The holidays are approaching fast, which means it’s time to plan a Christmas getaway. It’s no secret that Canada is a wonderland for the holidays. Its gorgeous landscape is a blessing, but it also draws massive crowds of tourists. Fortunately, there are plenty of epic places to escape the rush. Everyone knows that all the main cities will be flooded with visitors, so it’s time to hit the countryside. Fortunately, going into more remote areas doesn’t mean sacrificing Christmas spirit.
To many people’s surprise, there are plenty of towns scattered across Canada that offer the perfect Christmas setting. These places are more than just picturesque; they are experts in hosting holiday events. Over the years, their strategic locations and vibrant traditions have made them the perfect escape. Don’t get stuck in the city this Christmas, take a trip to a tucked away winter oasis!
To make sure our readers get the most out of the holidays, we did some intense research. After hefty deliberation, we compiled a list of the best towns to spend Christmas in Canada. Prepare to be tantalized by their hospitality, these places know how to take the holidays to the next level!
Best Towns to Spend Christmas in Canada
Immerse yourself in Christmas!
Town #3: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia – When it comes to celebrations, this town goes the extra mile. During their annual Father Christmas Festival the entire town is filled with life-sized Father Christmas figures. These festive additions create a wonderland that immerses visitors to the point where they don’t know where the fiction ends.
The citizens of Mahone’s Bay add to the spectacle by hosting a Yuletide food market. There are also horse-drawn buggies, wandering minstrels and a mouse choir. Recently a local business woman Vicki Bardon took the festivities to a new level. She turned a an empty barn into a two story Nutcracker fantasy. This massive building is now packed to the brim with toys and sugar plum fairies. All these treats fuel the Christmas spirit to epic proportions, so don’t miss out on them!
Participate in an old European tradition!
Town #2: St. John’s, Newfoundland – This is the only municipality in Canada that still honors a local mummers festival. While it isn’t well known tradition in the West, this lively celebration is customary in England and Ireland. Mummering (also known as janneying) is where friends and family disguise themselves in costumes and visit other people’s homes.
Once they are let in, they dance around and clown the residents until they guess their identity. If they are correctly identified, they sit down and party with their hosts. This involves plenty of intoxicating beverages and amazing food. To top it off, it provides a sense of comradery that’s rarely seen in other Christmas traditions. Don’t take our word for it, participate in something completely unique at the St. John’s Mummers Festival!
Enjoy a psychedelic display of Christmas spirit!
Town #1: Simcoe, Ontario – While almost every town has Christmas extravaganzas, few have over fifty years of experience. This year, Simcoe’s Panorama River of Lights is celebrating its 59th anniversary. During this revered celebration dozens of sparkling floats line the river. Even though its wildly colorful, this event is surprisingly green. All the floats have converted to LED’s, which lowers their energy consumption. There are also horse-drawn trollies, bus tours and family activities. Enjoy a guilt free Christmas!
