By Noor Menhel and Hannah Menhel

For many of us, winter is the toughest season to get through. From bouts of seasonal depression, the flu season, and exam season, we tend to forget to enjoy the joy that comes with Burlington’s winter wonderland. Here is your reminder to bundle up this season and take advantage of the chilly weather with our Burlington specific outdoor and indoor Winter Holiday Bucket List!

  1. Visit the Burlington Festival of Lights

The Burlington Festival of Lights is a beautiful display of festive lights put up by volunteers each year. This must-see display illuminates the waterfront of Spencer Smith park attracting the attention of families from all across Ontario. The Festival of Lights is already up and will be on display until January 8, 2024, daily, from 4 p.m. to midnight, and all day and night on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Orthodox Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

Joseph Brant Museum is also offering visitors the opportunity to view the lights from the rooftop of the museum every Thursday evening until December 28 from 6–9 p.m. They will also be serving free hot chocolate and popcorn during these times.

  1. Go skating at the Rotary Centennial Pond

Another wonderful tradition in Burlington is the Rotary Centennial Pond’s ice skating program. Every year the Rotary Centennial Pond offers free ice skating and ice skate rentals for all who would like to skate. The pond is perfectly situated at Spencer Smith Park, so visitors can both skate and enjoy the beautiful display of lights.

  1. Visit Mount Nemo

Trails in the winter time are an excellent way to stay fit and reconnect with nature. Mount Nemo Conservation Area’s trail is especially beautiful in the winter with its snow-capped trees and scenic landscape. The best part is the trail is dog-friendly, so you and your four-legged friends can have a paw-some time.

Mount Nemo lookout. Photo: Laslovarga, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  1. Go sledding/tobogganing

Thankfully, we live in a city that is filled with excellent hills for sledding and tobogganing down. Tobogganing, though it is a classic activity, is one that is loved by all and never gets old. Here are a few parks that have city-approved tobogganing hills: LaSalle Park, Tyandaga Golf Course, Central Park, Brant Hills Park, Nelson Park, and Lowville Park.

  1. Take pictures with Santa Claus

You’re never too old or too young to visit good ol’ Saint Nick. This year, Santa Claus will be taking photos at Burlington Centre mall up until December 24. Whether you want to ask for an A+ on your exam, a raise, a new board game, or just want a photo with Santa, this is the perfect activity for all. Book an appointment to take a photo with Santa here!

  1. Attend a Burlington Helping Burlington event 

Winter may be the season of frostbite and chills, but it’s also the season of giving. Why not take a few hours out of your day to create a positive impact? There are many initiatives in Burlington that you could take part in this season. A wonderful campaign to participate in is Burlington Helping Burlington. This campaign, which ends December 31, 2023, supports many of Burlington’s charities by hosting a variety of fun and engaging events, such as the Pancakes and PJs with the Grinch event, which is taking place on December 18 from 57:30p.m. at Luk’s Diner; a fundraising afternoon at the Black Bull Neighbourhood Pub on Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with silent auction and live music; and a New Year’s Eve party and fundraiser at AB Sports Bar, complete with three-course meal, champagne, and live music. Check out the Burlington Helping Burlington Facebook page for more information.

The Burlington Helping Burlington team with the Burlington Food Bank’s Robin Bailey and Florian Realty Team’s Andrea Florian at one of their food drive events.
  1. Make cards

Making holiday cards for local long-term care/retirement home residents is one of the most rewarding activities that you can do. Unfortunately, many residents in retirement and long-term care homes don’t receive any cards or greetings over the holidays, but by taking the time to make a few cards for some of the residents of a home, you brighten the day of so many people. These cards can be as simple as a small message, but it goes to show how 15 minutes of your time is all it takes to make someone’s holiday. In fact, Burlington’s very own students from Nelson High School, led by 12th-grade student Isabella Yang, are currently working to make over 130 cards for Bethany Residence, a local assisted living facility.

  1. Visit a local Christmas tree farm

There are so many beautiful local Christmas tree farms that are perfect for buying a tree for your home. By visiting a Christmas tree farm, you can not only enjoy the spectacular experience of choosing and (possibly) cutting your own tree, but you can also support a great local business. Here are a few farms to check out: The Perfect Christmas Tree, Mark’s Christmas Trees, and Jingle Bills Christmas Tree Farm.

With a city like our beautiful Burlington, even the coldest of times can warm our hearts. Be sure to check out these amazing activities and support our city’s endeavours, as we continue to keep the holiday spirits alive.

Sources:

Active Parents. Nov. 2023. 11 city-approved toboggan hills near Burlington and Hamilton. Url:  https://activeparents.ca/tobogganing-hills-in-burlington-hamilton/  (accessed Dec. 13, 2023).

Burlington Centre. 2023. Visits with Santa. Url: https://burlingtoncentre.ca/event/Visits-with-Santa/2145576886/ (accessed Dec. 13, 2023).

City of Burlington. 2023. Parks and Facilities. Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond. Url: https://facilities.burlington.ca/(accessed Dec. 13, 2023).

To Do Canada. 2021. 25 outdoor winter activities in the Halton Region. Url: https://www.todocanada.ca/25-outdoor-winter-activities-in-the-halton-region/ (accessed Dec. 13, 2023).