Find Your Holiday Getaway in BruceGreySimcoe

Holiday lights, Christmas markets and a little more time together.

An evening wandering under the lights. A gift discovered at a local market. Dinner together before the curtain rises. This holiday season, give yourself time to enjoy the moments in between.

BruceGreySimcoe is a region of distinct destinations in Ontario’s Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties, stretching from the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to Lake Simcoe. Here, places such as Blue Mountain Village, Collingwood, Midland and Southampton bring their own traditions to the season.

From November 2026 into early January 2027, find an experience worth travelling for, explore the communities around it and turn an evening out into an overnight getaway.

Holiday Experiences Worth Planning a Getaway Around

[IMAGE: Visitors enjoying a signature holiday experience, such as Holiday Magic, First Light or Friday Harbour Holiday Market.]
Start with the experience that catches your interest. These celebrations give you a reason to visit, with shopping, dining and places to stay nearby.

Holiday Magic at Blue Mountain Village

The Blue Mountains, near Collingwood | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Follow the Holiday Magic Light Trail through the pedestrian village, explore illuminated installations and make time for seasonal entertainment. With shops, restaurants and accommodation around the village, you can build an evening around the lights and stay for the night.
Make a longer getaway of it by exploring nearby Collingwood, Thornbury or Clarksburg the next day.
Explore Holiday Magic at Blue Mountain Village

First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons

Midland, on southern Georgian Bay | November 26 to December 13, 2026, Thursdays through Sundays
Thousands of candles illuminate the historic site during First Light. Explore candlelit pathways, listen to live music, watch historical demonstrations and browse handmade goods at the artisan market. Admission also includes a visit to neighbouring Martyrs’ Shrine.
Make Midland your base, with time for downtown shops and restaurants or a performance at Midland Cultural Centre during your stay.
Plan your visit to First Light

Friday Harbour Holiday Market

Innisfil, on Lake Simcoe | 2026 dates to be confirmed
Put a waterfront holiday market on your getaway list. Friday Harbour Holiday Market brings seasonal shopping to the resort’s Promenade, with chalet-style stalls and a setting made for browsing and lingering.
Leave time to explore the Promenade’s shops and restaurants, then stay in the Innisfil or Barrie area. Check Friday Harbour’s calendar for confirmed market dates and programming before making your plans.
Explore Friday Harbour’s events

Magic of Lights at Springwater Provincial Park

Near Barrie | November 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027
Enjoy colourful holiday scenes and animated light displays from your vehicle at this drive-through experience. It’s a different way to take in the lights, with Barrie nearby for dinner and an overnight stay.
Build in time to explore downtown Barrie’s shops and cafés before your evening visit.
Plan your visit to Magic of Lights

Add a Little Relaxation to Your Holiday Getaway

[IMAGE: A thermal pool or relaxation area at Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain or Vettä Nordic Spa.]
Balance an evening of celebration with time to slow down. A spa visit can be the reason for your getaway or the part you build around your holiday plans.

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

The Blue Mountains, near Collingwood and Blue Mountain Village
If your getaway brings you to Holiday Magic, Collingwood’s shops or the galleries and boutiques of Thornbury and Clarksburg, consider adding Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain.

Its outdoor Thermal Journey combines hot baths, cold plunges, saunas and spaces to rest in a forest setting. Silence is part of the experience, giving you time to unplug before heading out for dinner or returning to your accommodation.
Plan your visit to Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

Vettä Nordic Spa

Horseshoe Valley, Oro-Medonte, between Barrie and Orillia

Visiting Quayle’s Christmas Market near Coldwater or planning a stay in the Barrie or Orillia area? Make room for Vettä Nordic Spa.

Spend part of your getaway moving between warm pools, cold plunges, saunas and relaxation spaces. Pair your visit with local dining and an overnight stay so there’s time to enjoy the experience without rushing to your next stop.

Explore Vettä Nordic Spa

Check each spa’s reservation requirements, age policies and visitor guidelines before booking.

