Downtown Brampton celebrates the holidays with Santa photos, carriage rides, gift draws and more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and downtown Brampton is inviting all residents to Shine Bright this holiday season.

The city’s downtown is a great place to shop, dine, and explore all year-round, and it’s getting even better during the holidays with a variety of fun events for all ages. Meet Santa, take a carriage ride, snap a holiday selfie, and much more!

There’s a lot to do and see downtown:

Meet & greet with Santa

Meet jolly old St. Nick himself and get some photos with him! Santa will be at Daily Times Square (33 Queen St. West) from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 4 and 11. Be sure to bring your camera!

Carriage rides

Brampton’s annual carriage rides are back! Enjoy a carriage ride around downtown every Friday (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.). You can book your ride in advance here. Hurry because tickets go fast!

See the lights

Downtown is taking “shine bright” to a whole new level, and is now decked out for the holidays with a variety of colourful lights and artistic art displays that are great for photos. Walk through Gage Park and Ken Whillans Square to see the twinkling lights for yourself.

Meet & greet with Disney princesses

Santa isn’t the only one who’ll be dropping by. Meet and get a photo with Disney princesses Belle and Cinderella, who will be at Daily Times Square on Saturday, December 18.

Read along with a StoryWalk

Here’s a unique way to explore downtown Brampton — bring the kids and walk through downtown locations while following along with the holiday story Deck the Halls: A Canadian Christmas Carol by Helaine Becker. Visit downtownbramptonbia.ca/storywalk for the list of locations and to enter the draw to win a gift basket valued at over $100!

Live Christmas carols

The wonderful sounds of your favourite Christmas carols are coming to downtown Brampton. As part of Christian Heritage Month in December, Inspirational Impressions will be singing on Tuesdays (December 7, 14 and 21) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays (December 4, 11, 18) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Snap a selfie and win!

Downtown is full of great spots to take a selfie, such as the new SHINE sign at Garden Square. Post your selfies on social media and tag @DowntownBrampton and #ShineBrightBrampton to be entered into a draw for $50 gift certificates to downtown Brampton businesses.

Grab a bite to eat

Downtown Brampton is the best place to enjoy a meal year-round, with over 30 restaurants and food shops to choose from. Enjoy your lunch and dinner in a warm cozy venue, or brave the chill and eat under the stars and lights at one of the many patios downtown.

Give back to those in need

Why not spread the love this holiday season? A number of our businesses are collecting donations this year:

• Pizzanini is collecting new, unwrapped toys and food donations at 18 Main St. South
• The Scented L’air is collecting brand new socks for the city’s less fortunate at 29 Queen St. E
• Restyle Beauty Boutique is collecting shoe boxes filled with gifts and essentials for women impacted by homelessness on behalf of the Shoebox Project

Events and businesses will be accepting toy and food donations on behalf of REgeneration every Saturday until Christmas (December 4, 11, and 18).

Stay up to date on everything happening downtown by visiting downtownbramptonbia.ca and following their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.