Story ideas

Our reporters comb the country for inspiring stories. You're welcome to use them just follow our usage guidelines.

Need a story?

At the CTC, our job is promoting Canada to the world. We are pleased to provide media all copyrights to reproduce the stories and story ideas published here.

We welcome you to use these story ideas as inspiration for your own stories about Canada. The CTC owns all rights worldwide. (Our images are also royalty-free and available for editorial print, broadcast and electronic use.)

If you choose to reproduce these texts for editorial use only, please include the author’s byline and “courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission.” If you cut, edit or modify the text in any way, please include this note: “The text has been modified from the original.”

Please contact us if you would like to reproduce one of our media centre stories, and let us know how and where you will use this story. Thank you.

What’s happening in Canada this winter?

Christmas traditions in Canada

by Kathryn Harley Haynes 2 November 2009
Mummering—the word dates back to the Middle Ages, and it’s been an annual Christmas tradition in Newfoundland and Labrador outports for at least a couple of hundred years. In the villages of Bonavista and Conception Bay, the mummers—bands of costumed, masked frolickers—go from house to house during the holiday season joking, singing, dancing and cajoling refreshments from their hosts, who are challenged to guess their surprise visitors’ identities. A similar tradition in such German-settled areas of Nova Scotia as Lunenburg is known as “belsnickeling.” (Read more on mummers and belsnickles here and here.)
 
Multicultural Canada is, of course, home to many, many more seasonal events. Just three to check out are:
 
“First Light,” Sainte-Marie among the Hurons: In Midland, ON, at the 17th-century headquarters of the French Jesuit missionaries, you can enter the spirit of Christmases past with food, drink, historic re-enactments, demos and hands-on activities, all magically lit by 2,000 candles. This year’s 10th anniversary event runs Nov. 26, 27 and 28.
 
Christmas in the Village: The scores of artists and artisans who live in Gagetown, NB, a scenic village on the banks of the Saint John River, open their studios, shops and houses—some dating back to 1783—Nov. 28 and 29 for a holiday extravaganza that includes caroling, hot cider, festive food, crafts and a treasure hunt. (Gagetown village office: 506-488-3567)
 
Silver Sage Agricultural Society New Year’s Eve Bull Riding and Celebration: In the heart of Canada’s “Badlands”—Brooks, AB—you’ll have a chance to see out the old year and welcome in the new at this “beans and jeans” event at the Silver Sage Community Corral.
Print
Related Stories
Usage guidelines

We welcome you to use these story ideas as inspiration for your own stories about Canada. The CTC owns all rights worldwide. (Our images are also royalty-free and available for editorial print, broadcast and electronic use.) If you choose to reproduce these texts for editorial use only, please include the author's byline and "courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission." If you cut, edit or modify the text in any way, please include this note: "The text has been modified from the original." Thank you.

Tags:

Share this

Facebook Twitter StumbleUpon Blogger Reddit Delicious Digg Technorati AIM LinkedIn Yahoo Bookmarks Backflip BallHype Bebo Fark Faves Favorites FriendFeed Google Bookmarks

Email this to a friend

Send to a friend

Comments

Post a comment

(Read our comments disclaimer)

User comments on the CTC Media Centre website are solely the opinion of the comment writer, not that of the Canadian Tourism Commission. We will not post any comments that contain vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and letters followed by dashes), libelous statements and impersonations, nor comments making any false or unsubstantiated allegations.

The Canadian Tourism Commission reserves the right not to permit comments that include personal attacks against other individuals. Comments based on hearsay or reports where the supposed fact or quote is not a matter of public knowledge are also not allowed.

Syntax, however, is up to you. We won’t correct any spelling or grammar mistakes. Please refer to our disclaimer for any further information. Thank you.
Newfoundland and Labrador - Background Image