Winter Wonderland tradition continues with new location for Santa Claus

A tree lighting ceremony is kicking off the holiday season starting at 7 p.m. in Waterloo on Dec. 6. Uptown Waterloo will be filled with holiday festivities this weekend as they bring back Winter Wonderland for another year.

A Holiday Pop-Up Artisan Market will bring over 50 vendors to three locations on King Street. Along with The Shops at Waterloo Town Square, the Uptown Waterloo BIA added locations at Time Square (the old post office, 35 King St. N.) and AristoCanine. (previously Chainsaw, 28 King St. N.)

Executive Director for the BIA, Jeya Balaskanthan, was on The Mike Farwell Show Dec. 5 to talk about what’s new for Winter Wonderland. He mentioned they’ve selected a new spot for the big man in red.

“We are activating the Bauer Kitchen area with Santa, DJ, music and a light show set up by Bauer Plaza in front of the Bauer Kitchen,” said Balaskanthan.

“We put a lot of work in, we are proud of it, and we want to celebrate the year end with our Uptown BIA members, with our community – come on up to Uptown and let’s have a great time this weekend.”

The event this weekend will also feature live music, carollers, DJs and stilt walkers.

Balaskanthan mentioned that most of the businesses Uptown Waterloo will have holiday sales going on during the festivities the community can check out while taking a look at the winter art walk the BIA curated.

“This is fourth year after the pandemic, and our businesses they’ve been resilient. They’ve been here, they’ve done it. They are putting all of their efforts into welcoming customers and it’s our responsibility as a BIA to activate and animate and bring people up.”

Winter Wonderland runs until 10 p.m. Friday and lights back up again Saturday from 10 to 4.

A full list of over 50 local vendors that will be at the market can be found on the Uptown Waterloo BIA’s website.