The Town of Cobourg, graced by grand Victoria Hall, doesn’t sleep during the winter months. The parks sparkle with thousands of lights and the Victorian town centre bustles with holiday spirit.
1. MILLSTONE BREAD
55 Albert Street
Owner Elsa Deperasinski joined the bakery as a high school student in grade 9 and loved it so much she bought it five years later. Try European style artisanal varieties like buttermilk seed, garlic/cheese, and French sourdough bread, baked onsite in their stone oven. Open Tues.-Fri. 7am-7pm, Sat. 7am-4pm.
2. VICTORIA HALL
55 King Street West
A designated national historic site, the neoclassical town hall houses a courtroom, modelled after the Old Bailey courtroom in London; a Concert Hall, complete with trompe l’oeil style frescoes; and an art gallery. Victoria Hall is also a background performer in TV shows like Murdoch Mysteries and Ginny and Georgia. Open Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm.
cobourg.ca
3. ART GALLERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND
55 King Street West (West Wing, 3rd floor)
View some of the 1,000 works in the AGN’s permanent collection, exhibits by acclaimed local and national contemporary artists and immersive works. Past exhibits include Charles Pachter (think Queen Elizabeth astride a moose) and their annual juried exhibition.
Visit artgalleryofnorthumberland.ca for hours and upcoming events.
4. DOWNTOWN SHOPPING AND DINING
King Street
Artisan collectives and specialty shops featuring locally made products span almost eight blocks in the downtown core. Peruse specialty toys, handmade jewelry and soaps, or pick up a Cobourg t-shirt and a Northumberland Wild hoodie. Find seasonal florals, or flip through classic vinyl and vintage thrift.
Visit downtowncobourg.ca for store hours and events.
5. HOLIDAY EVENTS AND SKATING AT THE FRINK
Victoria Park and 35 Albert Street
It all starts on November 23 when Victoria Park and Rotary Park are lit up with 20,000 festive lights. On December 2 Santa stops in at the park before the parade along King Street. Lace up your skates and enjoy the lights from the Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Rink (Frink), where on December 31 Cobourg celebrates First Night with a live DJ, wagon rides and fireworks over the harbour at 9pm.
experiencecobourg.ca
6. LEGACY VINTAGE BUILDING MATERIALS & ANTIQUES
540 Division Street
Speaking of vintage, head just north of the downtown area to the former rail yard and the building that is home to Legacy Vintage. Wander around 10,000 sq. ft. of vintage lights, doorknobs, salvaged timbers, stained glass, claw-foot tubs that Sven Kraumanis and Christine Jenkinson have collected and restored. Open Thurs.-Sat. 10am-5pm.
legacyvintage.ca
7. CANADA CANDY COMPANY
740 Division Street, Building # 5
Visit a real candy factory and select a bag of Canadian-made vegan candies like sours, jujubes, or an assortment of gummies: peach, worms and the classic teddy bear. Candies are peanut and gluten free.
Thurs. & Fri. 10:30am-5pm.
Story by:
Micol Marotti
Illustration by:
Luke Despatie
