Christmas in Downtown Oakville

November 29^th until December 22^nd, 2008.

Oakville 

Monday, November 24, 2008 (Oakville, ON) - Get into the spirit of the holidays all season long among the magic, the charm and the splendour that is downtown Oakville.  As always, Santa’s elves in the Oakville shops have outdone themselves preparing for a shopping experience unlike anywhere else. 

Escape the hustle-bustle of stressful mall shopping to stroll among the hundreds of boutiques and store-front businesses with professional-quality window displays along Lakeshore Road East.  From 16-mile creek, eastward, Oakville businesses invite shoppers into their shops and restaurants to discover a magical holiday experience that is second-to-none inside each and every store.  The stress of holiday shopping melts away, reminding us all that there still is joy in giving this season. 

Downtown Oakville truly is one of the premier shopping destinations in North America, and there’s no better time to “Do It Downtown” than this holiday season.  In the evenings and on weekends this season, over 100 boutiques will be open late with special extended holiday shopping hours. 

Indulge in a holiday feast fit for royalty at one of the GTA’s top restaurants, or bring home the finishing touches to your own, private feast from one of Downtown Oakville’s bakeries, butchers and grocers.  From gingerbread houses to brisket and other holiday canapés, foodies are sure to fulfill their wildest holiday epicurean dreams.    

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons starting November 29^th, some of the finest caroller quartets in the Greater Toronto Area will liven up the streetscape, shops and restaurants with their harmonic melodies of Christmas classics.  Santa Claus is also coming to town to delight children every weekend afternoon until the big day in December during special horse-drawn carriage-rides leaving from the ‘Santa Stop’ at Towne Square (George Street and Lakeshore Road East) 

BIA Events Chair John Ziemba said: “The beauty, magic and charm of the season are evident in Downtown Oakville in a way that shopping malls simply can’t impersonate.”  

“Exceptional service and sense of community between shoppers and shopkeepers is the foundation of the shopping experience downtown, and the holiday season in general.  Our stores, restaurants and professional services welcome new clients every day.” 

Downtown Oakville truly is recognized as one of the premier shopping destinations in North America, and there’s no better time to experience it than today, tomorrow and for the rest of the year. 

For more information, please contact Danielle Godard at the Downtown Oakville BIA at 905-844-4520 or via email

Downtown Oakville Announces Phase One of "DO IT Green in Downtown Oakville"

OAKVILLE, ON- (Downtown - November 12, 2008) The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Oakville will be a shiny, new shade of environmental green this year with the addition of sparkling-white LED lighting to the Holiday decorations. This year's tree will shine brighter and more efficiently, thanks to new environmentally-friendly LED lights. Oakville Hydro predicts the new lighting will reduce our energy consumption on holiday lighting very significantly in the downtown core, especially since the 207 snowflake lights along Lakeshore have also gone LED.

Marianne Svarke, Vice-Chair for the Downtown Oakville BIA says: "Downtown Oakville cares about the environment and 'DO IT Green in Downtown Oakville' unveils the complete conversion of the Holiday Snowflakes. By converting all incandescent lights to LED, we will reduce our hydro consumption by approximately 80%."

The ceremony will not be all green however, as one man in particular comes every year dressed in red. Santa Claus himself will be at the celebration. The Annual Tree Lighting is an ideal setting for families to get together and enjoy each others' company in beautiful Downtown Oakville, drinking hot apple cider and carolling everyone's favourites.

A performance featuring Mayor Rob Burton as the official switch-flipper will entertain guests in the Towne Square, hosted by CHCH's Annette Hamm and Bob Cowan. Musical entertainment by the Intrada Brass Ensemble and professional singer Katherine Langdon from Addison Music will accompany carollers as the party continues.

Event Overview:
6:30 p.m. Hot Apple Cider
7:00 p.m. Welcome from the Downtown Oakville
7:05 p.m. Holiday Carol
7:20-30 p.m. Count down and the lighting of the Towne Square Tree
7:40 - 8:30 p.m. Entertainment

The smart Centre Oakville has really put its all into backing the LED move in Downtown Oakville and Manager Mark LeRoeye says: "The Downtown Oakville BIA is exhibiting tremendous community leadership in an area of significant importance to all of us. We are proud to support this progressive decision as a positive step towards a cleaner future."

The Downtown Oakville BIA would like to thank its 450 business members and the corporate sponsors including smart Centre Oakville, Oakville Hydro, the Town of Oakville, CHCH News, and The Oakville Beaver and Addison Music Centre.

For more information, please contact Danielle Godard at the Downtown Oakville BIA at 905-844-4520 or via email