This Ontario city is the perfect holiday postcard destination to see this winter
The quaint waterfront city of Brockville, Ont., located along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, transforms into a festive hotspot during the holidays, offering a curated light and sound show and a themed nature trail among its many seasonal attractions.
The season kicks off with Miracle on King Street, a tree-lighting ceremony in the downtown core that officially marks the start of the holidays. This tradition occurs in mid-November, and is swiftly followed by another one of the city's seasonal staples: the Brockville Christmas Market.
Held in the city's downtown core during the first week of December, the Brockville Christmas Market is a single-day affair that brings hundreds of locals together for some holiday shopping and good eats. Visitors can enjoy live performances by local artists while they stroll through streets adorned with festive decor, and shop from an array of vendors offering seasonal finds.
@justinpluslauren BROCKVILLE is a cute magical Christmas town in Ontario that you need to visit for the holidays! I attended the Miracle on King Street event that was so much fun. Twinkling Christmas lights line the streets, the businesses have all decorated their storefront windows, and there was a marketplace with local handmade gifts. Here are some more festive favourites to check out in Brockville for the rest of the holidays: ✨️ Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade (Nov 25) ✨️ River of Lights (Nov 25 - Jan 2) ✨️ Brockville Christmas Market (Nov 25 & 26) ✨️ Wild Little Roses has holidays workshops throughout November & December to make wreaths or centerpieces ✨️ Clow's Christmas Trail (multiple dates in December) Have you visited Brockville yet? It's straight out of a Hallmark movie! 🎄❄️ #Brockville #brockvilleontario #miracleonkingstreet #Christmas #christmasmagic #christmasspirit #christmasevent #holidaymagic #holidayevents #christmasdecorations #hallmarkchristmasmovies #hallmarkmovies #christmastown #smalltownvibes #magicalplaces #beautifuldestinations #exploreontario #explorecanada #discoveron #discoverontario #southeasternontario #1000islands #ontariocanada #ontariotravel ♬ original sound - Lauren - Travel Blogger
Another highlight is the River of Lights on Blockhouse Island, a 40-minute show where thousands of twinkling lights move in sync with a curated playlist of holiday songs. The best part? You can enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your car; simply park, tune your radio to the correct frequency, and watch the show unfold.
And since you're already at Blockhouse Island, which faces the St. Lawrence River, take this moment to appreciate the view. If you're lucky, you might catch the river's surface frozen over, transforming it into an icy panorama.
If you're looking for something festive to do outside the main city, add Clow's Christmas Trail to your Brockville to-do list. Each year, this 1.5-kilometre countryside path is decorated by the Clow family, featuring giant candy cane displays as well as an elf lodge and cabin, all ideal installations for the perfect photo opps.
One of the oldest cities in Ontario, Brockville exudes old-school charm with its architecture dating back to the 19th century. So, a stroll through its snow-covered streets, taking in the festive Christmas windows of downtown storefronts, is a holiday experience many may want to have.
With its annual light show and views of the St. Lawrence River, paired with King St. and its seasonal vibes, Brockville, Ont., can easily make your list of must-see places this upcoming winter.
Downtown Brockville
