There are lots of great holiday events planned for kids and families in Mississauga this month! Free holiday parties, performances, and charity fundraisers in Mississauga will all help to get you and your family into a festive holiday mood. You might even decide to have Breakfast with Santa!

 December 15, 10:30am ~ Holiday Sing & Play Date

Join Miss Mandi at Sing Music Studio to participate in Port Credit's 12 1/2 Days Before Christmas. Expect to sing, dance and play instruments to some of your favourite Christmas songs. If you celebrate Christmas, this is music class not to be missed! All children between the ages of newborn and 7 years welcome and parent participation is encouraged! $25 includes ‘Tis the Season Kindermusik CD or download card, instrument and 45 minute class only 10 spaces available. Sing Music Studio is located at 56 Lake St in Port Credit.For full details, contact Miss Mandi at (416) 388-8787  or visit www.singmusicstudio.com 

December 16, 5-7pm ~ Free Hot Apple Cider Day
Drop by one of the tents along Lakeshore Road - Compliments of the Port Credit BIA. Visit PortCredit.com for details.

December 17, 1-4 pm ~ Making Holiday Crafts from Nature
FREE @ Lady Bug Harbour 189 Lakeshore Rd E - Drop by with the kids and help them make a Reindeer or pinecone ornament to take home with you. Visit PortCredit.com for more information.

December 17, 11am ~ Children’s Puppet Show Saturday
FREE at The Waterside Inn on 15 Stavebank Rd S. sponsored by ReMax Realtor Theresa Baird . Bruce the Christmas Moose Bruce is a young and rather naive moose, completely new to this "Christmas" thing. What does a Moose do for Christmas? He tries to do what the other animals do - He tries skating - and falls down He tries cooking - and it's a disaster He tries being a fake Santa - but he's too antler-y He tries...well you get the idea. So what does a Moose do for Christmas? Bruce finds that there IS one thing that a Moose, and only a Moose can do for Christmas - averting a near-disaster. What is it? You wouldn't really want us to tell, would you? This show is for all ages, particularly the 4-10 year olds. There is plenty of humour here for older kids and adults as well -  visual, verbal and musical. Show runs approximately 50 minutes Space is limited – Come early - Doors open at 10:30 am. Visit PortCredit.com for details.

December 17, 1-5pm ~ Holiday Carnival
Lake Affect Patio Bar & Grill - 1 Port St E - Rides and fun for the whole family!  Free rides with donation of non-perishable food for The Mississauga Food Bank. Free Photos with Santa from 1-4pm. For more details go to LakeAffect.com

December 18 10am-Noon ~ Breakfast with Santa at The Crooked Cue
75 Lakeshore Rd E - RESERVATION REQUIRED Before breakfast kids will be given a blank letter to Santa to do while they wait.  Santa will come by and chat with the kids and collect the letters while they eat their breakfast- Later each will have a chance to sit on Santa’s knee …just to make sure he is clear on what they want for Christmas this year and to receive their Candy Cane – Limited number of seats - $20 per adult - $10 per child 5 and over – Kids under 5 free (max 1 free child with each paying adult) -All Children must be accompanied by an adult – bring your camera. Visit PortCredit.com for more information TO RESERVE A SPOT CALL 905-271-7665

December 19  1pm-4pm ~ FREE Cookie Decorating at The Cookie Girls
13 Stavebank Rd N - Kids are invited to drop-in with their parents and decorate a free Christmas cookie - to eat or take home with them. Visit PortCredit.com for details

December 20 6pm ~ Celebrate Chanukah
The Chabad Jewish Discovery Center welcomes the entire community to celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of Lights at the annual Public Menorah Lighting ceremony. The program features a grand menorah lighting, entertainment, crafts for the kids and traditional Chanukah foods- doughnuts and latkes (potato pancakes).  In addition, an emphasis has always been put on bringing joy to others during the holiday season. Instead of an entrance fee, participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be distributed to the less fortunate. This event will be held at the Mississauga Civic Centre.

December 20 ~ Free Hot Chocolate
Drop by the Port Credit holiday tents along Lakeshore Rd. (located east and west of Hurontario) to receive your free treat. Go to PortCredit.com for details!

December 21 12pm-6pm ~ Holiday Painting Party
FREE at Nikoo Art- 81 Lakeshore Rd E - Drop by with the kids and let them create a masterpiece for that someone special – All materials supplied! Visit PortCredit.com for more information.

