Magical Winterland Nights at Casa Loma
Explore the magic of Toronto’s Casa Loma at night this holiday season! Grab your family, friends and/or sweetie and visit Magical Winterland Nights, taking place each Wednesday evening in December. Wander through the dazzling light display in the gardens while singing with carollers and sipping hot cocoa…or something stronger. If the magic of the Christmas season hasn’t hit you yet, those feelings will start stirring while you take in the holiday festivities at Casa Loma. You’ll feel the wonder of Winterland, even though this fall has been so mild – aren’t most of us really happy about that? During this mild December in Toronto, we’re still wearing our fall jackets and it makes for wandering around the Casa Loma grounds very comfortable.
My friends and I drank hot cocoa outside and meandered through the grounds. The carollers wandered the gardens singing carols and we found ourselves joining them. I’m not sure if they appreciated my participation – for I cannot sing – but the spirit of the night was joyful and full of Christmas cheer.
We heard the buzz of a saw and found it an odd sound to hear in the gardens. A little worrisome really. But, then, we saw a live wood carving show was on; a wood carver was deftly carving a bunny using a rather large saw. No wonder the bunny looks worried.
Inside the castle, families are invited to visit Santa in his workshop during Magical Winterland Nights and also scour the castle on a scavenger hunt. Many rooms have spectacular Christmas trees, each with a different theme. Even though I have visited Casa Loma a couple of times this year, I really enjoyed going through each room to see how it was decorated.
Every evening of Magical Winterland Nights, Professor Wick puts on a magic show: an interactive theatrical presentation that transports the audience into a world in which logic and disbelief are suspended.
Professor Wick called upon children to participate in his magic show. The kids had great fun playing musical chairs on stage and we were all amazed that he successfully predicted the winner. The room was absolutely brimming with the delightful cheer of the kids.
I wandered around the castle before my friends arrived, wondering what decorating and gift wrapping ideas I could steal.
Magical Winterland Nights at Casa Loma is a beautiful holiday season activity whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, whether you have kids or have a child-like spirit still alive in you. The castle is beautiful and the view of downtown Toronto from high above reminds me how extremely lucky I am to call this city my home.
Casa Loma is hosting a toy drop off location for the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish with one dollar from each adult admission during the month of December donated to the program. Purchase tickets for Magical Winterland Nights at the door.
I would like to send you my very best Season’s Greetings! I wish you all a happy and fulfilling year ahead.
Magical Winterland Nights take place at Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto on December 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is Children (4-13) $17, Youth (14-17) $21, Adult $27 and Senior (60+) $21.
