Holiday fun and operating hours at the City of St. Catharines

Holiday lights twinkle at night at St. Catharines City Hall.

The City of St. Catharines wishes the community a safe and happy festive season and invites everyone to enjoy holiday fun with the City’s festive family-favourite activities.

Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light

The fourth annual Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light outdoor lights festival will continue to illuminate Port Dalhousie’s Rennie Park and Downtown St. Catharines with dazzling displays until Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

The free, self-guided lights festival features a variety of sparkling light displays and interactive light sculptures that make for stunning photo opportunities and magical experiences.

Learn more about Let It Glow and other family-friendly holiday activities at www.lovestc.ca.

Public skating, Leisure Swims and more

Keep everyone moving over the holidays with fun family activities at City arenas and community centres. Enjoy public skating, Leisure Swims board games, family sports, gym time and more. Pre-registration required.

Public Skating

Sunday, December 22

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 6:15-7:15 p.m.
🕝 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Monday, December 23

📍 Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 Noon to 2 p.m.

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 8:30-9:30 a.m.
🕝 10-11 a.m.
🕝 Noon to 1 p.m.
🕝 1:30-2:30 p.m.
🕝 3-4 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 9:45-12:45 a.m.

Friday, December 27

📍 Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 10 a.m. to noon
🕝 1-3 p.m.

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 10 a.m. to noon
🕝 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, December 28

📍 Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 10 a.m. to noon
🕝 1-3 p.m.

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 10 a.m. to noon
🕝 6-8 p.m.

Sunday, December 29

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
🕝 4:45-6:45 p.m.

Monday, December 30

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 Noon to 2 p.m.
🕝 6-8 p.m.

Thursday, January 2

📍 Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
🕝 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Friday, January 3

📍Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🕝 4-6 p.m.

📍Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 9-11 a.m.
🕝 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 4

📍Bill Burgoyne Arena
🕝 5-7 p.m.

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 1:30-3:30 p.m.
🕝 5-7 p.m.

Sunday, January 5

📍 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
🕝 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Consider registering online for public skating times through ActiveSTC. Regular admission and supervision standards apply.

Public skating schedule is subject to change. For any discrepancy between the available hours on this webpage and those on the ActiveSTC reservation site, ActiveSTC will be deemed correct.

Leisure Swims

Sunday, December 22

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 10-11:55 a.m.
🕝 1-6:55 p.m.

Monday, December 23

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-11:25 a.m.
🕝 1:30-2:25 p.m.
🕝 5:30-6:25 p.m.
🕝 7:30-8:25 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Friday, December 27

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-11:25 a.m.
🕝 12:30-2:25 p.m.
🕝 4:30-5:25 p.m.
🕝 6:30-9:25 p.m.

Saturday, December 28

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-8:55 a.m.
🕝 10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
🕝 4:30-7:25 p.m.

Sunday, December 29

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 9-11:55 a.m.
🕝 1-7:55 p.m.

Monday, December 30

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-11:25 a.m.
🕝 1:30-2:25 p.m.
🕝 5:30-6:25 p.m.
🕝 7:30-8:25 p.m.

Tuesday, December 31

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-10:55 a.m.
🕝 11:30 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.

Thursday, January 2

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-10:25 a.m.
🕝 12:30-1:25 p.m.
🕝 3:30-4:55 p.m.
🕝 5:30-8:25 p.m.

Friday, January 3

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-11:25 a.m.
🕝 12:30-2:25 p.m.
🕝 4:30-5:25 p.m.
🕝 6:30-9:25 p.m.

Saturday, January 4

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 7-8:55 a.m.
🕝 10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
🕝 4:30-7:25 p.m.

Sunday, January 5

📍 St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
🕝 9-11:55 a.m.
🕝 1-7:55 p.m.

You must register online for all swimming activities through ActiveSTC or by phone at 905.688.5601 ext. 1800. Regular admission and supervision standards apply.

Leisure Swim schedule is subject to change. For any discrepancy between the available hours on St. Catharines' website and those on the ActiveSTC reservation site, ActiveSTC will be deemed correct.

Winter Break Programs

Thursday, January 2

👟 Family Gym – Sports and Games
📍 Port Weller Community Centre
🕝 9-11:55 a.m.

🎲 Family Bingo
📍 Port Weller Community Centre
🕝 9-11:55 a.m.

Friday, January 3

👟 Family Gym – Big Blue Blocks and Blue Track Car Racing
📍 Port Weller Community Centre
🕝 9:30-10:30 a.m.

🎲 Family Board Game Bonanza
📍 Port Weller Community Centre
🕝 12:15-4 p.m.

