Here’s what’s up!
The Festival of Lights is back in Perth tonight, bringing holiday cheer to the Tay Basin Parking Lot.
The night opens at 5:30 p.m. with Rubies in the Rough and PWYC treats, followed by a 6:15 p.m. drone show. From 6:25 to 8 p.m., families can explore over 25 glowing Christmas trees inside the Crystal Palace.
Tomorrow (Saturday)
Merry & Bright Christmas Market runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newboro Community Hall, 10 Drummond Street in Newboro. Browse local vendors, enjoy festive décor, music, and refreshments. Proceeds support the Rideau Lakes Swans.
Christmas in Merrickville, running from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy family activities, extended shopping hours, a craft market, hay rides, fire barrels, breakfast and photos with Santa, street entertainers, and a festive parade. Downtown shops, artists, and restaurants will be celebrating all day.
The Sharbot Lake Farmers Market Holiday Market also takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oso Hall, featuring local vendors and a farm-to-table lunch starting at 11 a.m. until sold out. Admission is free.
There’s a Santa Meet & Greet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kernel Mustard’s Emporium, 2 Gore Street East. Enjoy free photos with Santa and free hot chocolate. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation.
Tomorrow, the Perth Santa Claus Parade steps off at 5 p.m. with this year’s theme, Christmas Bells. The procession starts at The Factory Business Complex on Sunset Boulevard before heading downtown along Wilson, Foster, and Gore streets, ending at Queen Elizabeth School. Float registration is available at perthsantaclausparade.com.
Merrickville’s Santa Claus Parade begins tomorrow at 11 a.m., leaving from the Merrickville Fairgrounds and traveling along St. Lawrence Street. To enter a float, contact Robyn Eagle at 343-987-3457.
Pakenham’s Santa Claus Parade starts tomorrow at 2 p.m., featuring floats, music, and horses from local farms. The parade loops twice, beginning and ending at the Stewart Community Centre. The Pakenham & District Civitan Club will collect food and cash donations for the Lanark County Food Bank and serve free hot dogs and hot chocolate after the parade. Free public skating runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Nathan Sloniowski Trio presents a Christmas benefit concert tomorrow at the Carleton Place Gallery, supporting the Carleton Place Youth Centre. The performance features music from Sloniowski’s album. For more details, email nathan.sloniowski@gmail.com.
Lanark Civitan’s “Christmas on the Clyde” craft sale returns tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2144 Pine Grove Road, offering handmade gifts, lunch, treats, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at 1:30. For information, call Bonnie King at 613-267-6670.
Enjoy Masters in the Hall: Celtic Music for Christmastime tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church, 2 George Street South in Smiths Falls. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children under 12, available at the door or by calling 613-283-1261.
The Nick of Time Christmas Artisan Show runs tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crystal Palace in Perth. Shop handmade gifts from local artists and support The Table Food Bank with cash donations.
And The Barrel Boys Bluegrass Christmas takes place tomorrow at Trinity United Church, 41 Market Street North in Smiths Falls—an evening of festive favourites and wintry songs. For details, contact Andrea Minaker at 613-283-4444 or secretary@trinityunitedsf.ca.
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Smiths Falls Blitz runs Saturday, December 6th in Portland from 9 until noon at the Portland LCBO and RBC in support of the Portland Food Bank, then it shifts to Merrickville at the Merrickville Food Market from 1 until 4 in support of the Merrickville Lions Christmas Hamper Campaign.
Around the junior rinks:
CCHL play sees Carleton Place visits Rockland tonight, while the Smiths Falls Bears host Navan.
In the EOJHL:
Carleton Place visits Arnprior tonight while Perth hosts Winchester before travelling there tomorrow. Smiths Falls takes on Carleton Place tomorrow and Renfrew Sunday.
