Both Port Elgin and Southampton have Christmas kick-off and shopping events planned to get your Christmas season off to a good start.

The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, together with the Port Elgin BIA, invite you to catch the holiday spirit with the Port Elgin Tree Lighting ceremony and Shoppers Night on Thursday, November 15. Then one week later, on Thursday, November 22, the Southampton BIA and the Chamber invite you to the Tree Lighting ceremony and Southampton Sparkles.

In a Chamber media release, the Port Elgin tree lighting ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. in Coulter Parkette, on Green Street just west of Goderich Street in downtown Port Elgin. The evening will include a petting zoo, a performance from SB Dance Academy, a message from the Mayor and of course the lighting of the tree. 

Also get your Christmas shopping started early and locally during Shoppers Night in Port Elgin. Check out all the great deals that the Port Elgin businesses have to offer. There will be a Christmas Market at the park as well.

Then on Thursday, November 22 join the community and merchants in downtown Southampton for the Southampton Tree Lighting and Southampton Sparkles.

From a Southampton BIA media release, kick off the holiday season at the Southampton Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. with the official tree lighting ceremony, featuring performances by the Celtic Dance Academy and the Chantry Singers.

As always the tree will have a special touch from students at GC Huston Public School. Snowman ornaments donated by the Southampton BIA will be expertly decorated by GC Huston students and hung the day prior.

Following the tree lighting, the community is invited to walk store to shore for Southampton Sparkles where they can shop for everyone on their list. Stores will be open until 9 p.m., many with special offers and promotions for the evening’s shoppers.

The Southampton BIA, the Port Elgin BIA and Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce wish you and yours the very best this holiday season.

Check out your special Christmas Shopping Guide on Saugeen Shores Hub for all the Shoppers Night and Sparkles special merchant offers and promotions. And keep an eye on the Guide throughout the holiday season for Christmas specials and Boxing Week sales.