Photo by Dare Artworks on Unsplash

A delightful array of Christmassy events in London are bringing community together to celebrate Christmas. While most events do not celebrate the Christ, they do focus on nostalgic to contemporary events with music, crafts, food and more for children of all ages.

Victorian Christmas Crafting for Kids

On Saturday December 10 at 1, 2 and 3 pm Eldon House, 481 Ridout Street North, invites children 16 and under to enjoy an afternoon of learning about and making Victorian Christmas crafts. Participants will have the hands-on opportunity to learn about and make traditional Victorian holiday ornaments and decorations through crafting. The Victorian crafts to be made include pomanders, decorating salt dough gingerbread ornaments and homemade Christmas crackers.

The afternoon will include Story Time with Amelia Harris at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm. In which children will enjoy listening to a reading of the classic Christmas tale of T’was a Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore.

Self guided tours of historic Eldon House will be available to enjoy the sights and scents of the Victorian Christmas exhibit. Virtually unchanged since the nineteenth century, Eldon House is London’s oldest remaining residence which contains family heirlooms, furnishings and priceless treasures of the Harris family and is surrounded by a beautiful 19th-century style garden.

Registration at 519-661-5169 or https://eldonhouse.ca/product/victorian-christmas-crafting-for-kids/ $5

Christmas at the Village

The community is invited to enjoy Christmas at the Village on Saturday December10 from 10 am to 4 pm at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, 1424 Clarke Road. Organizers have prepared a day of activities to learn about Christmas traditions throughout the 19th Century and enjoy the magic of the winter season. At this festive event families and friends will travel through the decorated Heritage Village, enjoy outdoor winter games, and holiday crafts.

Between 1:30-2 and 2:30-3:00 participants will enjoy performances by the Canadian Celtic Choir at Trinity Church.

Admission is at the door $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for children 4-16

North Park Church Peace and Light Program

Londoners are invited to experience North Park church’s outdoor Christmas lights display Peace and Light to hear the story of how Mary, Simeon and Zechariah were waiting and anticipating the coming of the baby Jesus.

From December 10 to 25 every half hour beginning at 6 pm until the final program beginning at 9 pm, participants are invited to park their cars in the North Park church Fanshawe campus parking lot, 1510 Fanshawe Park Road East, tune in to FM100.1 to hear their stories in an 18-minute program of songs, narration and Scripture ... all with a timed light display.

Following the Peace and Light program, participants are invited to take the church’s City Lights and Prayer Route through east London, with stops at various strategic points along the way to pray for London, then finishing up at Victoria Park. Click HERE to view the map. There is no cost to participating in the unique Christmas event.

Good Lovelies Christmas Tour

This December, the Good Lovelies will once again be taking their annual Christmas show across Ontario and bringing their classic holiday songs, timeless winter selections, and original material to London. On Saturday, December 17 at 8:30 pm the Good Ladies will present the second of two Christmas shows at the Aeolian Hall, 137 Bond Street. Seating is limited so reserve asap at the box office at 795 Dundas Street East or 519.672.7950.

The Good Lovelies are a Canadian folk/country harmony trio, consisting of Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Susan Passmore. At their core they can be described as a country/folk trio, with tinges of pop, roots, jazz, and sometimes hip-hop mixed in. Accompanying them is a six piece backing band of Canadian musicians.

The Good Lovelies first united in 2006 for a one-off performance and has since compiled a catalogue of studio albums, EPs, a live album and a Christmas collection. They have toured extensively across Canada, the US, Europe, UK, and Australia and have earned a JUNO Award, a Juno Nomination and four Canadian Folk Music Awards along the way.

Colours of Christmas

The London Concert Band will present The Colours of Christmas at 7:30 pm on Tuesday December 13 at AB. Lucas Secondary School, 656 Tennent Avenue, a concert. The Colours of Christmas expresses the rich vibrant colours of the holiday season.

Participants are invited to enjoy the burnished hues of the brass section the flashing sparkle of the woodwinds and the colourful drive of the percussion section as the band presents a variety of seasonal favourites. The goal of the London Concert Band is to undertake the best arrangements and original works.

Admission is pay at the door or online. Adults - $10 Students - $5 Under 10 – Free. Doors open at London Concert Band members have extensive playing experience; several have been music educators. They are members of other performance groups and civic ensembles, as well as university, high school and military bands. Players have continued making music throughout their adult lives or have resumed their earlier interest, much to the enjoyment of audiences.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Hillside Church

The public is invited to celebrate Christmas Eve at a family friendly candlelight service at Hillside Church, 138 Thompson Road starting at 6:30 pm. Hillside Church is a non-denominational diverse community of Christ followers seeking to serve like Jesus. For more information go to http://www.hillsidelondon.com