The holidays are a pretty good excuse to make a day — or a weekend — out of eating, shopping and exploring somewhere new.
Across Ontario’s Southwest, local makers are filling shelves with gifts worth wrapping, wineries, cideries and restaurants are serving up seasonal flavours, and holiday markets, twinkling lights and festive performances are giving you plenty of reasons to stay out a little longer.
From building a locally sourced holiday table in Windsor Essex to shopping your way through Sarnia-Lambton and pairing dinner with a show in London, here are three delicious ways to make the most of the season.
Jump ahead:
- Take a Holiday Shopping Trip You Can Taste in Sarnia-Lambton
- Make a Night of It in London
- Fill Your Holidays with Local Flavour in Windsor Essex
Take a Holiday Shopping Trip You Can Taste in Sarnia-Lambton
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to mean a trip to the mall or doing all your shopping online. Instead, go old school and bring the magic of finding the perfect gift for that special someone at local markets and artisans.
In Sarnia-Lambton, you can fill your gift list with locally made food and drink, wander holiday markets, stop for a memorable meal and even turn the whole thing into an overnight escape.
Shop Local, Sip Local
For gifts with a little more personality than another pair of socks, start in the countryside. At Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Nordic Spa, you can browse the upcoming holiday market on December 5–6, 2026, while discovering local makers and their one-of-a-kind finds. However, the shopping is only part of the appeal.
Shale Ridge also offers wine and cider tastings, food pairings and a Nordic spa experience surrounded by Lambton County’s countryside. Picture this: the first dusting of snow as you sip a craft cider and follow it all up with a sauna. On top of that, you can pick up a few gifts, enjoy a leisurely tasting and spend the afternoon unwinding. Better yet, book an overnight stay and turn your shopping trip into a proper holiday escape.
Next, make room in your gift basket for something sweet. Munro Honey & Meadery in Alvinston offers locally produced honey and mead, making it an excellent stop for the foodie who appreciates a thoughtful, distinctly local gift. They’ve perfected the craft over five generations of beekeepers! Its session meads (try the Hive and Harvest Cranberry Mead for a festive flair!) are another option for holiday entertaining, especially when paired with cheese, crackers and other savoury snacks. Moreover, a bottle of mead makes a fun alternative to the usual wine you bring to a holiday dinner.
Meanwhile, apple lovers should put Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House in Thedford on their route. This family-owned orchard has been operating since 1968 and offers locally grown apples, baked goods, giftware and its award-winning Hammer Bent hard cider. Pick up apple hand pies for the drive, browse the shop for a few edible gifts and grab a bottle of cider for your next festive gathering. After all, a host gift that can be enjoyed after the guests leave is always a good idea.
If your gift list includes someone who loves discovering new flavours, Downtown Market Sarnia is another worthwhile stop. Open five days a week, you can browse its selection of gourmet local foods, gifts, vintage finds and apparel to find something that feels a little more personal than a last-minute online order. Furthermore, shopping locally gives you a chance to discover products made by the people who help make the region special. If that doesn’t give you the warm n’ fuzzies we don’t know what will!
Make the Shopping Trip an Experience
Of course, the best holiday outings are about more than what ends up in your shopping bags. Fortunately, Sarnia-Lambton has plenty of ways to make the journey just as enjoyable as the gifts you bring home.
For a festive outing, plan a visit to Widder Station in Thedford during its Widder Wonderland Holiday Market on November 21–22, 2026. The annual event brings together local vendors, artisans, seasonal food and drinks, live entertainment and plenty of holiday cheer. With heated market spaces and plenty to browse, it’s an inviting way to get a head start on Christmas shopping without braving the elements for too long. Check event details and tickets.
While you’re there, make time for lunch and explore the surrounding winter walking paths. If snow cooperates, the nearby sled hills offer another reason to linger. In other words, this is a particularly good stop for families or anyone who wants to combine holiday shopping with a little fresh air and outdoor fun.
For a different kind of seasonal outing, head to M.E. Thyme at DeGroot’s Nurseries in Sarnia. This greenhouse restaurant serves freshly prepared food in a bright, plant-filled setting, with a menu that includes seasonal dishes and house-blended teas. Settle in for a meal or enjoy a drink and snack before browsing the nursery. Moreover, its loose-leaf teas make a thoughtful addition to a locally inspired holiday gift basket.
Finally, add a little botanical inspiration to your Christmas preparations at Forest Glen Herb Farm in Lambton Shores. Its historic barn shop features culinary herbs, dried flowers and herb-based products, offering plenty of ideas for home cooks, gardeners and anyone who appreciates natural gifts. You can also arrange hands-on experiences, including herb and dried-flower bouquet workshops, which combine learning with a take-home creation. Seasonal workshops and Christmas offerings are worth checking as the holidays approach.
