Posted : November 14, 2019
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Canada’s Wonderland. For those of our dear readers who grew up in and around the York Durham Headwaters area, is there a name that better evokes memories of childhood? For those of you who are new to or are visiting our region, we bet this is one of the top attractions on your Must See and Do list, isn’t it?
Since it opened its gates to an eager public in 1981, this nationally loved amusement park has seen an impressive evolution. In addition to those long-time favourite rides and roller coasters for thrill seekers, world-renowned entertainment for theatre lovers, and family-friendly themed areas for youngsters, Canada’s Wonderland has expanded to offer themed events. The most recent of these to set the Internet abuzz with anticipation is WinterFest, a magical and immersive winter wonderland experience… just in time for the holidays.
Beginning November 22nd, guests of WinterFest will arrive to find that the amusement park we all know and love has been transformed into a magical world of elves, decorations and holiday lights. Experience the joy of a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, live shows, wandering performers and select family rides. Partake in hands-on programming like cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, letter writing to Santa at the North Pole Post Office, and creating take-home keepsakes at Sally’s Christmas Crafts.
“This is Canada’s Wonderland like you’ve never seen it before,” says Wonderland’s General Manager, Norm Pirtovshek. “WinterFest will be one of the country’s most spectacular winter events where friends and families can create memories and new traditions during the holiday season.”
Visit whimsical WinterFest worlds like Tinsel Town, the North Pole, Elf Village, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town, Candy Cane Lane, International Street, and Season of Lights. For those shoppers looking for unique artisan gifts and festive foods, check out the Christmas Market. Live entertainment at WinterFest will include:
- Tinker’s Toy Factory – an upbeat musical which tells the story of Tinker the elf, who has to deal with some sudden changes in Santa’s Workshop that put his beloved old-fashioned toy-making in jeopardy.
- Cool Yule Christmas – a high-energy, fun-filled show which covers all your favourite Christmas pop songs
- What the Dickens?! – Wonderland’s version of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol”
- The Mistletones – a bubbly trio performing classic Christmas tunes from the 1950s
- A PEANUTS™ Guide to Christmas – a sing-along with Charlie Brown and the gang to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
One of the most magical transformations, though, is that of the ginormous fountain at the base of Wonder Mountain (you know, that place where we all stop and let the spray cool us off as we make a mad dash from Klokwerks to Flight Deck?) into Snowflake Lake for outdoor skating. “It’s amazing to watch this rink come to life,” says Grace Peacock, Director of Communications for Canada’s Wonderland. “Imagine something that’s pretty much the size of an NHL hockey rink right beneath Wonder Mountain, which is such an iconic image. It’s really been something, to see them build it.”
With WinterFest, Canada’s Wonderland is continuing to expand its reach to a wider demographic in the same way that it has with its annual Halloween Haunt. Now the year’s outdoor fun doesn’t end with summer, it carries on right through to December 31st.
Though the event itself runs only from November 22nd until New Year’s Eve, the planning for something as monumental as this has been months in the making—longer, even. In fact, the idea for WinterFest has been floating around for more than a year, since this is a regular event for many of Wonderland’s sister parks throughout North America under the Cedar Fair brand. “Our staff have been scurrying like mad behind the scenes to bring everything together,” Grace says. “There is definitely a sense of excitement here, knowing what we’re working so hard to create. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that we’re making people’s holiday season that much more magical.”
Just how magical will it be, you ask? Here are some fun facts to give you an idea. There will be:
- 5 million lights strung on 800 live trees, 450 artificial trees and elsewhere around the park
- 15 kilometres of ribbon used to decorate
- a Snowflake Lake skating rink that is 240 by 80 feet (that’s 40 feet longer than an NHL hockey rink!)
- 200,000 decorations
- 100 entertainers performing
- 200 costumes tailored
- 5 stores transformed
- three 50-foot-high Christmas trees.
The end result is, according to Grace Peacock, something far more special than your average winter event. “It’s world class,” she states. “Truly. I’ve been listening to the rehearsals of the performers, and just the calibre of talent we have and how much work we’ve put into this… it’s unlike anything you’ve seen around here, that’s for sure.” For more information, or to book your tickets to WinterFest, visit www.canadaswonderland.com. Admission prices vary depending on date, and availability is limited by demand, so don’t miss your chance before this event is sold out.
Story by Katherine Ryalen
– Ryalen is a Durham-based author and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
