Lighting of Museum Square

November 20, 2026

Experience the magic of the holiday season in Downtown Woodstock! Join us on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. as we illuminate Museum Square with the lighting of the lights. The evening will also feature a selection of festive activities and a visit from our special guests, Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Main Stage Schedule

Time Event
5:30 p.m.
  • Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive!
  • Greetings from Woodstock dignitary
  • Lighting of the Lights
5:40 – 6:10 p.m.
  • NorthFire Circus and Dr. Draw, featuring beautifully choreographed fire acts with an electric violin player, Dr. Draw 

Family Activities

Staff are still planning 2026, check back for more updates. Current free festive activities from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. include: 

  • Photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
  • Hot chocolate and cookies in Santa's House
  • Live Ice Carving Demonstration
  • Visit the Winter Lights Market from 5 - 9 p.m., located at 478 - 484 Dundas Street 
  • Woodstock Museum, Grinch Scavenger Hunt and Letters to Santa inside the Education Room

More Festive Fun

Book a spot in advance for your small group for the Grinch Escape Room today! Grab a group of friends and work as a team to find hidden clues, solve puzzles and escape before time runs out. Can you save Christmas and bring holiday cheer to Whoville?

Grinch Escape Room runs Nov. 6 – Dec. 19, 2026 on Friday & Saturday evenings. One hour time slots are available from 4pm – 9 pm. The cost is $20 per person (for 4 to 6 people ages 14+). Call 519-537-8427 or book your time slot online. 

A $40 booking fee is required to secure your time slot. The fee will pay for two people in your group. The remaining cost for each additional group member is due when you arrive for your time slot. If you cancel your booking less than five days in advance, the booking fee will not be refunded.

 

Downtown Woodstock has many shops, boutiques and restaurants for you to enjoy! Get a head start on your holiday shopping or grab a bite to eat after the event.

Know Before You Go

Plan your trip to Museum Square and help make our event safe and fun for everyone!

There's plenty of convenient parking for those looking to drive downtown. In addition to free 2 hour street parking, you can park at one of these municipal parking lots in walking distance from Museum Square:

  • Lot 1 - Brock Street Lot - Permit or Pay and Display
  • Lot 2 - Old Fire Hall Lot - Permit or 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 3 - Perry Street Lot - Permit or 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 5 - Market Centre Lot - Permit or Pay and Display
  • Lot 6 - Church of Epiphany Lot - Permit or 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 9 - Graham Street Lot - 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 11 - Riddell Street Lot - 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 12 - Dawe's Lane Lot - 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 13 - Cole Walkway Lot - 2 hour free parking
  • Lot 14 - Adelaide Street East Lot - Permit or 2 hour free parking

All seven transit routes will bring you downtown to enjoy the Lighting of Museum Square. Plan your route using Google maps or check out the transit detours to see which stop will get you closest to your destination.

Market Street East will be closed to vehicles at Reeve Street and Peel Street.

  • Smoking, vaping and cannabis are not permitted in city parks and can result in a $250 fine. 
  • No alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted on site.
  • Security and Police Auxiliary will be monitoring the area.

Please be considerate so that everyone can enjoy the weekend's festivities!

2025 Event Recap

Relive all the fun from 2025 and get excited for this year's event!

Video by Blackmore Media

Silver Sponsor

Dairy Capital Sponsors

Event Supporter

In-Kind Donations

Contact Us

City of Woodstock

P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Phone: 519-539-1291

 

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