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About This Quiz
Once the snow begins to fall, Canada essentially becomes one huge winter holiday destination. Do you love outdoor activities? You can ski, cross-country ski, ice skate, ski-skate, sled and snowshoe to your heart's content in every single province. Are historic holiday events more your thing? There's a beautiful old hotel, living-history village and National Historic Site of Canada with your name on it! And the Christmas lights? Those could keep you entertained for months if the season was extended! Are you into unusual holiday fun? Check out the mummers, the Christmas zoo and the winter solstice celebrations!
They say a picture is worth a thousand Christmas lights, so go ahead and draw answer inspiration from the festive images shown above the questions (even the most well-travelled holiday adventurer may need a helping hand.) You'll finish this quiz wanting to plan your next Canadian holiday trip, even if it's to a nearby attraction you weren't aware of until you worked through these questions — who knew how many miniature Christmas trains Canada actually has?
It's time to pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate and cozy up under the warmest blanket you can find because we're about to take off on a virtual tour across Canada during the winter holidays!
Toronto, Ontario
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Every year in November, the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake becomes an enchanting winter wonderland featuring carriage rides, theatrical performances of "A Christmas Carol" by the Shaw Festival and a "Dickensian Feast" at the local Prince of Wales hotel.
London, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
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West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton
Park Royal, West Vancouver
Eaton Centre, Toronto
In mid-November, the CF Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto becomes home to a 108-foot tall artificial Christmas tree, the largest in Canada, and one of the tallest in the entire world. The sparkling tree is slowly unveiled on opening night, with local celebrities and athletes MC-ing the festive event.
White Oaks Mall, London
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Whistler Blackcomb
When you're not hitting the slopes at Canada's biggest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb is home to a whole slew of events to put you in a festive mood. The famous Fire and Ice Show begins in mid-December and features skiers and snowboarders riding straight through flaming hoops (what better way to kick off the Christmas season)?
Senora Resort
Apex Mountain Resort
Big White Ski Resort
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Pacific Northwest Holiday Market
Vancouver Christmas Market
Attendees of the annual Vancouver Christmas Market will find plenty to do in the European-style outdoor village, including shopping for locally made gifts, watching holiday entertainment on the Flying Stage and taking pictures with Santa Claus, Holly and Jolly — the official mascots of the Christmas Market.
Covent Garden Market
St. Lawrence Market
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Québec City
The capital of La Belle Province, Québec City, already looks like a winter wonderland before any of the decorating and festivities have even begun. You'll discover a world-famous German Christmas Market, food tours throughout Old Quebec, outdoor ice skating at Place d'Youville, and carolling at the Notre-Dame de Québec.
Montreal
Ottawa-Gatineau
Sherbrooke
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Toronto, Ontario
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Dawson City, Yukon
Dawson City is home to one of the most unusual Christmas parades in the world — where else can you see a flotilla of brightly decorated boats, canoes (and sometimes skidoos) go past when the outdoor thermometer reads -25°C? The riverboats are decked out in their holiday finest, bringing some truly spectacular cheer to the small northern town.
Whistler, British Columbia
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Tofino
Victoria
Victoria's beautiful Parkside Hotel and Spa hosts an annual holiday Gingerbread Showcase throughout November, December and the beginning of January to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. The display showcases the incredible talent of both amateur and professional bakers — each gingerbread house is completely unique and meticulously crafted.
Nelson
Burnaby
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L'Hermitage Hotel
The Empress Hotel
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Hôtel de Glace
At the Hôtel de Glace, you'll be able to enjoy a cup of cheer in a glass made of ice — the building material of choice for the entire hotel. Each year the hotel is redesigned and rebuilt for the winter season, making it an instant attraction for thrill-seeking visitors. Despite ambient temperatures of -3°C to -5°C, guests can keep warm in outdoor hot tubs before wrapping themselves in insulated sleeping bags.
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Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
If you visit the Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, you'll be able to walk amongst the treetops of the eight tallest decorated Christmas trees in the entire world. The main attraction of the event is taking a walk through the Treetops Adventures, where you'll find eight Douglas firs over 250 years old — each tree weighing approximately 30 tons and standing up to 110 feet tall.
Christmas at the Grouse Grind
Winter Wonderland at Whistler
Light Up Cypress Mountain
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Fort St. John, British Columbia
Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Calgary, Alberta
Nelson, British Columbia
Visiting Nelson in December is a great idea for several reasons — the Whitewater Ski Resorts opens (and gets an estimated 12 metres of snow every season), there's a gingerbread house showroom, a Christmas craft fair and visits from Santa Claus in town and at the resort. Travelling from afar? Don't worry; Nelson has its own small airport!
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Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Empress
Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise
You know you're in for a holiday treat once you've stepped into the beautifully decorated lobby of the Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the hotel is perfectly located for guests to snowshoe, skate and cross-country ski to their heart's content before enjoying a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the postcard-worthy natural surroundings.
