There’s an Ontario city that transforms for the holidays with free sleigh rides & festive lights

The holiday joy is alive and well in this Ontario city! Brockville, Ontario transforms into a festive wonderland this time of year with everything from a vibrant Christmas market to free horse-drawn sleigh rides!

If you’re looking for a place to drop in for holiday shopping or just want to escape to somewhere magical for the day, this is your spot.

Getting to Brockville, Ontario

Brockville is perched along the beautiful St. Lawrence River about three hours from Toronto by car.

The city is closer if you’re coming from the Ottawa area, around only one hour away.

The holidays

Now that you know how long it’ll take you, it’s time to plan out your holiday adventure in Brockville.

This year’s Christmas market runs from November 16th-17th and will feature shippable gifts from local vendors, live music, mulled wine, food and best of all – free entry.

Happening at the Brockville Shopping Centre, this is the perfect opportunity to knock a few people off your holiday shopping list.

If you want to get ahead, you can check out the full list of vendors and where to find them at the market.

Also happening November 16th, Blockhouse Island will host free horse and carriage sleigh rides along the picturesque St. Lawrence River from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Once the sun goes down after November 30th, you can head back to Blockhouse Island for the free light and sound show, the River of Lights.

From November 30th, 2024 – January 6th, 2025 there will be a full light and sound show each night from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

There will also be a lights-only (no music) show from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM every night. “These hours are sensory-friendly and feature softy glowing lights that slowly change from one colour to the next. No strobing or flashing lights, and no accompanying music or effects,” says the City of Brockville.

The displays start at Blockhouse Island Parkway, at the base of Market Street West at Water Street.

A festive day in Brockville, Ontario awaits.