Tiny Ontario - South Alley Holiday Market

In November, I noticed signs for the South Alley Holiday Market. I didn't think much about it. On the day, I was kicking around the house and decided to walk over with no expectations.

In Gananoque there are the main streets for the fronts of homes and then alleys in behind the houses which face the backyards of the two corresponding streets. Not having a lot of driveways and garages in front yards, gives the town a lovely nostalgic charm.

I stepped onto South Alley that evening, and was transported into a Christmas movie. Every resident on both sides of the alley opened their backyards for the occasion. The weather was cold, and crisp but not unpleasantly so. There were dozens of vendors selling crafts and foods. The whole alley twinkled with Christmas lights and decorations. Christmas music wafted throughout. There were several Instagram photo ops. Several back gardens had roaring fire pits where participants could cozy up. You could even visit Santa.

The town came out in droves. Families with small children, dogs, young couples and grandparents. It was absolutely beautiful.

I'm not often surprised anymore, but this was a delight. You could feel the care and love that went into the planning. I returned home and invited Pablo to go for a walk with me after he finished work. We ordered piping hot shawarmas from one of the food trucks for dinner. They hit the spot as we meandered through the back gardens. As the crowds thinned out we were left with this magical world nearly to ourselves. What a treat!