Good morning, Markham!

Happy December! Today we’re celebrating not one, but two milestones. It’s officially December and the 30th edition of Hello Markham! A huge thank you to everyone for your amazing support. We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store. Let’s make it BIG!

Note: Events marked with a “➡️” are not in Markham but they’re too good not to share!

Alright, let’s get into it.

Markham is working to make housing more affordable near major transit hubs. Join the City for a public meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7 PM at the Markham Civic Centre – Council Chambers, or tune in online via Zoom. Learn what the City is doing and how it’s planning more affordable home ownership opportunities.

Learn more: http://markham.ca/InclusionaryZoning

Heads up! From now until late December, Main Street Unionville (between the east lane and Station Lane) will be closed as restoration work wraps up. If you’re heading north or south, Kennedy Road is the best alternate route. Also, the Unionville Recycling Depot will be temporarily closed due to construction. 

Get updates: http://markham.ca/MainStreetUnionville

Roadwork is happening and will continue until Spring 2026. You might notice some traffic on Enterprise Boulevard (which turns into Unionville Gate east of Main St. Unionville), University Boulevard, YMCA Boulevard, and Kennedy Road. Don’t worry—there’s still one lane open in each direction, but give yourself some extra travel time just in case!

Learn more: http://markham.ca/Indy

📅 Monday, December 1, 2025 | 5:00 PM–7:00 PM

📍 Dave & Buster’s, 120 Interchange Way, Vaughan, ON

🎟️ From $34.30

Enjoy a magical evening of breakfast-for-dinner, games, crafts, and photos with Santa at this festive family event. Celebrate the holiday season with a cozy, joy-filled atmosphere perfect for all ages. Tickets here. 

📅 Monday, December 1 – Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM

📍 Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON

🎟️ CA $55.00–$75.00 *EDIT: This event has sold out!

Step into a world of wonder inside Santa’s Magical Library and the Great Book of Imagination — an immersive holiday experience that blends augmented reality, interactive storytelling, and enchanting sensory elements. Tickets here. 

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

📍 Markham Civic Centre, Markham, ON

🎟️ Free

Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of skating and festive cheer! Enjoy the Skate Party from 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:00 PM. Free hot chocolate will be provided! Learn more here.

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:00 PM–10:00 PM

📍 Main Street Unionville, 197 Main St., Markham, ON

🎟️ Free

Celebrate the holidays with festive activities spread across Main Street and Crosby Arena. Enjoy entertainment, Santa visits, carolers, workshops, and a tree-lighting ceremony, followed by free skating at Crosby Community Centre. Learn more here.

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 4:00 PM–8:00 PM

📍 Varley Art Gallery, 216 Main Street Unionville, Markham, ON

🎟️ Free | Drop-in

Create your own festive mini Christmas tree ornament at this family-friendly holiday workshop. Layer, decorate, and personalize your ornament with sparkly details — perfect for hanging on your tree or giving as a gift. Fun for all ages. Learn more here. 

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM

📍 Sts. Panteleimon, Anna & Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church, 11323 Warden Avenue, Markham, ON

🎟️ Free (with donation encouraged)

Join the community for the annual Christmas Giving Fair! Bring a donation to support local families in need and stay to enjoy a complimentary outdoor Christmas fair filled with activities, performances, and holiday cheer. Learn more here.

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | Parade starts at 6:00 PM

📍 Historic Downtown Main Street, Stouffville, ON

🎟️ Free

Celebrate the season at the Stouffville Santa Claus Parade, a festive spectacle featuring dazzling lights, themed floats, marching bands, and a grand finale appearance by Santa Claus himself. The parade begins at Ninth Line, traveling east along Main Street to Park Drive. Learn more here. 

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

📍 57 Newkirk Rd, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 3G4

🎟️ Free Entry

Enjoy a festive afternoon at the Rise Christmas Market, featuring 10+ vendors offering handmade gifts, vintage finds, food, drinks, and fun activities for adults and kids. This cozy community market also includes a Lucky Draw and seasonal treats. Learn more here. 