December 22, 5-7pm ~ Free Hot Chocolate
Drop by one of the tents along Lakeshore Road - Compliments of the Port Credit BIA - PortCredit.com

December 22, 5pm-6:30pm ~ Dusk Candle-Lighting Ceremony
FREE  - SW corner of Hurontario & Lakeshore Join us as we officially welcome the Winter Solstice – The longest day of the year! Free Hot chocolate, Holiday Music and a candle-lighting ceremony at dusk. PortCredit.com for details.

December 23, 11am-1pm ~ Stringing Popcorn
FREE Imagemaker Art Studio 175 Lakeshore Rd E Drop by with the kids and string some popcorn for the tree – but not quite the old fashioned way –adding some creativity for a unique new  look! Details available at PortCredit.com

December 31, New Years Celebration in the City of Mississauga
Countdown to the New Year in Mississauga’s newest celebration space; Celebration Square

 December 1, 10am-12noon ~ Taima Zone SwapHop!
Just in time for Christmas a great time out and a great way to save some money for the holidays. Come to a free Kids' Clothing and Toys Swap! Register for your free ticket and to find out more about this great movement; www.swaphop.ca “Maybe you just REALLY need to refresh your family’s wardrobes.  Whether s/he’s newborn or pre-teen or add a few new pieces to your own fashion options, we’d love to see you at a SwapHop. Attendees bring the items they no longer need, and go home with items they look forward to using.” This event is hosted at; Taima-Zone Indoor Activity Centre, if you bring the kids with you, they get to play while you swap for just $5/child.
 
December 2, 5:30-8: ~ Toy Mountain Kids Party
A FREE Holiday Party for the kids and a great way to give to the kids who don’t have as much. Mums ‘n Chums with Mommy Connections Mississauga is hosting their first Holiday Bash for the whole family at Taima Zone. Join in the Holiday festivities and help build a Mountain of Toys for CTV News Toronto’s Toy Mountain Campaign for the Salvation Army. Dress up for the event; CTV News will be joining the party for live coverage! Visit: www.mumsnchums.com

December 1-3, 6:30-9 ~ Footprints of Christmas
Footprints of Christmas is of public interest as it tells the Christmas story with over 12 interactive dramatizations, people in costume and even live animals! Thursday December 1, Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3 2011. The 25 minute tours start at 6:30 and continue until 9:00 each night. Held at St. Andrew's Memorial Presbyterian Church, 24 Stavebank Rd. N. in Port Credit. For more information call Peter Toller at 416-464-8067

December 3, 2pm and 8pm ~ And On Earth Peace
Celebrate the season with the Mississauga Festival Choir as we present "And On Earth, Peace", a program of Christmas music featuring works with piano, harp and organ. Featured music includes Camille Sait-Saens' Christmas Oratorio, along with Gerald Finzi's In Terra Pax and a medley of music from 'White Christmas' Contact the Living Arts Centre for details.

December 3, Matinee; 3pm Evening 7pm at Eden United Church
Ontario Heartland Chorus, the quartet "Spritzer", Eden United Church Handbell Choir & The Barons Men's Chorus in musical event not to be missed. The cost is $20 per ticket per event time. www.ontarioheartlandchorus.ca/pages/Shows.html

December 3, 7pm  & December 4, 2pm ~  The Nutcracker
The internationally celebrated State Ballet Theatre of Russia brings Vainonen’s choreography to life in The Nutcracker.  Elegant costumes and enchanting sets compliment the beautiful dances set to Tchaikovsky’s musical score. Make this timeless traditional ballet a holiday event for the whole family. Contact the Living Arts Centre for details!

December 4, 7pm ~ Caroling at the Grange
Warm your toes by the outdoor campfire, your tummies with a cup of hot chocolate and your voice with old fashioned Christmas carols. Cake will be served at 7pm, in celebration of Heritage Mississauga’s 51st birthday. Please bring a non-perishable food items for the Deacon’s Cupboard Food Bank at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. www.heritagemississauga.com
 
December 9, 5-8pm ~ One-Stop- Family- Fun & Shop at Taima Zone
One-Stop-Shoping for parents with unique gifts from local home businesses all while kids have a blast! At Taima Zone's Family Fun Bazaar! The kids  will enjoy playing and enjoying the entertainment of Dora the Explorer with Bailando (by Party Kids), 6:30 play the Dora Music Game. At 7pm 1-2-3 Dance with Me! With Francesca. familyfunbazaar.weebly.com

