🦫 Snow, Sweets & Seasonal Magic — Your Townships Week Starts Here

Hello from the snow-dusted Townships!

December is officially doing its thing, twinkling lights on every street, bakeries in full force, and that soft hush that settles over the region right before the holidays kick into high gear. Whether you’re sipping something warm, hunting for the perfect local gift, or just dodging the first icy sidewalks of the season… we’ve got plenty to keep you inspired this week.

Grab a blanket, settle in and let’s wander through what’s happening around the Townships together. 👇

Step into any village in the Eastern Townships this time of year and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of the holidays, butter warming in bakery ovens, maple syrup bubbling in copper pans, chocolate being tempered with the precision of a winter ritual. Behind those doors are the makers who give December its flavour: the bakers, chocolatiers, and maple artisans whose treats feel as rooted in the region as the mountains themselves.

Down by the lake in Magog, Vanden Eynden Chocolats runs at full festive tilt. Their holiday collections include pralines, dark-chocolate bark with local berries, and silky truffles that feel like tiny gifts in themselves. In the back kitchen, you’ll find the chocolatier tempering batch after batch on marble, coaxing shine and snap from couverture that’s sourced for both flavour and ethics. chocolatsvandeneynden.com

In Bromont, the team at Canaël Boulangerie-Pâtisserie turns the holidays into a celebration of craftsmanship. Their counters fill with brioche, kouglof, fruit-studded stollen, and glossy viennoiseries layered by hand. What looks effortless is actually a slow, deliberate process: doughs rested overnight, butter folded in careful turns, and decorations piped one at a time. Locals know to show up early if they want their favourites before they disappear. canael.com

And then there’s maple, the backbone of so many Townships kitchens. At Érablière du Lac d’Argent in Marbleton, the makers spend part of their winter turning last spring’s harvest into holiday treats: maple butter whipped until cloud-soft, hard maple candy cut into tiny snowflakes, and the seasonal favourite, tire d’érable, poured directly onto fresh snow during weekend open houses. Visitors often leave with sticky mittens and big smiles. fermelacdargent.com

What these makers share isn’t just technique, it’s the sense that holiday food is a form of hospitality. Each treat carries a story: a family recipe, a memorable season in the sugarbush, a creative idea tested late at night after the shop closed. And in a region where winter is long, a little sweetness goes a long way.

So if you’re wandering the Townships this December, follow your nose. Slip into a bakery, sample a truffle, taste a spoonful of maple butter. You won’t just be supporting local artisans, you’ll be taking home a piece of the region’s holiday spirit, crafted by the people who pour their hearts into every bite.

🎶 Noël: Une tradition en chanson — Thu, Dec 11, 2025 — Centre culturel UdeS, Sherbrooke: A warm, nostalgic holiday concert celebrating classic French-Canadian Christmas songs delivered by a multi-artist ensemble. Expect rich harmonies, storytelling, and a production designed to bring families back to the traditions of Christmases past. A perfect choice if you’re craving a cozy, musical night that leans fully into seasonal spirit. Details 👉 centrecultureludes.ca

🎁 Marché de Noël de Cowansville — Fri, Dec 12 to Sun, Dec 14 — Parc Centre-ville, Cowansville: Outdoor holiday market with 30+ local vendors selling handmade gifts, treats and seasonal crafts. Activities include giant puppets, a circus-initiation workshop, a capella carols and wandering entertainment, a fun, festive outing for all ages. Details 👉 cowansville.ca

🌟 Midnight Madness — Sat, Dec 13 — Knowlton, Lac-Brome: An evening stroll through a charming village with shops staying open late, holiday decorations, friendly ambiance and a chance to soak up the festive spirit under winter lights, ideal for a cozy Saturday night outing.  Details 👉 tourismebrome-missisquoi.ca

🍷 Les Fêtes au Domaine ValBrome — Sat, Dec 13 — Domaine ValBrome, Lac-Brome: A festive weekend at a picturesque vineyard featuring holiday tastings, artisan booths, gourmet products, and a relaxed, country-Christmas ambiance. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, explore the decorated grounds, and pick up locally crafted gifts while taking in the winter scenery. An inviting stop for food lovers and anyone looking to pair holiday shopping with a glass of something delicious. Details 👉 easterntownships.org

🎄Christmas at Sherbrooke’s Marché de la Gare — Weekends through Dec 21 — Marché de la Gare, Sherbrooke: A festive, family-friendly Christmas market with local artisans, producers and holiday products. It runs every weekend through mid-December, perfect for last-minute gift-shopping in a cheerful atmosphere.  Details 👉 sherbrooke.ca

⛷️ Snowfalls Boost Hopes for Ski Lovers: Mont Sutton has already logged over 60 cm of snow, a promising start to winter sports! Season-pass sales are up 10 % from last year and equipment rentals have surged nearly 40%. Whether you’re a seasoned skier, a newbie wanting to try snowboarding, or just craving fresh mountain air, this early snow means the slopes could be ready soon. Source 👉 Financial Post

🛒 Waterloo’s Community Grocery Expands Thanks to Government Boost: The Centre d’action bénévole Aux 4 Vents (CAB) in Waterloo, has just received a $150,000 grant from the provincial government, money that will go toward enlarging its community grocery. They’ll use the funds to buy new equipment like a propane stove and a generator, improving their capacity to offer fresh and affordable groceries. Source 👉 Radio Canada Estrie

❄️ Winter Season Officially Begins: Tourism Eastern Townships (TET) kicked off the 2025-26 winter season with a cheerful event at the Marché de la Gare in downtown Sherbrooke. With winter activities, holiday vibes and community energy on the menu, this marks the region’s shift into snow season fun.  Source 👉 Tourism Eastern Townships

🕺 Nicolas Zemmour Named Townships’ Artist of the Year: Last week, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) awarded its 2025 Eastern Townships Artist of the Year prize to choreographer Nicolas Zemmour, recognizing his outstanding work in contemporary dance and his significant contribution to the regional arts scene. The honour comes with a $10,000 grant and a short video produced by FAB highlighting Zemmour’s creative and outreach work. Source 👉 Government of Quebec

🌲 Parc du Bois‑Beckett Unveils 5 km of New Rustic Trails in Sherbrooke: The city of Sherbrooke has opened 5 km of new rustic trails in the “Hale” sector of Parc du Bois-Beckett, expanding the park’s network to over 11 km across its 140-hectare forest.  The new trails include a fresh access point via chemin Duvernay, plus interpretive signs highlighting local natural and historical heritage.  Source 👉 Radio Canada Estrie

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Spacious living area with natural light, ideal for families or anyone craving a bright home base. Outdoor space for a small yard or patio, perfect for a balcony, plants, or a cozy reading corner. For those wanting comfortable, modern, and ready-to-go living in the heart of Sherbrooke, this property has strong appeal.

👉 View the full listing here

❄️ The Snow Day Starter Pack

Snow is already here, which means it’s time to build the official Townships Snow Day Starter Pack.

Fill in the blanks:

“My ideal Townships snow day needs: ______ + ______ + ______.”

👉 Hit reply with your three essentials and we’ll build a community starter pack out of your answers next week.

That’s a wrap for this week’s round of winter magic.

If you head to a market, catch a show, discover a new treat, or simply enjoy a quiet snowfall out your window, we hope it brings a little calm and a lot of joy into your December. As always, thanks for letting us be part of your weekly ritual, it’s the best kind of community warmth.

Stay cozy, stay curious, and we’ll see you next Thursday. ✨

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