Holiday Highlights and Outdoor Winter Fun
As tempting as it is to hunker down indoors in January, even streaming bingers need to come up for air once in a while. With so much natural beauty on our doorstep, it would be a shame not to venture out and see what’s happening in and around Burlington.
Joy Abounds as Burlington Heads into Winter
The official first day of winter is December 21st, but the city’s festive calendar is loaded in the weeks leading up to
the Solstice. We’re here to help you fill your holiday calendar with an array of activities sure to create memories for
you and your family as we usher out the year as only Burlington can.
November Begins on a Sombre Note, but Holiday Lights are on the Horizon.
While we anxiously await the first sporadic gusts of snow, plans for the Holiday Season are afoot. Soon after the clock rolls back on November 5th, Burlington becomes a waterfront City of Lights.
Burlington’s Summer Winning Streak Continues into Fall
Summer 2023 in Burlington demonstrated again that it’s among the best places to live in the entire country. How was your summer? Ours was about growing! And we’re looking ahead to a spectacular autumn.
Better in Burlington!
Better in Burlington! It’s better in Burlington and, in this video, the Molinaro Team proves it by presenting just a few of the many reasons Burlington is easy to love.
Sweet “Sole” Music Fills the Streets!
That April heat wave had all of us swapping our winter footwear for running shoes and sandals. Summer officially arrives later this month but the mood has already swung in favour of long walks on the lakefront and other outdoor pleasures during these longest days of the year. The Burlington social calendar has something for everyone. The sound of rubber soles soon will fill the streets!
Great Real Estate is BURLINGTON, BURLINGTON, BURLINGTON!
Great Real Estate is BURLINGTON, BURLINGTON, BURLINGTON! We’ve all heard the adage “Location, Location, Location”, but what does it really mean? In Burlington, it means having great Community, Lifestyle, and every modern Amenity at your doorstep. That’s what the city of Burlington and the exquisite Molinaro Group Paradigm Grand condominium offers. Your thoroughly enjoyable life by the lake awaits in a growing and picturesque landscape filled year-round with festivals, theatre, nature, history, and plenty of other attraction waiting to be discovered. Established as a village in 1873, sleepy, lakeside Burlington has grown to a population of just over two thousand residents that is frequently cited as one of Canada’s best cities. Its most recent accolades include the nod from Macleans’ in 2019 as Best in Canada for Culture and Community, and Canada’s #7 Best Small City overall in 2022 by Resonance. Burlington is an Outdoor Lover’s Dream A city of parks, Burlington boasts almost 1,500 acres of park land, including a thriving waterfront. It borders Bronte Creek Provincial Park on the West and is home to the largest botanical gardens in Canada at it’s Eastern most point. Those Gardens have been designated a national historic site and are home to thousands of plants representing over 2,800 species. Best of all the Gardens offer 27 kilometers of walking trails. And when you’re back from a day in the fresh air, there’s fine dining, music and dance at the Performing Arts Centre, live theatre at Theatre Burlington, and Canada’s Largest Ribfest held every year at Spencer Smith Park. Of course, every kind of Southwestern Ontario adventure is only a short drive from Burlington. It’s only minutes to Toronto or Niagara Falls Wine Country, the dynamic and growing city of Hamilton. And the Shaw Festival and the Bruce Trail on the Niagara Escarpment are on your doorstep. For commuters, Burlington is a dream come true. It’s only a sixty-second walk from Paradigm Grand to a major GO transit hub (buses and trains), and there are two other stations in the Burlington area. Everything You Want in a Big City, with Small Town Charm Professional services abound in Burlington to support residents of all ages. Joseph Brant Hospital is a 450-bed facility with a 24hr Emergency and McMaster Hospital in Hamilton is only a short drive away. Dentists, massage therapists, personal trainers and more can be found across the city. And excellent schools and adult learning centres are available for the young and curious alike. It’s easy to get excited about all Burlington has to offer. So, check out the Burlington Community Calendar for up-coming festivals and events, and plan a day (or two) trip of discovery to one of Southern Ontario’s most pleasant and welcoming cities.
Taste of Burlington is Here!
