The radio stations are already playing Christmas music and stores are starting to push Christmas merchandise. To most people, Christmas is no longer a religious event but is instead, at best, a time for family get togethers and gift giving and at worst a commercial event. One of the ways people now celebrate Christmas is by going to a concert or a public Christmas event or two – and Cobourg does a good job of these. I know of ten concerts and two special Cobourg events: The Santa Parade and the lighting up ceremony for the thousands of lights in Victoria Park and the Waterfront. But unless you are on top of what’s happening, you might not know about them so I’ll try to help.
Free, Public Events
Christmas Magic – Lighting Up Ceremony – This is in Rotary Harbourfront Park (35 Albert Street) on Friday, November 25, at 6 p.m. After lighting up the park, residents are invited to view more than 200,000 lights by walking from the Rotary Harbourfront Park, along the Esplanade through the campground to Victoria Park. There will be a variety of displays throughout including spiral trees, holiday cut-outs for the children, holiday vignettes, reindeers and other festive animals. Children can also keep a look out for Santa who will make his first appearance during the event. More details here.
Cobourg Santa Claus Parade – 6:00 pm along King Street on December 3. Always a popular event but now in the evening. More details here.
Concerts and other Christmas events
Most links are to the Featured events page on the Cobourg Calendar site here. Note that the links will be dead after the events have happened.
1. VOS Theatre presents: A Christmas Gala Fundraiser
Held in Victoria Hall, it Includes a screening of the classic holiday film, White Christmas, starting at 7 pm on 26 November. The gala will feature a special pre-screening cocktail with light refreshments, a silent auction, dessert bar and a special live performance. Tickets are $75 and proceeds support the VOS bursaries and scholarship program. Details here.
2. A Wonderful Christmas Time
Produced by Northumberland Players, there will be four performances in Victoria Hall on December 2 through 4 – two matinees. Tickets $30. Details on players’ site here.
3. Celebrate the Season – New Ventures Band
Let the music of the holiday season lift your spirits when Northumberland New Ventures Band presents its Festive Season Concert on Saturday, December 3, at Trinity United Church. Adult tickets $15. Details here.
4. Ennis Sisters Christmas Concert
Cobourg welcomes, for the first time ever, The Ennis Sisters. Special guest singers, the St. Mary Secondary School Choirs. Venue is Trinity Church and the event is on Sunday, 4 December at 7:00 pm. Details here.
5. Christmas in Northumberland – NOC
Presented by the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir – a joyful celebration for the most wonderful time of the year. Enjoy classic Christmas works like the Nutcracker and Delius’ Sleigh Ride, along with modern favourites, including music from the movie Polar Express and Amy Grant’s Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song). At Trinity United Church on December 10 at 7:30 pm. Adult Tickets $35. Details here.
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Presented by Northumberland Players Youth Theatre in Victoria Hall on Saturday December 10 & Sunday December 11 – both at 2:00 pm. The entire family can join the lovable Charles Schultz characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the entire Peanuts gang as they sing, dance and learn that Christmas is more about giving than getting. Tickets Adults: $15 + service fee. Details here.
7. A Very Merry Motown Christmas
Takes you to a time when the best holiday playlist was filled with the unmistakable soul, rhythm, and groove of classic motor city cool. Hits from The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye and others, alongside Christmas and Motown classics sung by the greatest acts of the legendary label come alive. Incredible back-up singers and a true-to-Motown-form band. Christmas is a time for celebration and what could be more festive than a holiday tribute to the best from the legendary music powerhouse era of Motown. On Saturday December 17 at 8:00 pm in Victoria Hall. Tickets $47.50 + fees. More details.
8. Hearthsong
Presented by La Jeunesse. This winter join us for a festive concert! With all our choirs performing, our choristers are sure to make your holiday season even brighter! Venue is Trinity United Church, date is Saturday December 17 and time is 7:00 pm. Adult tickets are $25. More details here.
9. Concert Band – Christmas Concert
The Concert Band of Cobourg presents their annual Christmas show featuring songs of the season – both classic and modern. The venue this year is the Cobourg Community Centre, the date is Sunday December 18 and the time is 2:00 pm. Adult tickets are $10. Details here.
10. Sultans of String plus Guests
Ken Prue’s Loft Productions presents a Christmas Caravan show and album. Canada’s string wizards Sultans of String celebrate the holiday spirit with an adventurous musical trip around the world, featuring exuberant originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favourites to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night. Joining the Christmas Caravan this year is shimmering guest vocalist Rebecca Campbell and Saskia Tomkins on nykelharpa! The venue is Victoria Hall, the date is December 20 and the time is 7:00 pm. Tickets are $39 + fees. More details here.
It seems that all the groups in Cobourg that have traditionally staged live Concerts or plays are now back in business and putting Covid behind them.
Print Article:
It’s taken a long time but at last Cobourg is having an evening Santa Claus parade, it will be so magical with all the lights, a different parade altogether. Congratulations to those who finally got this time change through.
Especially for the little ones who want to see the parade but can’t now because they go to bed at 6:30!
Why not light up someone’s night this Friday by attending Christmas Magic – Lighting Up Ceremony? When you drop off a non-perishable food item to help stock shelves at the Food Bank, you’ll receive a glow stick in exchange. Give it to a young child attending and you’ll make their night:)
P.S. as always John thanks for the great list!
Readers also might want to catch the following:
The Christmas concert of SONG (Sounds of the Next Generation) – a wonderful kids’ music organization – https://songprogram.org/events/winter-spotlight-concert/
Sunday Dec. 11, 3-5 at Cobourg Collegiate Institute – Free but you do have to go to the link and register.
and Safe Harbour, an adult choir that mentors SONG has put together a beautiful night of music in support of SONG in Coldsprings (limited seating)
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/songs-for-the-longest-night-tickets-458662621247
An excellent list of Christmas festivities for Cobourg. Unfortunately with the reminder of the COVID and flu about in the last topic I won’t be attending any indoor activities. In viewing the few people I see wearing masks in stores I don’t feel comfortable attending.
Perhaps Are_n as Christmas draws closer there may be Christmas dinner take out advertised at local restaurants, didn’t note any when I googled except Swiss Chalet’s festive special but realize you may be thinking more of a traditional dinner of turkey, gravy and the trimmings. Only thing I noted from last year were Christmas dinners for those that can not afford them.
This might be slightly off the topic but does concern Christmas in Cobourg.
Does anyone know of any local restaurants that are doing take out Christmas meals this year?
Craft is.