We’re ready for a full weekend of festive fun as we kick off the holiday season with your all-time favourite traditions and some exciting new additions!
Prepare for the enchanting Polar Express Train around City Hall, Festive Photo Backdrop for magical holiday pics, Yuletide Cabins and Food Trucks at our charming Winter Food Market, crackling Fire Pits for roasting Rice Krispie Treats, Santa Claus “coming to town,” DJ Ethan Maac and Roaming Carollers to fill the air with festive tunes, Horse and Wagon Rides from Memorial Gardens, Christmas Tree Market by B&C Custom Landscaping for the perfect tree to take home, and Live Music from Retro Resonance on York St Saturday evening! If it’s frosty outside, check out the Cultural Crafts for kids in Stratford Tourism or participate in a fun Scavenger Hunt at the Library!
Come get into the festive spirit with family fun in Market Square and York Street. ✨🎅✨
* Artwork by George Burkholder
All Weekend
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
11am - 5pm
Sat. 5pm - 8pm
ALL ABOARD!!! We are thrilled to be offering again the Polar Express train into Market Square. This elegant train is battery operated (good for the environment) and trackless, with a locomotive and 4 cars which can seat up to 18 children! We are pleased that this year the train is also accessible to children with special physical needs.
This show stopper provides the best authentic steam train engine experience ever.
A huge thank you to On Stage Dance for being the Train Sponsor of our event for the second year in a row!
FIRE PIT #1: Sponsored by Alley Cat Cat Cafe (York Street)
FIRE PIT #2: Sponsored by Shawn Malvern at WK FINANCIAL (Market Street)
Our two cracklin’ fire pit areas are back. Get cozy around them and roast delicious rice krispie treats. Supervised by adult volunteers, come warm up your fingers and toes while the kids walk away with the tastiest of treats to fuel their train riding.
(Pick up your treats at the Info Huts at both Market Square and York St.)
Thank you to Alley Cat Cat Cafe for their sponsorship and thank you to Shawn Malvern for his second year in a row of sponsoring the fire pit!
We also thank Stratford Zehrs for generously donating all the Rice Krispie Treats for the last two years!
We’re delighted to welcome the Victorian Christmas Carollers. Bringing their musical magic to the streets of downtown… gracing us with their enchanting melodies on our Winter Wander-land Weekend. Prepare to listen or sing along to some of the most cherished holiday classics as they weave through the streets of downtown.
Thank you to KDB Law for sponsoring our Carollers this year.
THE PERFECT weekend to grab your Christmas Tree and Holiday Greenery! Trees are available at both Market Square and on York Street, whichever is more convenient for you. Bring the sweet fragrance of Christmas into your home with fresh Balsam or Fraser Fir trees.
Here comes Santa Clause… 🎵 Here comes Santa Claus 🎵… right down Santa Claus lane… 🎵
Santa is setting up shop on his red reindeer sleigh both Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 4pm in Market Square to welcome all the kiddos thoughout the Winter Wander-land weekend . Get your cameras ready as your children (or pets) let Santa know if they’ve been naughty or nice – and what they’re wishing for this year!
Bring your Letters to Santa addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada and his elves will make sure they get delivered to the North Pole for Santa to read when he gets home.
Thank you to Sutton Group for sponsoring Santa again this year!
Next to Pazzo Pizzeria on Ontario St
We are excited to offer horse-drawn wagon rides this year! Join Dwight, his beautiful horses, and Lauri Leduc, from Stratford Walking Tours, who will be your tour guide for the ride that winds its way through the historic streets of Downtown Stratford. Starting from Memorial Gardens, located next to 70 Ontario St, rides will take about 20 minutes and will run every half hour on the half hour. You’ll stay nice and warm under the heat lamp while you wait your turn!
We are so delighted to bring you even more reasons to hang out at the square all weekend.
Our Yuletide Cabins and Festive Food Trucks will be sprinkled throughout the square offering delicious fare, warm drinks, and even some “adult” drinks through the al fresco program.
A delightful addition to our Winter Food Market includes the chance to drink take-out alcohol beverages (including wines, craft beers and drinks) along with your delicious Yuletide Cabin grub inside the Market Square area.
The Stratford Al Fresco outdoor dining experience has expanded again, so you can dine outdoors with delicious takeout and accompanying drinks from participating Stratford restaurants (see map for locations and window cling to look for below while in the city).
Winter Wander-land is NOT just for families. All ages can enjoy a break here as they head out on their holiday shopping adventure.
One of the MOST EXCITING FEATURES of the year is our Winter Wander-land Passport – which starts November 22nd and runs until December 23rd. This features a whopping number of downtown businesses that offer a validation sticker when you shop, dine or use services. Collect 8 stickers and enter to win one of 3 Downtown Dollar prizes! WOW!!!! You must purchase something from each location however there there is no minimum cost.
Pick up your Passport at 47 Downie Street or at participating local businesses. Bring completed Passports back to 47 Downie Street by Monday, December 23rd at 5pm.
Draw will occur on December 23rd at 6pm. Winners will contacted directly.