📅 Sunday, December 7 & Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Seatings

📍 December 7: The Arms, 189 Main St., Unionville, ON

📍 December 14: Jake’s on Main, 202 Main St., Unionville, ON

🎟️ Details/Prices vary by venue *EDIT: This event has sold out!

Ho ho ho! Enjoy a magical morning of festive fun at Breakfast with Santa. Share a holiday meal, take pictures, and experience the joy and laughter of meeting Santa up close. A cheerful family tradition on historic Main Street Unionville. Tickets here. 

📅 Multiple Dates | December 6–23, 2025

🕒 Times vary by date 

📍 The Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York/Vaughan, ON

🎟️ CA $21.40–$26.15

Step into a winter wonderland at The Village, where twinkling lights, festive traditions, and holiday magic fill the air. Explore Santa’s Workshop, create seasonal crafts, enjoy cheerful puppet shows, and snack on Santa’s favourite treats — cookies and hot cocoa! Tickets here. 

📅 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 8:00 PM

📍 Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON

🎟️ CA $15.00–$98.00 (Prime & Regular seating available)

Experience an unforgettable night of soulful holiday music with the six-time GRAMMY Award–winning Blind Boys of Alabama. With powerful harmonies and uplifting energy, this concert will have the whole audience singing, clapping, and celebrating the joy of the season. Tickets here.

📅 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 7:30 PM–9:30 PM

📍 Toronto Christian Community Church, 100 Acadia Ave., Markham, ON

🎟️ CA $25.00–$35.00

Enjoy a festive fundraising concert presented by the Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society Orchestra in partnership with the 105 Gibson Center. This uplifting evening features rising star Cecilia Chow performing Poulenc’s Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor, alongside performances by the Adult Choir and Children’s Choir. Tickets here. 

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 8:00 PM–10:00 PM

📍 Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON

🎟️ $25.50–$50.00

Enjoy a holiday classic with a twist in this unique seasonal concert. The evening features the Beatlecracker Suite, a playful fusion of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with iconic Beatles melodies. Violist Harrison Yang Meng then performs Walton’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, a vivid three-movement work with rich musical history. Tickets here. 

📅 Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 2:00 PM

📍 Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON

🎟️ $10.00–$30.00

Experience the Markham Concert Band’s most popular performance of the year — a joyful musical celebration guaranteed to fill you with Christmas spirit. This festive afternoon concert has become a beloved tradition, and even Santa never misses it! Tickets here. 

📅 Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 7:00 PM–12:00 AM

📍 Sugar Café & Lounge, 550 Hwy 7 E, Unit 281 (Time Square Plaza, 2nd Floor), Richmond Hill

🎟️ Minimum $10 food/drink spend

Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly night featuring two iconic Mahjong styles — Hong Kong and Riichi (Japanese)! Learn the basics, practice, or enjoy casual games with the community. All levels welcome with instructors on-site, and seating is first-come, first-served. Learn more here.

📅 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

📍 Vin Bon Richmond Hill, 10620 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON

🎟️ $49 – $59

Join us for a fun evening of wine bottling and mingling with other singles! Enjoy light appetizers, a selection of Vin Bon’s handcrafted wines, and engaging activities designed to spark conversation, laughs, and genuine connections! Tickets here. 

📅 Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 6:00 PM–10:00 PM EST

📍 SUGAR Cafe and Lounge, 550 York Regional Rd 7 Building E, Floor 2, Unit 281, Richmond Hill, ON

🎟️ From CA$8.25

The ultimate dating showdown where matchmakers battle live on stage to prove their friends are the perfect catch. Looking for love… or just a night full of laughs and good vibes? Watch creative matchmakers pitch, hype, and showcase their chosen candidates with props, slides, and presentations — proving who might just be the perfect catch! Tickets here.

