Your Passport to Winterdown FUN!
Waterdown Village transforms into Winterdown with the turning on of holiday lights and special holiday activities that extend through the end of the 2025. This holiday season, you’ll want to pick up a Winterdown Passport from participating businesses to enjoy all the winter happenings, support local small businesses and collect passport stickers for a chance to win a Waterdown Village gift basket filled with amazing items and treats (approx. retail value $300). Check out the Winterdown line-up and mark your calendars to enjoy awesome holiday experiences in your own backyard. It’s worth the detour to see what’s instore.
It all starts with the Winterdown Tree Lighting
Join us Nov. 28, 5 to 8 pm in Olde Waterdown (heritage core)
- Hop on for a horsedrawn wagon ride from 5 to 7:45 PM (loading halfway down Franklin St.)– presented by Harrington Lane Farms and Rockhaven Realty Inc.
- Enjoy Black Friday deals and Shop ‘til 8 PM at participating downtown businesses
- Visit with Santa inside Memorial Hall (5 – 7:30 PM)
- Take the gingerbread decorating challenge – for fun or prizes. Decorate a gingerbread man ($5 cookie decorating kits from Harrington Lanes) or a whole gingerbread house ($20 for a decorating kit). CASH ONLY – to be paid on Nov. 28 at the Hall. You can pre-register HERE (limited reserve spots available) or sign-up in person at the Hall, while supplies last. Place your creation on the judges’ table for a chance at a prize – take it home at the end of the night.
- Be dazzled by the Ice Queen on stilts – presented by EPICare Medical
- Pull yourself up to one of several elves’ workshops to create a DIY holiday craft
- Join the McGregor Victorian carollers for a lantern-lit singalong at 6:45 PM, 19 Main St. S.
- Keep moving to stay warm with DJ Snowball who will lead a glow in the dark dance party starting at 7 PM. DJ Snowball and special guests will countdown to light the trees at 7:40 PM and keep the party going until 8 PM.
- Grab a hot chocolate or treat from a local café or restaurant
- Rock on with the Jamie Barnes Holiday Band (inside Memorial Hall)
- Browse artisan tables in the Hall to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping
Love the spirit of giving back over the festive season? Sign-up to be a part of bringing the holiday magic to Waterdown Village.
Shop Late ’til 8 at the following businesses:
Pickwick Books
Kyst on the Korner
The Computer Hub
Aleri Home
Copper Kettle Café
4 Cats Studio
Rustic Daisy’s
Second Time Around
The Little Brit Shop
Drongkowski’s
Griffin Vintage Furniture & Gifts
Creative Insight Pottery
Harrington Lane Farms Village Shop
Activities:
Closet Envy – Free Hot Chocolate Warm-up station hosted by Waterdown Lions
Jitterbug Café – Christmas Card Workshop
4 Cats Studio – $5 drop-in make your own mug workshop
Kinstruct Health – Santas Workshop incl. Crafts, Cider, Hot Chocolate, Photos with Frosty
Wondering where to go? Where to park? Where to find shopping, crafts, eats, and more? View our handy parking and event maps below:
The fun continues throughout December. Shop, make memories & continue to collect passport stickers at participating businesses all month long and from activity sites during the Winterdown Holiday Blitz Weekend, Dec. 20 – 21.
Sat., Dec. 20 (locations to be confirmed)
- See Santa again – update him on your wish list, from 1 – 4 PM – 19 Main St. S.
- Pop into the Snaptique VW photobooth for your 2025 holiday photo strip – outside Turtle Jacks at 255 Dundas St. E
- Catch the CBY Academy of Performing Arts’ youth choir (aka Corovox) at the Fortinos entranceway at 1 PM
- Enjoy holiday music as the Waterloo Carollers stroll the Village, 12 to 2 PM – Heritage Core
- Stay tuned to Waterdown Village social media feeds for the latest holiday deals and activities at local businesses, or view our Holiday Ideas Directory below
Sun. Dec. 21 (locations to be confirmed)
- Jack Frost juggles his way through Winterdown from 1 – 3 PM – Heritage Core
- Enjoy an encore performance from the CBY Academy of Performing Arts’ youth choir (aka Corovox) – at Fortinos
- Follow the McGregor Carollers as they sing their way around town from 12 to 2 PM – Hamilton St. N.
Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, or looking to support small businesses close to home, this guide brings together inspired ideas from right here in Waterdown Village:
Check out activations for the Winterdown Blitz Weekend below, and find specific timing and location info on the Winterdown Blitz Weekend Event Page
Visit local businesses to pick-up a Winterdown Postcard and Winterdown Passport.
