As the winter winds pick up, so do the festivities and celebrations as we approach the cozy winter holiday season. For those of us in Southeast Michigan, that means a feast on Thanksgiving with foods such as, but not limited to:
- A whole turkey that’s smothered with spices and roasted all day long, filling our homes with delicious smells
- Homemade stuffing (in my family, we do not put it in the turkey; instead, we bake it separately) (Secret family recipe later in the article!)
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potatoes with a marshmallow and brown sugar topping
- Mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- Homemade rolls
- Apple pie
- Pumpkin pie
These Thanksgiving items are included in my family’s traditional menu. Not all families have the same meal, but they are typically very similar, except that our Sicilian family uses a LOT of garlic. Too much garlic is never enough!
Being in Michigan, we are close neighbors with folks in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and share many of the same holiday customs. However, they do not celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November as we do in the States. It is a public holiday like ours, but across Canada, it is observed on the second Monday in October. They also give thanks for the harvest and other blessings, as well as celebrate with large, filling meals and gatherings of loved ones.
Our Canadian neighbors also celebrate some of the same winter holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s. In fact, I recall as a child going over the Ambassador Bridge (which connects Detroit and Windsor) with my grandmother (Nana) to do Christmas shopping, because back then, our U.S. dollar went a lot farther than it currently does.
On the other side of Canada, on the west coast, they adjust to the British Columbia cultures that occupy the area and host various celebrations, as well as some that are similar to those celebrated during the winter holiday season.
For example, in the City of Surrey, British Columbia, in December, they have a holiday event, Noel Surrey, with the Magic of Bright Nights, which is described as: “Step into the magic of Noel Surrey, where millions of lights shine bright at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds this winter. Wander through the Bright Nights light walk, snap photos with Santa and holiday characters in the Noel Village, shop the Christmas Market, and enjoy free rides. A fully licensed festival with two bars, cozy dining huts, food trucks, and fire pits make it the ultimate holiday outing. Kids 6 and under are free, parking is included, and every ticket purchased helps support the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund,”.
That sounds like a lovely event to participate in! Too bad it’s on the other side of the country.
Although if we are talking about the biggest winter festival in Canada, it would have to be the Carnival de Quebec, held on the eastern side of Canada after the December holidays. According to the official Carnival de Quebec website, “The Quebec Winter Carnival is an outdoor festival that celebrates winter and Nordic culture from late January to mid-February. For a period of 10 days, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring numerous ice and snow sculptures, the 100%-made-of Ice Palace of Bonhomme, the ‘Laser Game Evolution’ at the Citadelle de Quebec, two magically enchanting Night parades, and Musical Evenings in a fairy-tale setting. Not to mention several activity sites for both kids and adults. It’s the world’s largest winter carnival,”.
Now, this event is much closer to my home in Michigan, so I could definitely attend!
What is the difference between Christmas in Canada and the United States?
The dates of Christmas Eve on December 24th and Christmas Day on December 25th are the same in both countries, in fact, probably in most countries where Christmas is celebrated. However, some traditions and customs may vary depending on the location.
For instance, some of the customary Christmas traditions held in Michigan include:
- America’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which kicks off the holiday season and gives Santa Claus the key to the City of Detroit, is held Downtown Detroit on historic Woodward Avenue.
- A drive through Hines Park to see the fantastic display of the Wayne County Lightfest
- A visit to see Santa Claus
- Decorating our homes with Christmas décor, both inside and outside
- Shopping for carefully curated gifts, personal to those we hold dear
- Christmas caroling
- Nutcracker Ballet at the Detroit Opera House
- Witness the lighting of the giant Christmas tree downtown Detroit in the middle of Campus Martius
- Ice skating at the rink at Campus Martius
- Gathering with those we hold dear over a special meal while sharing gifts either on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both
- Watching Christmas specials like Charles Shultz’s Charlie Brown Christmas, Rankin-Bass’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Miracle on 34th Street, or It’s a Wonderful Life
Canadians also celebrate in some of the same ways.
According to North Country Public Radio (NCPR), the main difference between Christmas in Canada and the United States is that “Boxing Day, December 26, is a holiday in Canada. Its origins go back to the 1830s in England when servants, postmen, and errand boys would receive a Christmas box of food and gifts. Now it’s usually a day for another round of family Christmas gatherings, returning unwanted gifts to stores, or simply going to shop for more stuff. I usually do a bit of both every year. There’s another family dinner on Boxing Day, but I usually head to day two of the Boxing Day sale at Hudson’s Bay department store the next day,”.
What foods do Canadians eat on Christmas?
In my Sicilian family, we have the traditional American ham alongside manicotti and homemade Italian bread, accompanied by Italian Drop Cookies or Anisette S cookies for dessert. Drop Cookies with cream cheese frosting are my favorite!
I have found that a lot of people who currently live in the U.S. incorporate their heritage and cultural foods into the menu as well, since most of us are immigrants anyway, unless you’re an Indigenous Native American.
Insanely Good Recipes shares the following foods Canadians eat on Christmas, “Canadian people have their own specific Christmas traditions, but just like folks in every other state, country, and continent, those traditions usually involve food.
- Nanaimo Bars
- Christmas Tourtiere
- Roast Turkey
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Sausage and Herb Stuffing
- Buche de Noel (Yule log)
- Butter Tarts
- French Canadian Christmas Cake
- Mashed potatoes
- Mulled Wine,”.
As promised, below is my family’s favorite way to make stuffing:
- Melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 2 cups each of diced onions and celery and 1 tablespoon each minced sage and thyme; add salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes.
- Add 3 cups of turkey or chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Beat 2 eggs with 1/4 cup chopped parsley in a large bowl; add 16 cups cubed stale white bread, then pour in the vegetable-broth mixture and toss.
- Transfer to a buttered baking dish and dot with butter.
- Cover and bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees F; uncover and bake until golden, 30 more minutes.
What is the biggest winter festival in Canada?
In conclusion, whether you are in British Columbia, Michigan, or Windsor, Holiday traditions reflect rich diversity, regional charm, and shared warmth—reminding us that celebration thrives wherever community and culture meet.