The Holiday Season in Moose Jaw

If you love Christmas, Moose Jaw is the place to be!! Downtown transforms into a Hallmark movie set, with Christmas lights and decorations at every intersection and in every storefront! You’ll be filled with joy as you stroll in the glittering snow, finding perfect presents in every boutique! Want to feel a little extra Christmassy? Here are some of the festive events going on around town this December!

Tourism Moose Jaw’s Twinkle Tour - every year, we reach out to the community, asking homeowners who decorate the outside of their houses to submit their addresses to our Twinkle Tour! We will release the first map on December 1st, and then put out updates every Thursday until Christmas! Tourists and locals alike are encouraged to walk or drive around town and see all of the beautiful displays!

Wakamow Valley of Lights - For the second year in a row, the Wakamow Valley is decking out the Lorne Calvert Campground in multicoloured lights! Every day from December 1st to January 7th, you can drive through the campground and see the gorgeous lights up close! This year there’s even a moose! There will also be special appearances from Anna & Elsa on December 11th and Santa Claus on December 18th! There will also be wagon rides on December 9th and 24th!

Santa at the Town N Country Mall - Mr Claus will be at the Town N Country Mall, taking pictures with kids and hearing what they’d like for Christmas every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 23rd! He’ll be there Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Fridays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm! Make sure you stop by and see him!

The Grinch at Past Times - If old Saint Nick isn’t your thing, you can get pictures with the Grinch instead! Past Times Old Time Photography and Gifts will have the Grinch stop by every Thursday and Friday in December starting at 6:00 pm!

The Santa Claus Parade - Moose Jaw’s Annual Santa Claus Parade will be taking place on December 4th at 6:00 pm on Main Street!

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train - The Holiday Train will be stopping by Moose Jaw on December 6th at 4:30 pm! There will be spectacular lights and a free concert from Tenille Townes and Aysanabee Ays!

Holiday Films at the Western Development Museum - The Western Development Museum Moose Jaw will be showing Holiday films by the National Film Board during their regular hours throughout all of December!

Stars on Ice - Stars on Ice will be dazzling Moose Jaw with their award-winning figure skating on December 14th at 7:00 pm! Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko will be making appearances!

Merry Movie Nights - The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre will be playing classic Christmas movies! On December 21st they'll be playing The Nightmare Before Christmas and on December 22nd they’ll be playing The Muppet Christmas Carol! Admission is free with a donation to the Moose Jaw Food Bank!

For a full list of the events happening in Moose Jaw this Christmas Season, download the Tourism Moose Jaw App on the App or Google Play Stores!

Out of the Box Christmas Gifts

When it comes to gift giving, there are a few classics. We’ve all received slippers, candles, and coffee mugs. While those are great gifts, sometimes it’s nice to receive something completely unexpected! When you’re in Moose Jaw, it’s not hard to find something out of the box!

1. Classes! While you can’t wrap them, they’re an amazing gift to give! Get creative and book a class at artisaNGround or Starlight Handmade Market and give someone a fun night out. You can get one just for them, if they need a night alone, or you can get one for yourself too and your time together will be part of the gift. 

2. Practical things! Sometimes the best gift you can give is the gift of not having to worry about an everyday necessity. A gift certificate for Primary Eye Care Centre for new glasses or contacts, or a gift card for Co-op to get groceries or gas. Giving gifts like these takes away a need they may have (and leaves them with more money to get something they want!)

3. Experiences! There are so many fun experiences that you can have in Moose Jaw, and you can get gift certificates for most of them! Tours at the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, a night in an escape room at Little Chicago Entertainment, or a season pass to the Western Development Museum are all awesome gifts!

4. Tickets! There are tons of events that you can buy someone tickets for at the Moose Jaw Events Centre!! If you buy someone a gift certificate to the Moose Jaw Events Centre, they can use it to get tickets for a Warrior Game, a concert, or anything else that comes to town!

5. Food! For some of us, not having to cook dinner is a huge gift! You can give someone a delicious meal, while also giving them a night off! They can enjoy Rosie's Burger or the Week or delicious Greek food from The Mad Greek! Gift certificates to local restaurants are an awesome way to show someone you care!