December 10, 12:30pm ~ Holiday Sing & Play Date
Join Miss Mandi to celebrate the holiday season. Expect to sing, dance and play instruments to some of your favourite Christmas songs. If you celebrate Christmas, this is music class not to be missed! All children between the ages of newborn and 7 years welcome and parent participation is encouraged! $25 includes ‘Tis the Season Kindermusik CD or download card, instrument and 45 minute class Only 10 spaces available, so contact us to book your space now!Sing Music Studio is located at 56 Lake St in Port Credit.For full details, contact Miss Mandi at (416) 388-8787  or visit www.singmusicstudio.com

December 10, 1-3pm ~ Teddy Bear Christmas Party
Stop by Creative Kids Place for a Teddy Bear Christmas Party & Food Drive. Kids will stuff their very own Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, a Christmas Bear or a snowman. There will be lots of Christmas crafts, snacks, music & fun! The cost is $12.50 incl. tax per child. Please bring for each child a non-perishable food item to donate to the Mississauga Food Bank. Reservations not required but will be accepted. For more info call Them at 905-820-5437.

December 10 & 11 9-11am ~ Breakfast with Santa
Alpha’s Discovery Club has invited Santa to a breakfast with the kids! Breakfast includes eggs, bacon, baked goods, milk, juice and coffee for the parents. Enjoy storytelling with Santa, Christmas Crafts, and Photos with Santa as well as admission to the Playground. Tickets available now. Call 905-564-2511 to reserve your tickets. Cost: $15per child, $10 per adult (Tax included) Space is limited so reserve your tickets today!

December 13, 6:30pm-9:30pm ~ Twas The Bite Before Christmas
Twas the Bite Before Christmas is a family friendly festive dinner being held to support The Mississauga Food Bank! Come out and enjoy a delectable turkey dinner with all the trimmings, 100% of the funds raised goes directly to The Mississauga Food Bank and The Compass. John Fraser author of The Reluctant Gigolo, actor and humorist will be our MC for the dinner this year. International Singing Star Matt Dusk will be singing the National Anthem. Get your tickets now! Get your tickets now only $25 or $250 a table. Call The Port Credit BIA at 905-278-7742 for more information!

December 11, 12-4pm ~ Historical Celebrations
Few people know about Mississauga’s historical homes and the wonderful activities that people young and old can enjoy, with the Christmas season quickly approaching families come together to celebrate and the Historical houses in Mississauga are warming up for the season. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item to the local community food banks.
 

• The Bradley Museum Start your visit at the visitor center walk around the grounds, tour through the farmhouse allows you to explore, feel the warmth in the kitchen and learn about some of the games the Bradley children would have played.  Outdoors; take a horse and wagon ride through the community. Stop by the Log Cabin and have a photo taken with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Take a historical tour and partake in the holiday themed crafts & cooking. Enjoy beverages in the seasonal tea room and enjoy traditional live music. The Bradley Museum is situated on a large plot near the shores of Lake Ontario at 1620 Orr Road. www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/bradleymuseum
• The Benares Historical House Sing traditional carols alongside the player piano in this richly historical house. Walk through the rooms that have been restored with many original pieces donated by the grandchildren of Captain Harris, the original owner of the home. Visit the gift shop for unique Christmas items and enjoy crafts & cooking in the visitor center. www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/benareshistorichouse
• The Leslie Log House Enjoy seasonal refreshments, including apple cider and gingerbread cookies within the house. Take a tour and learn about the history of this house built in 1826 as well as a special exhibit; ‘Christmas Memories’ presented by the Streetsville Historical Society and the children will enjoy making a seasonal craft. www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/leslieloghouse

December 11, 1pm & 3pm - Miracle on Mercer Street (Wiggle Club Performance)
The smash hit family holiday musical, Miracle on Mercer St. features The Second City's puppet troupe and their funny human friends! It’s a holiday treat for the whole family! The Toronto Star raves that Miracle on Mercer St. is "the best holiday present of all... with a lot of laughter, a bit of warmth and a message you'd have to be the child of Scrooge and the Grinch to resist." The show has "talented young performers, a witty script written and directed with style by Reid Janisse and a truly tuneful score by Glenn James that will keep you humming after you leave the theatre." Great for Ages 5-12. Contact the Living Arts Centre for details!