8 Activities To Enjoy in Prince Edward County Over the 2022 Holiday Season

November 15, 2022

Things to Do

It’s that time of year again! The magical, mystical, wonderful holiday season. Tis the season to indulge in hot cocoa and cozy nights spent by the roaring fire, while slowing down and settling into the sweet, silent serenity of winter nights. That is after you’ve got your holiday shopping done, of course. We can help you with that! Here are the local events you need to attend in Prince Edward County this year to shop local and make the most of the season. (And where to stay if you’re just visiting.)

Participate in These Fun Events:

1. Holiday Photo In The Barn at ANDARA Gallery

Get a festive holiday photo taken at ANDARA Gallery’s Holiday Photo In The Barn event. From November 12th to December 18th, 2022, you and your family can get your picture taken in front of a stunning 16-foot Christmas tree in a century-old barn fully decked out for the holidays.

While you’re waiting, enjoy the 3rd annual ODE to JOY art show and sale that’s also held at ANDARA Gallery over the holidays. Check out Tara Wilkinson’s framed photographs from her travels throughout The County and around the globe. And don’t miss Andrew Csafordi’s encaustic paintings.

2. Santa’s Village

On November 18th and 25th, 2022, Ameliasburgh Heritage Village will transform into Santa’s Village! Participate in kids’ crafts, visit the Schoolhouse to write a letter to Santa, and help decorate a festive community mural. You can also visit the residential Blacksmith, warm up with cider in the Summer Kitchen, and catch the savoury scents wafting from the stove in the Log Cabin. This event is free, but donations to the food bank are appreciated.

3. The Red Barn Christmas Market

The Eddie Hotel & Farm features an iconic red barn that was built in the 1860s. And from November 25th-27th, 2022, it will be decked out with Christmas decor for their annual Christmas Market. The barn will be filled with dozens of local vendors, food, and homemade crafts to help you kick off your Christmas shopping. Parking is free.

4. Christmas Bird Counts in The County

We bet you’ve never heard of this particular holiday activity before, but Christmas Bird Counts are free and open to everyone from December 14th to January 5th. They’ve been running for 122 years and “present participants with the opportunity to connect with nature while collecting important data about Ontario’s birds, and to reap the benefits of both.” (Source.)

This year, there are Christmas Bird Counts taking place at Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward Point, and Presqu’ile Provincial Park. If you’d like to join in, you can find each count, when it runs, and who’s organizing it over at Birds Canada.

5. PEC Festival of Trees

The PEC Festival of Trees is put on by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and all profits will go towards supporting the hospital. This year, the event will take place from November 25th-27th, 2022, at Isaiah Tubbs Resort and Conference Centre. Admission is free, and once you’re through the doors, you’ll be able to enjoy the silent auction, live entertainment, and a bucket draw raffle. Kids can also get their pictures taken with Santa at no cost.

There will also be a Christmas Boutique at the Second Time Around Shop in Picton (121 Picton Main Street). Plus, you can preorder preserves and baking from Perfectly Preserved here too.

6. Annual Closson Road Christmas Crawl

Think of this event like your good old-fashioned pub crawl but revamped to include wine, cider, beer, and local artisans too! From November 25th-27th, 2022, come on out to Closson Road in Hillier and check out a variety of local businesses, including Loch Mor Cider Co., Prince Edward County Lavender, and SHED Chetwyn Farm, to name a few. (Don’t have a designated driver for the Closson Crawl? Ask us about our shuttle service!) Admission is free, and you’ll have the chance to win several gift baskets filled to the brim with local items. Plus keep reading to learn how you could stay at Chetwyn Farmstead over the holidays!

7. Santa Claus Parades

The popular Bloomfield Santa Claus Parade is back on November 25th, 2022. This year, the night-time parade begins at 6:30 pm. Expect the streets to be aglow with festive holiday lights and the crowds to be merry with creative community spirit. A few days later, on November 27th, 2022, head over to Picton to enjoy the Picton Santa Claus Parade at 1 pm!

8. Annual Midtown Christmas Market

On November 26th, 2022, from 11 am to 3 pm, the popular Christmas Market will be back at Midtown Brewing Company (266 Wellington Main Street). Shop a variety of local vendors and stock up on their famous Boxing Day Pies. (If you know, you know.) Admission is free, but Midtown will be collecting nonperishable food and cash donations for the Wellington StorehouseFoodbank.