Port Hope welcomes everyone to help kick off the holiday season this weekend with activities for all ages to enjoy on Friday and Saturday.
The Candlelight Festival on Friday evening is a collaboration of the municipality with Critical Mass Art and the Heritage Business Improvement Area, a chance to explore Port Hope and experience the magic of the holiday season by night. It includes an illuminated procession and group carol sing down the main street into Memorial Park, followed by the lighting of the bandshell.
The walk begins at 155 Walton St. (at Walton and Pine) at 6 p.m., which is an earlier start than usual. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and bring their carol-singing voices. They can also bring a non-perishable food donation for Northumberland Fare Share in exchange for a candle (flame or battery) to carry with them or, if they prefer, bring their own lanterns.
The Outdoor Christmas Market will be in full swing in Lent's Lane, with immersive art installations, festive food, shadow-puppet multi-media performance art, Christmas trees for sale, vintage holiday tunes spun by a DJ and an HBIA selfie station under the lights. Nearby Marlin Travel will host a warming station and photo booth inside their John Street location.
Not to mention Moonlight Madness downtown. The beautifully decorated streets of the heritage downtown are home to an array of unique shops and restaurants open late this one night only.
The next day brings the spectacular 83rd annual Santa Claus Parade, with 10 exceptional bands and more than 40 floats and walking parties from local businesses and community groups. It will wind its way through the streets of Port Hope starting at 1 p.m. on a route that begins at Ridout and Bramley streets, travels down Walton and turns south on to Queen Street. Parade goers are reminded that they can bring along their letters to Santa, as postal workers will pop up along the parade route to collect them.
Drivers are reminded of the road closures in effect along the parade route, starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday until about 2:15 p.m. (or whenever the parade ends). Drivers are also asked not to park along the parade route during these times.
For more information about these and other festive events, visit porthope.ca/calendar.
