Field Notes for Winter 2025

Just go with the snow

There’s an old saw that goes something like this: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy but still the same amount of snow.” So go get your snow pants, put on your boots and embrace winter! 

Caledon’s Teen Ranch offers scenic trail rides throughout the winter on well-trod paths that criss-cross through their sprawling countryside property. The terrain is gentle, appropriate for both new and seasoned riders who can walk or trot, if comfortable. Available for ages ten and up, the trail rides last for one hour.

If you prefer to stay on the ground, snowshoes are available for rent at Island Lake Conservation Area and Terra Cotta Conservation Area – and according to the friendly folks at the equipment rental office the last time we visited, “Anyone can snowshoe.” If you own a pair, also consider taking a trek at other locales with even terrain: Ken Whillans Conservation Area, the Upper Credit Conservation Area, or the Elora Cataract Trailway. 

One to mark on your calendar: Explore a two-kilometre illuminated trail during Ignite the Night, a nocturnal winter wander through Terra Cotta Conservation Area while the forest is lit up with torches, installations and fire pits. The event takes place Saturday evenings from January 10 to February 28.

Mansfield Outdoor Centre offers a two-hour Guided Ladies’ Mountain Bike Ride on January 10, focused on enjoying the trails and making connections with others.

Turn up the tunes

Is it us or is the local live music scene hitting its stride – especially in our favourite cozy gathering spots? Eagles tribute band Hotel California, who have been singing the band’s hits for three decades, takes to the stage at The Busholme in Erin on December 20. 

It’s a more intimate affair at the Cellar Sessions in Peter Cellars Pub in Mono – musicians squeeze into the small space and perform every Friday and Saturday. Singer Branson Giles takes the mic on December 6 and duo Jay & Jane fill the room with song on December 19. 

The Mark T Band performs classic rock hits of the Jerry Garcia Band on December 6 at GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing Co.’s heated Oast Barn in Caledon. 

At Mrs. Mitchell’s in Mulmur, take in a Friday Night Dinner Concert where award-winning pianist, singer and composer Tyler Yarema performs with Toronto jazz singer Janice Hagan on December 5 and bluesman Chuck Jackson on December 19.

An art scene blooms in Erin 

An Erin-based non-profit, the Over Here Community Arts Adventure, has pulled artists, local businesses and community members together to create and install a new outdoor public art exhibit, The Gallery at 185 Main, across from the Erin Agricultural Society. Visitors can take in 28 art panels by artists including Audrey Devonshire, Alex Jagoe, Kaitlyn Lister and Martha Van Hee.

Future plans from Over Here include a “Caboose Hop” sculpture honouring Hillsburgh’s railway heritage and a utility box art program. Over Here also offers workshops on painting, basket weaving and wood burning. According to co-founder Melissa Auchincloss, they’re a great way to “learn from passionate instructors” in the community.

Clever ways to boost community causes

There are so many ways to give and get a holiday lift this year. The Bethell Hospice Holiday Bazaar on November 22 offers gently used treasures, vintage items, handmade crafts and baked goods at Knox United Church in Caledon Village, with all proceeds going to Inglewood-based Bethell Hospice Foundation. 

The third annual Procyon Wildlife Fundraising Gala on November 29 at Caesar’s Centre in Bolton features dinner, auctions, live music, and dancing to support care for orphaned and injured wildlife at the Beeton wildlife rescue centre. 

Catch a festive performance of A Christmas Carol by Town Crier Andrew Welch at the Erin United Church on November 29. Proceeds help Erin Refugee Action sponsor a Syrian family currently in Lebanon. 

Then meet local business leaders and build new connections at the Dufferin Board of Trade’s first ever Jingle and Mingle Networking Breakfast on December 2. Attendees should bring a donation of winter coats or hygiene items to support three local charities. Register online. 

Holiday cheer around every corner

Whether it’s shopping for handmade treats or swaying to the music, the winter season starts strong.

Downtown Orangeville’s Joy + Lights Festival is now two back-to-back weekends of festive cheer and family fun. The cherished tradition of lighting the Christmas tree kicks it off November 21, followed by the Santa Claus Parade on Broadway on November 22. Last year’s debut of the European-style outdoor Holiday Gift Market on Second Street was so popular that this year it’s over two weekends, November 21 to 23 and November 28 to 30. A new addition to this event is an outdoor synthetic rink on Mill Street – you can bring your own skates or rent. 

The annual artisan-packed Holiday Treasures Craft Market fills the Museum of Dufferin from November 26 to December 7. The Sisters Touch of Christmas, on until December 23, is known for the unique ornaments hand-painted by the nuns of Bolton’s St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery. 

And there’s more than just Christmas trees at Elliott Tree Farm in Hillsburgh: there’s great shopping at the Heritage Gift Barn, rides on the Santa Express and cozy bonfires. Tree customers also get a golden ticket to meet the big guy in Santa’s Cabin (weekends only). Open daily until December 23. At Erin Hill Acres, take a tractor wagon ride through snowy forests, meet furry Highland cows, romp at the kids’ play area, peruse the Holiday Shoppe, all on the same trip you choose your perfect Fraser fir. Open until December 21. 

Holiday concerts are in full swing, starting with a Big Band Christmas at The Rose on November 27. The 16-piece B-Jazzed Orchestra performs timeless classics at The Rose Theatre in Brampton. 

Consider a family outing to the new panto from Theatre Orangeville: RAPUNZEL: A Braid New World! It’s a zany take on a fairy tale that demands audience participation and runs November 27 to December 21.

Then catch The Caledon Concert Band’s Christmas Concert ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 14 with a special musical reading of a timeless tale at the Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church in Caledon East. 

Find more holiday fun in our What’s On calendar. 

Planning ahead for the new year

The winter doldrums are no match for the Fire & Ice Festival January 31 and February 1. The Alton Mill Arts Centre hosts ice-carving events, ice skating and tobogganing, live music and open artist studios – all culminating with the highly anticipated Big Burn bonfire, which reveals the work of this year’s featured artist, Paul Morin. 

While love and loss is a timeless theme in theatre, Theatre Orangeville artistic director Jennifer Stewart says the related theme of new beginnings is just as intriguing. That’s the underpinning of the upcoming play Common Ground. “Because when you’ve gone through heartbreak, it cracks you open a bit and gives you the opportunity to ask yourself some difficult questions,” says Stewart. “The characters ask themselves, Who am I? What do I want? Do I even need to be in a relationship? Did I marry the wrong person? And you see them come out stronger on the other side.” Catch this rom-com on stage from February 5 to 22.

Then on February 28, bundle up for Coldest Night of the Year events happening across Headwaters. In Orangeville, participants meet at the Orangeville Food Bank to walk either 2 km or 5 km to raise funds for local food banks – which has seen a 37 per cent increase in usage since 2023. In Caledon, support Caledon Community Services by meeting up at Caledon East Community Complex. And East Wellington Community Services hosts the Erin walk, which starts at the Centre 2000. Visit cnoy.org for details. 

David Suzuki and Tara Cullis join forces on stage with What You Won’t Do For Love, delving into issues around love, legacy, and how deep personal connections can help us better care for the planet. The duo, who are not only the founders of the renowned Canadian environmental non-profit David Suzuki Foundation but also life partners, will be at The Rose Brampton on March 23.