The Festival of Lights 2025 display is currently lighting up Belleville’s waterfront down by Meyers Pier. This beautiful tribute from a local family has grown to epic proportions, filling Jane Forrester Park with the sounds and lights of the holiday season running until now until the 5th of January.
Santa around Town Belleville welcomed the jolly old elf on Sunday, November 16 with the annual night-time parade and now he’s showing up everywhere! Santa and Mrs. Claus will make appearances at the Festival of Lights (Jane Forrester Park) each Friday from November 28 to December 19 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to collect letters and share holidays wishes.
Other places to find him include the Quinte Mall and check out the Events calendar or follow our social channels on Facebook and Instagram for random sightings.
Be sure to check out our Events Calendar to find out about all the other holiday events and Christmas markets happening in Belleville.
OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS –
While February shouldn’t be the only month of the year to celebrate Black history and culture, it’s definitely an opportunity to bring added attention to the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities both today and throughout history. Belleville has been building a series of events to celebrate the impact of Black culture and history in the region; the Belleville Public Library and Glanmore National Historic Site typically host a variety of exhibits and events to showcase local Black culture and history.
Belleville also hosts a variety of annual weekend expos and special shows, including the Quinte RV & Sportsman Show, the Quinte Home and Cottage Show, and the Quinte Annual Model Train Show, and welcomes out-of-town organizers who choose our central location for their event
In June, the Bay of Quinte Pride Parade celebrates unity in the city with vibrant displays of love and inclusion.
Canada Day at West Zwick’s Park offers a day of free family fun ending with an amazing fireworks display.
For music lovers, Belleville is home to Empire Rockfest in July.
The annual Belleville Caribbean Festival is becoming an August tradition and continues to grow each year. Get ready for 3 unforgettable days of music, culture, food, and fun in Belleville.
We know fall is coming when the Quinte Exhibition opens for Labour Day weekend with returning favourites – Friday night’s Demo Derby, free pony rides, Stiltwalker Paul, Truck & Tractor Pull, craft exhibitions and more – along with the fun of World’s Finest Midway rides.
The first weekend in September welcomes Belleville Downtown Blues Festival in the Downtown District.
The Rotary Club of Belleville presents the annual event Porchfest near the end of September. Porchfest is an experience so much bigger than just music, as residents in the historic East Hill neighbourhood host live performers on their front porches, while spectators roam the streets trying to fit all the venues into one afternoon. This is a free family oriented event.
Porchfest attracts dozens of performers and hundreds of spectators to this grassroots community event each year. It’s a great way to explore East Hill while enjoying the talents of our local musicians.
The City of Belleville hosts an annual ceremony on September 30 as a way of honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The 2025 ceremony included remarks from Chief R. Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and musical performances by singer, songwriter, educator and artist from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Jennifer Brant and husband, Kieran Edwards, as well as a Sacred Fire and special presentation by Fire Keeper Greg Loft. For more information on the event, visit: Belleville.ca/TruthandRec.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
The annual festival happens each year in October and is an opportunity to enjoy a vibrant celebration of Indian culture, including delicious food, beautiful arts and crafts, and unique creative products, as well as opportunities to connect with the community.
Belleville’s Downtown District is always beautifully decorated during the holiday season and plays host to the annual Enchanted in the District filled with live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides and local artisans. This year’s event runs Friday, November 14 – Sunday, November 16.
Every year, thousands of people bundle up and line the street to enjoy holiday music, sparkling lights, festive decorations and floats, and wait patiently to catch a glimpse of see the big guy – Santa Claus, as part of the annual Santa Claus Parade, this year happening on Sunday, November 16. This fun annual tradition brings Belleville together for a beautifully lit night-time parade that travels from one end of the city to the other, passing through the downtown core and the old East Hill.
Be sure to check out our EVENT CALENDAR while you’re visiting and you’ll be sure to find an opportunity to get out and enjoy a great time.
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