It will be a December to remember in downtown London, with large-scale events including the Holly Jolly Holiday Market, Lighting of the Lights and New Year’s Eve in the Park; as well as small-scale activations like musical performances, silent discos and much more taking place throughout December. Visit Downtown for the Holidays to learn more about upcoming holiday events.
The City of London invites Londoners to ring in the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Lights at Victoria Park on Friday, November 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Holiday carollers and the London Symphonia will take the stage from 5:45 p.m. to 6:05 p.m., followed by a performance from The Rockin’ Reindeer featuring Doug and Bizz Varty from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. The spectacular illumination of Victoria Park will take place at 6:50 p.m.
New this year, the City of London will have a free 360° photo booth available during Lighting of the Lights for Londoners to capture the perfect selfie with friends and family at Victoria Park.
In addition, an assortment of food trucks will be at Victoria Park for Lighting of the Lights, including Rocky Mountain Pizza Plus, New Leaf Plant Based Foods and Donut Diva. Please note purchase is required.
Starting Friday, November 24 at 6:50 p.m., Victoria Park will transform 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 will also be a variety of other displays in the park, including Santa and his reindeer, the Christmas train and the snowmen family. Santa's Mailbox will also be on-site for all the children who need to mail their wish list to the North Pole.
Holly Jolly Holiday Market
Following the Lighting of the Lights, Londoners are encouraged to visit the Covent Garden Market for the kick-off of its Holly Jolly Holiday Market, where visitors can enjoy local artisan and food vendors, live music, light displays, a hot chocolate station and cozy fire pits as they gaze at a giant beautiful Christmas tree in the centre of Rotary Square. The Holly Jolly Holiday Market tree lighting ceremony will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 24.
City Hall observation deck
The City Hall observation deck will reopen for public viewing of Lighting of the Lights and the Winter Wonderland in Victoria Park during the following dates and times:
• Friday, November 24 to Sunday, November 26 from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, November 30 to Sunday, December 3 from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, December 7 to Sunday, December 10 from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, December 14 to Sunday, December 17 from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, December 21 to Sunday, December 24 from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, December 28 to Saturday, December 30 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Outdoor skating
Weather permitting, the outdoor skating rink at Victoria Park will open on Friday, December 1 (weather dependent). With the Holly Jolly Holiday Market taking place outside of the Covent Garden Market throughout December, the Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market will open in early January. More details about outdoor skating will be shared in the coming weeks.
Candy Cane Lane
Market Lane transforms into Candy Cane Lane –a festive light display that will serve as the perfect spot for visitors to take a holiday selfie – with the help of Magic of Lights.
Location: Market Lane – 137 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 1E9
Date: November 24 - January
Cost: Free
Mistletoe Lane
Once again, Spaggedy Eddy’s alleyway is a must visit spot this holiday season. The warm golden lights and hanging mistletoes make this the perfect location for your holiday pictures! Pop into the restaurant after to enjoy a hearty spaghetti dinner.
Location: Spageddy Eddy’s alleyway – 428 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 3C9
Date: November 24 - January
Cost: Free
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Join A Universal Carriage outside at the Holly Jolly Market for Horse & Carriage Rides around the Downtown Core! Rides are roughly 10-15 minutes and are first come, first served. Rides will start and end on the one-way street (Covent Market Place) near Santa’s House.
Location: Covent Market Place
Dates and times:
Sat. Nov 25 5pm-9pm
Sat. Dec 2 5pm-9pm
Sat. Dec 9 5pm-9pm
Sun. Dec. 10 1pm-5pm
Sat. Dec 16 5pm-9pm
Sun. Dec 17 1pm-5pm
Cost: Free
Gift Wrapping Stations
After completing your holiday shopping, get your gifts wrapped at Covent Garden Market!
Location: Covent Garden Market – 130 King St, London, ON N6A 1C5
Dates: November 24 - December 17 (Fridays through Sundays)
Time: 12pm-8pm (Fridays and Saturdays),11am-5pm (Sundays)
Outdoor skating
Location: Victoria Park – 580 Clarence St, London, ON N6A 3N1
Date: Friday, December 1 - March 2024 (weather permitting)
Time: 10am - 10pm
Eldon House’s Victorian Christmas
Enjoy the sights and scents of Victorian Christmas. Visit London’s oldest family residence and experience the beautiful holiday decorations of the past. This special exhibit is displayed throughout Eldon House and is available for viewing during our regular hours of operation by donation. For more information, please visit www.eldonhouse.ca/events or call 519-661-5169.
Location: Eldon House
Dates: Friday, December 1, 2023 to Monday, January 1, 2024 (Drop-in Wednesday to Sunday)
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Cost: By donation
Music Mondays
Location: Central Library - 251 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 6H9
Date: Mondays (December 4, 11, and 18)
Time: 12:15pm - 1pm
Day of the Little Candles
Location: Market Lane – 137 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 1E9
Date: Thursday, December 7
Time: 6pm - 12am
Carousel Rides
Enjoy a festive carousel ride with your family and friends this holiday season! This is a memorable experience that you won’t want to miss out on.
Location: Golden Jubilee Square – 99 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 6K1 (Corner of King & Talbot)
Date: Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 17
Time: 12pm - 6pm (weekdays), 12pm - 9pm (weekends)*
*Please note the carousel will close at 5pm on Sunday, December 10.
Cost: Free
Christmas Crafting for Kids And Story Time With Amelia
Children will get the chance to learn about seasonal traditional Victorian holiday ornaments and decorations through crafting. Take time to explore Eldon House with a self-guided tour and enjoy the sights and scents of our Victorian Christmas exhibit. Children are able to sit in the Drawing Room and listen to The Night Before Christmas read outload by Amelia Harris! Story Time with Amelia is on a first come first serve basis.
Register for your crafting session at either 1:00 or 2:30 p.m. Crafts are recommended for all ages. Crafts includes clove and cinnamon pomanders and decorating gingerbread ornaments (salt dough and paint). To register, please visit www.eldonhouse.ca/events or call 519-661-5169.
Location: Eldon House
Dates: Sunday, December 10
Time: Drop-in between 1pm - 4pm (60-minute Crafting Sessions at 1:00pm and 2:30pm — Registration Required)
Cost: $10 (including HST) per person
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The name Charles Dickens has become synonymous with Christmas. “A Christmas Carol” was arguably his most famous work which was built on the Victorian tradition of ghost story telling around the hearth at Christmas time. Learn about Christmas and the real ghost stories of Eldon House with this 50-minute guided tour by a costumed Historical Interpreter. This tour includes a history of age-old holiday traditions and a link to all things ‘Dickens’. This tour will get you in the spirit of Christmas. To register, please visit www.eldonhouse.ca/events or call 519-661-5169.
Location: Eldon House
Dates: Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17
Time: 10am - 12pm
Cost: $15.00 (including HST) per person.
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