Holiday celebrations set to make community merry in weeks ahead

By Rob Paul

The holiday season is here, and everyone is ready spread some cheer now that the COVID-19 restrictions have been loosened enough for festivities to be underway across Caledon this winter.

“It is so heartwarming to know we can begin to safely, and with some health measures, begin to gather and celebrate together again,” said Mayor Allan Thompson. “To say this time has been challenging is an understatement and I think it reminds us all of the very real human need for social and community connection.”

There will be plenty of holiday events running throughout December for residents to attend to get ready for the season. 

Bolton United Church will host two Christmas concerts on December 3 (at 7 p.m.) and December 4 (at 2 p.m.) with mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan and pianist Timothy Cheung performing an array of winter classics. Tickets to the event can be purchased here www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-classical-christmas-tickets-205238763667. 

On Friday, December 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Bolton there will be a tree lighting and a vendors' market on Ann Street that will include photo opportunities with Santa, his sleigh, and reindeer. 

Palgrave Rotary Club will host a Christmas tree lighting on December 4 that will run from 5:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with Santa in attendance and photo opportunities and the Rotary Chuckwagon will be on site to serve hot dogs. There will also be a “Christmas Idol Show” where children between 8 and 16 can sign up to present two Christmas songs (sign up by emailing nicholepiluso@gmail.com). 

The annual Bolton Santa Claus Parade that the Bolton Kin Club put on will happen again this year in a drive-by fashion. It will take place on December 4 starting at 11 a.m. and will be a 24-kilometre trek for Santa led by the OPP across Bolton. 

At Albion Hills Conservation Park from December 1 to 4, there will be a Forgetful Elf Christmas Drive-Thru for families to attend. It will include a map and an audio story for a self-guided experience from the comfort of your car—children are reminded to bring their letters to Santa to send them to the North Pole Postal Service.

Bethell Hospice will also be running a tree lighting ceremony on December 9 at 7 p.m. where friends and family can buy a light to honour the memory of a lost loved one and have their name read aloud during the ceremony. 

For those who want to enjoy a Christmas concert from the comfort of their own homes, on December 15 at 7 p.m., Achill Choral Society will present their Comfort and Joy virtual concert. For a free ticket, visit achill.ca. 

Until December 23, at Downey's Farm Market, Santa will be hanging out with his helpers for visitors to go on wagon riders while enjoying hot chlorate and cookies.

There will also be a holiday market from December 10 to 12 hosted by Cambium Hills at Cambium Farms to showcase local vendors for those who want to pick up holiday specific products or stop by for food or photos with Santa—there will also be a cash bar.

For those in need of Christmas decor, the Sisters Touch of Christmas—located at 14155 Caledon King Townline South—will be open until Friday, December 24.