The best part? You don’t have to squeeze all these stops into one hectic afternoon. Instead, map out a full-day route with a holiday market, a countryside tasting and a relaxed meal, or spread your visits across a weekend. With local food, unique gifts and plenty of opportunities to slow down, Sarnia-Lambton offers a refreshing way to shop small and savour the holiday season.
Make a Night of It in London
In London, the holiday outing doesn’t have to end when the shopping bags are full. Start at a festive market, settle in for a great dinner and finish the evening with theatre, live music or a holiday performance.
Start at the Market
First up, head to Covent Garden Market for its annual Holly Jolly Holiday Market, running December 4–20, 2026. This downtown favourite brings together seasonal shopping, festive food and plenty of reasons to linger. There’s even a carousel for the kids! Browse local vendors, grab a hot chocolate or a cocktail and sample international food alongside familiar holiday favourites. Moreover, the market’s central location makes it easy to build a whole afternoon or evening around downtown London. Keep an eye on the event schedule for family-friendly activities and entertainment, too.
If your ideal Christmas outing includes a little more than browsing stalls, check the seasonal attractions and activities planned around the market. Depending on the programme, you may be able to add classic holiday fun to your visit, from family activities to festive rides. Just remember to leave room for the snacks. Nobody wants to discover their favourite food vendor after they’ve already committed to dinner.
For another festive shopping stop, make your way to Merry Market at 100 Kellogg Lane. This sprawling entertainment destination brings together local vendors, food artisans and young entrepreneurs, making it a great place to find gifts that are a little more interesting than another gift card.
The wider complex also offers culinary options and other on-site experiences like a hidden speakeasy steakhouse, German-style beer hall and more, so you can keep the fun going long after you’ve finished shopping. Exact 2026 market dates are still worth checking before you go.
Make Dinner Part of the Occasion
Now, for the important question: where are you eating? London has plenty of options for making dinner more than a quick pit stop between activities.
For a polished night out, book a table at Cintro on Wellington. With an elevated dining experience and recognition from Canada’s 100 Best, it’s a strong option for a festive dinner, a special date night or a meal with friends who appreciate a little culinary ambition. Dress up, settle in and enjoy a meal that deserves more attention than whatever happens to be on your Christmas shopping list.
Looking for a lively downtown atmosphere? Hunter & Co. is worth considering for cocktails and small plates. We love their blistered shishito peppers and Balinese corn fritters! Share a few dishes, try something new and let dinner stretch into the evening. After all, the holidays are a perfectly respectable excuse to order one more plate for the table.
For something more intimate, David’s Bistro offers another downtown option for an elevated meal. Its cosy atmosphere suits a date night or a catch-up with friends before heading to a performance. Whichever restaurant you choose, make reservations ahead of time. December has a habit of filling calendars faster than Santa’s workshop fills its sleigh.
Then Catch a Show
At the Grand Theatre, catch A Christmas Carol from November 24 to December 27, 2026. This Canadian musical adaptation reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic with holiday songs, lively choreography and a nostalgic department-store setting inspired by the 1940s. It’s a great pick for a festive date night or an outing with family, especially if your preferred Christmas entertainment involves a few familiar carols and a healthy dose of theatrical magic.
For a different holiday classic, head to Canada Life Place on November 24 for A Christmas Story: The Musical. Based on the beloved 1983 film, the production brings Ralphie Parker’s quest for his dream Christmas present to the stage, complete with outrageous holiday antics, catchy songs and, naturally, the infamous leg lamp. Consider it a fun alternative to the usual seasonal fare, particularly if you prefer your Christmas nostalgia with a side of comedy.
Of course, those are just two options. Keep an eye on the calendars at Centennial Hall and London Music Hall for seasonal concerts, live music and other performances throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re after a festive singalong or a night of live entertainment, there’s plenty of potential to round out your plans.
The best part about a London holiday night out? You can mix and match your evening to suit your mood, budget and tolerance for Christmas shopping crowds. Start with a market, settle in for dinner and finish with a show, or simply pick two stops and call it a win. Either way, a little local food, festive entertainment and time spent together make a pretty compelling case for getting out of the house this holiday season.
Fill Your Holidays with Local Flavour in Windsor Essex
In Windsor Essex, the holidays are an invitation to shop, cook, sip and celebrate a little closer to home. This corner of Southwestern Ontario has a knack for bringing people together over good food, locally made gifts and a glass of something delicious. Moreover, with festive light displays and plenty of ways to explore the region, you can easily turn a few local discoveries into a holiday getaway.
