What’s On In Arnprior & Area This Month (December Edition)

Looking for exciting things to do this month in the Arnprior, Pakenham, Almonte, Calabogie, Burnstown, Braeside areas!? Check out our guide for what’s on this month!!

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Ongoing: Arnprior Early Years Center Play and Learn Drop In. Every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 9-11:30am. All children 0-6 and their parents and caregivers are invited to come to this interactive playgroup. Meet other parents, caregivers and children while you have fun learning together! www.arnweb.com/afprc

Ongoing: Arnprior Early Years Well Baby Drop- In. 1st and 3rd Wednesday’s beginning at 9:30am. A nurse from the Public Health Unit will be available to discuss infant and toddler growth, development and other parenting issues. Baby weigh in and breastfeeding support are available. www.arnweb.com/afprc

Ongoing: Arnprior Library Children’s Department The Arnrpior Library hosts many different programs for babies and children off all ages. Please see their website for more details!

Ongoing: Programs at the Pakenham Library. There are many different programs for kids and adults alike that take part at the Pakenham Library. Please see website for information.

Ongoing: Book Club at the Pakenham Library 7-8:30 pm – 1st Wednesday of each month  If you are a book lover come and share your love with like-minded individuals.  The first meeting will determine the reading list for the remainder of the year, so come with a title or two in mind.  Refreshments provided.  New members and drop-ins always welcome. Please see their website for more information.

Ongoing: Story Time at the Almonte Library. Every Friday from September – June.  Drop-in Story Time Fridays 10:00 am – 10:30 am Children 2-3 years of age. Enjoy interactive, fast paced stories, rhymes and songs. Parents and caregivers are required to stay with their children and siblings are welcome to join in. Pre-registered Story Time Fridays 11:00 am – 11:45 am Children 4 years of age and olderRegistration is required before 3 pm on Thursday.More involved stories and a craft are offered.  Parents and caregivers are not required to stay in the library.

Ongoing: Ladies Group Fitness in Arnprior - (All levels welcome) Fitness Centre (downstairs of the Quality Inn Hotel). Classes are offered Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (Body Toning). Great Music – Vibrant Ladies – leave feeling strong and healthy! Free Introductory Class – anytime. Please Contact – Colleen Barrie at

Ongoing: Words 2 Live By with Jen Charbonneau – Various dates and locations. This unique after school/lunch time program offers girls a chance to gather with others who share their challenges, their interests and their desire to learn new things. The program is designed to help girls sort through the daily “drama” that can influence friendships, self esteem, thoughts of “where I fit in” and everyday challenges. Each session will combine group discussions and creative expression through journaling and scrapbooking. Most importantly, girls will continue to build self esteem, self acceptance and a toolbox to manage challenges. For more info please see website So Glad 2 Be Me!

Ongoing: Wednesday December 12th 9:30-11am MomME Time Join for a time of rest and growth. Journey with us to be the best mom you can be! Childcare provided with the moms meet! At the Arnprior Wesleyan Church. For more information see their website.

Ongoing: Friday December 7th & 21st from 1-3pm Tot Time Cafe A community drop-in for moms and caregivers on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 1 – 3:00 p.m.  Children play close by while moms enjoy some time to chat.  Gourmet coffee and snacks are available.  At the Arnprior Wesleyan Church. For more information see their website.

Ongoing: Christmas Events and Tree Cutting at Cedar Hill Tree Farm in Pakenham. “Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm is a wonderful place to get into the old-fashioned Christmas spirit.  Tractor and wagon rides will take you to the field to cut a beautiful fresh tree – we provide saws to do the job. When you return to our shop, we will shake your tree and then, if you wish, wrap it for the trip home.  Then it is time to take pictures and enjoy our sliding hill, straw playstructure, sit by the bonfire and sip hot chocolate. Warm up beside our fireplace in our cosy shop and order light meals and desserts at Café Claus.  This year there will be some local products to buy, along with Ria’s homemade jam.  We also have some giftware and decorations available.  Our old red sleigh would make a lovely Christmas card setting.  It all adds up to wonderful memories. Admission to our farm is free.” For more information and opening hours please see their website.

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Saturday December 1st, 10am-noon CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE AT THE ARNPRIOR SHOPPING CENTRE SPONSORED BY THE ARNPRIOR LIONETTES

Saturday December 1st, 9am-5pm A Pakenham Country Christmas! A day of family fun and shopping throughout the village.  Activities include “breakfast with Santa”, Letters to Santa station, unique gift ideas from local merchants and the craft sale.  Shopping, fun activities for the children, and much more!  A great way to kick off the festive season! For more information, please see

Saturday December 1st, 8pm-midnight St. Andrew’s Valley Christmas Dance at the Stewart Community Centre, Pakenham. Come and dance the night away to the music of Herringbone – from Celtic to country with a few square dances mixed in for fun. Silent auction and light lunch included. $10 tickets available in Pakenham at Nicholsons, 5 Span Feed, the General Store, the Arnprior Book Store and at The Almonte Spectacle Shop or by calling .

