How to Celebrate the Holidays in Thunder Bay: A-Z
Bonnie Schiedel
November 4, 2026
When it comes to TBay and the holidays, there’s a lot going on! Whether you want to do All The Things to soak up your favourite season or prefer to just select a few favourites to thoroughly savour, you definitely don’t want to miss out. And so, here’s our A to Z list of Thunder Bay and the holidays to inspire your plans this holiday season!
A is for Artisans
Made by hand, with love, right here in NWO…well, you can’t do better than that for your holiday shopping. For one-stop-shopping by very talented TBay artisans and other Northwestern Ontario makers, look to Artisans Northwest, our OG curated craft show. Another great option is the annual Christmas Show by the Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild.
B is for Baking
The holidays def call for sweet treats. Stock your freezer or place your order with offerings from local indie bakeries such as Sweet Resilience (which also has baking classes), Holland Bakery, Swell, The Pulla Lady, Uncommon Baked Goods, The Bakeshop on Boundary, and newcomers Sophie’s Bakery, Chippo Cookie Co. and Bizzy Bee (just to name a few…seriously, we are bakery-obsessed here).
C is for Craft Revival
Very popular and super fun, Craft Revival turns the Prince Arthur downtown core into an artisanal market paradise for one day only, complete with live music and show specials you won’t find anywhere else. Tip: Check their socials for the vendor map to plan your scores.
D is for December Dreams
Celebrate community spirit and find fine arts, gourmet goodies and hand-crafted gifts for everyone on your list at this two-day show. It’s hosted by Lakehead Rotary as a major fundraiser for local food initiatives across the region.
E is for Explore the Conservatory
This little slice of the tropics right in TBay gets decked out for the holidays every year with ornaments, lights and more. Stop in for a quiet break to reconnect and catch your breath, listen to the waterfall and wander among the plants.
F is for Families
Thunder Bay has a giant heart, and the holidays are a great time to give back. For some families that means contributing to local fundraisers like Christmas Cheer and Toys for Tots that raise money to provide toys and hampers for folks in need, while others shop with their kids to buy client wish list items for initiatives like Dilico’s Christmas Wish and St. Joseph’s Foundation’s Be Their Secret Santa.
G is for Garden Centres
Packed with both gorgeous plants and fun gift ideas, TBay’s garden centres—like Vanderwees, Bill Martin’s and Creekside— go all out with holiday décor, plus they also host events like vendors’ markets, workshops to make your own gorgeous holiday wreath or planter or even plant bingo.
H is for Holiday Train
A long train all lit up with colourful holiday lights on a dark winter’s night…no wonder this food bank fundraiser is a longtime tradition with families. Pick a spot along the designated route to see it go by, or join the community at the station to listen to some live music from the on-train performers.
I is for Indigenous Christmas Market
Did you know the largest Indigenous Christmas Market in all of Canada is found in Thunder Bay?! Visit this three-day event to shop for beautifully crafted beadwork, fine art, carvings, jewelry and more from local, regional and nationally recognized makers and vendors.
J is for Joyful Music
Feed your spirit with uplifting and powerful holiday music by TBay’s choirs and musical groups, offering performances from the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (ranging from holiday pops to candlelight concerts and performances of the Messiah), Fort William Male Choir, Sounds of Superior Chorus, TBay Trad and Lakehead Choral, among others.
K is for Keep it Local
Make a list, check it twice and show your love of local by shopping at TBay establishments. Check out the various districts in town to remind yourself what’s available and see what events are going on: Bay & Algoma, Fort William, Westfort Village and Waterfront District.
L is for Lights
Indulge in some whimsy, grab your to-go cup of hot chocolate and take a little tour on foot or by car to view some of the city’s best residential holiday light displays. Thunder Bay’s Holiday Houses can help you plan your route, and so can the city’s tour app.
M is for Market
The Thunder Bay Country Market is the perfect destination to stock up on holiday baking, jams and jellies, fresh produce, meat and other goodies and gifts, all locally grown and made. Or, head to Goods & Co. Market, the fun Euro-style market in downtown PA that has artisan goods and a cool food court and bar (as well as frequent holiday-themed events), or the Station Market on the waterfront which is filled with regular vendors and seasonal guest spots.
