Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront! December 7, 2010

Santa will be making a special stop at Winterfest on Toronto’s Waterfront again this holiday season for the 5th Annual Santa Cruise presented by Mariposa Cruises, Queen’s Quay Terminal, Redpath Sugar and The Waterfront BIA on Saturday, December 11 and 18 aboard the Northern Spirit. Conveniently located at the foot of York Street, boarding begins at 10:30am, followed by a harbour cruise from 11am until noon on Saturday, December 11 and 18. Due to popular demand a second cruise has been added at 1:30pm on Saturday, December 18 (boarding at 1:00pm). Tickets are $10 + HST per person (children under 6 are admitted FREE). Tickets sell out quickly for this magical cruise, purchase tickets online at www.mariposacruises.com or call 416-203-0178.

Families are invited to join Santa and his elves for this magical harbour cruise featuring music, entertainment and refreshments. Children are encouraged to bring their wish lists to share with Santa and have their picture taken with him! Afterwards, they can download their FREE photo with Santa compliments of Redpath Sugar by visiting www.waterfrontbia.com.

Following the 5th Annual Santa Cruise, Santa’s elves will lead the families into Queen’s Quay Terminal for FREE crafts, live entertainment, face painting and giveaways for good girls and boys.

Don’t forget to lace up your skates during Winterfest on Toronto’s Waterfront throughout December and enjoy these events at Harbourfront Centre. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com for more details.

• Choose your own adventure at HarbourKids:SK8, a celebration of skating and the culture that surrounds it. Take part in beat-boxing workshops with Sean Mauricette, aka subliminal. Watch performances by Toronto children’s theatre company Cat Over Moon. Direct your own extreme sport video. Design a hockey mask to wear to the Hockey Card Cabaret. Build the ice castle of your dreams with LEGO. Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, 11am-5pm – FREE

• Skating at the The Natrel® Rink at York Quay Centre is a family tradition. Enjoy Canada’s largest artificially-cooled outdoor rink while skating to music and taking in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands. Open daily from 10am – 10pm; Friday and Saturday to 11pm at York Quay Centre. FREE

• Perfect for people who have never skated before or who are still getting the hang of it, The Natrel® Kinder Rink is made from a revolutionary material with a 98% resemblance to conventional ice rink surfaces. You can wear regular ice skates and skate on it year-round! Open daily 10am–10pm; Friday and Saturday to 11pm at York Quay Centre. FREE

There is something for every dog and cat – and their owners – at PawsWay this holiday season, visit www.pawsway.ca for more information.

• Saturday, December 4: Pet Photos With Santa
Come to PawsWay with your pet and find out from Santa if they've been good or naughty!
Pet photos with Santa by renowned dog photographer Garth Gourley. 12pm-5pm SMALL FEE APPLIES

• Saturday, December 18: PawsWay Holiday Party
Dress your pet in their holiday finery and visit PawsWay for a festive celebration including games, contests and prizes! 12pm-5pm FREE
Check out the spectacular lights at the waterfront! The Cavalcade of Lights continues throughout the month of December as part of Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront and includes four locations: the fully restored and enhanced Tall Ship on the Amsterdam Bridge (at Simcoe) using a new generation of animated super bright LED lights, the Music Garden, the Firehall, and the Westin Harbour Castle. FREE