Get into the holiday spirit with events in Belleville and beyond

The 2010 Festival of Lights in Trenton. This year’s event, called Fantasy of Lights, takes place throughout December. File photo by Clover Raftis

By Michelle Poirier

BELLEVILLE – It’s December, and with that comes the holiday planning. So take these local events into consideration when making your holiday plans.

Dec. 5

Journey to Bethlehem: An outdoor Christmas nativity pageant. Groups will travel the road to Bethlehem with a guide on this 30- to 45-minute outdoor journey. Quinte Alliance Church, 373 Bridge St. W. Arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Christmas Alive 2014: A musical drama called Celebrate HIS Coming with special guest singer Kevin Pauls. Admission is free but a freewill offering will be taken. Calvary Temple, 679 Dundas St. W., Belleville, at 7 p.m.  Call 613-969-0888 for details.

Belleville General Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar: Crafts, baked goods and a silent auction. Belleville General Hospital, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Bernice for more information at 613-962-7111.

The Tweed Festival of Trees is one of the many Christmas events happening this December. Photo by Bay of Quinte Tourism.

Bellevegas Variety Show, Hip for the Holidays!: Variety the Dance and Show Band, featuring members of the Power Connection, in an evening of music and entertainment. Proceeds from ticket sales support the Quinte Arts Council. The Empire Theatre, 321 Front St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets here or call 613-969-0099 for details.

The Tweed Festival of Trees: Decorated trees and wreaths, seasonal music, warm drinks and homemade cookies. $2 for single entry, $10 for a family. Tweed-Hungerford Agricultural Building, 617 Louisa St., Tweed.

Dec. 6

The Christmas Traditions Craft Show: Vendors, a draw and photos with Santa (noon to 4 p.m.). Free admission. Frankford Legion, 12 Mill St., Frankford, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa: Horse and buggy rides to a sugar-shack pancake breakfast and beverage with Santa, and a Christmas concert (at noon) featuring Andy Forgie. Tickets for adults cost $10 and for children $5. Walt’s Sugar Shack, 770 Lakeside Dr., Consecon, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Homemade Holiday Crafts: Create homemade holiday crafts to decorate your home. Belleville Public Library at 10:30 a.m., ages three and up. For more information call 613-968-6731 ext. 2235.

Christmas Tea and Bake Sale: Christmas tea, dessert and bake sale. Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church, 56 Prince Edward St., Brighton, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. For information call 613-475-1311.

Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Christmas Craft Sale: A variety of local artisans selling handmade crafts, paintings, carvings and more. Costs $2, or free with a non-perishable food donation. Mohawk Community Centre, 1807 York Rd., Tyendinaga Territory, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sonrise Christian Academy Christmas Craft and Bake Sale: Tearoom with refreshments and pies. Vendors, Christmas décor tables, craft tables and bake sales. Sonrise Christian Academy, 58 Johnson St., Picton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Alive 2014: A musical drama called Celebrate HIS Coming with special guest singer Kevin Pauls. Admission is free but a freewill offering will be taken. Calvary Temple, 679 Dundas St. W., Belleville, at 7 p.m.  Call 613-969-0888 for details.

Journey to Bethlehem: An outdoor Christmas nativity pageant. Groups will travel the road to Bethlehem with a guide on this 30- to 45-minute outdoor journey. Quinte Alliance Church, 373 Bridge St. W. Arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Christmas, Tea, Bazaar, Bake Sale: St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, 115 St.Lawrence St. W., Madoc, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Luncheon is $4.

A County Christmas: Walk-through featuring donkeys, sheep, goats and more, accompanied by actors and narrators of different parts of the Christmas nativity story. Carriage rides and a petting zoo will also be on site. Hot chocolate, snacks and carol singing will take place inside. Emmanuel Baptist Church Bloomfield, 240 Main St., Bloomfield, 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit the website or call 613-393-2234.

