It may be getting dark early now, but a picturesque Ontario town will be lighting up the night sky this holiday season.
The annual Festival of Lights is returning to downtown Bracebridge for two weeks of fun this November, filled with non-stop festive activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The celebration will kick off on Friday, November 20 with the signature Moonlight Shopping Party and Street Festival. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., historic Manitoba Street will shut down to vehicle traffic, inviting bundled-up visitors to wander through an outdoor holiday market, sip hot cocoa, and take in living storefront window displays choreographed by local dancers. You’ll also get to hop aboard a miniature holiday train, say hello to Santa, and catch a stunning fireworks display lighting up the downtown sky at 8 p.m.
Throughout the festival, you can take part in self-guided downtown adventures, including an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt and the “Let It Glow” holiday window contest. Visitors who track down every hidden elf or cast a vote for their favourite storefront display will be entered for a chance to win one of several $50 Shop the Bridge gift cards.
The celebrations will wrap up on Friday, December 4 with the annual Santa Claus Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of Bracebridge/Muskoka Lakes. Starting at 6 p.m., colourful floats and twinkling lights will roll down Manitoba Street to bring the holiday magic to a close.
The Bracebridge Festival of Lights will take place along Manitoba Street in downtown Bracebridge from Friday, November 20 to Friday, December 4, 2026.
You can find out more details and the full event schedule on their website.
