MAIN Christmas Christmas in Canada

Much like Christmas in the U.S.A., a Canadian Christmas is a wonderful mix of both modern and Old World customs brought to North America by colonial settlers.

Today, highlights include the razz ma-tazz of parades and electronic light shows - contrasted with purely French traditions in Quebec, like elaborately displayed Nativity creches in shop windows and households.

As a warm family tradition, most Canadians will sit down to a Christmas Day dinner that harks back to a traditional UK Christmas feast of roast bird, stuffing and sauces.

And even before they final cleanup, Canadians will planning for a post-holiday shopping extravaganza otherwise known as Boxing Day.

Around the Web, surf for more information on why Christmas is so cool in Canada, with schedules of events that help kick-off the season in Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver ...

Montreal Christmas Parade - Head downtown for the colorful annual kick-off to the holiday season with floats, bands, and an appearance by Santa.

Fete Noel - Old Quebec City comes alive with a holiday extravaganza of Christmas lights, food vendors, street theater, caroling and choir performances throughout the month.

Christmas in Quebec - Mouth-watering recipes with complete instructions for preparing a soup-to-nuts traditional holiday turkey dinner from the Sucrerie de la Montagne.

Halifax Tree Lighting - Live entertainment, Santa Claus and fireworks in Nova Scotia's capital city.

Christmas at Canada Place - Check out this year's schedule for Vancouver's waterfront holiday celebration featuring a 35-foot Christmas tree, Dickens carolers, and a visit with Santa.

Christmas Tree Farms in Canada - A comprehensive directory of precut or choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms near Quebec, Toronto, Ontario and other regions throughout the country with contact details and driving directions.

Edmonton Christmas Guide - The complete directory on what's happening this year with information on everything from Santa Claus parade, to Handel’s Messiah, the Nutcracker, craft sales and other the fun city events, plus more on New Year's Eve happenings.

12 Days of Christmas - In Calgary's Heritage Park, with Old West weekends of fun including wagon rides, the Santa Express, caroling and storytelling.

Christmas Traditions in France and Canada - A nice look at French and French Canadian holiday customs with details on the Nativity creche, religious ceremonies, foods & recipes, with historical background on Christmas origins from the Middle Ages onward.

1535, The FIrst Christmas in Canada - The harrowing account of the first recorded Christmas by Jacques Cartier and his settlers, near what is now Quebec.

Chance of a White Christmas in Canada - What are the odds? Find out with features stories and interesting nationwide stats and history, compiled by the Meteorological Service of Canada.

also see -> Boxing Day | Canada Tourist Attractions

British Columbia Tourist Attractions | Vancouver Tourist Attractions

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