Welcome to the Holiday Issue

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different.” – J.B. Priestly, Midnight on the Desert (1937)

That space between November and December ushers in the transition from fall to winter, and often, that first – somehow nostalgic snow fall as one season gives way to another. 

Here in Cottage Country winter is enjoyed at a different pace. Crispy mornings spent over warm beverages as the snow sparkles outside the window, beckoning you to adventure outside and enjoy the magic winter in Canada holds. Sunny days welcome cross-country and downhill skiers, an abundance of forest and rail-trails is the perfect playground for Snowmobilers. Toboggan hills offer a healthy dose of adrenaline, and winter festivals and holiday magic are abundant just in time for Holiday festivities. In winter the small-town charm that Central Ontario’s Cottage Country offers truly comes alive. 

Welcome to the Christmas 2026 Issue, Cottage Country! 

On The Cover: Mark’s Peterborough

In this issue Birchview Design helps you plan for guests when designing spaces for gathering, Prince Edward County invites you to experience Christmas in the County with the PEC Christmas in the County House Tour, and Kawartha Settlers Village sparkles with thousands of festive lights for the 2026 Kawartha Lakes Festival of Trees. 

Decorating for the holidays? Find tips in this issue to spend Christmas at the Cottage this year – decorations and all! For outside sparkle, Vikki Whitney, owner of Griffins Greenhouses shares inspiration for winter-scaping your front door.

Mike Fitzgerald, of Omnivore Culture takes us home for a small town Christmas, and Portside Spirits serves up festive cocktails perfect for sharing. 

If you’re entertaining, we’ve compiled some Turkey-Tips to help you cook the perfect bird. In recipes for this issue Weekend at the Cottage bakes up 2 cookie recipes – a great idea for gifting to the neighbours. 

For Gifting: Check out our Shop Local Gift Guide, Mike Williams ‘An Anglers Holiday Wishlist’, and kitchen themed gifts sure to please every cook from The Old Tin Shed in Bancroft. Mark’s Peterborough helps you stuff the stockings, and has the top brands we all want to find under the tree – clothing lines built to enjoy winter in Canada.

Also, don’t forget to check out our: ’A Cottage Country Christmas’ playlist; a mix of Canadian folk, roots, acoustic, indie and classic rock, with some Christmas favourites woven in. Perfect for snowy weekends, frozen lakes, woodstoves and cozy evenings at the cottage.

From us – to you – Cottage Country, Merry Christmas wishing you a happy, prosperous 2027!