GRAVELBOURG — There is nothing like taking in holiday events in your home community. The community of Gravelbourg hosts a variety of seasonal activity for residents and welcome visitors to take in all that they have to offer.
The long line of seasonal festivities kicks off Nov. 22 at the Gravelbourg Cathedral on Main Street. The ticketed event supports the preservation of an iconic heritage site. It includes live performances from several artists including Connie Kaldor and Scott Heatcoat, all in the beautiful setting our Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral.
Nov. 20, Gravelbourg Artisan Coop hosts their Happy Handmade Christmas at the Maillard Cultural Centre. This market supports artists and crafters, drawing attendees from across southern Saskatchewan. This event is now in its fifth year, and you can follow their Facebook page for all the updates.
Dec. 1, a ticketed event hosted by Artistic Creation Gravelbourg allows budding artists to create a Christmas Wall Hanger.
Renaissance Gaiety Theatre on Main Street Gravelbourg will be home to Santa Day on Dec. 7. The Lions Club has been hosting this event as long as they’ve been a part of the community, and it has been at this location for the past 12 years. Bring your camera and capture a photo with Santa. There will be free hot chocolate, goodie bags for kids and Christmas classic short films on the big screen.
Who doesn’t love a school Christmas concert? Ecole Gravelborg School will present their concert Dec. 12 starting at 7 p.m.
The Renaissance Gaiety Theatre will play host to an original Christmas play, “Captain Claus and the Mission to Christmas Island.” This is a sequel to the 2023 play, ‘Captain Clause and the Mission to Mars. The RGT board and Palmer Players present this Christmas production and are also well known for previous Christmas theatre including the Wizard of Claus, in 2016, and the Saskatchewan Scrooge, held in 2014.
The theatre company say the play’s highlights are that Santa has been kidnapped. Can Captain Clause and his faithful crew find him in time to save Christmas? Don’t miss this original theatrical production featuring Palmer Players and talented local youth.
Interested in creating your very own ugly Christmas sweater ornament? Join the Gravelbourg Artisan Co-operative Meet Up, Make Art on Dec. 14 at the Art House. For only $10 you can experience a fun opportunity to great creative and meet new people while making a holiday treasure for your own home.
Minor Hockey is a big part of the community culture in Gravelbourg, that’s why the town will celebrate with a Minor Hockey weekend Dec. 20-22 at the Gravelbourg Palestre Arena. There will be hockey games all weekend long as well as a cabaret after the game on Dec. 21.
Starting Nov. 25 and running right to Dec. 20, there is a town-wide Gravelbucks Giveaway. This long-running promotion involves participating businesses hosting a draw box and customers have a chance to win draws for Gravelbucks, which can be used like cash at member businesses. Gift certificates are also part of the prize giveaway which is organized by Gravelbourg Chamber of Commerce. This great shop local promotion has noted that at least 30 per cent of draw participants were from communities outside Gravelbourg, indicating the attraction factor of these local businesses.
Ariel Haug, Gravelbourg’s Economic Development Officer, says they also update their town website’s community calendar regularly.
“Some challenges noted from past holiday events were that November and December are extremely busy, with public events and performances competing with family gatherings and workplace Christmas parties. Volunteer capacity is also stretched during the holiday season, which can mean fewer or smaller events and activities,” noted Haug.
However, Haug also acknowledges that community members are supportive of holiday events in Gravelbourg.
“Keeping events affordable and accessible ensures everyone can participate.”
