Festive streets, local flavours and cozy holiday experiences in Thornbury, Clarksburg and The Village
The holidays are a pretty good excuse to plan a getaway to The Blue Mountains.
From the festive streets of Thornbury and the small-town charm of Clarksburg to the lights, restaurants and holiday atmosphere of Blue Mountain Village, there are plenty of ways to fill a weekend with good food, local shopping and a little winter magic.
So pack an overnight bag and make a few stops along the way.
Jump ahead:
- Celebrate the Season in Thornbury
- Stroll Through the Holidays in Clarksburg
- Make It a Holiday Getaway in The Village
Celebrate the Season in Thornbury
Thornbury makes an easy starting point for a holiday getaway, with a walkable downtown, locally owned shops, plenty to eat and drink and one of the community’s longest-running holiday traditions.
Experience Olde Fashioned Christmas
The 50th annual Olde Fashioned Christmas takes place on Saturday, December 12, bringing festive lights, entertainment and plenty of holiday nostalgia to downtown Thornbury.
Potential highlights:
- main festivities from 5–8 p.m.
- tree lighting at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.
- horse-drawn wagon rides
- roaming performers
- visits with Santa
- holiday treats from local businesses
- family activities
- late-night shopping
Potential angle: arrive early to shop and eat your way around town, then stay for the evening festivities and tree lighting.
Taste Your Way Around Thornbury
Give the food and drink side of the town plenty of room.
Potential stops:
- Thornbury Bakery
- The Cheese Gallery
- Bruce Wine Bar (emphasize Feast On)
- Spy Cidery (emphasize Feast On)
- Fabbrica
- Thornbury Craft Co
- Northwinds Brewhouse & Kitchen
Could also weave in nearby stops within The Blue Mountains where they fit naturally, including:
- Black Bird Pie Company in Heathcote
- Alphorn in Craigleith
Potential thread: bakery stop → local shopping → afternoon drink → dinner.
Shop Local and Slow Down
Potential stops:
- Loft Gallery
- Bonkers
- Georgian Glow
Use this to reinforce Thornbury as somewhere readers can spend a good chunk of the day rather than just visiting for the event.
Stroll Through the Holidays in Clarksburg
Just down the road, Clarksburg offers a smaller-scale holiday experience built around local businesses, galleries and community traditions.
Join the Clarksburg Christmas Stroll
The Clarksburg Christmas Stroll takes place December 4 from 5–8 p.m., with village businesses staying open late and offering holiday treats and specials.
At 8 p.m., the Candlelight Stroll begins at Marsh Street Centre and travels up to St. George’s Church for hot chocolate, carolling and the lighting of the big Christmas tree at 8:30 p.m.
Then on December 5 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., the Clarksburg Christmas Market takes over Marsh Street Centre and locations throughout the village.
Warm Up at the Christmas Café
After Remembrance Day, The Market on Marsh and Enduro Espresso transform into a Christmas Café filled with holiday flavours.
Potential details:
- seasonal sandwiches
- specialty coffees
- festive food
- holiday gifts
- cards and ornaments
This feels like a natural culinary anchor for the Clarksburg section.
Browse the Village
Potential shopping and arts stops:
- rediscovered on Marsh
- Marsh Street Gallery
- The Honey House
Potential thread: wander the village → browse local shops and galleries → warm up with something festive → stay for the candlelit evening.
Make It a Holiday Getaway in The Village
Finish the trip at Blue Mountain Village, where holiday lights, dining, shopping and places to unwind make it easy to turn an evening into a full overnight escape.
Follow the Holiday Light Trail
Holiday Magic returns to Blue Mountain Village, including the Holiday Light Trail from November 20 through January 3.
Potential angle:
- arrive as the sun goes down
- wander through the illuminated Village
- soak up the festive atmosphere
- build dinner, drinks and shopping around the lights
Eat, Drink and Find Something Sweet
Potential stops:
- Oliver & Bonacini
- Twist
- 1858 Caesar Bar
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Rather than listing them all equally, build this as an evening: dinner → drinks → something sweet while exploring the lights.
Finish Your Holiday Shopping
Potential stops:
- Brights Gallery
- Jack & Maddy: A Toy Store
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for edible gifts and treats
Stay the Night
Make the case for turning the trip into an actual getaway.
Potential accommodations:
- The Westin
- Leeward House
- Penny’s Motel
Depending on location and flow, Leeward House and Penny’s Motel can be introduced more broadly as places to base yourself while exploring The Blue Mountains rather than implying they’re directly in the Village.
There’s also room to add a little relaxation with:
- iwa Spa
- Beauty Bar
- Scandinave Spa
Add One More Winter Experience
- Valley Ridge Family Farm — Clydesdale horse sleigh rides
- Georgian Hills Winery — Snowshoe & Wine
- Alpine Ridge Alpaca — Après Alpaca Wine Experience
Make The Blue Mountains Your Holiday Getaway
One trip, three very different ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Spend the day eating, shopping and celebrating in Thornbury, slow things down with a candlelit evening in Clarksburg, then follow the lights to Blue Mountain Village for dinner, drinks and an overnight stay.
Add a sleigh ride, a spa visit or a snowy wine experience along the way and you’ve got a holiday getaway worth making a tradition.
