Christmas at the Alton Mill

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The holiday season this year at the Alton Mill Arts Centre is full of festive family fun & is the ideal shopping destination to find unique, handcrafted gifts. Avoid the malls, and experience the holiday season in an inspiring and creative environment in the picturesque Village of Alton. 

In order to help you shop local, and find meaningful gifts for everyone on your list, the Arts Centre will be open with Extended Holiday Hours. In addition to usual operational hours (Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm), the Mill will be open on Monday, December 18 & Tuesday, December 19, from 10am-5pm. Additionally, Gallery Gemma Jewellery is open 7 days a week throughout December, with extended hours (10am-7pm) on Fridays.

Christmas Markets: Arftul Giving in the Headwaters Arts Gallery, wearable art and fashion from Gallery Gemma Jewellery and the brand new Rare Threads. The Noodle Gallery presents a Walls of Smalls and continues their year-round artisanal market. Discover designer fashion outerwear from Therma Kōta, cozy knits and handcrafted menswear, imaginative and colourful Christmas decor by Headwaters artists, artwork of all shapes and sizes. And don't pay any tax on engagement rings from Gemma Jewellery until the end of the year!

Make sure you venture upstairs to visit Mill artists and discover treasures in their studios. Many of the Mill's visual artists have created one-of-a-kind seasonal pieces, and smaller items with holiday gifting in mind. And when you're ready for a break, enjoy lunch or coffee and a treat in an inspiring environment from Gourmandissomo Café.

Annual Holiday Open House: The weekend of November 18 & 19 meet Mill artists in their studios, have your family photo taken with the Grinch, listen to live music and discover tasty Christmas treats in the café. A children's art activity will be provided for families lined up for photos with the Grinch. Alton Mill artists will be creating extra-special seasonal works of art! 

Full dates for the Grinch are as follows: November 18, 19 (12pm-4pm); November 25-26 (11am-4pm); December 2-3 (11am-4pm).

Silent Auction and Hand-painted Christmas Tree Display in the Pond Gallery: Original Paintings and Artwork by mill artists offered at incredibly affordable prices! Bidding starts on Saturday, November 18 and closes on Sunday, December 3rd, just in time for Christmas gift giving. Enjoy hand painted Christmas Trees as well as Paul Morin's original paintings reflecting the inspiration of our Canadian winters.

A Christmas Carol: The classic Dickens tale returns to the Alton Mill on Sunday, December 3 (2-4pm), with a dramatic performance by the talented Andrew Welch, Erin's Town Crier. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth with a special group and family offering of $10 off when booking for 4 or more.

Andrew Welch will also be at the Mill, telling Christmas stories, from 2-4pm on Sunday, November 26 and Saturday, December 2 in the Turbine Room.

Live musicians including Daniel Steduto and Olivia Borkosky will be featured throughout the holiday season - you never know where you might find a travelling musician!

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Artist showing their art to two visitors in a bright studio

Come experience the Alton Mill Arts Centre, and be inspired!

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