Twinkling lights along village streets, Christmas shopping at the farmers’ market, festive train rides and holiday theatre performances are all part of the Christmas season in St. Jacobs.
From November through December, the village and surrounding Market District offer plenty of reasons to plan a holiday outing. You can spend an evening browsing shops under the Christmas lights, take the kids to meet Santa or settle in for a seasonal show.
Credit: Waterloo Central Railway
Contents:
Holiday Fun in St. Jacobs
How to Spend a Holiday Day in St. Jacobs With Kids
A Holiday Day Out for Couples and Friends
Holiday Activities in St. Jacobs
St. Jacobs is full of holiday charm this season, with sparkling Christmas lights, festive markets, Santa visits and plenty of reasons to plan a day trip.
Wander through the illuminated village during St. Jacobs Sparkles, browse unique gifts at the Farmers’ Market or spend an evening enjoying music and shopping at Holiday Sip & Shop.
Families can meet Santa, decorate cookies, take a horse-and-wagon ride or climb aboard a festive heritage train.
Theatre lovers can enjoy the family-friendly musical comedy Snow White and the Seven Tenors or the moving wartime Christmas story All Is Calm.
1. Enjoy St. Jacobs Sparkles
St. Jacobs Village will be glowing with thousands of Christmas lights during its annual St. Jacobs Sparkles celebration.
Shops and eateries stay open later on select evenings, giving you time to browse for gifts, stop for a bite and enjoy the decorations after dark.
There’s entertainment along the village streets, too. Listen for the Waterloo County Carollers, take a free horse-and-wagon ride or catch Santa wandering through the village with candy canes and opportunities for photos.
Families can also visit Santa at Home Hardware on weekend afternoons, while the St. Jacobs Fire Department will have burn barrels set up on Friday evenings.
When: November 12 to 15 and November 19 to 22, 2026
Where: St. Jacobs Village, Main Street, St. Jacobs
Admission: Free
2. Shop, Sip and Celebrate at St. Jacobs Farmers' Market
Holiday shopping is a little different at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, where more than 300 vendors offer everything from fresh produce and specialty foods to handcrafted items and gifts.
Beyond regular market days, several holiday events give you another reason to visit.
Holiday Sip & Shop
On November 20 and 27, all three market buildings will stay open until 10 p.m. for Holiday Sip & Shop.
You can browse gifts from local vendors and artisans while enjoying a mulled wine or craft beer. The property will be licensed for the evenings, with live music from Kestrel String Quartet and Grand River Voices adding to the festive atmosphere.
When: November 20 and 27, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $8 plus fees and HST online, or $10 at the door. Children under 10 enter free.
Storytime with Santa
For younger children, Storytime with Santa offers a more personal Christmas activity.
Santa will read holiday stories before children decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles. There will also be time for photos, so remember to bring your camera.
Advance registration is required, and tickets are purchased for children only.
When: December 5 and 12, 2026, with multiple sessions
Admission: $25 plus fees and HST per child
Where: St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich
3. Take a Christmas Train Ride
One of the more distinctive ways to celebrate the holidays in the area is aboard a heritage train operated by Waterloo Central Railway.
Three themed experiences are available in 2026, with options for families, evening outings and adults looking for a different kind of Christmas gathering.
Daylight Christmas Express: A daytime heritage train journey featuring festive characters, seasonal entertainment and a visit from Santa. Every passenger receives a holiday gift. The November 14 and 15 departures will be pulled by Steam Locomotive No. 9.
Nightlight Christmas Special: An evening journey featuring Christmas lights, music, storytelling, woodland characters and a visit from Santa. It’s an option if you’d prefer to experience the railway’s holiday displays after dark.
Santa’s Nightcap (19+): An adults-only holiday train ride with festive drinks, games, interactive characters and seasonal entertainment.
Each train experience lasts approximately one hour. Advance reservations are recommended, particularly if you’re planning a family outing on a weekend.
When: November 14 to December 20, 2026, on select dates
Where: Waterloo Central Railway, St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Station, 330 Farmers Market Road, Waterloo
Tickets: Starting at $33.16 for the Daylight Christmas Express, $49.21 for the Nightlight Christmas Special and $59.91 for Santa’s Nightcap.
This version of the familiar fairy tale gives Snow White a musical twist. Instead of finding seven miners after escaping her jealous stepmother, she meets seven tenors who help her stand up to the wicked queen.
There's also a charming prince and a tap-dancing horse named Avalanche.