📅 December 2, 2025 – January 15, 2026

🕒 Times vary by date

📍 Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church St. North, Richmond Hill, ON

🎟️ Free

Discover Anne in Costume: Designing a Literary Icon, a special exhibition celebrating Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery and her timeless classic Anne of Green Gables. The exhibit features costume designs inspired by the beloved novel, on loan from the Toronto Public Library’s Special Collections in the Arts. Learn more here. 

📅 December 5–7 & December 11–14, 2025 | Times Vary

📍 Markham Fairgrounds, Building 1–3, 10801 McCowan Rd, Markham, ON

Shop your favorite beauty brands at incredible prices! Find deals on Estee Lauder, MAC, Smashbox, Clinique, Aveda, Darphin, Glamglow, Lab Series, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford Beauty, Origins, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on premium products at unbeatable discounts. Learn more here. 

📅 Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 6:30 PM–8:00 PM

📍 Online Event by Markham Public Library

🎟️ Free

Looking for a job and need professional job coaching? Learn how the library gives you access to Brainfuse JobNow — a personalized career center with live job coaching, real-time interview practice, a full-service resume lab, 24/7 access to local job resources, and more. Learn more here.

📅 Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 6:30 PM–7:30 PM

📍 Online Event

🎟️ Free

Join education coach Imbert Fung from Future Reach Education to learn how to identify the best university programs for you or your student. Discover insights on popular Canadian majors, the most competitive schools, and job prospects of attending university in Canada versus the U.S. to make informed decisions about your future. Learn more here. 

📅 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 6:30 PM–7:30 PM

📍 Unionville Branch - Markham Public Library

🎟️ Free

Learn practical strategies from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to handle common parenting challenges like screen time, bedtime, and mealtime with more ease and cooperation. Learn more here. 

📅 Monday, December 8, 2025 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM

📍 Online Event

🎟️ Free

Learn about skilled trades in Canada and Ontario, how to pursue a career in the trades, and how to find apprenticeships using Apprentice Search. High school students will also get tips on preparing for a trades career. Learn more here.

📅 Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM

📍 Markham Board of Trade, 3600 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, ON

🎟️ CA $40 (Members) | CA $50 (Non-Members)

Learn how to apply AI in practical, realistic ways to improve productivity, automate tasks, and strengthen business workflows. This hands-on clinic is designed for business owners and professionals who want to turn AI potential into real results. Learn more here. 

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM

📍 9S Centre, 200 Town Centre Boulevard #419, Markham, ON

🎟️ From $18.37

Discover the key ingredients to success that can propel you towards your goals. Hear real-life stories from entrepreneurs and professionals who have built thriving enterprises in Canada and beyond, sharing practical insights, proven strategies, and lessons from real-world challenges. Tickets here.

📅 Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 1:30 PM–3:00 PM

📍 Online Event by Markham Business

🎟️ Free

Learn how to connect SEO, content creation, and social media advertising into one simple and effective digital marketing strategy. This beginner-friendly workshop helps you build a clear, actionable plan tailored to your business goals. Reserve a spot here. 

🎤 Fiona MacCool’s Richmond Hill | Open Mic | December 2nd | 7PM-10PM

🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | December 4th | 8PM-11PM

🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | December 4th | 10PM to Close

🎤 Col. Mustard Sports Bar | Karaoke | December 5th | Begins at 9PM

🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | December 5th | 8PM-11PM

🎤 Monte Carlo Inn | Open Mic | December 5th | 7PM-10PM

🎵 The Duchess of Markham | Live Music | December 6th | Begins at 4PM

🎵 Village Organic Market and Music | Live Music | December 6th | 8AM-1PM

🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | December 6th | 10PM to Close

🎵 Costa Sorrento | Pierina & Ivano | December 7th | 6PM-9PM

🏀 Toronto Raptors v Portland Trail Blazers | December 2nd

🏀 Toronto Raptors v Los Angeles Lakers | December 4th

🏀 Toronto Raptors v Charlotte Hornets | December 5th

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs v Montreal Canadiens | December 6th

🏀 Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics | December 7th

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs v Tampa Bay Lightning | December 8th

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