U17 World Hockey Challenge Comes To Oakville This Weekend

Blondie's Christmas Lights and The Oakville Digest are teaming up to light up one lucky Oakville home this Christmas! The Blondie's crew will design a custom display for the winner's roofline, put it up, then take it down and store it once winter is over. A $2,000 installation, completely free.

There's no catch and no purchase required. Entering takes one step: add your email on the entry page. The winner pays nothing.

Everyone who enters also gets $100 off any Christmas light package. Blondie's will email you a discount code once you sign up, whether you win or not.

Entries close Saturday, November 14, and we'll draw the winner on Sunday, November 15.

It’s a tournament that has launched the careers of NHL superstars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini, and now it’s coming to Oakville. The U17 World Hockey Challenge will take place at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex starting on Sunday November 1st, with the gold medal game set for Saturday, November 7th. 

This showcase of young talent has been a tradition since 1986, and an occasion for scouts to identify the players who will move on to the U18 and World Junior Teams. Canada has so much talent to offer that two teams will take to the ice, so Canada Red and Canada White will face off against Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. 

A great chance to cheer for the maple leaf (both Red and White) and see tomorrow’s stars today!

We’re not done talking about the results of Monday’s big municipal election just yet! In addition to electing a new mayor for the first time in 20 years, with Mayor Elect Jeff Knoll defeating longtime incumbent Rob Burton, Oakville will also see six new faces join Town Council.

This level of change was expected, as there were multiple vacancies on Council due to several retirements, as well as the decision by two sitting councillors to run for mayor (Knoll and mayoral contest runner-up Sean O’Meara) and the untimely death of Ward 5 Councillor Marc Grant. The turnover is also part of a broader trend in the region, as Milton and Halton Hills also voted out their sitting mayors. 

Knoll has said he understands that residents expect “a brisk pace of change” and is promising to foster “a collegial attitude and atmosphere” that will facilitate this work once the new council is officially sworn in on November 16th.

So much work goes into carving a jack-o’-lantern, between the cutting, scraping, stencilling, and sculpting that it seems like a shame they’re only on display for one night. Luckily the Oakville Museum is offering up the chance for an encore, with their “One Last Glow: Pumpkin Parade.”

Held on the grounds of the Erchless Estate this Sunday, November 1 between 5pm and 7pm, this parade is the place to bring your carved pumpkin so it can be appreciated by a wider audience. Wander around and see all of the creative ways that your fellow Oakville residents have turned their squashes into sculptures and enjoy the flickering candlelight and lingering Halloween magic. Costumes are also encouraged!

🏅 Oakville Rangers Launch Laser Tag on Ice

🎉 Oakville Hosting Holiday Bazaars Throughout November

Whether you’re trick-or-treating or just looking to take a haunted walk of your own on Halloween, 2093 Oak Springs Road is a must stop on any spookily scenic route around Oakville. This house has pulled out all the stops, and crowds have been drawn to the scary scene throughout October. 

The lawn is home to a full theatrical scale display, complete with heads on pikes, elaborately staged skeletons, and a cemetery guarded by gargoyles. The colourful lights give the whole thing a magically eerie glow, especially the enormous spider. Elm Street might be known for its nightmares, but anyone looking for a truly haunting sight should head to Oak Springs!

One small Oakville bakery in the middle of an unassuming plaza has been racking up an outsized number of likes on social media and attracting foodies and food influencers near and far, all because they have mastered the art of the humble apple fritter.

Aveiro Bakery (2530 Sixth Line) has been a favourite within the River Oaks neighbourhood for years, known for their traditional Portuguese sweets, their artisan breads, and of course their fritters. Made in-house, and fried and glazed to perfection, the refrain on Tiktok is that these apple fritters are “the best ever”. In October the bakery is offering a pumpkin variation as well, so there are even more fall flavours to be enjoyed by anyone who has been food-influenced to visit!