‘Tis the season to be jolly! Grab your friends or bundle up the kids for some merry Manitoba holiday cheer!

Head to Portage la Prairie for the Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Island of Lights, Manitoba’s longest running drive through light show. On now until January 7, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, this dazzling light show is even open Christmas Day. Pile into the car, because at only $10 per passenger vehicle, this winner of numerous provincial and national tourism awards is a must see. While you’re in Portage, check out the Crafters Hand Craft and Bake Sale at the Portage la Prairie Mall until December 24.

Winnipeg’s Canad Inns Winter Wonderland at the Red River Exhibition Park is now open until January 5, (closed Christmas Day). Marvel at the light displays along the 2.5 kilometre route as you listen to the Park’s Christmas radio station. See the lights in a whole new dimension on 3D Wednesdays – the first 100 cars through the Park gates receive free 3D glasses. A family car with up to seven passengers is only $15.

Asessippi Ski Area & Resort brings Santa to the slopes on December 22. The Man in Red will be handing out treats while kids can also take part in Christmas crafts inside. And don’t miss the Resort’s New Year’s celebration. Enjoy a prime rib dinner, let the kids enjoy the festivities with games and movies from 8:00-10:00 pm in the chalet and head out for a late night tubing run, as both the tubing and beginner hills are open until 11:00 pm. But the main event is the midnight torch run down the hill. The quad chair lift is open until 11:45 for those who want to head up to the top of the hill and make their way down via torchlight and flashlight (guides will help show the way).  With the rest of the lights turned off, it’s a spectacular sight and a perfect place to give your sweetie a kiss to ring in the New Year. A day pass is good all the way until the strike of midnight. But December 31 isn’t very far away, so book your accommodations today.

Return to a simpler time and to the basics of Christmas, family and fun at the Winter Wonderland at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin December 14 and 15. Located 45 minutes west of Portage la Prairie, this charming pioneer village truly becomes a winter wonderland with twinkling lights decorating the vintage buildings. Enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the village or book ahead for a romantic horse-drawn wagon ride. An outdoor rink and snow slide will keep the kids happy, and when their toes are ready to defrost they can head inside to make holiday ornaments and crafts while waiting to see Santa. Admission is only $5 and kids under four are free.

The first nativity scene goes back to 1223 in Italy, but you don’t have to travel that far to see over 100 different versions at the 3^rd Annual Crèche Festival at the Allard Regional Library in St. Georges, 1.5 hours north east of Winnipeg. The festival features nativity scenes (or crèche in French) created by artists from at home and abroad, including many provided by Ten Thousand Villages, a Fair Trade store that sells goods from artisans in developing countries. From stained glass to intricate woodworking, these works of art are beautiful reminders of the hope and joy that fill the holiday season. Some of the donated scenes are available for purchase, plus you can enter to win a gift basket worth $175 from Ten Thousand Villages. The festival is free, but donations are accepted and will go towards adding new nativity scenes to the festival’s permanent collection.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes on display now at the Children’s Museum at The Forks until January 6. This is the last original display of the vignettes that used to grace the ninth floor of the Eaton’s downtown store. These fully restored vignettes include scenes from Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice and more. The displays are free with museum admission.