9 Fabulous Things to do at Christmastime in Smiths Falls
What if I told you there’s a Christmas small town in Ontario that has all the festive vibes but without the crowds? Let me introduce you to Smiths Falls!
This charming small town, 1 hour from Ottawa, is such a gem of a destination. It’s full of great cafes, restaurants, shops and so much holiday cheer that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Santa dining with The Grinch. And with so many festive things to do at Christmastime in Smiths Falls, it’s the perfect spot for a holiday getaway.
After countless short visits and passing through, I finally enjoyed a full weekend during the holidays in Smiths Falls and I fell right through a chimney in love with it! It has all the things I look for in a small town, from adorable cafes to shops full of local goods as well as a rich history to explore (in a unique way too!) to a community spirit that draws you in like you’re a neighbour.
So, if you’re looking for fun places to visit in Ontario at Christmastime, then let me share all the reasons you should book a getaway to Smiths Falls.
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See the Holiday Train
One of my favourite things to do during the holiday season in Ontario is see the Holiday Train!
Officially called the CPKC Holiday Train, it makes stops across Canada. Along with bring all the festive vibes, its mission is to bring awareness to food insecurity and donates to local food banks in every community it stops.
While I’ve seen it in my own backyard of Simcoe County, where it stops during the day, I think the best stop for the Holiday Train in Ontario is Smiths Falls! And I have a few solid reasons why.
A big reason why Smiths Falls is the perfect spot to experience the Holiday Train is because you get to see it at night. The train is lit with hundreds of Christmas lights and displays of holiday characters like gingerbread men, nutcrackers and elves. Seeing it at night is magical!
But it’s not just the train that makes it special, it’s a whole experience! Smiths Falls hosts an annual pre-party leading up to the train’s arrival at the Station Theatre. There’s music, free hot chocolate, vendors, Beavertails, and I even spotted the Grinch having a good time.
The CPKC Holiday Train comes into Smiths Falls the last weekend of November around 6:30pm. And I think it’s the perfect weekend to plan a getaway around.
Visit the North Pole Express
It’s double the train fun thanks to the rich history of railway history in Smiths Falls!
One of the top things to do in Smiths Falls is visit the Rail Museum of Eastern Ontario. The museum is housed in a Canadian Northern Railway train station that dates back to 1912. The 10-acre property is home to a bunch of old rail cars too.
During the holiday season is one of the best times to visit the Rail Museum of Eastern Ontario (otherwise known as RMEO). Starting at the end of November and running for a few weeks into December, the museum transforms into a winter wonderland of holiday fun that they call the North Pole Express.
During North Pole Express the train station and the old rail cars are decorated for Christmas. Plus, there’s so much to do and see!
You can get your photo taken with Santa Claus in the 1899 dining car or send a message to him at the North Pole at the telegraph office. Kids will love the face-painting, reindeer games, tractor rides, and STEAM train where they can enjoy hands on learning about trains.
But the proverbial star on the Christmas tree of North Pole Express at RMEO is taking a ride on one of their trains! The train ride is a short but fun one around the museum property. But I highly recommend you purchase tickets for the train ride in advance as they sell out quickly.
Indulge in the Cookie Crawl
One of the most unique things to do at Christmastime in Smiths Falls is their Cookie Crawl! This fun event is the perfect way to explore downtown if you’ve never been. Plus, who can resist cookies?!
The Cookie Crawl takes place the last weekend in November and tickets are available for $25. On the day of the event, you head over to the Town Hall to pick up your cookie box and map. The map features all the stops in downtown Smiths Falls to pick up your dozen cookies.
It’s like a scavenger hunt for kids and adults alike! It was such a fun way to discover cafes, shops and different business. And if you’re looking for holiday sales, the brochure has a list of all the downtown shops with deals on.
It’s not just eateries that take part; it’s a fun mix of cafes and shops. Plus, there are a number of businesses offering beverages too, like apple cider.
A few of my favourite cookie stops include; the Grinch cookie from the Lighthouse Café, the tasty one from C’est Tout Bakery, Gemmell’s Flowers adorable little cookie pair and the chocolate coconut one from Jewel’s Gently Used Clothing.
Take in the Tree Lighting
Part of Smiths Fall’s Celebration of Lights is their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony that takes place in the Town Square.
The event takes place at the end of November and features some amazing carolers known as the Sing Your Heart Out Choir. As we gathered around the gazebo and sung along to holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the anticipation and festive spirit grew.
Just before the clock turned 5pm the friendly mayor, Shawn Pankow, got up to say a few words and count down. When the clock struck 5pm the towering Christmas tree in the square, along with a bunch of fun light displays sprung to life.
I loved the deer and giant lightbulb light displays – perfect for fun photo-ops!
If you missed the Tree Lighting Ceremony, don’t worry, the lights will be on until January 5, 2026.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry
You’ll need fuel to keep you going with all the fun things to do during Christmastime in Smiths Falls! Luckily there’s plenty of great cafes and restaurants to eat at to keep you merry. And I’m sharing my favourites:
For breakfast in Smiths Falls go to C’est Tout Bakery. This dreamy French café is located in the historic Rideau Hotel. Their menu features a number of options like eggs benedict, a breakfast bowl and their famous tea biscuits. I highly recommend the Avocado Toastie – with its stunning presentation. But don’t miss out on grabbing a tea biscuit to go!
Insider tip: I recommend making a reservation for C’est Tout if you want to make sure you get a seat, especially on weekends.
