Ahead of the holiday pre-season, Durham Tourism would like to take a few moments to reflect, remember and honour the brave and dedicated Canadians who have fought for the freedom that we enjoy today. This November 11, ceremonies will take place across Durham Region honouring Canada’s veterans. Visit your local municipality’s website for Remembrance Day ceremonies in your area.
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Catch Santa at one of the many parades taking place this month (and early next!) You can see Santa in
Beaverton
(
November 15
);
Bowmanville
,
Uxbridge
and
Oshawa
(all on
November 16
);
Newcastle
(
November 17
);
Orono
,
Pickering
and
Ajax
(all on
November 23
); Brooklin’s Christmas in the Village (
November 29
);
Cannington
(
November 30
);
Courtice
(
December 1
) and
Sunderland
(
December 14)
. Watch for Santa’s stops in Enniskillen, Whitby and Scugog in our
December 1st
e-newsletter.
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Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
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Are you ready to experience the world’s largest indoor agricultural event?
From
November 1 to 10, head to Toronto’s Exhibition Place for The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, lovingly referred to as “The Royal.” For close to a century, this event has allowed farmers, growers, producers and homesteaders from across the country have exhibited their very best agricultural products and livestock at The Royal. Take in The Royal Horse Show; up your culinary skills as you learn to cook alongside some of Toronto’s top chefs in daily hands-on cooking sessions; catch the RCMP Musical Ride (from
November 1 to 3); or visit the many exhibitors, activity centres, demonstrations and shows taking place throughout the fair.
Stop by the
York Durham Headwaters booth at the Enercare Centre's Heritage Court and get to know all the agri-tourism experiences available in the region and meet some local farmers and producers! Learn about agri-tourism’s connections to health, education, the people who make it shine, and what makes the regions, people, and terroir of York, Durham and Headwaters so special! We hope to see you there. Check out The Royal’s website for a schedule and admission fees.
Check out this
video to get a taste of the Durham “aggies” who will be at the fair!
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Take a magical ride on
The Polar Express™
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A classic Christmas story is coming to life in Uxbridge shortly. Delight in the magic of Christmas and journey to the North Pole, when you hop aboard the Polar Express, courtesy of the York-Durham Heritage Railway. These special holiday rides run Fridays to Sundays from
November 22 to December 22
. Visit
Ydhr.ca
for schedules, ticket availability and pricing. The Polar Express™ offers a fairy tale-like experience, and pyjamas for children of all ages is encouraged!
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Enjoy TCC events in greater comfort
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Spectra, operators of the
Tribute Communities Centre, is helping guests with autism, dementia or traumatic brain injuries to enjoy events in greater comfort with the creation of Sensory Kits to be distributed during all events at the venue. The visual or auditory environment at the arena can be overwhelming for these guests, due to the bright lights and loud noises. Each kit contains: a small drawstring bag; a pair of noise reducing earmuffs and ear plugs; a pair of anti-glare glasses; a “fidget” toy; communication cards that allow nonverbal guests to communicate their mood and needs; an identification wristband (this can note the family’s location and contact number in the case of confusion or separation); a venue map outlining the main gates, family restrooms and elevators; and an event schedule (as available).
“Sensory Kits are important as it allows families to make memories and have experiences like everyone else,” stated
Gail Smith, Spectra’s Assistant Ticketing Manager and Accessibility Coordinator at the Tribute Communities Centre. “Our Sensory Kits will make attending our events easier if guests know in advance a kit is ready and waiting for them to use.”
The sensory kits will help to provide guests with the best fan experience in Oshawa, and come on the heels of other recent accessibility projects: including the reconstruction of Red Tilson Lane; the new antenna for Hearing Assistance Devices; and Tribute Community Centre’s new website, scheduled to launch in 2020. The free Sensory Kits can be reserved online.
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Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships
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The strongest women and men in Ontario will compete at the Ontario Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships, from
November 1 to 3
. More than 200 athletes, ranging in age from 16 to 80 will bring their best squats, bench presses and deadlifts to the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Centre in Bowmanville. General admission is $10 and $1 for all high school students with valid high school identification. All proceeds from High School student admissions will support the Ontario Para Powerlifting Team’s participation in the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
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Raise a glass at Craft Beer Days
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Durham’s craft beer scene will be “hopping” on
November 2 and 3 (get it?! Hops=beer). Come and see what's brewing in Durham Region and visit participating breweries, where you’ll enjoy free tours, fixed flight prices, featured beers, plus prizes and giveaways!
To participate, simply grab a
Craft Beer Days passport at one of the breweries listed below, and have it stamped at each establishment you visit during your self-guided brewery adventure. Turn in your passport at the last brewery you visit, and you’ll be entered in several prize draws. The more breweries you visit, the more chances you have of winning! Full details on the event and the prizes are available on the
Craft Beer Days website.
Please enjoy Craft Beer Days responsibly.
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Tribute Communities Centre is “pawsitively rockin’”
this November
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You don’t have to travel far to see some pretty awesome shows this month.
Rock the Rink
skates into Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) on
November 9
. Take in top-notch ice routines from Tess & Scott, Patrick, Katelyn and Elvis…Stojko that is! More than just a figure skating show, this touring production features live music, amazing lighting and video.
If Marshall, Chase, Skye, Zuma, Rubble, Rocky and Ryder are more your speed, then you’ll want to catch one of four
Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue
shows on
November 16 and 17
.
Check TCC’s site often to see the evolving line-up of amazing shows, concerts and events taking place at the TCC throughout the year!
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Continuing a Paramazing Legacy
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Earlier this year, Durham Region played host to the 2019 Ontario Parasport Games. One of the legacies of hosting the games is the creation of the Durham Adaptive Sport Collective (DASC). The purpose of the DASC is to grow opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of participation in sport. The group held its first meeting in October and two sub-committees were established to begin working on a Parasport Festival and Online Catalogue. Residents and organizations interested in volunteering with the collective are encouraged to contact Lori Talling, the Region’s Sport Tourism Co-ordinator at
lori.talling@durham.ca or 905-668-4113 ext. 2608, for more information.
On
November 16, local teachers and community program leaders will be at All Saints Catholic Secondary School to compete in the Rotary Club of Whitby ParaSport Festival, organized by ParaSport Ontario. Participants will be guided through five stations by National and Provincial Para Athletes. The day will conclude by 2 p.m. with the presentation of the Rotary Club of Whitby Cup. Volunteers are needed and individuals can register and be placed on a team. Teachers can register through the DDSB PD web portal and non-teachers can register through
programs@parasportontario.ca.
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Christmas celebrations
and markets
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Looking for some retail therapy? Here are a few Christmas Markets and celebrations that will be popping up in November.
There are many more great shops to discover in our downtown districts, shopping malls, specialty boutiques, and local artisan studios.
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Embrace the magic of the season
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From
November 29 to December 1
, experience A Country Path Christmas in Clarington, featuring eight stops and more than 25 “Makers to Meet.” You’ll have the opportunity to meet and shop from local farmers, artisans and specialty producers.
Stops along the “path” include Archibald Orchards & Winery; Tyrone Mills; Timeless Essentials; Rosemary Jenkins Pottery; 3Beez.buzz/Our Valley View B&B; Gallery on the Farm; Geissberger Farmhouse Cider; and Knox Farm.
You’re sure to get hungry along the way. Stop at Eldad United Church on Friday,
November 29
, they’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a variety of Christmas items available for purchase and are serving lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Enniskillen Tyrone Church has lots of tasty Christmas goodies for sale, They’ll be open Saturday
December 1
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit
DurhamTourism.ca
, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact
Durham Tourism.
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