🦫 December in the Townships Starts... Now

Hey there, Townshippers

December always seems to flip a switch in the Townships — lights click on a little earlier, towns feel a little cozier, and suddenly every café smells vaguely like cinnamon. It’s the start of those festive weekends where you wander more than you plan, bump into neighbours you haven’t seen in months, and remember why this region feels so special at this time of year.

So pour something warm, settle in, and let’s take a look at what’s happening around the Townships this week.👇

By 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, Coldbrook Park and Lakeside Road start to glow. Shop doors prop open, steam curls from cocoa cups, and a horse-drawn carriage loops the village under a net of lights. It’s Midnight Madness: a long-running, merchant-led evening where Knowlton (Lac-Brome) keeps its main street open until the clock actually strikes twelve. 

What makes the night special is how ordinary places become communal rooms. Boutiques, galleries, the Théâtre Lac-Brome, and Brome Lake Books spill onto the sidewalk with tastings, maker tables, and in-store surprises; outside, you’ll find warming fires, a little train for kids, and live seasonal music. It’s festive without being formal—an annual invitation to browse, bump into neighbours, and buy directly from the people who run the village year-round. 

There’s a rhythm to the evening. The carriage rides usually start at 7 p.m., an easy way to take in the lights before ducking into a shop or grabbing a bowl of soup. Families often build their night around free activities this year includes a cozy story time at the Lac-Brome Museum, while adults make a circuit of tastings and special menus. However you map it, the core remains the same: streets animated, doors open, and plenty of time. 

Midnight Madness also stretches beyond a single block. The Town of Brome Lake promotes it as a village-wide Christmas market, with choirs, outdoor fires, and merchants from across the area. Local media keep the drumbeat, reminding everyone to bundle up, shop local, and make a night of it. The result is a secular, community-first ritual that feels as “Townships” as it gets. 

How to go: Aim for early evening to find parking near Coldbrook Park or along Lakeside; many shops stay open 5 p.m.–midnight. Bring cash for small vendors, layers for lingering at the fires, and curiosity - some of the best gifts are the ones you didn’t plan to find. Event details and latest updates 👉 Town of Brome Lake webstie See you on Lakeside. 

🎄 Bedford Lofts Christmas Market — Fri–Sun, Dec  5–7, 2025 — Bedford: A cozy, creative holiday market featuring local artisans, handcrafted gifts, and a warm small‑town ambiance — ideal for early holiday shopping before the busier weekends. Details 👉 tourismebrome-missisquoi.ca

🎸 Mathieu Cyr – Joyeux Rodage — Thu, Dec  4, 2025 — Magog: A live music show offering a festive, vibrant night out in Magog — a good option for those looking for culture and entertainment in the lead‑up to the holidays. Details 👉 easterntownships.org

🎪 Cowansville Christmas Parade — Fri, Dec  5, 2025 — Cowansville: Holiday lights, floats, marching bands — a traditional, family‑friendly evening parade that brings community spirit and festive energy to downtown Cowansville. Details 👉 tourismebrome-missisquoi.ca

📚 Little Book Fair (Brome‑Missisquoi) — Fri, Dec  6 to Sun, Dec  14, 2025 — Various venues: A great pick for book lovers or those seeking thoughtful gifts — the fair features local and regional authors, book signings, and a calm, cozy setting for literary browsing. Details 👉 tourismebrome-missisquoi.ca

🎶 A cappella concert by Eight Misbehavin’ — Thu, Dec  4, 2025 — La Belle Chapelle, Sherbrooke: A vocal octet originally formed with members from a local choir, Eight Misbehavin’ covers a wide repertoire across eras and musical styles — it’s an intimate, charming evening for music lovers looking for something thoughtful and local. Details 👉 labellechapelle.ca

⛸️ Sherbrooke’s Refrigerated Rink Reopens Today: The City confirms the Bleu Blanc Bouge rink at Parc Alfred‑Élie‑Dufresne opens on Thursday, December 4. Expect a smooth, refrigerated surface and lighting for evening skating. Bring your own skates and safety gear; on‑site amenities are limited early in the season. Schedules can shift with weather and maintenance. This is a reliable, in‑town option for free‑time skating as temperatures bounce around. Source 👉 Sherbrooke.ca

🚌 Holiday Transit Perks in Sherbrooke: STS will offer free rides on Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 31, with a weekend schedule ending around 7 p.m. There’s no service on December 25 and January 1, and a weekend schedule on December 26 and January 2. Transport adapté also has special hours (including free service on Dec 24, 25 and 31). Plan ahead if you connect to late‑evening events. Source 👉 sts.qc.ca

🛷 Magog Adds a New Sliding Hill at Pointe Merry: A fresh municipal glissade beside the skating path expands winter options downtown. Pointe Merry will be open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m., while the Hatley hill (near the Capitainerie) is lit for evenings 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Openings depend on conditions, check the Info‑Glisse module before heading out. It’s an easy add‑on to a lakeside stroll or skate. This means more free, close‑to‑home outdoor play for families with different ages and time windows. Source 👉 Ville Magog

🅿️ Magog Brings Back Free Downtown Parking for the Holidays: Metered spaces in the downtown zone are free for up to 2 hours from December 1 to January 7. The zone covers the Dufault, Parc des Braves, and Place du Commerce lots plus key streets (Sherbrooke, Deragon, Sainte‑Catherine, Laurier, des Pins and Merry Nord). It’s designed to support local shopping and quick errands. Use posted signs for time limits and consult the map if you’re unsure about the zone. Source 👉 Ville Magog

🎉 Cowansville Unveils Its 150th Anniversary Branding: The city launched the official visual identity for 2026’s year‑long celebrations. Expect the colourful heart‑shaped motif to appear across sites, merch, and event spaces—including a dedicated “Place du 150e” at parc Centre‑ville. The kickoff party is set for January 17 at 5 p.m., with fireworks and family‑friendly programming. More events will roll out through the year under multiple themes. Source 👉 Cowansville.ca

Bright, Modern Living in Bromont

If “move-in ready” is high on your wishlist, this 4-bed, 2.5-bath semi-detached in Bromont is going to be your kind of find. Built in 2016 and sitting on a 5,490 sq ft lot, it blends clean modern design with the comfort you want for everyday life.

Inside, the main floor feels airy and warm with 9’ ceilings and an open layout that centers around a sleek kitchen island, perfect for busy mornings or hosting friends. Downstairs, a finished basement adds bonus space for a playroom, gym, or your winter movie bunker. There’s even an EV charger already installed outside (future-you will thank you).

Location-wise, you’re in a quiet pocket of Bromont with easy access to trails, shops, and of course, the mountain. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where weekends fill themselves.

👉 View the full listing here

🎁 Townships Gift Radar

Holiday shopping has officially started… we want to know what’s the first local gift you always reach for?

A scented candle? A jar of local honey? A bottle from a favourite winery?

👉 Tell us your go-to Townships gift.

That’s it for this week. Whether you’re heading to a market, gliding on a rink, or just soaking up the glow of those first holiday lights, hope you find a moment that feels good and grounding. Thanks for being here every Thursday; this little community keeps getting warmer, funnier, and more connected because of you.

As always, hit reply anytime — a story, a tip, a photo, or even just a holiday gripe. See you next week. 

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