
City of London
WINTER BREAK 2020 – 2021
Here’s a list of fun activities to enjoy as a family during the winter break from December 18, 2020 – January 3, 2021.
More Fun Things to Do During Winter Break
See Christmas Lights
1. Every night until January 4, 100’s of customized LED light displays light up Amherstburg. Featuring whimsical playful displays at the Toddy Jones Park and the more traditional light displays at the King’s Navy Yard Park, the Amherstburg River Lights is an annual holiday tradition that is enjoyed by many.
2. See downtown Stratford transformed with luminous art and interactive light installations of the Lights On Stratford festival. The Lights will be on to enjoy until February 14, 2021.
3. St. Mary’s Winter Lights is a spectacular display of festive light display that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle or on foot.
4. Set foot in a wonderland of twinkling lights and experience the charm of the original light festival in Ontario during the annual Simcoe Christmas Panorama.
5. Head to 220 Songbird Lane in Ilderton to enjoy fabulous Christmas Lights.
6. From December 3, Victoria Park turns into a Winter Wonderland with festive lights and displays. The lights will be on until January 3rd.
Skating
This winter, you can enjoy skating at two outdoor skating rinks – Storybook Gardens and the Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market, weather permitting. Registration for the skate trail sessions is required. Registration can be completed online or by calling 519-661-5575 up to seven days in advance of the session start date. Do note that Victoria Park outdoor skating will be closed.
- Storybook Gardens
- Opens December 18
- Limited to 25 people at a time;
- Standard admission fee of $3.00 per person
- Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market on Saturday, December 12
- Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday 11 AM – 4 PM (pending weather conditions )
- Free skating; Registrations required
- Limited to 25 people at a time
Enjoy Free public skating programs at Argyle Arena, Bostwick Arena, Carling Arena, Earl Nichols Arena, Kinsmen Arena, Lambeth Arena, Medway Arena, and Stronach Arena. Registration and skating schedules will be available online. Before planning, do check the cancellations page to make sure the ice pads are operating as usual.
Note: All recreational activities are subject to emerging Covid-19 restrictions. Do check before starting.
Tobogganing
Everyone enjoys sliding downhill. Not only is it great fun, but also an excellent way to bond as a family. The hills at Doidge Park and Basil Grover Park are great places to spend your time tobogganing.
Skiing
Skiing is a quintessential winter activity enjoyed by all. Take in the winter scenery while cross-country skiing onvarious trails.
Snowshoeing
For easy fun winter sports try snowshoeing. This is an excellent way to exercise in winter and a great way to enjoy the trails!
Boler Mountains
A hub for winter sports, Boler Mountain has many activities that can be enjoyed including snowboarding, skiing, tubing, and more. New to these activities? Get beginner lessons at the Snow School’s Ski and Snowboarding lessons. With the holiday program, certain lessons and programs continue over Christmas holidays! Winter Brochure (PDF link)
Circle R Ranch
Has it been snowing? If there is abundant snowfall take advantage of the winter snowfall at the Circle R Ranch. With 13 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the Circle R Ranch is a popular destination during the winter months. Do contact the Ranch before you start.
Geocaching
Visit Provincial Parks /National Parks
Our Provincial Parks and National Parks offer many outdoor activities. Even if you have visited in spring or summer, winter presents entirely different experiences. You can enjoy a whole lot of activities from skating, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, and more. How about spending a night in the cozy comfort of a yurt? Winter camping is available in select provincial parks!
Winter Walk
The beauty of winter can best be enjoyed by a walk. Whether you take a brisk walk or a relaxed one, what is certain is that you will have a wonderful time enjoying the open air and crisp winter beauty.
You can also enjoy an invigorating walk along the many pathways in London. Pack a picnic and plan to spend an afternoon outside playing games with your loved ones. The Thames Valley Parkway is an all-season recreation pathway.
Children’s Activities
Keep your child engaged at home with these fun activities.
Visit Attractions
The following attractions are currently open (at the time of publishing). Do keep in mind that these centres may close subject to evolving Covid-19 restrictions. Currently, these attractions are keeping reduced hours and walk-ins are not allowed. Please pre-book your visit.
- Mustang Drive-in Drive-in Theatre
- Eldon House
- Stratford Perth Museum
- Museum of Ontario Archaeology
- Museum London
- Exodus London Escape Room
- The Secrets of Radar Museum
- Junction Climbing Centre
Winter Break Camps
This winter break will be different. And so will be the winter break camps.
Arctic Adaptations
December 27 – 30, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
London Children’s Museum, 21 Wharncliffe Road S, London
Included with general admission; Register in Advance
Drive-in Movies
Enjoy a movie in the comfort of your vehicle!
Christmas Bird Count
The 112th consecutive Christmas Bird Count for London will be held on Saturday, December 19th. Christmas Counts are an all-day bird survey of a set area. Details
Saturday, December 19, 2020
London Area
Sign up required
Taking the Long View
Museum London is happy to present a large, permanent art exhibition comprised of well-loved treasures from the vaults; intriguing, though lesser-known gems; and recent acquisitions of modern and contemporary art.
Taking the Long View demonstrates the ways in which a public art collection can record and reflect a community. This selection gives precedence to the accomplishments of London and area artists from the mid-1800s through the 2000s. Details
January 26 to December 31, 2020
Open Thursday to Sunday
Museum London, 421 Ridout Street North, London
Admission by donation; Register your visit
Greetings from the Past: Greeting Cards and Postcards from the Collection
Museum London has hundreds of greeting cards and postcards. This exhibition consists of 100 reproductions, drawn from the permanent collection.
These cards date from the late 1870s through to the late 1930s, with the majority published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They mark occasions that run the entire calendar year: New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en, and Christmas. Still others acknowledge births and birthdays, as well as illness and deaths. Details
August 13, 2020 to February 14, 2021
Open Thursday to Sunday
Museum London, 421 Ridout Street North, London
Admission by donation; Register your visit
Resolution Run
Come on out to our annual 5k Walk/Run and say goodbye to 2020 alongside your running buddies!! Details
December 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Wherever you are in Canada
$10 – $35
Go Bird Watching
Birding is a fun activity to do in winter. What are the popular winter birds that you can spot? Can you notice any winter adaptation changes in them? Grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird ID app, and try to name all the birds that you can spot. Do a Christmas Bird Count. If you don’t want to venture outside do an unofficial count of the birds that visit your bird feeder.
Watch The Great Conjunction
Get ready to watch an extraordinary event this holiday season. From December 12 to 28, giant planets Jupiter and Saturn will be in close proximity after centuries. On December 21 Jupiter and Saturn will only be 0.1 degrees apart. This year’s event will be the closest since 1623 and the closest observable since 1226! Don’t miss the Great Conjunction of planets Jupiter and Saturn. Details
Online Concerts/Theatres
Enjoy online concerts and theatres during winter break.