Saturday December 1st, 7-9:30pm Christmas in Our Town – Calabogie Community Hall A concert , $5 per person or $15 per family. Advance tickets can be purchased at Scotiabank Renfrew or bought at the door. There will be refreshments. All proceeds go to help support the community rink and portion of the funds raised will be matched by Scotiabank Renfrew! For more information please contact Marie Buscomb at

Sunday December 2nd 1:30pm Calabogie Christmas Parade. The Santa Claus Parade will take place at the Community Centre on December 2, 2012 at 01:30PM. This community event is sponsored by the Calabogie Lions Club

Sunday December 2nd Pakenham Curling Club Open Cash Bonspiel Pakenham Curling Club Open Cash Bonspiel in Almonte. Cost $30.00. Home cooked meal at noon. Contact Brenda Beaubien  or email   or see Website: http://pakenhamcurlingclub.ovca.com/

Thursday December 6th, The Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce is hosting their AGM and annual Christmas Social December 6th.The event will be held at CVTel at 74 River Rd in Arnprior. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available. No charge to attend. Cash bar. RSVP by December 3rd. For more information please see this website.

Friday December 7th, Tree Lighting at the Arnprior Hospital

Friday December 7th, Saturday December 8th, Sunday December 9th Calabogie Capital Cup Snowcross Championships Snowmobile Racers and fans from across Canada and the US gather every December at Calabogie Peaks Resort to celebrate the annual Calabogie Capital Cup Snowcross Championships. Races feature Kids, Juniors and Sport Class racing with Rockstar Energy Pro Open Finals and competition for the “Capital Cup” Championship. Visit website for dates & more information. http://calabogie.com/events.html

Friday December 7th 7pm Light Up The Night Almonte. Takes place on Main Street Almonte. Thousands of people fill the main street of Almonte for one of the largest outdoor Christmas shows in Canada. It was a festive and musical night in the quaint and Christmassy town of Almonte. For more information, pleae see their website.

Saturday December 8th, 12th Annual Breakfast With Santa in Arnprior Leaps & Bounds will be hosting the annual Breakfast with Santa.  We are happy to announce that we are partnering with the Arnprior OEYC and they will be hosting the craft room that day.  The breakfast, raffle table and the big guy himself are always a hit – so watch out now that the craft room has been ramped up with the Early Years gals energy and creativity! .

Saturday December 8th, 1pm Pakenham Santa Claus Parade. A local favourite not to me missed! Please contact the Mississippi Mills Recreation and Culture department to register your float of for more information. Free skating, hotdogs and hot chocolate after the parade. Stick around for a chance to visit with Santa! For more information please see this website

Saturday December 8th, 6:30-9:30pm Almonte’s Interwoven Past – Film Premier. Almonte filmmakers Robert and Sharon Newton announce the premiere of their feature length documentary film at Almonte Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge St. Almonte. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the film will start at 7:15 PM Tickets are $10.00 at the door (Cash only please) DVDs and Blu-rays of the film will be available for purchase (A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum) There will be displays by several local museums and collectors Call 256-2483 or visit www.AlmonteHeritageOnFilm.com for more details.

Saturday December 8th, 6:30pm Pakenham Curling Club Christmas Party. Pakenham Curling Club will be hosting their annual Christmas party. The event will be a pot luck supper with dinner served at 7:00PM. 172 Jessie St. Pakenham Contact: Brenda Beaubien .

Sunday December 9th, noon-7pm, Christmas Art Show and Sale The Arnprior and Beyond Arts Association (ABARTSA) will hold its first annual Share the Christmas Spirit with abARTSa show and sale at Galilee Centre, 398 John Street North, Arnprior on December 9th. This free show will display works by about 12 local artists. For more information, please contact: Norman Manchevsky – - or visit the ABARTSA website at abartsa.wordpress.com

Sunday December 9th, 5pm Almonte Santa Clause Parade “Parade of Lights”. Almonte will host it’s first ever NIGHT parade in 2012! Please contact the Mississippi Mills Recreation and Culture department to register your float or for more information. Free skating, hotdogs and hot chocolate immediately following the parade (probably around 6:00PM). Stick around for a chance to visit with Santa! For more information please see this website.

Friday December 14th - there is a tween dance in Arnprior. Please see the Nick Smith Center’s website for more info.

Friday December 14th, 7:30pm Almonte Youth Nights – Christmas Pizza Party. Come on out for our last Youth Night session of 2012!! Free Pizza for everyone!! Our Youth Nights program will commence again on Friday January 11, 2013. See you all in 2013!!For more information please see this website.

Wednesday December 19th 7-8:30pm Holiday Party at the Pakenham Library ‘Tis the season for festive fun!  We will be making holiday crafts, playing festive games and decorating tasty holiday cookies! Registration required, $2 per child. All ages welcome. For more information please see their website.

Thursday December 20th, 9:30am Arnprior Early Years Christmas Social. Come out and join us as we celebrate the wonderful Christmas season. There will be treats, festivities and maybe even a visit from the Big Jolly Man himself!!! Feel free to put on your Sunday best and get all fancied up for this festive celebration!!

Friday December 21st, 6pm Winter Solstice 5K Fun Run or Walk. Celebrate the longest night of the year by dressing up in Christmas Lights and your best Solstice Costume and walk or run the streets of Arnprior! Entry Fee: A donation of non-perishable food for the Arnprior Food Bank Celebratory Dinner and Hot Chocolate for all participants at Galilee! Prize for Best Costume! Christmas Carols! Dinner tickets $15 = Meal, Hot Chocolate or Cider, Prizes, Music, Good Cheer! Entry Forms and Dinner Tickets at Galilee Centre or Nick Smith Centre6:00 pm Galilee Centre 398 John Street North

Monday December 31st – there is a New Years Eve party happening in Arnprior, please see the Nick Smith Center’s website for more info.

If you know of an event or something going on that we have missed, please add it as a comment below! Or feel free to email