Whether you’re interested in getting someone a cozy classic, or an unexpected treat, come to Moose Jaw to do your Christmas shopping! I promise you’ll find everything you need, for everyone on your list (and let’s be honest, a couple of treats for yourself too!)

First Warrior Game!

I recently took my nephew to his very first hockey game ever. It was a great reminder of how fun hockey games can be! We saw the Moose Jaw Warriors play the Edmonton Oil Kings. We happened to get tickets on a Tuesday night, which was awesome because at the Moose Jaw Events Centre they have Two for Tuesdays. Pop, hot dogs, and popcorn are two for one and beer is two for $12! They also have awesome family deals on tickets (on any night of the week.)

My nephew enjoyed his supper while I explained to him what a zamboni was (he was very impressed by it), which team we were cheering for (the one in the jerseys that matched his), and what the goal of the game was (to get the puck into the other team’s net.) And boy did the Warriors deliver an awesome game for him! In the first period, they scored three goals, each was followed by everyone around us standing, clapping, and high fiving my very excited nephew.

I was a little worried that he might get bored (he is only four), but then we discovered the Kids Zone. The Kids Zone is a magical place where kids can have even more fun during the game! There is a Kids Concession with slushies, ice cream, and mini donuts, there are claw machines, and there is an inflatable hockey rink for the kids to enjoy. It’s a great place to bring the little ones so that they don’t get bored between periods. Morty the Moose also makes regular appearances in the Kids Zone, to greet young hockey fans and give them high fives! We ended the night with a trip to the Crushed Can Store, where he picked up a mini stick and some pompoms to remember his first game by. After such a fun evening, I think it’s safe to say that the Warriors have a new lifelong fan!

Murder Mystery Paint Night at artisaNGrounds

I recently had the pleasure of attending artisaNGrounds’ first Murder Mystery Paint Night and it was an absolute blast! I wasn't really sure what to expect (I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a good painter by any means), but it was a whole lot of fun! We were served Bloody Marys as we attempted to solve the mystery of who murdered Pablo Picasso, by painting the culprit. We used clues to figure out what the painting should look like, bribing a secret informant for extra hints when we needed them! There were yummy halloween snacks and drinks too!

Aside from the fun of the event itself, artisaNGrounds is an awesome place to be! Located in the historic Hammond Building, the studio is gorgeous, even the bathrooms are classy! They don’t just host paint nights, they host pottery making and glazing parties and clay classes for people who want to learn the art! They have a gift shop with tons of art and pottery made locally too!

With Christmas just around the corner, I recommend checking out the events they have coming up like Christmas Platter Making, Pizza Stone Glazing, and a Christmas Paint Party. You can give someone you love the gift of something you’ve handmade for them, or the gift of spending time together at a fun event, either way it’s a thoughtful gift for someone special!!

Christmas in October

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year arrives in Moose Jaw a little early! You might be asking why? Well it’s simple! Here in Saskatchewan, we get extreme cold and extreme heat, but for a month or two in September and October, we get the perfect weather. During Christmas in October, you don’t have to worry about trudging through snow or - 40 wind gusts. You can casually stroll around downtown with only a light jacket. Starting holiday celebrations early also means that the magic of the Christmas season spreads to the rest of the year, and after the last few years we’ve had, I think we can all use a little extra celebration! Also,  if you get your shopping done in October, you can spend Christmas the way it’s meant to be spent, enjoying quality time with your loved ones!

For Christmas in October, the city puts up glittering decorations and so do the businesses downtown! Storefronts sparkle lights and every boutique is filled with perfect gifts, just waiting for you to discover them! This year, the Trolley will also be circling Main Street on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons, giving rides to shoppers who don’t want to spend the whole day walking (or who want to take advantage of Tourism Moose Jaw’s free parking.) After Christmas in October, all lights will be turned off again until after Remembrance Day.

Take a Hike

One thing that tends to surprise first time visitors to Moose Jaw is how full it is of walking trails! There are tons of places to enjoy nature, in every season, but the fall is particularly beautiful! Here are some of the ones that my dog and I like the most!

