The holiday season is officially upon us, bringing a full lineup of festive activities across Grey County. With so much happening, it’s easy to overlook some of the season’s best experiences. To help you make the most of this magical time of year, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of Holiday Highlights. Parades, community events, light displays, and holiday markets, you’ll find them all here!
SANTA CLAUS PARADES
Santa has a pretty taxing schedule this time of year, but he’s made time to visit many of our Grey County communities. Here’s when you can catch him at a parade near you.
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Dundalk Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Durham Firefighters' Whoville Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Hanover Rotary Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Meaford Kinsmen's Club Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Holstein Non-Motorized Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Thornbury Olde Fashioned Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Chatsworth Santa Claus Parade
For more information on Grey County's upcoming Santa Claus Parades visit: https://seaandskirealty.ca/santa-claus-parades-2025/
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
No festive season would be complete without taking in the holiday decor and light displays. There’s just something about them that makes everything a little more magical. Here are two that shouldn’t be missed!
Saturday, Nov. 15 – Monday, Jan. 5 - Holiday Magic at Blue Mountain highlights the natural beauty of the mountain, with an illuminated winter trail and a village filled with twinkling lights, festive music, and holiday entertainment. For more information, visit: https://www.bluemountain.ca/things-to-do/events/holiday-magic
Also! Check out Karen & Russ's Holiday Magic Adventure here: https://seaandskirealty.ca/holiday-magic-at-blue-mountain/
Saturday, Nov. 15 – Sunday, Jan. 11 - Owen Sound Festival of Northern Lights features nearly 400 spectacular displays and 25 km of lights throughout the harbour, downtown, and Harrison Park. Learn more here: http://www.owensoundfestivalofnorthernlights.ca/
Check out our coverage of the event on our blog here: https://seaandskirealty.ca/festival-of-northern-lights/
Friday, Nov. 28 - Friday, Dec. 19 - Deck the Highlands Outdoor Holiday Decor Contest sees Grey Highlands residents & business owners decorate their homes & storefronts in a contest for the best holiday display. Learn more about the contest here: https://www.exploresouthgrey.ca/holiday-in-the-highlands-2025
Holiday in the Highlands is an annual series of events that take place in Grey Highlands over the holiday season, check out the itinerary here: https://seaandskirealty.ca/holiday-in-the-highlands-2025/
FESTIVE EVENTS
Of course, there’s more to enjoy this holiday season than parades and lights. Seasonal shopping and community events are some of the region's most popular activities this time of year! The holiday season brings an abundance of shopping opportunities, from artisan markets to church bazaars, with something new for everyone to discover.
Friday, Dec. 5 & Saturday, Dec. 6 - Christkindl Market Experience an immersive European Christmas with traditional food and beverages, local vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. This unique annual event runs from 4 PM - 9 PM on Friday, and from 2 PM - 9 PM on Saturday. https://www.christkindlfarm.com/
Saturday, Dec. 6 & Sunday, Dec. 7 - Christmas on the Bay Meaford's classic annual holiday celebration is back once again featuring live music, a European-style market, and tons of local artisan vendors. It's the signature holiday event of the season in Meaford! https://www.visitgrey.ca/public-events/event/christmas-bay-2025
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Country Girl's Christmas Market in Meaford Don't miss this annual delight featuring amazing local vendors showcasing their handcrafted treasures just in time for the holiday season! Taking place at the Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre (151 Collingwood St W, Meaford) from 10 AM - 4 PM.
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Clarksburg Winterfest Parades, pageants, vendors, food trucks, starlight shopping, and more throughout the Village of Clarksburg. https://clarksburgwinterfest.org/
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Christmas Craft Sale Stop by Events For Life Beaver Creek Farms to explore handmade holiday treasures. Perfect if you're seeking something extra special for your loved ones this holiday season. https://mycollingwood.ca/event/christmas-caft-sale.html
Saturday, Dec. 6 - Christmas Market at the Rusty Star in Maxwell Browse local businesses' displays & tables, meet Santa for a free photo op, and bring non-perishable food & toys for collection to help out the community this season. The market runs from 12 PM - 3 PM at 408065 Grey Road 4, Maxwell.
Saturday, Dec. 6 & Saturday, Dec. 13 - Moreston by Candlelight at the Grey Roots Museum Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, hot apple cider (bring a reusable mug!), holiday cookies, and explore the beautifully lit heritage buildings. Each evening's festivities run from 4 PM - 8 PM. https://greyroots.com/moreston-by-candlelight
Saturday, Dec. 6 & Sunday, Dec. 7 - Christmas Sale in the Barn with the Alpacas A magical Christmas shopping experience in the barn with friendly alpacas. Explore a wide range of Alpaca goods and much more. https://www.visitgrey.ca/public-events/event/christmas-sale-barn-alpacas-2
Friday, Dec. 12 & Saturday, Dec. 13 - Yuk Yuk's Comedy Show with Holiday Buffet Head to Cobble Beach for an evening of laughs and festive fun at this travelling stand-up tour. https://www.visitgrey.ca/public-events/event/yuk-yuks-comedy-show-holiday-buffet
Friday, Dec. 12 & Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14 - Home For Christmas Presented by Thornbury Community Theatre A heartwarming holiday comedy about a family reunited for Christmas. https://mycollingwood.ca/event/clarksburg-home-for-christmas-presented-by-thornbury-community-theatre-68a5a9847603e.html
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Home for the Holidays Christmas Community Concert in Owen Sound Experience these concert events where you can hear familiar Christmas tunes and carols performed by the Georgian Bay Symphony, plus some special guests. https://www.georgianbaysymphony.ca/
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Thornbury's Olde Fashioned Christmas It's the 49th celebration of this annual tradition that brings the community together for festive lights and live entertainment! https://www.visitgrey.ca/public-events/event/olde-fashioned-christmas
Saturday, Dec. 13 - A Very Vintage Christmas Celebrate the old fashioned charm of the holiday season at the L.E. Shore Public Library in Thornbury with storytimes, crafts and treats, and a free photo op with Santa Claus! https://mycollingwood.ca/event/a-very-vintage-christmas.html
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Celtic Christmas Come and celebrate the joyous holiday season with ‘The Celtic Kitchen Party’. Enjoy traditional celtic musical stylings mixed with some holiday melodies for a warm and festive gathering. https://mycollingwood.ca/event/celtic-christmas-w-the-celtic-kitchen-party.html
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Elmwood Craft & Vendor Show Free admission to this festive function with plenty of seasonal shopping delights to behold. Accepting donations of toys and food for those in need this holiday season. https://www.visitgrey.ca/public-events/event/elmwood-craft-and-vendor-show
With all these amazing holiday happenings in Grey County, we hope this season brings you so much joy, and may you make memories to last a lifetime.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS IN GREY COUNTY!
Happy Holidays!