Hotel Arts Kensington
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Royal Botanical Gardens
Victoria Park
VanDusen Gardens
Give yourself plenty of time to check out VanDusen Gardens' Festival of Lights; you'll thank yourself later! The colourful Christmas light display reflects back from the pond running through the gardens, and there are several floating displays designed to enhance the stunning effect.
Deer Lake
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Grasslands National Park
Kootenay National Park
Fundy National Park of Canada
Banff National Park
Visiting Banff National Park during the holiday season is like stepping into a scene from a Christmas card. Sleigh rides, ice skating, fresh air picnics and a Santa Claus parade are just some of the ways you can get into the festive spirit. Into back-country skiing? Book your own cabin — there's nothing better than a mug of hot chocolate and a roaring fire after being outside in the snow!
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London
Almonte
If you're a fan of the made-for-TV holiday movies "Christmas Festival of Ice," "The Rooftop Christmas Trees" or "Christmas Around the Corner," you're going to want to pay a visit to Almonte. For a truly festive experience visit the town on the first December, that's when the downtown core kicks off its "Light Up the Night" celebration.
Grand Bend
Windsor
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Sun Fest
Winterlude
Taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec, Winterlude is held over three consecutive weekends in February. While ice skating on the world's largest outdoor rink, the Rideau Canal is the main event, attendees can watch ice carving competitions, admire installation art pieces and enjoy all the incredible food the region has to offer.
Art Walk
The Winter Crawl
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Victoria Falls
Niagara Falls
If you guessed Niagara Falls, you are correct! Niagara Falls hosts the Winter Festival of Light, an accurate name for an event featuring the lighting of three million Christmas lights all over the town. Throughout December, Niagara Falls has fireworks displays, as well as the world's largest Canadian/American flag made entirely of lights.
Rideau Falls
Helen Falls
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Bonhomme Carnival
February Fun Festival
Festival du Voyageur
The city of Winnipeg hosts the annual Festival du Voyageur, Western Canada's largest winter festival! A 10-day event, this historical celebration is a chance to experience Canada's French and historical fur-trading culture up close through the arts, traditional music and historical displays.
The Windy in Winnipeg Festival
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Saskatoon
Make sure you bring your toothbrush when you visit Saskatoon because it has the most candy and toy stores per capita in all of Canada! If sweets aren't your thing, but you love to eat delicious food, Saskatoon's food scene has you covered (it's commonly referred to as the "Paris of the Prairies.")
Regina
Moose Jaw
Yorkton
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The Four Seasons
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac first opened in Old Quebec in 1893, becoming an official National Historic Site of Canada in 1981. At Le Château Frontenac, the holiday season officially begins in November and continues throughout December with carolling and carriage rides. Don't forget the main event: a large dinner and dance at the hotel.
Hôtel de Glace
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
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Stanley Park
If you're looking for a miniature Christmas train, you'll want to head over to Stanley Park in Vancouver's West End. Visitors can look at millions of lights by donation, or they can purchase tickets for the Christmas Train, which will take them on a journey through part of the festively decorated park.
Jericho Park
Deer Lake Park
VanDusen Gardens
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Mummering
If you guessed mummering, you must be from Newfoundland and Labrador! Mummers dress up in costumes made from household objects and travel from house to house, disguising themselves by wearing masks and changing their voice until their identities are guessed — at which point they're invited inside to join the party.
Trick or treating
Partying
Carolling
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Montreal, Quebec
Toronto, Ontario
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is the place to be if you want to see a parade of boats decked out in their holiday finest! The Carol Ships Parade of Lights first began in the 1960s with a single decorated boat, and today over 80 boats participate in the flotilla. There are plenty of places to watch from the shore, but if you're feeling flush, you can buy tickets to board a private cruise boat or yacht.
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'60s Christmas
Ancient Greek Christmas
Victorian Christmas
Have you ever wanted to enjoy a cup of wassail, dress up in fashion from the late 1860s, participate in a card-making class and learn about the Confederation all at the same time? If the answer is "yes" then run, don't walk to the Victorian Christmas celebrations at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site during December.
Medieval Christmas
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Light Alley
Holiday Alley
At once nostalgic and rustic, the Holiday Alley in Old Montreal is a joint effort between brother and sister team Lysanne and Philip Pepin, owners of the alleyway-adjacent Pepin Shop. This is a one-stop shopping location for anyone looking to buy housewares, food, hand-designed wallpaper and elegant clothing made by Canadian companies (perfect for supporting local businesses when shopping for gifts.)
Winter Alley
Bonhomme Alley
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Ottawa
Every December, Ottawa is home to Christmas Lights Across Canada, a festival of lights that extends from Parliament Hill to Ottawa's downtown district, historical sites and city parks. Feeling left out over on the West Coast? If you're on Vancouver Island, you can catch Christmas Lights Across Canada at Victoria's Parliament Buildings.
London
St. Thomas
Burlington
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Yay for the Sun!
