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Holiday Events in the Bay of Quinte

Visit / Events / Holiday Guide

Holiday events in the Bay of Quinte

Bay of Quinte holiday events fill the calendar from mid-November into the New Year: Santa Claus parades, light displays, vendor markets, live performances and cozy traditions like wagon rides and dinner in a snowglobe. Find them across Greater Napanee, Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory), Belleville, Quinte West and Brighton.

Santa waves from a lit float at the Santa Claus Parade in Belleville

PARADES

SANTA… We know him! The jolly old man in red will be making his way across the region in the parades so you can take your pick of 5 chances to see him:

Nov 20 – Brighton Santa Claus Parade

Nov 22 – Belleville Santa Claus Parade

Nov 28 – Frankford Santa Claus Parade

Nov 29 – Trenton Santa Claus Parade

Dec 5 – Greater Napanee Parade of Lights

BIG, BRIGHT LIGHTS

The Belleville Festival of Lights Launch Night will take place on November 20 at Jane Forrester Park with live entertainment, food truck vendors, a drone show, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The display will run until January 4.

Quinte West’s annual Christmas Fantasy Lighting Display returns to Frankford Tourist Park. The lights officially turn on after the November 28 parade in Frankford and will remain lit until January 1.

Greater Napanee’s Light Up the Park takes place in Conservation Park from 5-7 pm on November 27, with fireworks and a special performance from NorthFire Circus. The lights will stay lit until early January as well.

holiday light display with a sign that says Santa's Village with santa in a sleigh and bells all around
Christmas tree with lights in Market Square in Downtown Belleville

ENCHANTED IN THE DISTRICT

Experience the magic in downtown Belleville from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, November 22.

The area will transform into a winter wonderland with cozy fire tables, s’mores, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, live music and holiday shopping. Click below to see the full schedule of events.

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QUINTE WEST HOLIDAY MARKET

On December 5 and 6, the Quinte West Pop-ups will become a holiday wonderland with artisan and food vendors, entertainment and activities, including a visit from Santa. 

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TOURS​

One of our favourite holiday activities is driving around looking at the lights. These tours will guide you to the best of the best.

Dec 11-26 – Quinte West Holiday Home Tour (self-guided)

Dec 5 – Quinte West Holly Trolley Tour

VENDOR SHOWS AND MARKETS

Check out these holiday markets and craft sales around the region to stock up on locally-made items for all your gift-giving needs. Find even more on our events calendar. 

Nov 14 – Mistletoe Magic Artisan Show (Belleville)

Nov 21 – The Holly and the Ivy Artisan Show and Sale (Belleville)

Nov 21 – Annual Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Christmas Craft Sale (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory)

Nov 21-22 – Timber House Resort Holiday Market (Brighton)

Nov 21 + 28, Dec 5 + 12 – The Willows Flower Farm Christmas Markets (Belleville) 

Nov 28 – Town of Greater Napanee Holiday Market

Dec 4 + 5 – Doghouse Studios Holiday Market (Greater Napanee)

Dec 5 – A Plaid and Handmade Christmas Market (Quinte West)

Dec 5 – Christmas Market at the 1914 Venue (Brighton)

Vendor tables and shoppers at a holiday craft market in Belleville
Photo by David LeClair

CPKC HOLIDAY TRAIN

The CPKC Holiday Train will be in the Bay of Quinte region on November 29, making stops in Belleville, Quinte West and Brighton with performances by American Authors and Tyler Shaw. Food bank donations are being collected in each community.

WAGON RIDES

Live out your Hallmark holiday movie dreams in December! The Trenton Downtown Business Improvement Area will have free horse-drawn wagon rides throughout the downtown every day from December 14 to 23, 5:30-8:30 pm.

The lit CPKC Holiday Train stopped for a crowd.
Photo by City of Belleville

MAGICAL SNOWGLOBES

The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace’s snowglobes are back for the season! Stay cozy and warm with a 360-degree view of the outdoors while you dine at this Greater Napanee favourite. They get even more magical after dark with the glow of the string lights covering the roof. 

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Quinte Ballet School in Belleville performing their holiday performance of The Nutcracker.

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES

Get into the holiday spirit with one of these live performances: 

Nov 26, Dec 3 + 10 – House Guest 3 at Macpherson House (Napanee)

Dec 1-20 – A Christmas Carol by Belleville Theatre Guild (Belleville)

Dec 5 – Quinte Symphony’s Sounds of Celebration (Belleville)

Dec 6 – The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas (Belleville)

Dec 13/14 – Quinte Ballet School of Canada: The Nutcracker Sweets (Belleville)

Dec 14 – Under the Lights: A Tribute to the Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas (Belleville)

Holiday exhibit at Glanmore National Historic Site in Belleville.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

Discover an 1880s Belleville Christmas and see an antique toy collection as you explore Glanmore National Historic Site. The museum will be decked out for the holidays with trees, garlands and antique decorations from November 17 to January 3.

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Photo via Museum of Lennox and Addington on Facebook

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

The Museum of Lennox and Addington in Napanee will light up for the holidays on December 4, 8 and 11 from 5:30-8 pm. Each night of the event brings a festive celebration with its colourful courtyard, live music, crafting and the Kids’ Holiday Shop. 

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Also, check out the museum’s Christmas Celebration at Mac House on December 12 for old-fashioned holiday traditions, treats and crafts. This event is located at the historic Macpherson House.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

The Quinte Mall’s annual Photos with Santa runs from November 18 to December 24. Walk-up visits are welcome, but reservations are recommended for shorter wait times and easier checkout.

binocular icons
a man riding a wave on top of a surfboard.

Let’s see what we got!

a black and blue logo with the words bay of county.

The Bay of Quinte RMB Land Acknowledgement

The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board is committed to acknowledging, appreciating and understanding the Indigenous Peoples’ historic connection to this land and to raising awareness by building relationships in collaboration with Indigenous partners and communities. 

We recognize and acknowledge that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Mississaugas, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee which includes the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) with whom we work in direct partnership with. 

This partnership focuses on the common goal of celebrating the region with the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka who are equal partners within the organization and at the Board of Directors table contributing to the mandate and operations.

This mandate includes listening to, learning from, and collaborating with the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka and actively incorporating their culture and heritage into the practice of responsible destination marketing and management of the region.

We understand that this land acknowledgement is only a small step towards the larger process of reparations and reconciliation.

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