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Things to do in London Ontario over the Holidays
With the holiday season in full swing, you know you are going to have fun. We have found 15 Fun things to do in London Ontario in the month of December. From great family musicals (ELF), to Vintage Christmas celebrations (Eldon House), baking and cocktail classes (Growing Chefs & Paradigm Distillery) you can find what speaks to you this holiday season. I cannot say enough about Elf – the Musical so be sure and check that out!
1. Meet Buddy the Elf at The Grand Theatre
Funny, entertaining and a joy to watch, don’t miss meeting Buddy the Elf! If you haven’t purchased tickets yet, you still can because Elf – The Musical has been extended. This means a block of tickets is now available from December 27-31. That is 6 new performances to pick from. I recently saw the holiday production of the popular Christmas movie and LOVED IT. It’s truly a fun family production and worth a go if you have young children.
2. Lighting of the lights at Victoria Park
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Londoners to ring in the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Lights at Victoria Park. Every year, Victoria Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland, with over 75,000 lights illuminating the park nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. until the end of February.
There are a few free things to do in London, Ontario, bring your skates or rent some and take advantage of the skating rink. The ice rink will open on December 12th from 10 am – 10 pm. Skate rentals will be available at the Kiwanis Memorial Bandshell concession for $7 per person.
3. Take a carriage drive
Starting Dec. 2, Downtown London’s “Downtown for the Holidays” festivities will be taking place at Victoria Park and Covent Garden Market. This year, visitors will be able to take a free horse-drawn carriage ride between the locations on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the month. Be sure and visit the Holly Jolly Christmas Market.
4. Holly Jolly Holiday Market
Start your Christmas shopping early and head to The Holly Jolly Holiday Market at Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario. With 30+ local vendors (inside and outside), horse & carriage rides, music, kid-friendly activities, free hot chocolate, fire pits, LED swings and lounge, and a massive Christmas tree.
Visit the market for three weekends ( Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 5-18).
Santa’s House has moved from Victoria Park to Covent Garden Market but you can still get your pictures with Jolly St. Nick.
Reserve your time for a picture with Santa with your families (including your pets) Open Monday to Friday 5:30-8:30 PM and weekends 1:00-4:00 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM.
5. The Merry Market at 100 Kellogg’s Lane
Christmas Markets in Ontario has become a holiday season tradition. Things to do in London, Ontario this weekend is visiting London’s Merry Market is my favourite local Christmas Market. I have enjoyed both the outdoors Winter Village and indoor Twinkle Town for the past couple of years. Kicking off Thursday, December 1st, 2022, and continuing through the following three weekends, the Merry Market will get you in the festive spirit to create memories right here in the Forest City.
6. Take a Cocktail Workshop
If your spouse is not fond of shopping consider a Shaken & Stirred Cocktail Class at Paradigm Spirits Co. an on-site distillery at 100 Kellogg Lane. Paradigm is both a distillery and a restaurant bar. We recently dropped by to see Grammy and Juno Award winner Steve Strongman and the show was AMAZING! The cocktails were delicious so it will be great to take a class to learn how to make them at home!
7. Holiday Baking with Growing Chefs!
If you prefer to make something to eat instead, another fun thing to do is a Holiday Baking Class with Growing Chefs! Prepare to experience our high-energy, hands-on cooking class for children, adapted for adults! Led by our amazing Chef team, come explore some great new recipes, professional instruction and a sit-down meal – prepared entirely by YOU.
Your ticket includes a 2-and-a-half-hour high-energy, interactive cooking class, a sit-down meal and a donation which helps fund two children to participate in our public programming!
Coming up on Thursday, December 15th, enjoy the festivities and flavours of the season with an Adult Cooking Class on Holiday Baking!
8. Jam pack programming at the London Public Library
Starting December 3rd you can register for Winter Break programs between December 28- January 7. Make snow slime, finger-knit a mug cozy or create a 3D starter garden. There are also many drop-in activities and holiday movies as options for things to do in London, Ontario for young adults and families.
