When winter wraps the province in snow, Ontario’s Southwest offers a warmer kind of holiday magic. The air feels softer here, with balmier temperatures perfect for exploring twinkling streets and dazzling light displays. Sip creative holiday cocktails crafted with local spirits, and savour hearty eats that warm you from the inside out. Whether you’re in Windsor Essex Pelee Island, Sarnia-Lambton or Norfolk County, festive vibes flow as freely as the cheer in your glass.
Don’t want to read the whole thing right now? No worries! Skip ahead by destination:
Sarnia-Lambton: 4 Ways to Coast into the Season
In Sarnia-Lambton (aka Ontario’s Blue Coast), the holidays come with a coastal twist. Think twinkling markets, bold flavours and local drinks that warm you right through. Here, celebrations flow as smoothly as the craft beer and lake breeze.
Sip and Shop at Shale Ridge Estate Winery
The holidays sparkle brighter with a glass in hand. At Shale Ridge Estate Winery’s Holiday Market on November 15 and 16, you can sip and shop your way through the season.
Browse local vendors for handmade treasures while enjoying wine by the fire. The cozy, rustic setting glows with lights and the scent of mulled cider. Enjoy shopping for handcrafted pottery, jewelry and even pie to make your spirits bright! It’ll feel like a warm hug in a glass. Grab your tickets.
Want to make your visit extra special? Extend your stay and book into their onsite Nordic Spa getaway! It’s the perfect way to unwind before an over-the-top busy holiday season! You and your friends can book out a stay for exclusive access to the spa, a gym and a modern home.
Fusion – A Discovery of Local Food & Drink
Start your holiday season at Fusion: A Discovery of Local Food and Drink on November 7 and 8 at Degroot’s Nurseries in Sarnia. The event brings together chefs, wineries, breweries and distilleries for two nights of pure, festive fun.
Sample gourmet bites, sip handcrafted drinks and dance to live music surrounded by twinkling lights. It’s part tasting event, part holiday party and completely delicious.
What are we most excited for? Well there’s a lot to unpack but we’re stoked about the seasonal brews coming out of Refined Fool Brewing. You’ll be able to sample varieties you can’t find at your local LCBO.
That’s just one of nine local breweries making an appearance too! Cider more your thing? You need to check out Twin Pines Orchards and Cider House‘s booth for maximum appley goodness or grab a cocktail from NE1 spirits.
When it comes to food, there’s no shortage either! Whether you’re snacking on french fries from JJ’s Snack Shack, getting a taste of Italy from The Balcony Cucina or perhaps indulging in some tasty samosas with homemade chutney from Sitara Indian Cuisine, you’re sure to dazzle your taste buds this holiday season! Grab your tickets.
Celebrate at Widder Wonderland
Mark your calendar for Widder Wonderland at Widder Station on November 15 and 16 in Thedford. This sixth annual celebration mixes small-town charm with big holiday spirit.
The grounds glow with lights, music fills the air and the scent of spiced cider drifts between vendor booths. You’ll find handcrafted gifts, festive bites and plenty of local cheer. Sip a mulled wine or seasonal cocktail by the outdoor fire and let the live music set the mood.
Bring your friends and make a night of it. Grab something delicious from the food stalls, browse local crafts and dance off the shortbread. The atmosphere feels part ski chalet (two heated buildings), part holiday fare and completely merry.
Widder Wonderland isn’t just an event. It’s a holiday tradition in the making. Each year it grows brighter, bolder and a little more magical. Grab your tickets.
Cheers to the Coast Trail
If you like your holidays with a hint of hops or grapes, follow the Cheers to the Coast Trail. This trail runs year-round and showcases the best breweries, wineries and cideries in Sarnia-Lambton. From craft beer at Black Gold Brewery to Feast On® certified sips at Dark Horse Estate Winery, you don’t want to miss it!
Gather your friends, grab a map and explore the flavours of Ontario’s Blue Coast. Each stop pours holiday spirit into every glass. Just remember to have a designated driver and plan in advance!