A Christmas Carol: A dramatic reading of the Charles Dickens work. Old Church Theatre, 940 Bonisteel Rd., Trenton.  Tickets cost $25. Call 613-392-9212 or visit the website.

Christmas at O’Hara Mill: An old-fashioned Christmas family gathering at the O’Hara Mill pioneer log house. Period decorations, hot chocolate, hot cider, Christmas cookies and roasted chestnuts will be available. Live entertainment, carol singing and storytelling. Candle lights, oil lamps, a massive open fireplace and bonfires at both the log house and the visitor centre. Food will be available for purchase. 638 Mill Rd., Madoc Township, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission free; donations welcome. Visit the website or call 613-473-2084 for more information.

Wassail by Candlelight at Macaulay House: Travel back in time to an 1850s holiday season. An array of heritage foods to sample and period decorations. Hosted by the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association. 35 Church St. in Picton from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information call Jennifer Lyons at 613-476-2148 ext. 258 or visit the website.

The Tweed Festival of Trees: Decorated trees and wreaths, seasonal music, warm drinks and homemade cookies. $2 for single entry, $10 for a family. Tweed-Hungerford Agricultural Building, 617 Louisa St., Tweed.

A classic Christmas story is being read and performed multiple times this holiday season.

Dec. 7

Christmas at O’Hara Mill: An old-fashioned Christmas family gathering at the O’Hara Mill pioneer log house. Period decorations, hot chocolate, hot cider, Christmas cookies and roasted chestnuts will be available. Live entertainment, carol singing and storytelling. Candle lights, oil lamps, a massive open fireplace and bonfires at both the log house and the visitor centre. Food will be available for purchase. 638 Mill Rd., Madoc Township, noon to 6 p.m. Admission free; donations welcome. Visit the website or call 613-473-2084 for more information.

The Sounds of Christmas: The Other Side Media Group presents seasonal favourites with special guests Robert and Peggy Bailey, recording artist Tony Vani, Belleville’s own Jessica Yarrow and friends. A tearoom and refreshments are included with admission, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there. Proceeds support the Other Side Media Group’s non-profit projects and services. Donations to Gleaners Food Bank and the Firefighters Toy Drive accepted. Tickets $5; kids 12 and under are free. Best Western Belleville, 387 Front St. N. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7. For more information call 613-847-4326 or 613-847-4133. Tickets available at the door.

A Hallelujah Christmas: Sing with Grace Community Choir for its cantata. Singers from many denominations from Trenton-area churches come together to sing of the blessings of Christmas. Grace United Church, 85 Dundas St. E., Trenton, at 7 p.m.

Holiday Storytime for Toddlers: Christmas stories, finger rhymes and activities for ages 18 months to three years old. Belleville Public Library, 10 a.m. For more information, call 613-968-6731 ext. 2235.

Christmas in the Village: Horse-drawn carriages, cookie decorating, craft making, cider and sweets. Ameliasburgh Village, 13 Coleman St., 1 to 4 p.m. Free event. For more information email here.

A Christmas Carol: The Belleville Theatre Guild presents Dickens’s story accompanied by carols and music. Pinnacle Playhouse, 256 Pinnacle St., at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $10 for students. For more information call 613-967-1442; visit the website for more dates.  

Gloria in Excelsis: An evening of choral music and carol singing with the Hastings and Price Edward Regional Chorus. St. Thomas Church, 201 Church St., Belleville, at 7 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Quinte Arts Council and the church.

Christmasfest in Downtown Hastings: At 12:30 p.m. Call 1-888-653-1556 or visit the website for more information.

Christmas in the County: A self-guided tour of old and new homes decorated for the season. Cider and shortbread along the way. Funds raised will help preserve historic buildings in Prince Edward County. Tickets are $20 and are available at Books & Co., Main Street, Picton, and Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty, 104 Main St., Picton. The all-ages event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Call 613-476-7310 for more information.