1. Nicolle Flats Trail at Buffalo Pound. While this one isn’t technically in Moose Jaw, it’s so close that I think it counts! It’s a quiet trail and I rarely see anyone else there. The highlights for me are the Nicolle Homestead, a lonely house built in 1903, and the Nicolle Flats Marsh Boardwalk!

2. The Famous Suspension Bridge. If you’ve been to our Visitors Centre, you’ll have seen the model of the suspension bridge that lives there. One of the most frequently asked questions in our office is “how do we get there?” All you have to do is drive south on 4th Avenue SW until you come to a dead end, where you can park and get on the trail! The suspension bridge is fun, and there are also nice trails with wide open spaces and walking back up the hill when you’re done is a good workout!

3. The Old Wild Animal Park. Moose Jaw used to have a zoo, but it’s since been closed down and renamed Tatawaw Park which means “ all are welcome here” in Cree. You can get there either by going south on 7th Avenue SW, or by going out of the city, south on 9th Avenue SW. Either way you can explore the beautiful trails and the remnants of the zoo that have been left behind!

4. Connor Park. The Connor Park Trail is great and just outside of the city. There's also an awesome pavilion where you can sit and have a picnic and a fun obstacle course for the kiddos!

5. Crescent Park. Unfortunately, you’ll have to do this one without the dogs, but fortunately, in the spring, summer, and fall you can feed the ducks! Crescent Park is also home to the Library, the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, the Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool, an awesome splash park, and so much more! Needless to say, it’s a good place for a stroll!

These are just my top five, I could go on forever about all of the trails in and around the city! If you’re planning a trip to Moose Jaw and want to know which trail is perfect for you, give us a call or send us an email or a message!

Fall in Love with Moose Jaw

The end of summer is always a little bittersweet, the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, but the fun doesn’t have to stop!! Fall is actually one of the best seasons to take a trip to Moose Jaw and here’s why:

1. It’s way less busy! As soon as the Labour Day Weekend is over we see significantly less travelers. That means shorter lineups, less waiting, and an all around easier and less stressful trip!

2. The weather is mild! Moose Jaw is in Saskatchewan, which means that we get extreme cold in the winter and extreme heat in the summer. If you want a trip with mild temperatures, perfect for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and pretty much anything else that requires you to be outdoors, then come here in the fall!

3. The trees are gorgeous! In the fall, the leaves turn every shade of yellow, orange, red, and gold that you can imagine. Crescent Park and the Wakamow Valley are great places to see all of the fall colours!

4. There is still so much to do! Sometimes people assume that once the summer is over, there is nothing to do, but that’s not the case in Moose Jaw! There are concerts, crafting parties, fall farmers markets, and so so much more! For a full list of events, download our app or check the Event Calendar on our website!

5. The Fall food! There are so many delicious items that are only available in autumn! The cafes serve specialty lattes and baking (keep an eye out on our social media for specifics!)

6. It’s quieter! While Moose Jaw is a great location for a Family Vacation, we tend to see less families and more adults and seniors in the fall. This means that the attractions are not only less busy, but they’re also more quiet! Fall is the perfect time to plan a relaxing vacation, sans kids.

7. You can save money! It’s no secret that prices go up during busy seasons, traveling in the off season often means that essentials like hotels and flights are cheaper!

8. There are lots of sports to enjoy! Our local WHL team, the Warriors start playing in September, so you can usually catch a game while you’re in town! We’re also only a 40 minute drive away from Regina, where you can watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders play! And there are numerous sports bars, if you just feel like sitting down and watching a game!

9. You can experience “Spooky Season”! During the fall, we offer Ghost Tours and True Crime Tours on the Trolley, which are perfect for a chilly autumn night! We also put together a map of all of the houses in the city with spooky decorations and you can take a self guided tour!!

10. You can get your Christmas shopping done way early! While I love the Christmas season, it’s very cold and very busy. If you want to avoid the freezing temperatures and the line ups, then I recommend getting your shopping done in the fall! Moose Jaw even hosts an annual “Christmas in October” where all of the shops downtown put out their Christmas decor and merchandise! Check out our website for more information!

