Winter Funderland
Frolic On Outdoor Skating Rinks
Victoria Park
Corner of Richmond Street and Central Avenue
519-661-4500
london.ca
The City of London has a long-standing tradition of turning the area in front of the bandstand in Victoria Park into a free public skating rink for as long as the temperatures are cold enough. People of all ages and skill levels come to this beautiful rink to enjoy the fun of skating and the pleasures of the great outdoors.
Covent Garden Market
130 King St.
519-439-3921
The Covent Garden Market is never a dull place, with tons of delicious food and unique vendors. In the winter months, the fun atmosphere expands outside. The free outdoor skating rink, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of London, offers a fun, energetic outdoor experience. When you're tired out from skating you can head into the market and enjoy a snack from one of the many food vendors within.
Glide Inside
Indoor Skating
Stronach Community Recreation Centre
1221 Sandford St.
519-661-4426
For those of you who just can't brave the outdoor cold weather and blistering winds, there are plenty of indoor arenas all across London with public skates. Visit london.ca to find a list of indoor arenas near you.
Not A Participator? Be A Spectator!
Synchro in the City
99 Dundas St.
519-667-5700
johnlabattcentre.com
If you're more the type who enjoys watching people skate as opposed to actually being the one skating, then Synchro in the City is just the event you're looking for. Taking place December 27 to 29 at the John Labatt Center, Synchro in the City is London's first-ever synchronized skating competition. The festival will see the world's top synchronized skating teams from all over the world, including Russia, Finland, Canada and the United States, compete for a hefty cash prize. Check out johnlabattcentre.ca for ticket information.
Throw Yourself Down A Hill
Boler Mountain
689 Griffith St.
519-657-8295
bolermountain.com
Boler Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels and runs beginner workshops for those who have never donned a set of skis or a board before. Though the hills aren't the most challenging for more experienced skiers or snowboarders Boler is an excellent place to learn these sports and really find your footing with them.
Boler also offers tubing, for those who are somewhat less athletically inclined. People of all ages will find endless fun in sliding down a huge hill on an inflated tube.
Circle R Ranch
3017 Carriage Rd. Delaware, Ontario
519-471-3799
circlerranch.ca
For those of you who don't like the idea of going very fast down a steep, snowy hill, you should try cross-country skiing. Circle R Ranch, located just outside of London, has beautiful cross-country skiing paths that weave and wind through forests and fields. This is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter without the fear of breaking bones.
Light Up Your Life
Victoria Park
519-661-4500
london.ca
Each year, the City of London goes all out, dressing up the huge evergreen trees that are scattered around Victoria Park. The trees are decorated in every colour imaginable, and other festive decorations are draped on lampposts and signs. A beautiful Nativity scene provides the centerpiece to this holiday wonderland in the park.
During the holiday season, Victoria Park is a great place to go with friends and family, or for a romantic stroll with a date. Grab a warm holiday beverage from one of your favourite downtown coffee shops and enjoy the beautiful snow-filled park.
Saskatoon Street
Where Second Street hits Dundas Street, it changes names to Saskatoon Street, so it's not too far of a walk from Fanshawe. Traditionally, the residents of this street go all out on decorating their homes and yards for the holiday season. The lights and animatronic characters are a sight to behold, and most years nearly the entire street is lit up with a holiday glow.
Stay Cozy
Tunes To Chill Out To
londonmusic.ca
If you'd rather spend the long, cold months of winter inside enjoying some great live music, then londonmusic.ca is all you need to find the best shows in town.
This website features all of London's venues and live shows for months in advance laid out in a simple, concise manner. Simply find the day on the calendar that you're looking to see a show on and click on one of the acts performing that day. That will give you all the information you need about show time, tickets and venue.
Be a Kid Again
For many children, winter is an exciting time of year with an endless list of fun outdoor activities. Put on your snow suit and your mittens, gather up some friends, and play outside like you used to. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, make a fort or find a great hill for some tobogganing. When your hands are frozen and your cheeks are rosy, warm up with a delicious hot chocolate. Winter used to be fun, so stop dreading it!