Written by Caroline Smith, the production follows the British pantomime tradition, mixing fairy-tale storytelling with popular music, dancing, colourful costumes and jokes for both children and adults.
The show is recommended for ages five and older and runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission.
When: November 19, 2026, to January 10, 2027
Where: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 40 Benjamin Road East, Waterloo
Tickets: Regular admission $62, discount performances $50 and youth under 20 $38, plus applicable taxes and online fees.
5. Experience All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
For a quieter and more reflective holiday outing, Drayton Entertainment is presenting All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914at the Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs.
The production revisits a remarkable moment during the First World War, when soldiers on opposing sides of the Western Front temporarily put aside their differences on Christmas Eve.
The story unfolds through the words and songs of the soldiers themselves, weaving together Christmas carols, patriotic music, trench songs and personal accounts.
Rather than a traditional Christmas musical, this is a moving look at friendship and humanity during wartime. It may be particularly appealing to adults and older teens who enjoy historical storytelling and music.
The production is recommended for ages 12 and older.
When: November 24, 2026, to January 3, 2027
Where: Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, 11 Albert Street West, St. Jacobs
Tickets: Regular admission $62, discount performances $50 and youth under 20 $38, plus applicable taxes and online fees.
How to Spend a Holiday Day in St. Jacobs With Kids
Start your family outing at St. Jacobs Farmers' Market on a Saturday morning. There's plenty for children to look at as you wander between stalls filled with baked goods, handmade gifts, Christmas treats and local foods. You can make breakfast or lunch part of the experience, with vendors serving everything from fresh apple fritters and cinnamon buns to dumplings, sausages and other hot meals.
If you're visiting on December 5 or 12, leave time for a photo with the Grinch or book Storytime with Santa in advance. Younger children can enjoy listening to Santa read a story before decorating their own cookies.
For an afternoon activity, consider the Daylight Christmas Express aboard Waterloo Central Railway. The hour-long heritage train ride includes festive characters, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Book your departure first, then plan the rest of the day around it.
Afterwards, head into St. Jacobs Village for a walk along King Street. Stop at Stone Crock Bakery for a sweet treat or settle down for a family meal at Harvest Moon Restaurant. During St. Jacobs Sparkles, the illuminated streets, Santa appearances and horse-and-wagon rides give you a reason to stay into the evening.
If your children enjoy live theatre, another option is a performance of Snow White and the Seven Tenors at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, located about 1 km from the market.
Planning tip: Allow four to six hours for the market, a meal and one booked activity. With younger children, choosing either the train ride or theatre performance will make for a more relaxed day.
A Holiday Day Out for Couples and Friends
St. Jacobs is also a pleasant place to spend a slower-paced holiday afternoon with your partner or a few friends, especially if you enjoy browsing independent shops, discovering local food and stopping for coffee along the way.
Begin in St. Jacobs Village, where you'll find boutiques, gift shops, galleries and specialty food stores along King Street. Take your time exploring rather than rushing from one attraction to another. For a coffee break, stop at EcoCafe & Village Roasters, or visit Stone Crock Bakery for something freshly baked.
When you're ready for lunch, Jacob's Grill offers a sit-down meal in the village, while The Stone Crock Pub is another option for casual dining.
For a different afternoon, visit St. Jacobs Farmers' Market on a Saturday and browse the food vendors and artisan stalls. Nearby Market Road Antiques is worth considering if you enjoy searching for vintage finds.
If you're visiting on November 20 or 27, plan your evening around Holiday Sip & Shop. You can explore the market buildings after hours, enjoy a mulled wine or craft beer and listen to live performances while browsing Christmas gifts.
Another option is dinner at Stockyards Brewing in the Market District, followed by an evening performance of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 or a festive ride aboard the Nightlight Christmas Special. Adults looking for something more social can consider Santa's Nightcap, the railway's 19+ holiday experience.
Planning tip: Set aside at least half a day if you're combining shopping, dining and a booked activity. For a relaxed outing, plan your market visit and village shopping as two separate stops. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is a short drive (~4 km apart, or about a 5 to 10-minute drive, depending on traffic) from the village, so you can enjoy both in one day. Check restaurant hours and train or theatre schedules before heading out.
St. Jacobs Market District: Located around Weber Street North and Farmers Market Road. This is where you'll find St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the Holiday Sip & Shop events and the Waterloo Central Railway's Farmers’ Market Station.
St. Jacobs Village: Located farther north, along King Street. This is where you'll find the independent shops, restaurants, cafés, and St. Jacobs Sparkles festivities.
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