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With Christmas around the corner, city staff have been busy planning safe holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Santa will be returning to Port Colborne this year, but a little differently as the city prepares to host its annual Lighted Santa Claus Parade, in reverse, at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The reverse parade route will be designed to allow vehicles to drive through and view the stationary, brightly lit floats, including the jolly man himself. There will also be a designated path for those wishing to walk the parade route. To assist with traffic flow, staff are asking attendees to book a thirty-minute time slot online. For more information about the parade, including booking a time slot, the route map, and application form, visit our website.
On Dec. 4, Santa’s tugboat arrival into Port Colborne will be captured virtually again. Both Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be in Port Colborne to stroll through downtown and visit some of our merchant’s.
Port Colborne residents are also encouraged to PORTicipate in the following activities:
Toy Drive in support of Port Cares
Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services is hoping to once again ‘Fill the Fire Truck’ with toys in support of Port Cares. Unwrapped toys for children ages 0-18, along with non-perishable food items, can be dropped off at the Fire Hall, 3 Killaly Street W, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. They will also be hosting a Drive–Thru Holiday Toy Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Toys can also be brought to the Reverse Lighted Santa Claus Parade and firefighters will be on-site to pick up toys from cars. For more information, call 905-835-2900 x403.
Downtown BIA Christmas Market
Nov. 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Downtown BIA is preparing to host two Christmas markets featuring various retail and artisan vendors at Market Square and the Guild Hall. This is a great opportunity to look for unique gifts for friends and loved ones this holiday season. Anyone interested in being a vendor can email downtownportcolborne@gmail.com.
Downtown BIA Business Lighting Contest
In partnership with the Port Colborne Downtown BIA, all businesses and storefronts across Port Colborne are invited to decorate their storefronts and help us light up Port Colborne for this Christmas season. Entries must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 9. The winners will be chosen by the community, with voting taking place on the city’s Facebook page from Dec. 10-18. To enter the contest, or for more information, visit our website.
Home for the Holiday’s Decorating Contest
Calling all Clark Griswold’s of Port Colborne! Do you have the best holiday decorations in the city? Port Colborne residents are invited to PORTicipate in their very own home decorating contest. With multiple categories, including best lawn display, house lights, balcony and door display, we want to see your holiday spirit. Entries must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 9, with voting taking place on the city’s Facebook page from Dec. 10-18. To enter the contest, or for more information, visit our website.
Christmas at the Museum
In celebration of the traditions you have come to love at the Grand Old Christmas Festival, the board and staff of the museum will welcome guests on Sunday, Dec. 5. Although things are different again this year, the heritage village will be decorated, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be visiting, and the holiday spirit will be flowing. There will also be three festive offerings for attendees:
From 12 - 4 p.m. the doors to the Nigh Agora Museum will be open, celebrating the heritage of the century farm and its people. This little country museum was originally housed in a barn on Pinecrest Road, but now has a new home in the Carriage House on the grounds of the museum. The Nigh Agora Museum was a labour of love created in 1989 by the late Mildred Nigh. Mildred and her husband, Harold, discovered a collection of handcrafted tools, utensils, baskets and more—some dating from the early 1800s— when they bought their farm from Olive Knisley in 1972. These beautiful treasures were preserved for decades by Mildred, and her collection was generously donated to the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum in 2020.
The humble wreath has some serious competition as the Christmas door swag is set to be the new must-have door adornment this Christmas. This year’s Museum Home Kit will include all the natural materials needed to make a beautiful Christmas swag. This Museum fundraiser costs $10 and pre-ordering is required by calling the Museum at 905-834-7604. Pick up will be Dec. 5 from 12 – 4 p.m.
Missing a nice cup of tea and homemade biscuits from Arabella’s Tea Room? We are too! As a holiday treat Take Home Kits are being offered to enjoy from the comfort of home. Arabella’s Take-Home Kits are $10 and will include a teacup and saucer, our famous biscuit mix, and instructions on how to mix and bake the biscuits. Pre-orders are required by calling the Museum at 905-834-7604. Pick up will be Dec. 5 from 12 – 4 p.m.
For more information about Christmas in Port Colborne and how to PORTicipate, including full contest rules, regulations, and how to enter, visit our website. Residents are also encouraged to subscribe to our news channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more event updates.
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