Alair Homes
The holiday season in the London area offers plenty to do all around town for music and stage lovers, as well as kids of all ages. Many of the events are unique to the area, while others bring all the joy and comfort the holidays are known to offer.
Parades
The holidays in the London area start in November with tree lighting ceremonies at city hall and parades with Santa. Some of the events ask that you bring donations of food to help the needy, like the Hyde Park Santa Claus Parade and the London Santa Claus Parade.
In the same spirit of giving, another local event is also asking for healthy donations in lieu of pricey tickets. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet long and decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights. It’s on display for an evening early in the holiday season. Live entertainers use a boxcar to provide music for the event.
Lights
Discover the Winter Wonderland at Victoria Park from the end of November through the holidays. The Promenade Deck is open select evenings for you to view the lights from above.
Experience the awe of an extreme Christmas light show that’s synchronized to music, video and animatronics. The Elf on Mountbatten benefits the Children’s Health Foundation. Two homes are decorated with 30,000 lights and the show runs in 30-minute intervals.
Concerts
The stage is a busy place this time of year. Handel’s Messiah anchors the music performances in London performed by the London Symphonia and Pro Musica Choir. Get your ticket ahead of time since there’s only one performance each year. Western University hosts a concert in early November that celebrates the winter season. Forest City Singers performs a holiday concert in London each season.
Londoners who play the tuba or euphonium can participate in a Tuba Christmas event. All the seasonal music has been arranged for these instruments. The organizers do ask participants to bring nonperishable food items or disposable diapers for the local food banks.
The Stage
Residents of the area have plenty of opportunities to watch stage performances of holiday classics like Cirque Musica’s Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, and even a special departure from the traditional Nutcracker. The hip-hop version of the Christmas classic uses electric violins and brilliantly coloured choreography. With a wide array of shows to choose from, consider a live performance for an exciting experience for the whole family.
Special Places to Visit
Go to Santa’s Cabin by taking the Apple Land Train to Sand Mountain. Besides the train ride and meeting Santa, you’ll be able to browse the Christmas tree barn and shop for treats and decorations. Christmas at the Castle Kilbride is a tour of a decorated home built in 1877. It’s completely decorated for the holidays.
