An expanded Christmas Trail will run through Stratford and branch out into the county this holiday season.
Destination Stratford said in a news release the popular event will have a record 46 participating locations, each with their own hand-selected items.
Stratford will be the centre of a shopping hub branching off into St. Marys and Shakespeare for more holiday gifts. Additional stops encourage visitors to stay longer in the region and explore more retailers, Destination Stratford said.
The Christmas Trail offer 30 stops in Stratford, and 16 between St.Marys and Shakespeare.
"With a record number of local and regional stops this year and building upon the record sales from last year, we are thrilled to welcome back our Christmas Trail for another season. This unique retail-focused trail is always highly anticipated and has become a cherished holiday experience that visitors and locals have enjoyed year after year," said Zac Gribble, Executive Director of Destination Stratford.
Journeying along the Christmas Trail is $35 (+HST). Participants can customize an adventure by selecting six unique gifts from offerings across trail stops.
The Christmas Trail can be purchased in person at Destination Stratford at 47 Downie St. on Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., as well as Bradshaws (129 Ontario St.) on Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also purchase tickets at Stone Home Creatives (158 Queen St. E. St.Marys) on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 3 p.m.
Participating locations from Nov. 1 to Dec. 20 include:
Apt. 6 Skin Co; Avon Theatre Store; The Barkery; Black Angus Bakery & Catering; Blowes Cards & Gifts; Bradshaws; Corner Store Candy Co; Distinctly Tea; Got it Made, illume Wellness Spa; Jenn & Larry's; Junction 56 Distillery; Kandy Cakes; Kinna Sohna; La Osa Jewelry & Vintage; The Little Green Grocery; MacLeod's Scottish Shop; Madilta Art & Bar; Miss Sophie's; Olive Your Favourites; Poppin Kettle Corn; Rocky Mtn Chocolate; Samsonite Retail Outlet; Small-Mart; Stilettos & Sawdust; Touchmark; Treasures; Werk-Shop; White-Balmer Shoes; Wills & Prior. SHAKESPEARE: The British Touch; Chok Fine Chocolates; Wild Hog. ST.MARYS: Betty's Bookshelf; Bungalow; The Chocolate Factory; The Flower Shop; Hyggeligt Fabrics; Lauren Whitney Lifestyles; O'Grady's; Practical Art; Stone Home Creatives; Troyer's Spices; Tuttco; The Wine Lab; Zenfire Pottery.
Trail participants can share their experiences on social media using #StratfordChristmasTrail.
More details are available at visitstratford.ca/ChristmasTrail. You can also follow the Destination Stratford event calendar, including its upcoming Lights On Stratford Winter Festival Dec. 15 until Jan. 13.
