I really wanted to write a blog post about the upcoming holiday season and all the fun family activities that you can partake in whether you have kids or just love the Christmas spirit. People often commend me for getting out there and doing fun things with my family and putting in the time to make these great memories with my kids. To me it doesn’t really seem commendable but I do appreciate the praise nonetheless. Doing fun activities lets me relive my childhood and youth and brings back that spark that the holidays as an adult is missing. I have compiled a list of 8 holiday activities and the list is as follows:

1. Christmas photos at St. Mary’s Nursery or St. Boniface Museum. Normally I also would have added Shelmerdine’s Garden Center but I just checked their website and they are completely sold out for the rest of the season. I managed to get photos with Jaxson his first Christmas but I guess it has gained popularity since then. St. Mary’s Nursery has amazing family events on Sundays. Photos with Santa and Mrs.Clause and free sleigh rides. Bring a tin for Winnipeg Harvest. Noël au Musée is a free event at the St.Boniface Museum this Saturday the 30th. There is a chance to make crafts, get photos with Santa and Mrs. Clause and enjoy a craft market and pick up some local gifts for Christmas.

2. Breakfast with Santa at the Bay Downtown. December 14th from 9am-12pm and December 15th from 10am-1pm. Call 204-783-2112 to reserve your tickets for this event.

3. Christmas Lights at Assiniboine Park Zoo, CanadInns Winter Wonderland at Assiniboia Downs, Lights of the North at the Bay Downtown. The lights at Assiniboine Park Zoo Tickets are $12 if you buy at Co-op Grocery stores, $15 at the park per person and kids 2 and under are free. It started the 26th of November and goes all the way to January so you have plenty of time to check it out. CanadInns Winter Wonderland is $20 and starts November 29th until January as well. Lights of the North is the priciest for sure at a whopping $19.99 per person on weekdays and $22.99 on weekends. Kids 3 and under are free and they have family passes as well starting at $73.99. This one is also nice because it is indoors so depending on how our December is going, which so far has been pretty mild, it may be nice to check out indoors.

4. Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes at the Children’s Museum. These are on display from November 19th - January 5th, 2020 and this free with general admission to the Children’s Museum. I have fond memories of seeing the Fairytale Vignettes at the actual Eaton Center when I was a child. And the Children’s Museum is always fun.

5. Visit a local craft market, there are dozens to choose from. Shop local, support small businesses and put your money back into our Winnipeg economy. I will be at the Cat and Craft Show this Sunday December 1st at the West End Cultural Center from 11am-4pm. Check your Facebook or Google events near me for more craft shows. South Osborne Holiday Market and Pop Up Brunch is on December 15th and if you are in the area you will definitely want to check out this one because Farm Fresh Food Hub always puts on great events.

6. See The Nutcracker put on by Royal Winnipeg Ballet at the Centennial Concert Hall. I have a very special place in my heart for The Nutcracker as that is where Jesse proposed to me in 2013. The event is on from December 19th to December 28th. Tickets start at $46 each but can be one of those great family traditions you start with. I would make sure to get tickets quick though because they are selling out fast!

7. Story time with Mrs. Clause at Scout Coffee Shop December 19th. This is a free event from 10am to 10:30am. No reservations needed and enjoy coffee, story time and a chance for photos with Mrs. Clause.

8. The CP Holiday Train with Scott Helman and Madeline Merlo. This is a free event and is from 9pm-9:45pm on December 2nd. It is located at grade railway crossing on Panet Road & Molson Street. Bring a donation of money or food with you when you go.

And those are my favourites! There are several more fun events around Winnipeg you can participate in just keep your eyes and ears peeled for ones that suit you. We will definitely be going to St.Mary’s Nursery for the free sleigh rides and Santa photos. We will also be going to the lights at Assiniboine Park Zoo, CanadInns Winter Wonderland and if we can make it we will also check out the Lights of the North. We may also check out the Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes and Story Time with Mrs.Clause at Scout. I would love to participate in all the holiday events but it is just not realistic. December is a very busy month for us. Jesse is opening up 3 restaurants and a bar at Hargrave Street Market. We will likely be packing up most of our house and getting it ready to put on the market for January and then of course Christmas and everyday life. It’s going to be a busy month but even more important to get out there and spend some quality family time together and make some amazing memories. Get out there and enjoy the time with your families too! Happy Holidays friends :)