N is for New Year’s Eve
December 31 is a common night for that TBay-est of festivities, a shag (a wedding fundraiser with dancing, beverages and big-ticket door prizes; watch for local FB posts), but for fun family activities, live music and an incredible fireworks display that still has you home and cozy by 9 pm head to Fort William Historical Park for their NYE Family Frolic.
Outdoor is for Outdoor Skating
Skating at Marina Park’s outdoor rink with the fireplace in the middle and the Giant on the horizon is a wonderful way to get some fresh air and community connection (just remember it’s BYOSkates). Or lace up for a game of pickup hockey at one of the city’s many outdoor rinks or do some magical laps at the skating trails at Vickers Park, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park or Sleeping Giant Provincial Park…weather permitting of course!
P is for Parade
In TBay we are lucky enough to have not one but two parades: the Parade of Lights (trucks and floats all lit up for a nighttime parade) and the daytime Santa Claus Parade (plenty of local organizations and the big guy himself). Which one will be your family’s fave?
Q is for Quiet
Let’s be real: the holiday season can sometimes be a lot. Be sure to build in time for peace and quiet: snowshoeing at Centennial Park, chillaxing and catching up with a friend in a cozy café, attending a service at a house of worship, or booking a country getaway to Rose Valley Lodge or Mink Mountain Resort.
R is for Ride
Sleigh ride, wagon ride or carriage ride…it all depends on the weather! Get comfy and enjoy the beautiful horses, whether you’re at a downtown event with Abbot’s Dreams or tucked into the Slate River Valley with Gammondale Farm.
S is for Santa Pictures
Pics with your kids, pics with your pets: Santa is up for it. Intercity Shopping Centre, Vanderwees Garden Centre, and Creekside Nursery & Garden Centre are the usual hosts so keep an eye on their socials for prices and times, but there may be visits (possibly from Mrs Claus or the Grinch) at other venues like Goods & Co. or Dagwood’s Bakery & Deli too.
T is for Tree
To cut down your very own tree, head to Sandpiper Farm in the picturesque Slate River Valley—it has a sweet craft shop on the property as well. Dropping by the CLE to buy a tree as a Kiwanis fundraiser is a time-honoured tradition too, while others swear by the selection at George’s Market. And make a new tradition with the tree-lighting ceremony at Winter Wonderland, held at the Market Square at Prince Arthur’s Landing—the big tree gets illuminated at dusk, followed by a community celebration with live entertainment, activities for the kids, and holiday treats at the Delta.
U is for Up
And by “up,” we mean “star-gaze”! The crisp clear dark nights of the season make for ideal star-gazing conditions. Bundle up and head to a (Hillcrest Park is a go-to for local astronomers) or see what events are on offer at the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory at Fort William Historical Park.
V is for Very Good Sippers
A holiday-inspired cocktail, mocktail or hot drink? Yes please! Bean & Olive, Pocketchange, The Industry Social House, Up Shot Coffeehouse, The Sweet North and Barkeep are only a few of the many good options all around the city. And for the multitaskers, there’s Sip N Shop, a large craft market that includes a bar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic bevvies.
W is for Westfort Winter Wonderland
A beloved tradition, Westfort Winter Wonderland turns Frederica Street in Westfort into a scene from a holiday movie, complete with colourful lights, a sleigh ride, a bonfire, shopping at the village stores, photo ops with the Grinch and more, all with a nostalgic community vibe.
X is for X-citing performances
Every year, The Auditorium has several holiday-themed performances to thrill audiences…take your pick (could be ballet and symphony pop or rock and Celtic/folk concerts and a cirque spectacular), then sit back, get comfy and enjoy some exceptional performances. Magnus Theatre (the only pro theatre in NWO) puts on a different Christmas-themed production every year, so call your besties and prepare to have your hearts warmed.
Y is for Yummy
For many, the holidays are all about the food and time spent around the table with family and friends. And when you want to leave the cooking to someone else, choose from one of TBay’s dozens of restaurants to get exactly what you’re craving!
Z is for Zoom
TBay almost always has a white Christmas, so with a bit of luck you can be zooming around on skis or snowmobiles over the holidays. Watch the city’s social media pages for info on a Santa skate at a local arena too. Or think fast-paced hockey and head to the stands to cheer on the North Stars, Thunderwolves or Fighting Walleye.
Happy holidays from all of us at Thunder Bay Lifestyle!