Windsor Essex Pelee Island: Sip, Shop and Get Cozy
Head south for slightly balmier temps and a whole lot of holiday vibes this season! Windsor Essex Pelee Island has it goin’ on.
Shop Local for Your Holiday Feast
In Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the holidays start with flavour. Skip the supermarket rush and fill your basket with local goodness. These markets have you covered from holiday hosting appies right down to the main event.
Stop at Lee and Maria’s for farm-fresh produce, baked goods and pantry treats that make your board sing. This family market dates back to the late 70s and man do they know what they’re doing! Afterwards, swing by The Farm House Market in Amherstburg for meats, cheeses and local honey that tastes like sunshine in a jar. You can also find some homemade prepared food and don’t worry, we won’t tell if you take the credit!
At Sunrise Farms, pick up your holiday turkey, festive sides and homemade jams. Round it out with a visit to Denver’s Homestead, where farm-to-table shopping feels extra special this season when you pick up their eggs, chicken or their famous salt + sour sourdough bread!
Shopping local isn’t just a good deed. It’s the easiest way to turn your holiday meal into a feast worth bragging about.
Raise a Glass with the Elf on the Bar Shelf
Feeling festive? The Elf on the Bar Shelf promotion on the Barrels, Bottles and Brews Trail adds spirit to your season. Hop from bar to brewery, follow the elf’s cheeky trail and taste creative cocktails that bring out your inner Santa.
During the holiday season (up until December 21, 2025), you’ll find the resident elf (his name is Hops) hidden somewhere at each location. You can scan QR codes to receive exclusive offers and more so don’t forget to download your passport! All the details can be found here.
Each stop offers something bold and merry. Try local beers that jingle your taste buds or spiced cocktails that warm you up from the inside like the Gin-gle Matcha from Wolfhead Distillery or the Windsor Sour at Erie Street Gastro Pub. Bring your sense of adventure and a designated driver.
Night Markets That Glow
Night markets make the holidays shine brighter in Windsor Essex Pelee Island (obviously). With a bunch of them spread across the destination, you’re sure to find one that adds that special glow to your holiday season. The Holiday Lights Heritage Night Market in La Salle brings handmade gifts, food and glowing cheer (stay tuned for more details).
Feeling super local? Wander the W.E. Made It Market: Bright Lights to meet local artisans and soak up the sparkle.
Don’t miss the Fantasy of Lights Market in Kingsville on December 6th, where every booth twinkles. Plus you can tickle those taste buds with vendors like Bubble Bakeshop and The Baklava Lady alongside artisan vendors.
Add the 8th Annual Mistletoe Market and Santa’s Village and Market to your list for double the holiday fun and plenty of photo ops.
Festivals That Light Up the Season
If your calendar isn’t full yet, it will be after this. With so many events happening across Windsor Essex Pelee Island, you’ll want to check out the full events calendar but here are just a few of our favourites to discover!
The Walkerville Holiday Walk turns a historic neighbourhood into a glowing snow globe. Fancy a tipple of award-winning wine? Sip and shop your way through EPIC Taste of the Season, where local wineries pour joy by the glass. We’re talking live music, festive snacks and wine pairings worth sipping and savouring.
Norfolk County: Cozy Comfort and Festive Cheer
In Norfolk County, cozy meets creative. This corner of Ontario serves up farm-fresh feasts, small-batch brews and experiences that sparkle brighter than tinsel. Every visit feels like coming home, only with better food. Don’t tell your mom we said that.
Festive Dining to Remember
Norfolk County serves up cozy comfort like no other. Picture local wine, beautiful views and plates that warm your soul.
Book a table at Marshview Patio and Bar (part of Long Point Eco Adventures and a Feast On® certified gem), where farm-fresh food meets glamping vibes. This restaurant is all windowed on one side so you can enjoy beautiful views of the Long Point Marsh (a nationallly-designated wildlife area) as you dive into comforting dishes like Lake Erie perch tacos, goat cheese burgers and even homemade pizza logs. Under the helm of Chef Shelli Bosgood, this spot has proven to be a fav among locals and visitors alike!
