In north Durham, Uxbridge and Port Perry offer a slower, small-town Christmas about an hour from Toronto, with historic main streets, community parades and countryside all around.
Uxbridge
- Santa Claus Parade: a daytime parade along Brock Street, usually in mid-November.
- Downtown Uxbridge: independent shops and cafés on Brock Street.
- The York-Durham Heritage Railway, based in Uxbridge, has run holiday train rides in past seasons; check its website for 2026. Santa train rides
Port Perry
- Scugog Santa Claus Parade: an evening parade from the fairgrounds to Palmer Park, usually in early December.
- Queen Street: a picturesque Victorian main street on the shore of Lake Scugog, with boutiques and restaurants that decorate for the season.
Make it a day trip
Spend the afternoon shopping in Port Perry, then stay for an evening parade or dinner by the lake. Christmas day trips from Toronto
Why visit north Durham at Christmas?
Uxbridge and Port Perry offer a relaxed, old-fashioned Christmas only an hour from Toronto. Instead of crowds and big malls, you’ll find heritage main streets, independent shops, friendly cafés, rolling farmland and, in Port Perry, a pretty lakefront on Lake Scugog. They’re perfect for a family day out, a couples’ getaway or holiday shopping with a small-town feel.
More things to do
- Shop Queen Street in Port Perry, with its Victorian buildings, boutiques, gift shops and bakeries.
- Walk the Port Perry waterfront along Lake Scugog, beautiful when the lake freezes.
- Explore Uxbridge’s Brock Street, with antique shops, cafés and heritage buildings.
- Hike the trails: Uxbridge calls itself the Trail Capital of Canada, with many trails through forests and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Winter hikes
- Visit a tree farm or Christmas market in the surrounding countryside. Christmas tree farms near Toronto
- Ski at nearby hills in north Durham. Skiing near Toronto
A north Durham day trip
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | A winter walk on Uxbridge’s trails |
| Lunch | Brock Street in Uxbridge |
| Afternoon | Drive 20 minutes to Port Perry and shop Queen Street |
| Late afternoon | Sunset over Lake Scugog |
| Evening | Dinner in Port Perry |
Uxbridge and Port Perry: FAQ
How far is Port Perry from Toronto? About an hour to an hour and 15 minutes by car.
Are there Santa Claus parades in Uxbridge and Port Perry? Yes. Both towns hold community parades; check local listings for 2026 dates.
More: Durham Santa Claus parades · Christmas in Durham Region
Getting there
Both towns are about an hour from downtown Toronto by car, via Highway 404/407 and Highway 47 to Uxbridge, or Highway 412/7A to Port Perry.
