SUBMITTED BY THE MUNICIPALITY OF MISSISSIPPI MILLS
Embrace the magic of the holiday season in Mississippi Mills December 6-8 with three days of festive fun as we welcome Santa Claus for the entire weekend!
The ever popular Light Up the Night wintry open-air concert returns on Friday, December 6. Almonte’s Mill Street will close to vehicles and thousands will fill the downtown core for an evening of holiday music, emceed by Ottawa Valley’s own singer, songwriter and entertainer, Gail Gavan. Sing along to entertainers including the Bowes Brothers, Brea Lawrenson, Colby Drummond, Diane Lynch, David Finkle, hear from some puppet friends, and watch in amazement as The Snow Queen and her Twinkle Fairies wave their magic wands to bring Santa Claus to town. Stick around after the concert for a magical fireworks display!
Come early to shop at our downtown merchants or enjoy a bite to eat at one of our restaurants. Food and drink vendors will be set up at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. sharp. This year’s vendors include Dairy Distillery (Vodkow), Beavertails, Thompsontown Maple Taffy, Smash ‘n Dash Smashburgers, Wreaths by Sharla and the Scouts will be serving up hot chocolate.
Visit our Light Up the Night page for more information.
The following day, Saturday, December 7, it’s time for the Pakenham Santa Claus Parade. The parade leaves the Stewart Community Centre at 1 p.m. sharp. It will travel from MacFarlane Street to Jeanie Street (toward the fire station), making a right on County Road 29, another right onto Renfrew Street leading to MacFarlane Street and continues back to the community centre. If you miss it, the parade will loop around the route twice!
Be sure to bring food or money donations for The Hunger Stop – Lanark County Food Bank. The Pakenham & District Civitan Club will be collecting during the parade. Bring your skates to enjoy a free public skate at the Stewart Community Centre after the parade and the Pakenham & District Civitan Club will be serving up free hot dogs and hot chocolate!
On Sunday, December 8, it’s Almonte’s time to shine with the annual Christmas Night Parade at 5 p.m. Please note: There is a new route for the parade this year! The parade leaves the Rexall parking lot on Ottawa Street at 5 p.m., heads down Ottawa Street, through Main Street to the bottom of Mill Street. It will then travel up Mill Street, turn right onto Bridge Street, ending at the John Levi Community Centre.
It will be a twinkly celebration with plenty of sparkling lights and music! The Almonte Scouts will be collecting food donations throughout the route. Following the parade, the Almonte Lions Club will be providing free hot dogs and hot chocolate at the community centre. Don’t forget your skates for the free public skate after the parade!
Any questions about either parade should be directed to the Mississippi Mills Recreation and Culture Department (events@mississippimills.ca or 613-256-2064 ext. 605).
More information can also be found on the Christmas Parades page on our website. Reminder – Christmas music is strongly encouraged but throwing candy (or other items) from parade floats is not permitted.