Just across the road, Burning Kiln Winery boasts a selection of luscious wines made in homage to the area’s tobacco history, and a small sharing menu Friday through Sunday. Think baked bries with red wine jelly, charcuterie boards with local meats and cheeses and other sharables that pair well with the wine. Want to really revel in the magic of the season? Burning Kiln also offers outdoor fire pits to enjoy your tasting and mother nature.
In Simcoe there are plenty of holiday dining options to discover. JK’s is a Caribbean restaurant all about “brining the flavour to downtown”! If you’re looking for a fun and colourful spot to grab lunch between holiday shopping, this should be high on your list. You’ll be savouring succulet jerk chicken or pork, reggae rasta cakes (yum), potato salad, roti, Jamaican patties, ocho juice and SO much more.
Alternatively, The Barrel Pizza and Pasta in Simcoe is a carb lover’s dream! Cheers to the season over a glass of vino, a plate of the Barrel’s signature creamy fettucini or a delightful pizza.
Blue Elephant Artisan Brewery serves up pub-style comfort with local flair and beers brewed right on-site. The bonus? They’ve been Feast On® certified for several years so you can feel good knowing you’re supporting local farmers and food producers when you eat here.
Kayley’s brings fresh flavours and friendly faces that make every visit feel like a celebration. Whether you’re eating in or grabbing to go (hey, the holidays can be hectic!), you’ll love the fresh flavours found here.
Looking for something super comforting? Swazzee’s in Waterford has a menu full of hit-the-spot pub food like chicken schnitzel sandwiches, mac n’ cheese skillets and hot pulled pork. It’s a great spot to grab a beer with friends over the holiday season and catch up!
Cheers to the season ahead!
Raise a Glass (of Local Beer) to the Holidays
In Norfolk County, raising a glass feels like a holiday tradition all its own. The region’s breweries are extra cozy and pour heart and craftsmanship into every sip, creating drinks that taste like celebration.
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Start your tasting tour at Charlotteville Brewing Company, where every pint tells a story. Their small-batch brews burst with local character and the farmhouse setting feels straight out of a postcard.
Pull up a chair by the fire and toast to good friends and even better beer. We love their Lap of Luxury Smash, a single malt, single hop beer made with 100% Ontario hops!
Then make your way to Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm, Canada’s first brewery farm. The lagers and ales are brewed using their own farm-grown hops and potatoes, giving each glass a taste of Norfolk soil and sunshine. Try the Dakota Pearl Ale, Ontario’s first potato beer (yes, you read that correctly). It pairs perfectly with laughter, leftovers and some of the farm’s own kettle chips.
At New Limburg Restaurant + Brewing Company, Belgian-style beers meet cozy charm inside a converted schoolhouse. The atmosphere feels relaxed and inviting, and the beer menu ranges from crisp blondes to rich, warming darks. We highly recommend enjoying a pint or two as you play old-school board games and pair it up with bitterballen (a Belgian specialty that’s basically like stew in a wee deep-fried ball).
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Don’t miss Wishbone Brewing Company, where the team serves up bold flavours with a modern twist in Waterford AND soon at Long Point Eco Adventures too. The vibe is casual, the beer is creative and the crowd is full of locals who know a good thing when they taste it.
Each stop adds its own sparkle to your holiday plans. Between the clink of glasses, the glow of lights and the laughter that follows, Norfolk’s breweries make every toast feel a little more magical.
Planning your driver in advance? Why not take the stress out of it and book a tour to breweries and wineries across Norfolk County with the folks at Ride the Bine?!
Find Your Holiday Spark
Ontario’s Southwest shines brighter during the holidays. From vineyard tastings to handmade markets, every corner brims with warmth and wonder.
Whether you’re sipping by the fire, shopping for local treasures or chasing glowing light displays, there’s a fresh find waiting for you.
Grab your mittens, rally your friends and hit the road. The holidays feel brighter, tastier and a little cheekier in Ontario’s Southwest.