With March break in the air, pandemic restrictions easing, and people more eager than ever to get “out and about,” the timing for this year’s Taste of Burlington might seem beyond serendipitous. But that only makes it more welcomed! So, tune up your taste buds and get out there now to sample some delicious delights from participating venues who are offering a host of Prix Fixe meals. And hurry! The program ends on March 20th. Visit the Taste of Burlington website for a full list of participating restaurants. Sign up for Passports With so many great restaurants, pubs and cafes to explore, event organizers are excited to showcase Burlington food & drink all year round. What started as a prix-fixe dining program twice a year now features Burlington restaurants and eats all year long with event updates, a directory of restaurants and more! The prix-fixe dining program will continue twice each year. A Tasty Success Story that Began in 2008 This Prix Fixe Dining Program has seen great success in Toronto (Winterlicious & Summerlicious), Oakville (part of Fabulous February – Taste of Downtown Oakville), and Bronte (Brontelicious). And it’s a simply sumptuous opportunity to return to your favourite haunts or discover a new place in Burlington, which is quickly becoming a culinary destination. The program began in the Summer of 2008 with 12 restaurants participating. It has grown with each successive program with 43 restaurants that participated in the 2019 pre-pandemic winter program. Support from our community, our partners and our restaurateurs has been impressive and enduring Okay, enough reading and more eating, right. Bon appetite! CHCH TV’s Tim Bolan Tours his Top Four picks
The Best Holiday Events In Burlington
With temperatures dropping and the days getting shorter, the holidays seem to be right around the corner! Though the sun begins to set at 5pm, we love this time of year as there’s a magical feeling in the air. Everyone begins to anticipate the holiday season, and all the fun activities that come with it! We’re getting ready for long winter walks, hot chocolate by the fire, visiting Christmas markets, and admiring the holiday lights. We’ve rounded up 5 fun events happening in Burlington to get you excited for the winter season. The North Coal Christmas Market This year’s North Coal Christmas Market will take place on their patio on the 10th, 11th and 12th of December. Join them for a day of eating, drinking, and shopping local! Guests can also enjoy their firepits, the new Muskoka Lounge, and other holiday activities. Visit their website for a glimpse into their 2019 Christmas Market, and for more details about this year’s event. Burlington Festival of Lights Back for the 26th year in a row, Burlington’s Festival of Lights starts on November 26th and runs all the way to January 8th. Burlington residents will have the opportunity to explore Spencer Smith Park and view all the beautiful displays. Lights will be active from 4pm to midnight every day, and all day on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Orthodox Christmas, and New Year’s Eve! For those who wish to stay warm and toasty, take a drive along Lakeshore Road, beside the waterfront and view the attraction by car. Bring your family and friends to experience the magical light festival and get into the holiday spirit! Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail Santa will be driving an adorable antique firetruck throughout various Burlington neighbourhoods on December 4thand 5th, from 10am to 5pm. For all guests’ safety, this year Santa will not be accepting letters or posing for photos. Check their website for all updates and for a map of Santa’s route. Attendees can also use the hashtag #SpotSantaBurlON on social media to let others know of Santa’s location in the neighbourhood. Victorian Christmas Tour & Treats In a guided tour, travel back in time to the historic Ireland House! At this intimate event, you’ll begin with a toast at the Oakridge Interpretive Centre followed by shortbread, ginger cake, and figgy pudding samples. After the tour, enjoy the outdoor open fire, sip some wassail, and roast chestnuts to truly get into the Christmas spirit. You’ll also go home with a delicious box of treats! This special tour takes place on December 3rd and 4th, get your tickets here. Jingle Bell Race This event is just outside of the Burlington area, taking place at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. Come out and celebrate the festive season with an in-person holiday race! Participants will receive a post-race breakfast, medal, and a gift. There is an option to complete the race virtually for those who do not wish to participate in person. The race takes place on November 28th, you can purchase your tickets here! How are you celebrating the holidays this year?
5 Virtual Events To Do For Spring Break
Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, from video chats with family members to virtual events we can attend with friends. The Burlington community in particular has multiple virtual events happening over the next few weeks. If you’re looking for a way to entertain your family over spring break, look no further! We’re got five activities for you to take your family on a virtual adventure from the comfort of your own home. Comedy Show Do you have kids interested in comedy? Then you’re in luck! Comedian Paul Bennett is hosting a family friendly virtual show, ‘Guess What’ where different comedians perform live stand up. The show is hosted with Paul’s daughter and in-between comics, kids have a chance to tell their own jokes. Performances are happening once a month, with the next one on April 17th. Workout Bored of your regular home workouts and looking to try something new? Exhale Pilates offers multiple virtual options so you can get in a fun sweat session without leaving your condo! With their ‘Exhale At Home’ memberships, you get access to their classes, workshops, recipes and more. If you prefer a less regimented schedule, there are drop-in yoga, circuit, weight, and pilates classes. Lasty, Explore Pilates offers 45-60 minute wellness workshops, an activity the whole family can do! All virtual classes and workshops are on their Exhale Pilates app which is available for download on iPhone and Android. Library Programs During spring break, the Burlington Public Library is holding virtual programs for kids of all ages. From coding to dance class to teen trivia, there’s something for everyone. Register for their virtual programs on the Burlington Public Library website, and get ready for a week of fun! Concert It’s probably been a while since your last in-person concert, however, many artists and venues are holding virtual concerts for people to enjoy from their livings rooms. Originally from Burlington, Juno Award winning indie pop band Walk Off The Earth is doing a virtual performance of their own! On April 23rd, join them for a live virtual concert broadcasting from the Danforth Music Hall. With high quality audio, multiple cameras and sharp visuals, this concert will be a treat for the whole family! Museum Experience As Burlington’s community museum, Joseph Brant highlights the culture and development of the city. There are three permanent galleries, open space for travelling exhibitions, and multiple education programs for students. Additionally, this museum offers virtual field trips and homeschool programs for children to learn about Burlington’s history. Take your kids on a virtual field trip and discover ‘Growth and Change in Plants’ or learn about the city’s heritage with ‘Early Burlington’ and enjoy as a whole family! What virtual events are you planning for this spring break?
