December 2021
Shop Where You Live, Shop in Durham
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After months and months of the same-old-same-old, treat yourself to shopping someplace new. Someplace close to home. Someplace that has something special to offer—high-quality goods and gifts you can hold in your hands and bring home that very day.
This list of destination shops in Durham Region will offer you something new to discover, a new experience, so travel with us west to east, then north in Durham on an adventure trail of destination shops!
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Rediscover local businesses and
#ShopInDurham this holiday season
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This holiday season—and beyond— Durham Tourism, along with the Durham Region Joint Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, have a special request for residents: Shop where you live, shop in Durham.
The goal of the Shop Where You Live campaign is to raise awareness that buying local will have a big impact for Durham’s economy. The campaign encourages residents to shop local across Durham’s eight area municipalities for their holiday gift-giving.
Shoppers can help support the campaign by using the hashtag #ShopInDurham when sharing their local holiday finds on social media.
The Region of Durham has proclaimed November 28 to December 4 as “Shop in Durham Week,” to celebrate the incredible and diverse business community across Durham. The week kicked-off with a flag raising ceremony on November 29.
To learn more about the campaign and where you can shop local, visit ShopInDurham.ca.
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Welcome to the
Leaskdale Loop
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Discover distinctive and diverse destinations along the scenic countryside of the Leaskdale area, located less than an hour from the GTA, and "a little above Uxbridge."
Explore artist studios, farm markets, and beautiful rural tourist destinations, all within a 10-minute drive.
Christmas Shopping Loop Day
On December 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. select locations will be welcoming visitors to stop by for some amazing local Christmas gift ideas!
Christmas Market Loop Days at Pefferlaw Creek Farms
On December 11 to 12 and December 18 to 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., some loop locations will be selling their wares at Pefferlaw Creek Farms.
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Culinary Corner: Featured Recipe |
Durham Tourism, in partnership with local Chef Alex Page, will be sharing seasonal recipes to inspire you to try something different and support local farms.
This month’s recipe is: Beet, Buttermilk and Maple Lavender Pana Cotta
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups 35% M.F. cream
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 of a vanilla bean pod (or, alternatively, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
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1/2 cup Gray Silo Lavender Infused Maple Syrup
- 3 ounces (90g or 1 small) beet, peeled and finely diced
- 1/2 tsp dried lavender
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 pouch (7g) unflavoured gelatin
- Robust extra virgin olive oil & orange supreme segments for serving
Cooking instructions:
- Pour cream and buttermilk into a small sauce pot. Using the tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla pod and add to pot along with scraped pod, maple syrup, beet and dried lavender and whisk to combine. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 25 minutes.
- Remove and discard vanilla pod. Using an immersion blender, puree cream mixture until smooth, then pass through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl and set aside.
- Place water in a small sauce pot, sprinkle gelatin over top, and allow to bloom 5 minutes, then set pot over medium heat and warm through just until gelatin melts. Pour gelatin into reserved cream mixture and stir to combine.
- Divide mixture into four ramekins and cool slightly, then cover with plastic wrap and allow to set in the fridge for a minimum 4 hours or overnight.
- To serve, run an offset spatula or butter knife around the pana cotta, then dip the bottom of the ramekins in hot water for 10 seconds before inverting onto serving plates. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and some orange supremes.
Recipe serves four.
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A Country Path Christmas Tour looks slightly different this year. Instead of being one weekend only, you’re invited to choose your own day(s) to drive along A Country Path and browse numerous shops to see what remarkable treasures they have in store. The tour runs from November 12 to December 19.
Pick-up a postcard at any of the participating A Country Path locations and get it stamped or stickered for a chance to win a gift basket valued at over $200!
For more information on the contest and to see a list of locations visit ACountryPath.com.
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‘Tis the Season and a great time to get into the holiday spirit with a magical journey through the Trail Capital of Canada. Start with a drive through the Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights, a trail of brilliant holiday displays winding through Uxbridge’s Elgin Park. The park is open December 4 to January 2 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. each night.
Continue your journey through the charming, historic downtown along the Holiday Shopping Trail to see many of the boutique shop windows decked out with themes such as “What Would Christmas be Under the Sea” presented by Sugar FX, “A Canadian Family Christmas” presented by Presents Presents Presents, and “T’was the Night Before Christmas” presented by the Lemonade Stand.
Grab a parking spot close by and take a stroll along Brock Street to browse the beautiful scenes and pick-up uncommon gifts.
While you're there:
Or make it a full festive feast from one of the many local food establishments in the area. If you prefer to indulge in a local brew, visit the Second Wedge Brewing Company for a special 5 ounce beer taster for a toonie, or stay-a-while to enjoy a selection of different brews with a full flight!
Enjoy this safe trail of festivities the family will love, and don’t forget to post photos along the way using the hashtag #HolidayTrailUxbridge.
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THEE Farmers Parade of Lights returns! |
The Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen and Enfield (THEE) Farmers Parade of Lights returns this year as a self-driving format! Displays will be set up on farms throughout the Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen and Enfield area from December 1 to 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night for viewing.
A map and more information on the route are available on the THEE Farmers Parade of Lights Facebook page.
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Theatre on the Ridge gets festive this December |
This December, Theatre on the Ridge is welcoming the season and live audiences safely back into the theatre with two festive events!
Christmas in Rosewood
On December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and December 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., join Theatre on the Ridge for a staged reading of Christmas in Rosewood by Peter Paylor. Peter is becoming a favourite playwright in Port Perry as much as in his hometown of Belleville, Ontario. Christmas in Rosewood is a delightful comedy set in Peter’s quintessential “any small town” of Rosewood during a blizzard on Christmas Eve.
Tickets for Christmas in Rosewood are $25 each and are on sale now.
Christmas on the Ridge
What’s Christmas without a party, some good old-fashioned storytelling, songs and presents? On December 22 at 7 p.m., Theatre on the Ridge regular artist Liam Lynch, is preparing an evening of everyone’s favourite carolled and crooned holiday tunes.
Liam will be joined by other special guests for a seasonal story or two and maybe a visit from the big elf himself! It’s a chance to get merry, sing along or just enjoy the camaraderie of being together. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the 2022 programs and productions of Theatre on the Ridge.
Tickets for Christmas on the Ridge are $25 (includes seasonal refreshments and a gift from Santa!) and are on sale now.
Only a limited number of seats are available for each event and tickets will be sold at the door subject to availability. Performances are indoors and all provincial and regional mandated COVID-19 restrictions and protocols will be in place, including the wearing of masks and required proof of double vaccination.
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Visit Clarington to discover a hometown holiday |
Enjoy the magic of the season at home in Clarington. With a blend of charming rural routes and historic downtowns, it is the perfect place to continue or begin holiday traditions with family and friends.
Shop historic downtowns and rural markets or visit a tree farm! Discover Clarington has put together a list of fun and safe activities you absolutely must add to your plans for a hometown holiday experience.
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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism. |
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