We know it’s only November, but what better way to kick off the holiday season than an entire list of festive and family-friendly activities in one of our favourite seaside communities?
This year, Sidney’s annual Christmas by the Sea is sure to get you into the holiday spirit with its lengthy list of all things fun and family oriented.
Sidney will be a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season, from enchanting decorative lights throughout the town, festive displays, an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, to horse-drawn carriage rides, and a live brass band on weekends, there’s so much to do and see this season.
Also, Christmas has come a little early for one lucky winner as we’ve partnered with the Sidney BIA to gift someone a $500 shopping spree to a Sidney business of their choice!
Hold onto your Santa hats because here are 6 festive and family-friendly Christmas activities happening in Sidney this holiday season:
Sidney’s Annual Holiday Open House
Sidney will be open late to celebrate our official kick-off to Christmas from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 25th.
Experience unique shopping at your favourite downtown Sidney shops. Discover the magic of a small-town Christmas by the Sea with free horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, complimentary hot cocoa, and more!
Lighted Window Tour
More than 50 businesses throughout downtown Sidney have dressed up their windows and storefronts with holiday decorations. So, grab a loved one, pick up some hot cocoa, and wander through the streets of Sidney to soak in all of the festive displays downtown Sidney has to offer!
- When: November 27th to December 31st
Community Christmas Tree
Calling all artists and creatives! Help us decorate Sidney’s Community Christmas Tree by picking up Christmas ornaments from the Sidney Information Centre at 2281 Beacon Avenue between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, adding your own creative touch, and adding them to the Community Christmas Tree located between Sabhai Thai and Barbara’s Boutique (2493 Beacon Ave) Ornaments are free of charge!
Downtown Sidney Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt
Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little scout elves have landed for a fun-filled, Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little scout elves have landed for a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt! For a full listing of participating businesses, click here.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Victoria Carriage Tours will offer festive rides through downtown Sidney on Saturdays and Sundays, November 26th to December 18th, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are $50 per carriage and seat up to 6-people. Click here to purchase your tickets!
The Festive Brass
The Festive Brass ensemble—also favourites at The Butchart Gardens during the holidays—will serenade shoppers on Saturdays outside of Buddies Toys (2492 Beacon Avenue).
- When: Every Saturday, November 27th to December 24th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CONTEST
For a chance to win a $500 shopping spree to a downtown Sidney business of your choice (or multiple businesses!) from the Sidney BIA, complete one or more of the following:
- LIKE EXPLORE SIDNEY on Facebook and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
- FOLLOW EXPLORE SIDNEY on Instagram, and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
- SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6th. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