Victorian Santa Workshop: Create a Victorian Santa figure, based on craft instructions from Harper’s Bazaar published in 1867, with this craft workshop at Glanmore National Historic Site, 257 Bridge St. E., from 1:30 to 4 p.m. $45 a person. Call 613-962-2329 for more information.

Christmas Carol Service: All-ages carolling. Hot apple cider and homemade shortbread cookies available. Old Ormsby Heritage Church, Old Hastings Road, outside Bancroft. 5:30 p.m. with a second service at 8 p.m. Call 613-337-5050 for more information.

The Tweed Festival of Trees: Decorated trees and wreaths, seasonal music, warm drinks and homemade cookies. $2 for single entry, $10 for a family. Tweed-Hungerford Agricultural Building, 617 Louisa St., Tweed.

Dec. 9

Gloria in Excelsis: An evening of choral music and carol singing with the Hastings and Price Edward Regional Chorus. St. Thomas Church, 201 Church St., Belleville, at 7 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Quinte Arts Council and the church.

Dec. 10

Holiday Storytime for Preschoolers: Christmas stories, finger rhymes and activities for ages three and up. Belleville Public Library, 10 a.m. For more information, call 613-968-6731 ext. 2235.

An East Coast Christmas: With the Barra MacNeils at the Empire Theatre in Belleville at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 613-969-0099 or visit the website.

The Belleville Public Library is having many preschool and toddler Christmas story times this month. Photo from the Belleville Public Library website.

Dec. 11

Inspired by Nature Holiday Celebration: With Quinte Conservation. Make nature inspired tree ornaments and simple bird feeders. There will also be a short time for exploring the wonder of the outdoors in winter after dark. Quinte Conservation Office 2061 Old Highway 2 (corner of Old Highway 2 and Wallbridge-Loyalist Road) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free but donations will be taken for building an accessible trail.

Holiday Storytime for Preschoolers: Christmas stories, finger rhymes and activities for ages three and up. Belleville Public Library, 10 a.m. For more information, call 613-968-6731 ext. 2235.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Christmas Cantata: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir Friends (50+ voice choir) under the direction of Michael Faulkner Presents Appalachian Winter by Joseph M. Martin. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Avenue at 11 a.m. Freewill offering.

Dec. 12

Holly Cole Christmas: Jazz-style renderings of seasonal favourites at Holly Cole’s Christmas concert. The Empire Theatre at 8 p.m. For more information visit the website or call 613-969-0099.

Irving Berlin and White Christmas: Rick Penner performs his Musical Gifts Series in the Parrott Gallery, Belleville Library, 10:30 a.m. For more information call 613-968-6731 ext. 2240 or email.

Dec. 13

Homemade Holiday Crafts: Create homemade holiday crafts to decorate your home. Ages three and up. Belleville Public Library at 10:30 a.m. For more information call 613-968-6731 ext. 2235.

St. George’s Church Annual Victorian Tea and Bazaar: Live music, refreshments, bake sale, children’s activities and church history. St. George’s Anglican Church Parish House, 25 John St., Trenton, from 2  to 4 p.m. Tickets $4 for adults and $2 for children. For more information call 613-394-4244.

Community Youth Christmas Banquet: A turkey dinner with all of the fixings followed by a dance. The Core, 223 Pinnacle St., Belleville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 and dance at 7:30. Tickets $10 a person. For tickets or information call 613-967-0255 or email.

Trenton Military Family Resource Centre Christmas Bazaar: Festive music, unique vendors, food and a tearoom. A non-perishable food item or monetary donation to the food bank is requested. Trenton MFRC, 50 Rivers Dr. E., Trenton, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Christmas Cantata: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir Friends (50-plus-voice choir) under the direction of Michael Faulkner presents Appalachian Winter by Joseph M. Martin. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Ave., Belleville, at 7 p.m. Freewill offering.

A Family Christmas: With Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Seasonal music, original pieces, traditional Cape Breton turns, step-dancing, story-telling and joie de vivre. The Empire Theatre at 8 p.m. Visit the website or call 613-969-0099 for tickets.