Christmas Markets, Main Streets and Local Finds

[IMAGE: Shoppers browsing locally made gifts at a Christmas market or decorated downtown shop.]
Holiday shopping can be a reason to explore somewhere new. Meet local makers, discover independent shops and stop for lunch along the way.

Browse a Christmas market

In Meaford, on Georgian Bay, Christmas on the Bay runs December 3 to 6, 2026. Explore wooden market stalls, locally made gifts, seasonal food and entertainment, then wander into the surrounding downtown. Meaford Hall is nearby, offering another reason to extend your visit.

At Quayle’s Brewery in Oro-Medonte, near Coldwater, the outdoor Christmas market runs November 7–8 and 14–15, 2026. Browse local vendors, then leave time for food at the brewery or a visit to Coldwater’s village shops.

Discover Christmas on the Bay in Meaford
Browse Quayle’s Christmas Market

Explore Collingwood, Thornbury and Clarksburg

Make downtown Collingwood part of your South Georgian Bay getaway. Browse independent shops and galleries along Hurontario Street, stop for coffee and settle in for dinner.

Farther west, Thornbury and neighbouring Clarksburg make a natural pairing. Explore Thornbury’s main street before visiting Clarksburg’s galleries and shops for artwork, gifts and locally made finds.

Choose a few stops that interest you, then leave time to enjoy them.

Explore Downtown Collingwood
Discover events in Thornbury

Follow the Lake Huron shoreline

For a different setting, plan a shopping getaway around Kincardine, Southampton or Port Elgin, communities along Lake Huron.

In Kincardine, explore Queen Street’s businesses and check the downtown calendar for Hometown Christmas and seasonal shopping events. In Southampton, browse High Street and visit the 24 Days of Christmas Artisan Market at Southampton Arts Centre, running November 19 to December 23, 2026. Nearby Port Elgin offers more shops and restaurants to explore during your stay.

Explore holiday events in downtown Kincardine
Discover Southampton Arts Centre’s Christmas market
Browse Southampton’s upcoming events

Holiday Concerts and Theatre: Make a Night of It

[IMAGE: A live performance or guests arriving at a regional theatre.]

Sometimes a ticket to a show is all the reason you need to get away.
In Midland, pair a performance at Midland Cultural Centre with dinner downtown. In Orillia, explore the Orillia Opera House calendar and leave time for the city’s shops and restaurants.

Along Georgian Bay, Meaford Hall puts you in the heart of downtown Meaford. Farther west, Owen Sound’s Historic Roxy Theatre offers another starting point for an evening out. While staying in Owen Sound, make time for the Festival of Northern Lights.

Choose your performance, book dinner and find a nearby place to stay. The next morning is yours for breakfast, shopping or another local discovery.

See what’s on at Midland Cultural Centre
Browse Orillia Opera House performances
Explore the Meaford Hall calendar
Find a show at the Historic Roxy Theatre
Discover Owen Sound’s Festival of Northern Lights

New Year’s Eve and New Year Getaways

[IMAGE: Guests enjoying dinner or celebrating together.]

Welcome 2027 with a change of scenery. Plan your getaway around dinner, a performance or time with your favourite people, then stay overnight and start January with an unhurried morning.

Browse local event calendars and getaway offers to find plans that suit you. Check the details before booking, including what’s included in any package and which dates it’s available.

Browse upcoming events in BruceGreySimcoe
Explore getaway packages and promotions

Plan Your Holiday Stay in BruceGreySimcoe

[IMAGE: An inviting hotel room, inn, resort or cottage interior.]

Start with your favourite experience and choose accommodation nearby. BruceGreySimcoe covers a large region, so focus your getaway on one area and give yourself time to enjoy the places around it.

Pair the lights with dinner, a market with a spa visit, or a performance with a weekend away. Check event schedules, ticket availability, opening hours and travel conditions before setting out.

Find places to stay in BruceGreySimcoe
Browse getaway packages and promotions
Explore festivals and events