We’re getting ready for a full weekend of festive fun to kick off the holiday season with your all-time favourite traditions!
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,” Roaming Carollers to fill the air with festive song, Horse and Wagon Rides from Memorial Gardens, and Live Music from Amanda & James Country Duo FRIDAY evening and Retro Resonance on SATURDAY evening, both on York Street!
Come get into the festive spirit with family fun in Market Square and York Street. 
* Artwork by George Burkholder
All Weekend
11am - 4pm
11am - 4pm
11am - 4pm
11am - 4pm
11am - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
11am - 4pm
Fri. and 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 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 third year in a row!
FIRE PIT #1: Sponsored by Shawn Malvern at WK FINANCIAL (Market Square)
FIRE PIT #2: Sponsored by Alley Cat Cat Cafe (York Street)
FIRE PIT #3: Sponsored by Bruce Whittaker of Perth County Inn (York Street)
This year we’ll have three cracklin’ fire pits! Get cozy around them and roast delicious rice krispie treats. Warm up your fingers and toes while the kids roast tasty treats to fuel their train riding.
(Pick up your treats at the Info Huts at both Market Square and York St.)
Thank you to Shawn Malvern for his third year of sponsoring the fire pit and to Alley Cat Cat Cafe for their second year. We are pleased to announce and grateful to Bruce Whittaker for sponsoring our brand new fire pit this year!
We also thank Stratford Zehrs for generously donating all the Rice Krispie Treats for the last three 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 for the second year in a row.
Planning is still underway to confirm the tree vendor.
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 for the fourth year in a row!
Next to Pazzo Pizzeria on Ontario St
We are excited that the horse-drawn wagon rides will return 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 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 21st and runs until December 23rd. Collect 8 stickers and enter to win one of 3 Downtown Dollar prizes! You must purchase something from each location however there there is no minimum cost. (Participating Businesses List to be available closer to the date.)
Passport will be available for pick up at 47 Downie Street or at participating local businesses. Passports are to be returned to 47 Downie Street by Wednesday, December 23rd at 5pm.
The Draw this year will occur on December 23rd at 6pm. Winners will contacted directly.
We thank our Sponsors for sponsoring for the third year in a row! – GOOD VIBRATIONS ROCK SHOP and RHEO THOMPSON CANDIES!