Find Something Made Here
Struggling to find a gift for the person who already has everything? Skip the panic-buying and start with the Windsor Essex Holiday Gift Guide. Presented by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, the guide connects shoppers with local artisans, independent retailers, makers and seasonal experiences.
Through the region’s W.E. Made It initiative, you can discover everything from handmade pottery and jewellery to locally roasted coffee, artisan treats, wine and spirits. Meanwhile, the guide can help you track down foodie gifts, stocking stuffers and host gifts that won’t mysteriously reappear in the regifting pile next December. You can even gift an experience or a getaway, giving your favourite people something to look forward to long after the wrapping paper hits the recycling bin.
Build Your Holiday Table Locally
Of course, the holidays aren’t just about what’s under the tree. They’re also about what’s on the table, and Windsor Essex has plenty of local flavour to bring to your festive feast.
Start with W.E. Heart Local, a FREE digital pass connecting you with the region’s farms, markets, orchards, vineyards and food producers. Use it to track down fresh ingredients, discover roadside markets and find local businesses that can help make your holiday menu a little more memorable. Furthermore, its seasonal recipes offer inspiration for cooking with ingredients grown and produced close to home.
Need a crowd-pleasing starter? Try the butternut squash and apple soup from Feast On®-certified, Oxley Estate Winery, which combines seasonal produce with warming spices for a comforting dish worthy of a holiday dinner. You can also explore Oxley’s locally sourced menu and wine selection for more inspiration. After all, a soup course that tastes this good deserves better than being relegated to Tuesday leftovers.
For more ideas, explore recipes from Windsor Essex food businesses and producers, then source what you can locally. From farm-fresh vegetables and regional meats to local cheeses and sweet treats, there’s plenty of opportunity to put a Southwestern Ontario spin on your holiday spread. You might even discover a new favourite producer along the way. Just be warned: once you start bringing home local goodies, your grocery list may never be the same.
Pour Something Local
No festive feast is complete without a good drink, and Windsor Essex makes it easy to raise a glass to the region. With wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries scattered throughout the area, you can find something to suit almost every holiday gathering.
For wine lovers, EPIC Wineries offers a great starting point for exploring the region’s vineyards and discovering bottles to pair with your holiday menu. Think crisp whites for poultry, bold reds for a hearty roast and something sweet or sparkling to accompany dessert. Moreover, picking up a bottle directly from a local winery gives you a ready-made host gift with a story behind it.
If cocktails are more your style, look for locally sourced cocktail recipes and use Windsor Essex spirits to mix up something festive at home. Meanwhile, the Barrels Bottles & Brews trail makes it easy to discover the region’s craft beverage scene, from breweries and cideries to distilleries. Its seasonal Elf on the Bar Shelf promotion has also encouraged visitors to explore participating stops, collect points and enjoy a little extra holiday mischief along the way. Check the current programme for 2026 dates and participating businesses before heading out. Both EPIC Wineries and Barrels Bottles & Brews also offer paid tasting passports with discounts at participating stops, making them a great way to explore the region at your own pace — or gift someone a local tasting experience.
Whether you’re shopping for a craft beer enthusiast, stocking your bar cart or choosing a bottle to serve at Christmas dinner, local drinks make an easy way to bring a taste of Windsor Essex home.
See Windsor Essex Light Up
Once you’ve filled your shopping bags and stocked the fridge, there’s one more reason to explore the region: holiday lights. The Holiday Lights Pass encourages visitors to experience four festive light displays across Windsor Essex, turning a simple evening outing into an excuse to explore more of the region. There are also some great prizes on the line!
The participating celebrations span Bright Lights Windsor at Jackson Park, Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival, Kingsville Fantasy of Lights and LaSalle Holiday Lights Heritage Nights. Each offers its own festive atmosphere, making it worth venturing beyond your usual neighbourhood for a little seasonal sparkle.
Rather than rushing through all four displays, make the lights part of a larger outing. Enjoy dinner before an evening stroll, stop for drinks at a local brewery or plan a day of shopping followed by a festive light walk. Better yet, book an overnight stay and give yourself time to explore a few different communities without watching the clock.
With local gifts, regional flavours and plenty of festive experiences, Windsor Essex makes it easy to celebrate the season while supporting the businesses that make the region special. And if your holiday plans happen to involve a little shopping, a good meal and a few twinkling lights? Well, that’s a Christmas tradition worth starting.
Make a Little More of the Holidays
You don’t need another reason to eat something delicious over the holidays — but a road trip certainly doesn’t hurt.
Shop for gifts made close to home in Windsor Essex, follow local flavours through Sarnia-Lambton or dress up for dinner and a show in London. However you spend the season, there are plenty of ways to turn an ordinary holiday outing into something worth travelling for.
