WINTER BREAK 2023 – 2024
Here’s a list of fun activities to enjoy as a family during the winter break from December 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
More Fun Things to Do During Winter Break
See Holiday Lights
1. Every night until January 8th, 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 January 13, 2024.
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. From November 24, Victoria Park turns into a Winter Wonderland with festive lights and displays. The lights will be on until February 29th.
6. Longwoods Road Conservation Area will shine bright as guests meander through the spectacular 1.8-kilometre drive-through holiday lights display, all in the warmth and comfort of their own vehicle.
7. Enjoy a new holiday light display around LaSalle Town Hall! Walk through holiday light displays, and celebrate cultural heritage with food and entertainment.
The City Hall observation deck will reopen for public viewing of Lighting of the Lights and the Winter Wonderland in Victoria Park during the following dates and times:
- Thursday – Friday, December 21 – 24 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday – Friday, December 28 – 30 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Winter Activities
Skating
Enjoy skating at Outdoor skating rinks – Storybook Gardens and Victoria Park weather permitting.
- Storybook Gardens
- Opens December 1, 2023
- Victoria Park
- Free skating daily from Friday, December 1 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, weather permitting (Call 519-661-4529 to check status)
- The Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market will open in early January. (date TBA)
London has 11 indoor ice pads and three outdoor ice pads. 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.
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 on various trails.
For easy fun winter sports try snowshoeing. This is an excellent way to exercise in winter and a great way to enjoy the trails!
Geocaching
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Children’s Activities
Keep your child engaged at home with these fun activities.
Visit Attractions
Plan a visit to various attractions in and around London. From London’s rich history at Eldon House to the world of radar technology at The Secrets of Radar Museum, and family-friendly fun, at Storybook Gardens and the London Children’s Museum, there are many things to do here.
- Eldon House
- Stratford Perth Museum
- Museum of Ontario Archaeology
- Storybook Gardens
- Museum London
- The Secrets of Radar Museum
- London Children’s Museum
Visit Entertainment Centres
Discover endless entertainment at London’s top leisure destinations, including The Factory for thrilling adventures, The Selfie Booth for interactive photo fun, and Palasad for bowling and arcade games. Get creative at Clayworx and explore indoor parks like Play Away, or test your problem-solving skills at Escapology and BATL Axe Throwing for a memorable day out in London.
- Junction Climbing Centre
- The Factory
- The Selfie Booth
- Palasad
- For The Love of Art
- Funvilla
- Clayworx: Ceramic Arts Learning Centre
- Fleetway
- Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park
- Adventures on Wonderland
- The Club House
- Play Away Indoor Park
- Escapology
- Par-Tee Putt
- BATL Axe Throwing
Winter Break Camps
Enrol your children for winter break camps.
- City of London Holiday Day Camps
- Holiday Programs at Boler Mountain
- Children’s Museum Winter Break Day Camp
- For The Love of Art Winter Break Art Camp
- Forest City CrossFit Day Camp
Live Music / Theatre
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on November 21 to December 24, 2023 @ Grand Theatre
- Anastasia on December 15 – 17, 20 – 22, 2023 @ Spriet Family Theatre
- The Nutcracker 2023 on Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 3:00 PM @ Centennial Hall
- The Legendary Patsy Cline Christmas Show on Friday, December 22, 2023 | 7:00 PM @ Aeolian Hall
- Peter Karle Combo – Everything In Its Right Place (A Jazz Tribute to Radiohead) on Friday, Janaury 5, 2024 | 8:00 PM @ Aeolian Hall
Other Events
- Victorian Christmas at the Eldon House on Wednesdays – Sundays, December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Pictures with Santa on until Decemebr 23, 2023 @ Covent Garden Market
- Downtown for the Holidays on until December 31, 2023 @ Various locations, Downtown London
New Year’s Eve
A list of things to do on New Years Eve including family events, activities, and adult parties in London to ring in 2024.
Christmas & Boxing Day
Christmas is an extra special day to spend with family. Check out our list of things to do on December 25 & 26 in London.
London Knights
Cheer the Knights at the Budweiser Gardens! Details
vs. Sarnia Sting on Friday, December 29, 2023 | 7:00 PM
vs. Flint Firebirds on Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 4:00 PM
vs. Erie Otters on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM
vs. Barrie Colts on Friday, January 5, 2024 | 7:00 PM
vs. KW Titans on Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 7:00 PM
Budweiser Gardens, London
$25.50 – $50.50
Winter Camp at Reptilia Zoo
Imagine a camp, where kids can hand-feed a gecko, help hold one of the world’s largest snakes, or cheer on their favorite hard-shelled competitor in our legendary turtle race!
It’s a camp experience of a lifetime and one that promotes inclusion. Each ReptiCamper plays a fun, yet vital role on our special Eco-Ambassador Team – where they will not only discover new friendships, but also the importance of the coolest animals on Earth. Each select camp program nurtures interactivity. Ages 5-12. Details
December 26 – 30, 2023 & January 1 – 5, 2024
785 Wonderland Road South, London
$330 / week; $79.99/day
Getting Around London
This exhibition of images from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries explores how Londoners traveled in and around the city over time. Details
June 24, 2023 to April 21, 2024
Museum London, 421 Ridout Street North, London
Admission by donation
Pyjama Party
Enjoy a comfy evening at the London Children’s Museum! Each month, our Pyjama Parties open the museum for a night of hands-on, interactive, themed fun. Details
Friday, December 22, 2023 | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
London Children’s Museum, 21 Wharncliffe Road South, London
Regular admission
Lights On Stratford at the Stratford Perth Museum Young @ Art & Science
As part of the Lights On Stratford event, the Stratford Perth Museum will be offering complementary programming. Unique seasonal events showcasing “The Power of Light” at the museum with feature special guests sharing Nightlight Stories and Young @ Art & Science activities available for all guests and families. Details
December 19 to 22, 2023 & January 3 to 7, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Stratford Perth Museum, Stratford Perth Museum, Stratford
Free Drop in
TD Free Family Fun Night
TD Free Family Fun Night is an opportunity for all families to enjoy an evening of free admission. Details
Thursdays, December 28 & January 4 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
London Children’s Museum, 21 Wharncliffe Road S
Free
The Brick 39th Annual New Year’s Run
Start the New Year off on the right foot by establishing or maintaining an active lifestyle with this great event. Details
Saturday December 30, 2023 | Start Time 4:30 PM
Victoria Park, London
$15 – $65
The Brick 39th Annual New Year’s Run – Virtual Event
Register and Participate from December 28, 2023 to January 31 2024
Wherever you are
$10 – $65
New Year’s Family Celebration
Ring in 2024 with the whole family at our daytime New Year’s Eve party. Details
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
London Children’s Museum, 21 Wharncliffe Road S, London
$8 – $13