When it comes to lunch, my two top picks are Lighthouse Café and The Pickled Pig. For dine in, head to Lighthouse Café. This nonprofit is all about supporting the community but without sacrificing on incredible fare. They are best known for their sandwiches that are made with waffles. I loved the soup and half sandwich deal and highly recommend their Wicked Chicken Thai soup!
The Pickled Pig is another great spot for a fresh sandwich! This take-out only shop features a large menu of sandwich options, or you can make your own. Take a browse around as you wait and you’ll find premade dinners, fresh bread, and baked goods.
For dinner, I really enjoyed the Lockmaster’s Taphouse and the Vault Eatery, both of which are located in historic buildings. The Lockmaster’s Taphouse feels like a historic British bar with stone walls and a menu fit for a king. I enjoyed one of the best steaks I’ve had in years here.
The Vault Eatery will have you feeling like you’re laughing all the way to the bank – with its setting in a former bank. Inside it’s a fun mix of historic charm and wit, with bathrooms labeled Bonnie and Clyde. Their dinner menu features a mix of options like their signature burger, pad Thai, and salmon. But ask about their specials, my dad loved their shrimp and scallop rice bowl and I devoured their pasta bake.
Do some Holiday Shopping
I’m all about spending money locally – especially when it comes to Christmas gifts. I was thrilled to be able to tick off a few friends and family gifts during my visit.
Thanks to all the great shops, it’s easy to do some holiday shopping in Smiths Falls during your visit. There’s something for everyone on your list. Plus, if you’re on a budget or just a thrifter – like me, then you’ll find over a dozen thrift shops in Smiths Falls.
Plus, it’s a great way to see all the incredible Christmas window displays at all the shops! I was so impressed that all the shops decorate for the season.
Here are some of my favourite shops:
Arlie’s Books – A wonderful bookstore with a mix of new and used. Plus, you’ll find other fun bookish items that make great gifts for the booklover in your life. And to top it off, they have a Christmas tree made out of books in the front window!
Special Greetings Card & Gift Shop – This classic card shop is also packed full of adorable gift ideas, like funny magnets, artwork and holiday décor.
Toy Heaven + The Craft Witch – A blend of two shops in one, with cool retro toys, comic books and fun crafting items like paint by numbers and make your own holiday ornaments.
Sand Crane’s Closet – This community closet, where you pay what you can for clothing, also has a shop featuring an assortment of trinkets and unique gift items.
Michele’s Doorway to Splendour – A women’s clothing store but full of great high-quality gifts like scarves, purses and gloves too.
The New Old Town – For the curious person in your life, this antique shop is one of the best I’ve been to (and I’ve been to a ton!). It’s expertly curated and presented, with a wide range of items from vintage toys and books to historic pieces that you won’t find anywhere else.
More Festive Things to do & See in Smiths Falls
Heritage House Museum
Another magical place to visit in Smiths Falls during the holidays is the Heritage House Museum. Built for the Bates family in 1861, this two-story grand home is now a museum showcasing period pieces, historic artifacts from Smiths Falls’ early days as well as rotating exhibits.
If you’re looking for things to do in Smiths Falls in December, the Heritage House Museum hosts a couple of amazing events.
The Holiday Heritage House is a great time to visit the museum and see it decorated for the season. It’s filled with numerous Christmas trees, garland, and a stunning dining table dressed for a turkey feast.
Take a guided tour with costumed guides and learn about holiday traditions. Plus, there’s plenty of family friendly activities taking place. I loved seeing the one tree decorated with period fittings, like small candles and ornaments made out of tin and knitted.
Candlelit Christmas is another great holiday event in Smiths Falls. This is a beautiful time to see the Heritage House at night. Tour the museum, lit by candle light and take in the stunning home dressed with Victorian holiday decorations.
Santa Claus Parade
Who can resist seeing the big man in red? If you’re planning to visit mid-December than you’re in luck. This is when the Smiths Falls Santa Claus Parade weaves its way through downtown.
The annual Christmas parade features plenty of floats and all the good holiday cheer you could want.
When: December 13, 2025
Take in a Holiday Play
I love theatre and if you do too then grab yourself some tickets to one of the live performances taking place during Christmastime in Smiths Falls.
Station Theatre is housed in the town’s historic train station that was completed in 1887, making it one of the oldest buildings in Smiths Falls. The community theatre puts on a couple of holiday shows. You can enjoy a play, like Miracle on 34th Street or a Christmas concert.
How to get to Smiths Falls
Smiths Falls is located 1 hour south of Ottawa, making it one of the best day trips from the capital.
At roughly 4 hours east of Toronto, it’s a great option for a weekend getaway. If you plan to make a road trip out of it, there’s plenty of stops between Toronto and Smiths Falls.
Plus, if you don’t own a vehicle or looking for a sustainable trip, you can take the train to Smiths Falls. Via Rail has multiple trains going from Toronto to Ottawa and makes stops in Smiths Falls along the route.
Where to Stay in Smiths Falls
For a small town, there are plenty of options for places to stay in Smiths Falls. You’ll find everything from historic to typical chain hotels.
Best Western – The Best Western in Smiths Falls is a great option for families. It’s a couple of minutes from downtown, has complimentary breakfast, a pool, and clean, comfortable rooms. I found the staff friendly and helpful. Plus, while you can drive the 2 minutes to downtown, you can also walk in 15 minutes. And if you’re visiting during Christmastime, you’ll find a cute little Christmas tree on the second floor, among other decorations.
I was a guest of Smiths Falls, but all opinions expressed are my own.
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