Loren Christie on fun holiday outings for the family

CTVNEWS

Loren Christie on fun holiday outings for the family

Canada AM travel expert Loren Christie Published Friday, December 23, 2011 10:02AM EST

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Merry Christmas! The time for Christmas Town is over for this year; Santa does need to get those presents delivered! However, if you are interested in making a visit next year mark your calendars for the end of August.

Attendance to the is decided by a lottery registration, which begins in September and is usually open for 13 days. This year there were approximately 20,000 people who entered to win one of the 8,000 spots available. The first wagon goes out mid-November and the program usually runs until Christmas Eve.

There is other family fun available in Mountsberg starting on Boxing Day, when the conservation area will be offering horse-drawn sleigh rides on weekends (including Family Day) from December 26, 2011 to February 20, 2012. Rides are approximately 20 minutes in duration.

Across the country there are many family friendly ways to enjoy the final week of 2011.

Until January 4, 2012, Quebec City is showcasing its unique winter charms with The city's most beautiful neighborhoods come alive with the holiday spirit, including sensational, one-of-a-kind shows like "Fantasmagorie" -- a monumental architectural projection on the face of St. Roch Church.

"The Nutcracker" performed by the at the Centennial Concert Hall is a Winnipeg holiday tradition. Tickets are still available for performances on December 27 and 28.

On the West Coast, traditional Sunday night Fire & Ice Show has been moved to Boxing Day. You can watch world-class athletes flipping and twisting through a burning ring of fire and take in a first-class fireworks display for free. New this year is free skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza, the site where athletes stepped up to the podium at the Victory Ceremonies during the 2010 Winter Games. The Resort Municipality of Whistler transformed the Plaza's Great Lawn and Pavilion into skating rinks for the winter season.

In Banff, Alberta, the is offering 10 days of activities including curling, skating, arts events, wine tastings and special themed dinners with its "Christmas at the Castle" program from now until January 2nd.

If you are planning to visit Alberta over the holidays or later in 2012, the Fairmont hotels of the Rockies are running a great where you can pick your own adventure from three signature winter experiences. Enter before January 6th to win one of the following retreats:

1. The "Romantic Retreat" at the , which includes: