What to do & What’s New at the Quebec Winter Carnival 2023

Planning

This year’s Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Quebec) will run from February 4th – 13, 2023. The start date was delayed due to extreme weather warning. This should come as not surprise to anyone living in the Great White North but organizers are being cautious and it is justified. Trust me, I’ve been in Quebec City when it was -25 C and it was not pretty but you just have to dress for the weather.

Fortunately, the weather did not dissuade co-hosts of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna from snowshoeing, toboganning or visiting Bonhome Carnaval in the ice castle! Don’t let the cold weather keep you from having some of the most fun possible during a winter carnival. Thousands will visit to take part in visiting the ice castle, watching night parades, admiring snow and ice sculptures. This year, they will forgo the swim and snow bath but hopefully will still have the taditional canoe races.

Read more

Watch12 past productions of Stratford Festival online – Stratfeset@Home

Festival Theatre Straftord Festival photo credit
past productions of Stratford Festival online - Photo Credit: Stratford Festival on Film
Festival Theatre: Stratford Festival (photo credit)

Always a fan of The Stratford Festival, I am disappointed that in this time of covid-19, we will not be able to see any plays for the time being. We do have tickets for the end of June and have our fingers crossed that we will be able to see Chicago and Much Ado About Nothing. I can hardly wait. Although there is nothing like live theatre, if we can’t be there in person it’s great that we’ll be able to see past productions of Stratford Festival online.

The Stratford Festival is presenting a free film festival by making 12 productions available for you to view at home during this period of social isolation. Beginning on Shakespeare’s birthday, Thursday, April 23rd with King Lear directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and starring Colm Feore. Each Thursday at 7 pm EST, simply go to the main website and watch online. It’s that easy.

Twelfth Night

past productions of Stratford Festival online - Stratford Festival on Film Schedule

Read more

Is Toronto’s Christmas Market family friendly?

Is Torontos Christmas Market Family Friendly @DownshiftingPRO
20191221 125603
Great family-friendly activity in Toronto –
Christmas Market in the Distillery District

Is Toronto’s Christmas Market Family Friendly?

Toronto’s Christmas Market has become a Christmas tradition for many Toronto residents and it is drawing attention from visitors also. This year the Market was from November 14 – December 22, 2019. I decided to take a quick trip with my two daughters to see the market before it closed for the season. I’m so glad I did. This will have to become a tradition for us from now on. I wanted to find out if the Toronto Christmas Market was family-friendly. After spending more than a few hours there this weekend, I understood why it’s become so popular.

Read more