Deck the halls of Selkirk Avenue

North End

A bit of Christmas magic is coming to several businesses along Selkirk Avenue.

Lighting up the Avenue is returning between 4 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, when neighbours of all ages will be welcomed into warm community spaces to take part in a selection of free, accessible events, ranging from holiday bingo to photos with Dr. Seuss’s titular Grinch.

The annual Selkirk Avenue celebration is a collaborative event hosted by Indigenous Vision for the North End (IVNE), in partnership with several area organizations, including Indigenous Family Centre; Merchants Corner; Mount Carmel Clinic; North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC); North End Women’s Centre; Tunngasugit Resource Centre; and Urban Circle Training Centre,

Lighting up the Avenue has been a staple in the North End for over 15 years, according to Cheryl Starr, IVNE co-ordinator. Star said that, alongside the activities, it also provides an opportunity to literally light up the street with Christmas lights on homes, community organizations, and local businesses.

“It is all about bringing neighbours together, spreading warmth, and shining a little extra light during the winter season with festive lights, community spirit, and good energy,” she said.

“The event has evolved over the years, from one large event in previous years to our current format of multiple stops for community members to visit, take photos, decorate cookies, make crafts, play bingo, warm up, and enjoy some food and hot chocolate.”

More than a decade in, Light up the Avenue continues to grow. Tunngasugit (618 Selkirk Ave.) and the Indigenous Family Centre (470 Selkirk Ave.) are two new stations for 2025. Tunngasugit, which provides resources and programming for Inuit peoples, will give participants a chance to create mini igloos, and the Indigenous Family Centre will feature a craft station with soup and bannock for families to enjoy.

Bingo — which doubles as a tea and treat station — will take place at Merchants Corner (541 Selkirk Ave.); photo opportunities with the Grinch, as well as a chance to enjoy cookie decorating and popcorn, will be happening at North End Women’s Centre (394 Selkirk Ave.); Urban Circle (519 Selkirk Ave.) will be the home of hot chocolate, crafts, and a chance to take a picture with Santa; and NECRC (509 Selkirk Ave.) will give folks a chance to decorate their own gingerbread houses, with the added benefit of hot chocolate.

Mama Bear Clan will also walk the avenue — between Aikins to Mackenzie streets — and will hand out treat bags to those travelling from station-to-station outside, so bundle up.

For more information, visit the Indigenous Vision for the North End page on Facebook.