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, stretching from the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to Lake Simcoe. Here, places such as The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Southampton, Barrie and Midland bring their own traditions to the season.

From November into early January, 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

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 an evening of it with a three-course holiday meal at Restaurant Sainte-Marie or a private Dinner Under the Stars in a cozy dining dome. Advance reservations are required for all dining options.

Stay a little longer with a riverfront cabin overnight package, including two First Light tickets, festive treats and exclusive experiences. Leave time to explore Midland’s downtown shops and restaurants or catch a performance at Midland Cultural Centre during your getaway.

Plan your visit to First Light

 

Friday Harbour Holiday Market

Innisfil, on Lake Simcoe | Select dates, November 20 to December 27, 2026

Browse chalet-style market cabins, meet local makers and warm up with seasonal treats at Friday Harbour's European-inspired Holiday Market. The waterfront Promenade and Piazza come alive with lights, music and a 40-foot Christmas tree. Visit on November 28 for the annual tree lighting, or choose another market date to enjoy the festivities. Admission and parking are complimentary.

Stay for dinner at a Promenade restaurant or Lake Club, then turn your visit into a waterfront getaway with accommodation through Lake Simcoe Stays. 

Explore Friday Harbour’s events
Book a holiday stay at Friday Harbour

 

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

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.
 

Living Water Resorts and Living Shore Spa

Collingwood, on Georgian Bay

Build your holiday getaway around relaxation with a stay at Living Water Resorts in Collingwood, home to Living Shore Spa. Experience Ontario’s only Aquapath™, an indoor, guided hydrotherapy journey through eight water stations in a grotto-style setting.

Pair your spa visit with shopping and dining in downtown Collingwood or an evening at Holiday Magic in nearby Blue Mountain Village. With accommodation and a spa in one place, you can leave more time to unwind.

Explore stays at Living Water Resorts
Discover the Aquapath at Living Shore Spa

Christmas Markets, Main Streets and Local Finds

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 to explore Coldwater’s village shops.

Missed the market? Return for the Hops & Holly Twinkle Trail, lighting up the brewery’s Beer Garden starting November 28, 2026. Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, families and community groups support the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation. Enjoy the lights, a bite to eat and time together at the brewery.

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.

Planning your visit for Saturday, December 12, 2026? Join a local tradition at Thornbury’s 50th Olde Fashioned Christmas, with a visit from Santa, the annual tree-lighting ceremony, activities on Bruce Street and late-night shopping.

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

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. Just outside Orillia, Casino Rama Resort’s Entertainment Centre offers another reason to make a night of it, with live performances, dining and accommodation in one place.

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
Make a night of it at Casino Rama Resort
Explore the Meaford Hall calendar
Find a show at the Historic Roxy Theatre
Discover Owen Sound’s Festival of Northern Lights
 

Plan Your Holiday Stay in BruceGreySimcoe

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.

Planning to welcome 2027 with a change of scenery? Browse getaway packages and promotions and make a New Year’s stay in BruceGreySimcoe part of your holiday plans.


Find places to stay in BruceGreySimcoe
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