Nutcracker: By students of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada. Centennial Secondary School, 160 Palmer Rd., Belleville, at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $20, seniors and students $16 and children 12 years and under $12. Book your tickets by calling 613-962-9274, or email.

Olde Tyme Village Lantern Walk: An evening of carolling in the village of Warkworth with a concert at the town hall. For details visit the website.

Dec. 14

Sharron’s Christmas Party: No Christmas carol is safe: standup comedy, vocal concert, talk show and controlled chaos. Ages 19 and up. Stirling Festival Theatre, 41 West Front St., Stirling, at 8 p.m. Call the box office at 613-395-2100 or 1-877-312-11626, or visit the website.

Breakfast with Santa: Breakfast and a free gift for all children from Santa. All proceeds go to the Gleaners Food Bank. The Boathouse, 32 Front St. S., at 8:30 and 10 a.m. For more information call 613-969-2211.

Christmas Cantata: An evening of praise and worship at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 67 Victoria Ave., Belleville, at 7 p.m. Call 613-968-8998 for more information.

Breakfast with Santa is an annual event at the Boathouse. Photo by the Boathouse.

Dec. 15

Christmas at the Inn: Performed by Lenni Stewart and Julian Gallo, featuring a mix of holiday themes with Broadway and Hollywood favourites. Huff Estates Winery, 2274 County Rd. 1, Bloomfield. Contact Huff Estates for details and tickets.

Dec. 16

Lighting of the Menorah: In downtown Trenton. Call 613-394-4318 for details, or visit the website.

Dec. 17

Dec. 20

Relay for Life Holiday Decor Fundraiser: Team SuperDan is hosting a fundraiser workshop. An opportunity to create a holiday wreath or centrepiece. Cost is $40. For details and registration call Teresa, 613-920-1766, by Dec. 15.

Dec. 21

Visions of the Nativity Christmas Concert:  Featuring Bridge Street United Church Senior Choir, Bridge Street Ringers and Handbell Quartet. With special guest Elizabeth McDonald, soprano. Freewill offering. Refreshments available. 60 Bridge St. E., Belleville, at 3 p.m.

The Choirs of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church: A festival of nine lessons and carols. 201 Church St., Belleville, at 4:30 p.m. For more information visit the website.

Dec. 25

Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Celebration: Dance to the music of the Land O’Lakes Cruisers. Buffet and party favours. At the Belleville Fish and Game Club on Elmwood Dive from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.  For tickets or further information contact Marilyn at 613-962-7082 or Don at 613-779-8831.

New’s Years Eve Party: At Batawa Ski Hill. Call 613-398-6568 or visit the website for more details.

Farewell to 2014 New Year’s Eve Dance: Ring in the New Year with style. Music by Pogie’s DJ Services. Prizes, food, drinks and cash bar. Masonic Hall, 153 Main St., Brighton. Doors open at 8 p.m. $20 per person. 19 years or older. Tickets are available at 613-475-2327 or 613-475-4886. If required, rides will be provided out of town by Operation Red Nose.

Many New Year’s Eve parties are taking place in the area.

All of December

VON: Frozen entrees from Apetito, the Meals on Wheels frozen-food provider, are available in single-serving or family-size portions. Place an order for your loved ones or give them a gift certificate to choose their own. Contact Erica Martin, Meals on Wheels program co-ordinator, at 613-392-4181 ext. 5418 for more information.

Evening to Remember Ticket Draw: Win a progressive dinner for four at top-notch restaurants, including accommodations at Huff Estates and a chauffeur. By the Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward County. More information and tickets are available at the website or at 613-476-2085. Tickets are $25 each or two for $40. Draw will be held at the Walk for Memories event on Jan. 31, 2015.

Christmas Fantasy of Lights: Tour a magical waterfront light display while listening to favourite holiday carols. Fraser Park, Trenton, and Frankford Tourist Park.