Reserve a spot for Winter Break Programs

Winter Break programs schedule is subject to change. For any discrepancy between the available hours on St. Catharines' website and those on the ActiveSTC reservation site, ActiveSTC will be deemed correct.

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Get into the holiday spirit with festive performances, sing-a-longs and more at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Enjoy family fun for all ages with two screenings of A Christmas Story as well as iconic characters such as Buddy the Elf, Kevin McCallister, and the entire Griswold family at The Film House.

Star Wars fans, don’t miss out on the hilarious solo performance that brings all your favorite characters to life in 60 minutes at One Man Star Wars Trilogy in Partridge Hall.

Visit the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre online at www.FirstOntarioPAC.ca for advance tickets, show times, trailers and more info.

Festive Fun at the Market

Visit the St. Catharines Farmers Market Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and enjoy free hot apple cider and cookies, a children’s crafting station and giveaways while browsing more than 40 vendors. With its selection of fine preserves, chocolates, local distilled and brewery products, as well as handmade items, such as toys, games, jewelry, home décor, beauty products and more, the farmers market at 91 King St. is a destination for holiday gift shopping.

Regular market hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free parking is available on site.

Learn More

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

The Mitten Tree campaign continues until Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, with new and used winter clothing donations accepted in support of Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold and Start Me Up Niagara.

The public is invited to bring mittens, gloves, toques, and scarves and other winter clothing donations to the museum during regular business hours. The museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Learn More

New Year’s Eve Family Skate

Ring in the New Year on Dec. 31 with a free public skate from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre. With all four pads open, one featuring a glow-in-the-dark experience and glow sticks for skaters, this is a fun, festive way to welcome 2025. Character visits and a family photo booth will add extra fun to this family-friendly New Year’s celebration.

Registration opens Monday, December 23.

New Year’s Levee

Start 2025 off with a bang at the New Year’s Day Levee. Everyone is invited to join Mayor Siscoe and St. Catharines City Council Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at the Lake Street Armoury at this annual tradition co-hosted by The Lincoln and Welland Regiment and the 10th Battery, RCA. The armoury is located 81 Lake St. and the Levee runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holiday operating hours and closures

Holiday hours are here. City Hall, most City of St. Catharines facilities and some programs will be operating on special holiday hours.

Call 905.688.5600 to report fallen trees, problems on roads and sidewalks, blocked catch basins or sewer back-ups.

City Hall, St. Catharines Enterprise Centre and City administration offices

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Regular hours
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Regular hours
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

City Arenas

Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Open for public skating and private rentals until 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30: Open for public skating and private rentals
Tuesday, December 31: Open 9:30 a.m. to noon New Year’s Eve Family Skate
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed
Thursday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, Jan. 5: Open for public skating and private rentals
Monday, Jan. 6: Regular hours resume

Bill Burgoyne Arena

Monday, Dec. 23: Open for public skating
Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30: Open for public skating and private rentals
Tuesday, Dec. 31 to Friday, Jan 1: Closed
Thursday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, Jan. 5: Open for public skating and private rentals
Monday, Jan. 6: Regular hours resume

Learn more about public skating and arena and ice rentals with ActiveSTC.

City Community Centres

Port Weller Community Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Closing at noon
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Closing at noon
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

Russell Avenue Community Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed
Saturday, Jan. 4: Closing at noon

Older Adult Centres

Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Closing at 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec 31: Closing at 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

West St. Catharines Older Adult Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Closing at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Closing at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

St. Catharines Farmers Market at Market Square

Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Saturday Dec 21: Regular market hours
Thursday, Jan. 2: Closed
Saturday, Jan 3: Regular market hours

The Thursday market day at the St. Catharines Farmers Market will temporarily close during January and will reopen Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

The farmers market welcomes visitors year-round on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn More

St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Closing at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Closing at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed
Monday, Jan. 6: Winter session and hours begin

Learn More

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Regular hours
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Regular hours
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

Victoria Lawn Cemetery (Administrative Office)

Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Friday, Dec. 27: regular hours
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed
Thursday, Jan. 2: Regular hours resume

Visitation is always available from dawn to dusk.

Niagara Transit

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Regular bus service
Wednesday, Dec. 25: No bus service
Thursday, Dec. 26: Holiday schedule
Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30: Regular bus service
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Extended bus service (10:45 a.m. to 2 a.m.)
Wednesday, Jan. 1: No bus service
Thursday, Jan. 2: Regular bus service resumes

Learn More

St. Catharines Public Library

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Closing at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26: Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Closing at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 1: Closed

Learn More