While there is no bad time to come to Moose Jaw, fall is a great time to plan your trip to Canada’s Most Notorious City! When you’re strolling down Main Street with the autumn leaves crunching under your feet, sipping a pumpkin spice latte in a quiet cafe downtown, or enjoying a peaceful afternoon of tours and shopping, you won’t regret making the trip to Moose Jaw this fall! For help planning your autumn adventure in Moose Jaw, download the Tourism Moose Jaw App or give our office a call at (306) 693-8097!

A Notoriously Merry Christmas

Moose Jaw is a charming tourist destination all year round, but for me, nothing compares to the holiday season. Main Street turns into a Hallmark Movie set, with lights and decorations everywhere. Storefronts glitter, the snow gets sparklier, and driving around after dark makes your spirit bright. I know that it sounds cheesy, but there really is something magical about Christmas in Moose Jaw.

The boutiques downtown fill up with Christmas trees, lights, decorations, and gifts. You could spend days visiting the stores downtown and I guarantee that you wouldn’t get bored! Want to help Santa fill up the stockings? No problem, A Little Prairie Charm, Past Times, and Organically Connected have everything you could ever dream of putting in one! Want the décor at your house to rival a Christmas movie? Jillian’s Design Elements, Twenty Eight Décor, and Moose Jaw’s Handmade Shop have everything you need to turn your house into a Winter Wonderland! Looking for an outfit to wow everyone at the Christmas party, stay warm while you’re enjoying the season, or even pajamas for Christmas morning? Cranberry Collective Boutique, Clothes Encounters, and The Shop have got what you need! Need a gift that’ll wow more than a gift card or fruit cake? You’ll find exactly what you need at The Perfect Find, The Yvette Moore Gallery, and Untamed Blooms & Botanicals! Have someone that’s super hard to shop for (husbands, dads, and brothers usually), try Gemmel’s, Vintage Vinyl, or Post Horizon Booksellers! If you want ingredients to take your Christmas meals and baking from meh to amazing, head to Lions Creek, Prairie Bee Meadery, and the Moose Jaw Co-op! If you want a little bit of extra help finding what you need, you can always give us a call at (306) 693-8097, or send an email to info@tourismmoosejaw.com, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram!

I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention all of the INCREDIBLE Christmas treats that are available around town! It doesn’t matter if your favourite holiday flavour is candy cane or egg nog or anything in between! Evolve Coffee Roasters make killer peppermint lattes and beautifully decorated (and yummy) sugar cookies! The Hive Espresso Bar serves a gingerbread latte that I dream about long after Christmas is over and baking that’ll knock your socks off! If you want to wow everyone at your Christmas gatherings, order a baking box from Taste Patisserie with treats that are even better than homemade like eclairs, craquelin, and holiday flavoured macarons! There are more Christmas treats downtown than anyone could possibly eat, which is perfect for sharing with the ones you love!

I know that snow is normally something people (especially vacationers) want to escape from, but nothing compares to a White Christmas! You can take advantage of the weather and enjoy winter activities like sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and skating! Wakamow Valley and Buffalo Pound Provincial Park are  both perfect for all of the above! Buffalo Pound is also a favourite spot for local ice fisherman! You can also spend some time in the outdoor mineral water hot tub at the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa! My favourite thing to do during the Christmas Season is the Twinkle Tour! Every year, the good folks I work with at Tourism Moose Jaw and I work hard to put out a list of all of the best light displays in town! This year, there are over 100 houses on it! My favourite way to spend a December evening is driving around with Christmas Carols playing, looking at all of the gorgeous lights, sipping a hot chocolate, with my friends or family beside me!

If I haven’t convinced you to enjoy everything that Moose Jaw has to offer this holiday season, then check out our Instagram or Facebook pages to see what I’m talking about. For more information on Canada’s Most Notorious City, download our app on the Apple or Google Play Stores, call us at (306) 693-8097, or email info@tourismmoosejaw.com!

Happy Holidays & Happy Travels, 

Everley