An enchanting historic village just 90 minutes from Toronto is about to come alive with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights and old-fashioned holiday charm, making it one of Ontario’s most magical places to kick off the holiday season.
St. Jacobs is nestled in Waterloo Region and is bringing back its annual Sparkles celebration for two festive weekends, from Nov. 12 to 15 and Nov. 19 to 22. The village is a small, tight-knit community known for its quaint independent shops and Mennonite country charm (really, it looks like something out of a fairy tale), but the holiday season brings an extra touch of magic to its historic streets!
During Sparkles, thousands of Christmas lights will illuminate the village, creating the most gorgeous backdrop for an evening filled with holiday shopping and entertainment.
One of the biggest attractions is the free horse-drawn wagon rides, giving you a chance to experience the village in true old-fashioned Christmas style! Rides will depart from the TriSisters Art House on King St. North on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Of course, Santa will be making an appearance! He’ll be strolling through the village on Friday and Saturday evenings, handing out candy canes and stopping for photos. Families can also visit him at Home Hardware on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., while Santa and Mrs. Claus will make special appearances at TriSisters Art House on Thursday evenings.
Then there’s the live, old-fashioned music. The Waterloo County Carollers will wander through the village dressed in Victorian-style clothing, filling the streets with traditional Christmas tunes.
Afterward, head to St. James Lutheran Church’s swanky hot chocolate bar for warm drinks and live musical performances, and then to Block Three Brewing to explore the pop-up makers’ markets.
To get a head start on your Christmas shopping (and for a quick bite to eat), most of the village’s indie boutiques will stay open late, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For the full schedule of events, visit the official St. Jacobs Sparkles website (admission to Sparkles is free, and you can even take advantage of free municipal parking throughout the village!).
If you’re making a day trip out of it, consider arriving early to explore the famous St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market as it’s open year-round on Thursdays and Saturdays. Spend the afternoon browsing the stalls before heading into the village for a coffee at EcoCafe or a sweet treat from Stone Crock Bakery before heading back to Toronto.
And if you’re looking for more Christmas activities closer to home, Toronto’s waterfront is transforming into a winter wonderland with fire shows and twinkling lights!