HOLIDAY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES GUIDE
Bright lights, wagon rides, parades, vendor markets… the magic of the holiday season is just getting started around here in the BoQ. We’ve made the list and suggest you check it twice so you don’t miss out on the fun.
Read time: 3 min
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 15 – Brighton Santa Claus Parade
Nov 17 – Belleville Santa Claus Parade
Nov 24 – Trenton Santa Claus Parade
Nov 30 – Frankford Santa Claus Parade
Dec 7 – Napanee Parade of Lights
BIG, BRIGHT LIGHTS
The Belleville Festival of Lights Launch Night will take place on November 15 at Jane Forrester Park with live music, food truck vendors and a drone show. The display will run until January 6.
Quinte West’s annual Fantasy of Lights returns in both Fraser Park and Frankford Tourist Park. The displays will be lit after the Santa Claus Parades on November 24 (Trenton) and 30 (Frankford), remaining lit until January 1.
Light Up Brighton will begin on November 15 with the lighting of Memorial Park that will stay on until the second week of January.
Greater Napanee’s Light Up the Park takes place in Conservation Park from 5:30-7:30 pm on November 29, with a special performance from NorthFire Circus. The lights will stay lit until early January as well.
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.
Nov 9 – Mistletoe Magic Artisan Show
Nov 14/15 – Mistletoe Market on the Ridge
Nov 16 – Holly and the Ivy Artisan Show
Nov 16 – Greater Napanee Holiday Market
Nov 22 – Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxillary Holly Bazaar
Nov 23 – Side Hustle Xmas Market
Nov 23/24- Timber House Resort Holiday Market
Nov 30 – Tyendinaga Christmas Craft Sale
Nov 30 – St. Alban’s Holiday Market
CPKC HOLIDAY TRAIN
The CPKC Holiday Train will be in the Bay of Quinte region on November 29, making stops in Brighton, Quinte West and Belleville with performances by Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish. Food bank donations are being collected in each community.
VISIT WEBSITE
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 15th to 23rd, 5:30-8 pm pm.
ENCHANTED IN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
Visit the vendors in downtown Belleville’s Holiday Huts for three enchanted weekends this holiday season; Nov 29-Dec 1, Dec 6-8 and Dec 13-15. Plus, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and holiday lights around downtown and the Christmas tree in Market Square. Follow Belleville Downtown District on Facebook for more details coming soon.
QUINTE WEST HOLIDAY MARKET
On December 7 and 8, the Quinte West Pop-ups will be transformed into a holiday wonderland with artisan and food vendors, entertainment and activities, including a visit from Santa.
VISIT WEBSITE
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.
Quinte West Holiday Home Tour – Dec 13-35 (self-guided)
Quinte West Holly Trolley Tour – Dec 7
DOWNTOWN TRENTON'S GRISWOLD CHRISTMAS CRAZE
Think you know National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation trivia? Test your knowledge and compete for a chance to win a $300 downtown Trenton gift card! Dress as your favourite National Lampoon’s character on November 28 for an evening of fun, trivia and adventure as you visit different locations throughout downtown Trenton.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
The Quinte Mall’s annual Santa Photo Sessions are running from November 17 to December 24. up visits are welcome, but reservations are recommended for shorter wait times and easier checkout.
HOCKEY, EH?
If you’re a hockey fan (or surrounded by some) we’d guess that you usually spend some of your holidays watching the World Juniors. Watch it IRL this year as Sweden and Germany face off in a World Juniors pre-tournament game right here in Belleville at the CAA Arena on December 23. Click here to purchase tickets.
Our local AHL team, the Belleville Senators, also have several home games over the holidays. Click here for the schedule and tickets.
