This year, unusual times called for an extra-creative approach to usual holiday celebrations. Sidney Business Improvement Area Society decided to roll out their holiday cheer a little early to give everyone time to enjoy the safe activities, fabulous shopping and festive displays that are always the hallmarks of Christmas.
Starting November 14, local merchants and Town staff will transform entire Sidney with even more sparkle than usual. Here’s a look at what the town has in store for you.
Paint the town brilliant
To ensure Sidney is as bright and beautiful as possible this year, the Sidney BIA has organized a professional contractor to install Christmas lights on business storefronts up and down Beacon Avenue, in addition to a dazzling display of holiday themed features around town by local merchants and Town staff.
Sidney BIA is also calling on the Sidney merchants to put their creative ingenuity on full display in their shop windows, and is offering prize incentives for the best arrangements of lights and sparkle. The Sidney Lighted Window Tour contest includes awards for the most enchanting window displays, with a chance to win one of three prizes. The public can explore the storefronts and vote for their favourite. Winners will be announced on December 23.
Coming to Sidney to shop? You have a chance to win prizes, too, when you shop at your favourite Sidney merchants. Sidney’s Holiday Cheer Sweepstakesoffers a chance to win one of six $500 shopping sprees to the Sidney businesses of your choice, plus Sidney BIA will send another $500 cash to one small business chosen by the winner. Winners will be selected weekly through the holiday season from November 23 to December 28. Sidney BIA will also have plenty of giveaways this season through their social media channels.
If you’re local to the area, you don’t have to step outside your door to shop in Sidney. Enjoy free commercial delivery from downtown businesses straight to your door, right through to Christmas.
Festive sights and sounds
Music and entertainment are always part of the holiday celebrations in Sidney, and this year, Sidney BIA is pleased to carry on that tradition with everyone’s safety their top priority.
The Festive Brass ensemble—also favourites at The Butchart Gardens during the holidays—will serenade shoppers downtown every Friday and Saturday from November 27 to December 19. Habitat for Humanity is bringing its Gingerbread Showcase to various locations throughout the town, and you’ll be able to tour all the sights via horse drawn carriage on Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 and December 20.
Star Cinema plans to host free holiday films for the community every Saturday from November 21 to December 19. At The Mary Winspear, you can catch a variety of concerts, plus enjoy more favourite holiday flicks at their Drive-In Movie Theatre, all with safe physical distancing measures in place.