Although Team Canada is not moving to the next round, there is still plenty of World Cup games to watch on the big screen at the Central branch. There are plenty of things to do in London Ontario at the Library! We are down to the semi-finals so get ready for games on Tuesday and Wednesday at 2 pm and the third place match on Dec. 17 at 10 am (note: the final is Dec. 18 at 10 when the library is CLOSED).
9. The Nutcracker at Centennial Hal
A special nutcracker performance, Ballet Jörgen’s seasonal classic – The Nutcracker – sparkles with holiday magic year after year. Set to the much-loved Tchaikovsky music, and in collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, this quintessentially Canadian Nutcracker features the vibrant works of the great Group of Seven landscape artists. Join Klara as she embarks on her magical dream journey through our northern landscapes filled with snowflakes, trilliums, loons, chipmunks and other delightful woodland creatures.
10. See A White Christmas on the big screen
If you are one for sentimental movies and a good old family musical, nothing will beat seeing A White Christmas on the big screen at the Hyland movie theatre in Old South. This theatre has old-school velvet seats, fresh popcorn and lots of free parking. It is nostalgia at its best. Screening on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:15 pm. It Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney (George’s aunt).
11. Victorian Christmas at Eldon House and Pioneer Village
Another great event to take the seniors in your life, consider a Victorian Christmas at Eldon House. Drop in between Wednesday to Sunday between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. starting Thursday, December 1, 2022, to Sunday, January 1, 2023. The entry fee is by donation. Visit London’s oldest family residence and experience the beautiful holiday decorations of the past. Visiting Eldon House at Christmas and during the summer is always a highlight.
On Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 (between 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm) there are tours offered every hour for The Ghost of Christmas Past. There is a $15 fee for this event and it’s best to register online in advance.
If you are looking for another nostalgic Christmas experience, drop by Christmas at Pioneer Village. Learn about holiday traditions throughout the 19th Century and enjoy the magic of the winter season.
Travel through the decorated Heritage Village with your family, enjoy outdoor winter games, and holiday crafts, and learn about the traditions of the past for this festive event! We may even see jolly old St. Nick come for a visit! Visit Saturday, December 10th between 10 am – 4 pm. There will be performances between 1:30-2 and 2:30-3:00 by the Canadian Celtic Choir at Trinity Church!
12. Drive through Magic of Lights on Longworth Road
Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favourite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of London’s favourite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
Shows open Friday, November 18, 2022, through Sunday, January 8, 2023. Longwoods Road Conservation Area will shine bright as guests meander through the spectacular 1.8-kilometre drive-through holiday lights display, all from the safety of their own vehicle. Online tickets start at $20 (standard vehicle Mon-Thurs.) $25 (Fri.-Sun.) and are limited in quantity per evening.
13. The beauty of Handel’s Messiah at First-St. Andrew’s United Church
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. The text was compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London (UK) premiere nearly a year later.
It has become an annual tradition associated with the celebration of the Christmas season. Audience members usually rise to their feet when the famous “Hallelujah” chorus begins. Tickets for the Messiah are available online for the one-and-only December 17th performance. This is the year to start (or continue) this Christmas tradition.
14. New Year’s Eve at Victoria Park
London’s annual New Year’s Eve in the Park celebration returns on Saturday, December 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight in Victoria Park.
Victoria Park will come alive with two firework displays, live music and entertainment, the opportunity for kids to meet their favourite comic book characters and outdoor skating – all while enjoying a free hot chocolate. Have a stroll around and see thousands of holiday lights in Victoria Park!
Londoners will have the opportunity to experience two fantastic fireworks displays – one at 9 p.m. for families and children, and another at the stroke of midnight.
15. Go see a London Knights Hockey Game
It is so very rational to take in a game during the holiday season, actually, it’s one of the best things to do in London Ontario during the fall, winter and spring! If you are a London Knights fan you likely know they host a New Year’s Eve game and it’s always a whack of fun. This year they go toe-to-toe with the Sarnia Sting at 4 pm. Find a game that works for you on the busy December hockey schedule.
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