$31
Gunning and Cormier
Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier — multi-awarding winning singer-songwriters, great friends, frequent collaborators, and co-writers — return to King’s Theatre for a special Christmas show. Expect original songs, rare covers, lush guitars, and tight harmonies from two singers at the peak of their creative powers. A mix of new and old songs, plus fan favourites in a show that is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. Details
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
Adult: $40, Youth $10
The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas
The Scottish Island of Barra is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeil and, rightfully, the Barra MacNeils are Canada’s Celtic Ambassadors. For more than three decades, this Cape Breton-based family group has been thrilling audiences near and far with their sparkling vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Every year, their East Coast Christmas concert is the “must-see” event for the Season. Details
Sunday, December 17, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Acadia University – Convocation Hall, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville
$20 – $50
Nathaniel Rankin: The Canadian Champion of Magic
Nathaniel Rankin The Canadian Champion of Magic, is an international award winning magician & circus artist. From his countless television appearances to his performances at the Air Canada Centre, Rogers Centre & Fortune 500 companies he is one of the busiest performing artists in Canada. Details
Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
Adult: $30, Youth $10
Holiday Theatre
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen). Details
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 10:00 AM
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
Free; Reserve
A 1940s Radio Chirstmas Carol
Seamlessly combining drama and comedy, heartbreak and hope, A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol will sing its way into your heart. Details
December 8 – 10, 2023
Kings Theatre, 209 St George Street, Annapolis Royal
$5 – $20
A Christmas Carol
ageless classic presented by Greenwood Players Drama Club. Details
December 12 – 16, 2023
AVM Morfee Center, 14 Wing 24 School Road, Greenwood
$5
Atlantic Buffoon’s Christmas Vacation
Get ready for a merry meltdown with the Griswold family! Join Clark, Ellen, Eddie and the whole gang for a dinner theatre extravaganza, adapted for the stage by Melissa Vidito and Mike Butler that is packed with awkward family moments, festive mayhem and side-splitting laughter. Revisit this iconic holiday classic and the characters you know and love with all their hilarious holiday hijinks, all while enjoying a fabulous meal! Will this year bring Clark the fun old-fashioned family Christmas he’s always dreamed of? Details
November 30, December 1, 14 – 15, 2023
Old Orchard Inn, 153 Greenwich Road South, Wolfville
$79.35
Film Event: The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets — Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle — weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases — past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness. Details
Saturday, November 25, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre, 106 Gerrish Street, Windsor
$14 includes popcorn and 1 bottle of water
Centre Stage Holiday Double Feature
Join us for a Holiday Double Feature of two one-act holiday shows for the whole family. First up is A Visit From St. Nicholas or The Night Before Christmas followed (after a short intermission) by Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol. Watch our cast spin these holiday stories like never before, with some actors playing multiple roles. Details
November 10-11, 17-19, 24-25 and December 1-3,8-9, 2023
Centre Stage, 61 River Street, Kentville
Students/Seniors $15, Adults $18, Children under 12 $7
Other Holiday-Themed Events
ingerbread House Competition
The Kings County Museum will be holding it’s 1st Gingerbread House Competition and display from November 24- December 2nd. All ages can register, no cost for registering. Participants are to drop their gingerbread house off at the museum (37 Cornwallis Street Kentville, NS) Friday, November 23rd and they will be displayed for the public to view from Nov 24-Dec 2nd. Details
November 24 – December 2, 2023
Kings County Museum, Kentville
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
Holiday Skate and Carol Sing
Join us for a Holiday Skate and Carol Sing from 2-5 p.m. on December 3, 2023. Details
December 3, 2023
2 – 4 PM | Skating @ Andrew H. McCain Arena, Acadia Athletics Complex
4 – 5 PM | Carol Sing @ Clark Terrace at the Wu Welcome Centre, 512 Main Street, Wolfville
Various lcations
There is no registration for this event, so come on out and join us!
Festival of Trees Ticket Auction
The 14 Wing Greenwood Festival of Trees, December 3 at the Greenwood Mall, is the marquee fundraiser for Combined Charities, the base’s national workplace giving campaign. Decorated trees from base squadrons and community businesses and organizations are up for raffle, with all proceeds going to local and regional non-profit programs. Details
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Greenwood Mall, 963 Central Ave, Greenwood
Holiday Open Mic with Dennis Jones
Come and join us for a very special Holiday Open Mic! Hosted by Dennis Jones and featuring Shannon Larkin! Details
Sunday December 10, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Royal Canadian Legion, 36 River Street, Kentville
Admission by donation
Country Barn Dance with DJ Bryan
Join us on December 15th in the Heritage Barn at Old Orchard Inn as we turn up the festive vibes and jingle bell rock the night away to tunes by DJ Bryan from Mobile Music! Round up your buds, dress to impress in your coolest holiday outfits and get ready to make memories that will last long after the snow melts. Details
Friday, December 15, 2023 | 9:00 PM
Old Orchard Inn, 153 Greenwich Road South, Wolfville
$23.00
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