It's also the location of the national award-winning Festival of Lights that has the town aglow at this time.
The village is open today and on Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., through Dec. 19. Also planned this year are added days -- Dec. 21, 22, 23 and 28, 29 and 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa holds court with Mrs. Claus in the workshop at the village located at the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum.
"The village has a huge model-train display, quaint shopping indoors and it's where children can get their picture taken with Santa,'' said Cathy Bingham of Tourism Oxford.
Entertainment includes story-telling, magicians, puppets, clowns, a candy-cane hunt and balloon sculptures on various weekends. There are also horse-drawn wagon rides and fresh-cut Christmas trees for sale to support local minor hockey.
Children can drop off Santa letters and help fill a sleigh with non-perishable food items for the Ingersoll Inter-Church Christmas Relief Fund.
Gifts from the Business Improvement Area are discount saving coupon books offering deals at downtown stores. After visiting the village, take the tour of the more than 300 sparkling light displays timed to music on 88.9 FM.
As one of the national champions of the Winter Lights competition, the lights remain on daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Jan. 3.
Visitors can drive by or take a stroll through various parks and the downtown to see the glittering lights, which include themes of an old-fashioned and traditional Christmas and children's favourite characters.
Accommodation packages are available at the Elm Hurst Inn and Country Spa and Comfort Inn and Suites. Elm Hurst offers an overnight with dinner and buffet breakfast in the Victorian Mansion Restaurant for $136 a person, double occupancy (1-800-561-5321).Comfort has an overnight with breakfast for $89.99 (1-888-751-5777).
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Other area happenings include the Woodstock Santa Claus Parade tonight starting at 6 p.m. on Dundas Street, and the opening of Season's Greetings at Annandale National Historic Site in Tillsonburg next Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
There will be refreshments and a one-of-a-kind penny sale of Christmas door decorations and stuffed stockings. Admission is by donation.
Welcome Back Otterville Studio Tour is today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when artists and crafters open their studios to the public in the historic village. (www.welcomebacktootterville.ca; 519-879-6352.)
The Down Home Country Christmas Craft Show is next Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Held at the Tillsonburg Special Event Centre, this 25th anniversary event will have more than 100 juried crafters and artisans. Lunch is available in Santa's kitchen, with admission $4 (12 and under, no charge).
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The glow of more than 2,000 candles will illuminate Sainte-Marie among the Hurons next Thursday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The First Light event includes a colourful historic encampment and visitors can "stroll the candlelit paths leading to a variety of fun-family activities,'' said publicist Bill Brodeur.
At the recreated French Jesuit mission, children can make candles and corn-husk dolls and write Christmas cards with historic quill pens. The cookhouse will be filled with the smells of baked goods available for sampling. Historic blacksmithing will be demonstrated and a Nativity creche will be on view along with an historic musket drill and music.
Admission is $5 (under five, no charge) with a non-perishable food item. www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca; 705- 526-7838.
If you go
For more information about Ingersoll's Santa Festival Village and Festival of Lights, go to www.ingersoll.ca or call 519-485-0120.
Additional information about events in Oxford County are available at www.tourismoxford.ca; 1-866-801-7368.
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