First Light
The First Light celebration at Saint-Marie Among the Hurons is truly a sight to behold. Illuminated by the soft light of 5,000 candles, the 17th-century mission is a part of the Huron Wendat Nation. First Light festivities include Indigenous drumming, dancing and artwork in addition to carols and folk songs from Franco-Ontario regions of the province.
Bright Lights Festival
Welcome Light
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Alberta
The town of Airdrie, Alberta, is home to the Airdrie Festival of Lights — an extravagant Christmas display featuring millions of dollars worth of lights. Located in Nose Creek Park, the celebration also features bonfires, outdoor skating and miniature train ride that will only cost you a toonie.
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territories
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Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant is already one of Canada's must-see destinations if you're into skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, and it only gets better during the holidays! The town of Mont-Tremblant is a pedestrian-only space, giving you plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the sights (which include lumberjack demonstrations, Christmas lights, Quebecois carols and a treasure hunt.)
Montreal
Quebec City
Gatineau
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A historical re-enactment
An airshow
A fireworks display
A panorama
The Simcoe Christmas Panorama was born into existence after one-too-many failed attempts at a Santa Claus parade in poor weather. Instead of abandoning the parade floats, the town of Simcoe positioned them as a panorama instead and now adds new exhibits to the group regularly.
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Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Parliament Hill Village
Upper Canada Village
Modelled after a small 1860s town, Upper Canada Village is one of the largest living-history sites in the country. During the holiday season, guests can ride in a horse-drawn wagon, enjoy a vintage merry-go-round and enjoy freshly baked cinnamon buns while millions of lights twinkle merrily throughout the Village.
Casa Loma
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Springbank Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens is home to five unique gardens (and over 1,100 species of plants). Still, the rock garden is the one that literally shines the brightest during the holiday Winter Lights Festival. Children visiting the Gardens can have a visit with Santa, and families can buy tickets to a brunch event with both Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Christmas Gardens
Canada's Rock Garden
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St. James Cathedral
Fort York
Ontario Parliament
Casa Loma
If you guessed Casa Loma — the famously extravagant Toronto castle — then you're 100% correct! Casa Loma's ongoing A Nutcracker Christmas event includes magic demonstrations, a 40-foot Christmas tree, a visit with Santa, ice skating performances, arts and crafts, winter mascots and cookie decorating (phew!)
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Fort Henry
Every year Kingston's Fort Henry transforms into an ethereal and interactive light display called the Lumina Borealis. Guests can take a 45-minute walk along a path of projected images of winter animals and aurora borealis on the walls of Fort Henry as well as 3D installation pieces that mimic the beauty of snow-covered trees.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Casa Loma
Parliament Hill
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Gibbons Park
Victoria Park
London's Victoria Park is transformed into an actual Winter Wonderland each December, beginning with a traditional lighting of the lights ceremony on the first of the month. In addition to over 75,000 Christmas lights, the park is home to an outdoor skating rink and a bandstand. On NYE, Londoners flock to the park for live music performances and a New Year's countdown.
Christmas Park
Thames Park
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Whistler
Wakefield
Winterville
Waterloo
If you went with Waterloo, you're either very wise or well-informed! The Wonders of Winter holiday festival has been taking place since 1993 when Bill Weiler went out of his way to get a loan from the city so that he could install the first 5,000 lights. Since then, the winter wonderland has expanded to over 100 displays and 100,000 lights.
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Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's Bay Roberts may be a small community, but they sure know how to throw an amazing Christmas celebration! There's an afternoon and an evening Santa Claus parade, the province's very first automated light display, the biggest Nativity scene you can find east of Montreal and a fireworks display.
Stratford, Ontario
Victoria, British Columbia
Fredericton, New Brunswick
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Mars Bar Island
Candy Cane Lane
Edmonton's Candy Cane Lane is all about giving back to the community. It's entirely run and organized by volunteers who work tirelessly to keep Candy Cane Lane running smoothly. It's also closely tied to the Edmonton Food Bank — some years have seen over 12 trucks packed full with non-perishable items.
Skittles Street
Chocolate Cul-de-sac
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Dawson City
Victoria
Vancouver
Barkerville
Although there isn't much panning for gold in the small community of Barkerville today, the town's Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas celebration features lots of holiday-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy. Visitors can tour the 125 remaining original Victorian buildings, watch blacksmith demonstrations and enjoy sleigh rides for the duration of the festival.
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Sainte-Therese
The perfectly picturesque town of Sainte-Therese is located at the base of the Laurentian Mountains, offering a beautiful backdrop for their annual Village de Noel. There you can visit with Papa Nöel and then have a hot chocolate while enjoying a traditional sleigh ride.
St. Thomas
Windsor
Montreal
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Zoobilee Zoo
Zootopia
Zoolights
The Calgary Zoo has been hosting Zoolights for almost 25 years, with ticket proceeds going towards animal preservation. The zoo is decorated with over two million lights, and new themes and activities are added to the program each year (don't worry, a visit with Santa is a Zoolights annual tradition!)
Animal Kingdom
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