Late Nov – Christmas Eve

Season of
Father Christmas

Balsam boughs, thousands of twinkling lights around town, strolling Father Christmases and carollers, all season long.

Plan your visit See the schedule
Season of Father Christmas — placeholder hero image
1 mo of festivities
30 volunteers
Free to enjoy

A seaside Christmas

As the harbour cools, the town fills with balsam-fir boughs and thousands of lights. The Season of Father Christmas is a month-long seaside Christmas — a deep-winter tradition that keeps Mahone Bay glowing right up to Christmas Eve.

The season opens with a community tree lighting and unfolds with strolling Father Christmases, carollers, holiday and vintage markets, and festive flavours in every café.

Handmade, neighbourly and free to enjoy — a seaside Christmas the whole province drives out to see.

Schedule

Day-by-day community events. Scarecrow displays run the full festival window.

Friday · Nov 27

1 event
  • 6:30 PM
    Community Tree Lighting After dark
    Bandstand Park

    The season opens as the town gathers to light the tree. Carols, cocoa and Father Christmas.

    Map →

Saturday · Dec 5

2 events
  • 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
    Holiday Market opens Market
    Around town

    Holiday and vintage markets pop up around town with local makers and festive flavours.

  • 6:30 PM
    Tree lighting & carollers After dark
    Bandstand Park

    Strolling Father Christmases and carollers fill the streets.

Highlights

Moments from the festival.

  • Handmade Victorian caroller figures in red cloaks stand in a snowy front yard before a pink heritage house during the Season of Father Christmas

    handmade carollers

  • Two bundled-up festival-goers smile on a decorated street at dusk during the Season of Father Christmas in Mahone Bay

    lights around town

  • A decorated Christmas tree stands in a red-and-white wooden dory against a garland-trimmed building — a classic seaside Mahone Bay Christmas

    a seaside Christmas

    Photo · Betty Meredith

Plan your visit

Parking

Free evening parking around town. Dress warm — much of the season happens after dark by the water.

Getting around

Lights and displays run through a walkable town centre. Bring warm layers and good boots.

Where to eat

Cafés and restaurants serve festive flavours all season. See our Great Places to Eat guide.

TODO: link “Great Places to Eat” PDF

Where to stay

Cosy inns and B&Bs make a perfect seaside-Christmas weekend. See our Great Places to Stay guide.

TODO: link “Great Places to Stay” PDF

Good to know

What does the season include?

A community tree lighting to open, twinkling lights and balsam boughs around town, strolling Father Christmases and carollers, holiday markets, and festive flavours in every café.

How much does it cost?

The season is free to enjoy. Some special events may be ticketed — details are posted here as they're confirmed.

When is the tree lighting?

Opening night, at the end of November. Watch this page and our newsletter for the exact date and time.

Neighbours supporting a tradition

Our partners

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