Mississippi Mills holiday celebrations run Dec. 5–7, featuring Light Up the Night, concerts, fireworks and two Santa Claus parades
MISSISSIPPI MILLS — Mississippi Mills is rolling out a full weekend of holiday cheer from Dec. 5 to 7, featuring concerts, fireworks and two Santa Claus parades. Thousands are expected to take part in the annual lineup of music, lights and community traditions.
Light Up the Night
The weekend opens with the return of the Light Up the Night concert on Mill Street in Almonte on Dec. 5. This open-air celebration turns the downtown into a winter wonderland and draws thousands for an evening of music and magic.
Emceed again by Ottawa Valley favourite Wayne Rostad, the concert features Christmas classics from Rachelle Behrens, Nelson Colt, Braiden Wyman and others. The Snow Queen and her Twinkle Fairies will wave their magic wands to bring Santa to town. A fireworks finale will cap off the night.
Mill Street will be closed to traffic. Arrive early to grab a drink or snack from the food vendors in Candy Cane Court at the Ultramar parking lot. Vendors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Pakenham Santa Claus Parade
Pakenham keeps the festivities going with its annual Santa Claus Parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The procession will loop through the village twice so everyone gets a good look.
The parade leaves the Stewart Community Centre at 1 p.m., travels to Jeanie Street toward the fire station, turns right onto County Road 29, then right on Renfrew Street, and returns to MacFarlane Street and the community centre.
The Pakenham and District Civitan Club will collect food and cash donations for the Lanark County Food Bank. Please bring non-perishables if you can.
After the parade, the Civitan Club will serve free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Families can stay for free public skating until 4 p.m., courtesy of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.
Almonte Christmas Parade
The Almonte Christmas Parade wraps up the weekend on Sunday, Dec. 7 with a sparkling procession of lights and music through the heart of town.
The parade leaves the Rexall parking lot at 430 Ottawa St. at 5 p.m., heads down Ottawa Street, through Main Street to the bottom of Mill Street, then travels up Mill Street, turns right on Bridge Street and finishes at the John Levi Community Centre.
Please bring non-perishable food items. The Almonte Scouts will be collecting food and cash donations along the route in support of the Almonte Lions Club and Almonte Civitan Club Christmas Food Hampers.
After the parade, join the Lions Club in the upper hall of the community centre for free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Free public skating will also be offered courtesy of the municipality.
Christmas music is encouraged on parade floats. Throwing candy or items from floats is not permitted.
Submitted by the Municipality of Mississippi Mills
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