Holiday Activities for ALL Ages in Guelph!

 The holidays are upon us, and there’s no better time to embrace the joy of the season in Guelph! Whether it’s gliding across the ice at an indoor or outdoor rink, zipping down a snowy hill on a toboggan, marveling at twinkling holiday lights in the park, or enjoying festive family traditions like pictures with Santa or The Nutcracker concert for kids—Guelph is full of holiday magic for everyone.

In this post, we’ll guide you through some of the best holiday activities Guelph has to offer. It’s the perfect time to create lasting memories and enjoy the season’s magic with family, friends, and little ones!


Skating Rinks in Guelph

Exhibition Park Arena

The area offers a variety of different skating programs including ...

Public Skating 

This skate is a great way to socialize and skate with family and friends. Skate Aids are not permitted at this skate, but sleges are. Children 9 years and younger must be supervised on the ice by a parent/guardian who is at least 12 years of age, with sufficient skating ability. No hockey sticks allowed.


Family Skate

Skating at this quieter ice time is geared towards families with children aged 8 and under. Adults and children must each register. Skate aids, wheelchairs, and sledges are allowed at this skate. No hockey sticks allowed.


Shinny Programs

Drop-in, pick up hockey. Full equipment and helmets are mandatory, and the space is limited to 22 players and 2 goalies. Please bring a light and dark jersey for play.


Sensory-friendly Skate

Come enjoy a sensory-friendly skate, in an adapted skating environment for children, youth, and adults of all abilities. Dimmed lighting, no music, a small group of skaters, no buzzers or whistles. Wheelchairs, skate aids, sledges, and other mobility devices are welcome on the ice. Accompanying adults or support persons skate free of charge. No hockey sticks allowed. 


Adult/Child Shinny

Hockey player to benefit from drop-in pick up hockey. Full equipment and helmets are mandatory. Adults must attend with a child and children must attend with an adult. Each player must register, and games are self-led.

Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre

Recreational Skating

Rec skate is open to skaters of all ability levels, lace up & skate along to some great music!


Recreational Hockey

Rec Hockey runs as a shinny fame, with no referee or time clock. Players will self-organize and play based on numbers

*Women's only drop-in rec hockey is also available*


Click here to view the drop-in recreation calendar!

Guelph's Downtown Market Square

 Skate between 10 AM and 10 PM, seven days a week, all winter long! 

The Market Square ice rink will be open for skating, weather permitting, from 10 AM to 4 PM on the following days

  • December 24th, 25th, 26th
  • January 1st

Check the status of the ice rink, including how busy it is, through the live video feed of the market square! Click here to view the live feed

Tobogganing Hills in Guelph

  • Moe hill on Municipal St
  • Hanlon Creek Park on Kortright Road West
  • Cross Creek Park
  • Scottsdale Hill
  • Lambton Hill

Holiday Activities to Do With Children

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Every once in a while, someone goes above and beyond. For me, there have been moments—across different industries and stages of life—where people didn’t just meet expectations, they exceeded them. Those experiences stay with you. They guide you. Honestly, they become a benchmark for how you try to show up every single day. It doesn’t always happen in real estate or sales, but it absolutely influences how I approach my work. In some of those standout moments, I’ve even joked with the person delivering the experience, asking if they were looking for a career change. That’s how impactful it was. After 21 years in sales, I’ve learned something simple but powerful: "We can can always do more. The real question is whether we choose to." 

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