Victoria Park
Corner of Richmond Street and Central Avenue
519-661-4500
london.ca
The City of London has a long-standing tradition of turning the area in front of the bandstand in Victoria Park into a free public skating rink for as long as the temperatures are cold enough. People of all ages and skill levels come to this beautiful rink to enjoy the fun of skating and the pleasures of the great outdoors.
Covent Garden Market
130 King St.
519-439-3921
The Covent Garden Market is never a dull place, with tons of delicious food and unique vendors. In the winter months, the fun atmosphere expands outside. The free outdoor skating rink, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of London, offers a fun, energetic outdoor experience. When you're tired out from skating you can head into the market and enjoy a snack from one of the many food vendors within.
Glide Inside
Indoor Skating
Stronach Community Recreation Centre
1221 Sandford St.
519-661-4426
For those of you who just can't brave the outdoor cold weather and blistering winds, there are plenty of indoor arenas all across London with public skates. Visit london.ca to find a list of indoor arenas near you.
Not A Participator? Be A Spectator!
Synchro in the City
99 Dundas St.
519-667-5700
johnlabattcentre.com
If you're more the type who enjoys watching people skate as opposed to actually being the one skating, then Synchro in the City is just the event you're looking for. Taking place December 27 to 29 at the John Labatt Center, Synchro in the City is London's first-ever synchronized skating competition. The festival will see the world's top synchronized skating teams from all over the world, including Russia, Finland, Canada and the United States, compete for a hefty cash prize. Check out johnlabattcentre.ca for ticket information.
Throw Yourself Down A Hill
Boler Mountain
689 Griffith St.
519-657-8295
bolermountain.com
Boler Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels and runs beginner workshops for those who have never donned a set of skis or a board before. Though the hills aren't the most challenging for more experienced skiers or snowboarders Boler is an excellent place to learn these sports and really find your footing with them.
Boler also offers tubing, for those who are somewhat less athletically inclined. People of all ages will find endless fun in sliding down a huge hill on an inflated tube.
Circle R Ranch
3017 Carriage Rd. Delaware, Ontario
519-471-3799
circlerranch.ca
For those of you who don't like the idea of going very fast down a steep, snowy hill, you should try cross-country skiing. Circle R Ranch, located just outside of London, has beautiful cross-country skiing paths that weave and wind through forests and fields. This is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter without the fear of breaking bones.
Light Up Your Life
Victoria Park
519-661-4500
london.ca
Each year, the City of London goes all out, dressing up the huge evergreen trees that are scattered around Victoria Park. The trees are decorated in every colour imaginable, and other festive decorations are draped on lampposts and signs. A beautiful Nativity scene provides the centerpiece to this holiday wonderland in the park.
During the holiday season, Victoria Park is a great place to go with friends and family, or for a romantic stroll with a date. Grab a warm holiday beverage from one of your favourite downtown coffee shops and enjoy the beautiful snow-filled park.
Saskatoon Street
Where Second Street hits Dundas Street, it changes names to Saskatoon Street, so it's not too far of a walk from Fanshawe. Traditionally, the residents of this street go all out on decorating their homes and yards for the holiday season. The lights and animatronic characters are a sight to behold, and most years nearly the entire street is lit up with a holiday glow.
Stay Cozy
Tunes To Chill Out To
londonmusic.ca
If you'd rather spend the long, cold months of winter inside enjoying some great live music, then londonmusic.ca is all you need to find the best shows in town.
This website features all of London's venues and live shows for months in advance laid out in a simple, concise manner. Simply find the day on the calendar that you're looking to see a show on and click on one of the acts performing that day. That will give you all the information you need about show time, tickets and venue.
Be a Kid Again
For many children, winter is an exciting time of year with an endless list of fun outdoor activities. Put on your snow suit and your mittens, gather up some friends, and play outside like you used to. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, make a fort or find a great hill for some tobogganing. When your hands are frozen and your cheeks are rosy, warm up with a delicious hot chocolate. Winter used to be fun, so stop dreading it!
