Accommodations & More
Accommodations & More
The Stratford Winter Film Festival [SWFF] had its debut season in February, 2024 it was a modest success. The Festival will return in 2025, bigger and better, keeping the best aspects of its inaugural run, and adding a few enhancements. Save the dates: February 14-17, 2025.
One of the founders of the Festival shared a bit more context. "Last season, the three of us were newly transplanted to the area. We hoped that creating the SWFF would bring vibrancy and activity to the city during the darkest and quietest days and nights of winter. There has been tremendous goodwill shown from the various communities here: arts, businesses, civic leaders, and the general citizenry, the support from all those groups helped us through the most difficult of all years, namely our first year." A recent article in The Stratford Times highlighted some of the changes coming in 2025: different, larger, more suitable venues a more leisurely four-day run instead of a more compressed three-day span, allowing better pacing to see the different films. Up to 12 titles are being curated by the founding trio. You can follow the organization here on social media, and/or on their website to current as details are announced. "We are trying to deliver everything that was good about last year’s experience, only bigger and smoother this year." said another one of the founders.
Fun bit of trivia: did you know that there was a Stratford Film Festival, way back in the day? One of the first events of its kind, it ran from 1956-1961 and 1971-1975. Films from around the world were screened at the Avon Theatre. Guess who was the driving force behind it? Tom Patterson! Yup, the same visionary who brought the Stratford Festival to life.
There will be associated "Off SWFF" events at various restaurants and businesses in town including The Relic Lobby Bar, Pazzo's, The Little Prince Micro-Cinema, Fosters, and Mercer Kitchen. A shuttle bus service will offer transportation from one cinema to another, which will help with parking during the snowy season. We plan to share additional posts as more details are finalized.
If you are planning a visit to Stratford in the winter months for shopping, dining, and the Winter Film Festival, check out the various member properties here on DiscoverStratford.com. You'll find over 25 different independently owned and operated venues, many of which are open year-round. Search by dates, amenities, location check out images of B&Bs, Inns, Suites and furnished short-term Apartment rentals.
Discover the rich history and architectural wonders of the City Stratford on a guided walking tour. Local historian Lauri Leduc leads these 75-minute journeys of about 2 km through the heart of the city, showcasing iconic landmarks and hidden gems. She started her company, Stratford... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford - Published December 1, 2024
Jonny Kirwin, owner of Brch & Wyn, sums up his philosophy: "half my life is spent wondering if it's too late for coffee or too early for wine." He has brought this motto to life at his café: a coffee shop by day and a... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 21, 2024
John and Amanda, your hosts at Avery House B&B, are admirers of sculptor Rich Baker, who breathes life into raw metal. Rich works intuitively, drawing inspiration from ideas and images. He starts with raw, cold metal, hammering and welding it into shape. Each piece is... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 20, 2024
Bruce, who is your host at Perth County Inn and Edison’s Inn, has been a frequent contributor to our social media posts. In particular, his “Stratford Day-Tripping” ideas for excursions within an hour or two of Stratford have been really popular. Today we get to... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 5, 2024
The Stratford Winter Film Festival [SWFF] had its debut season in February, 2024 it was a modest success. The Festival will return in 2025, bigger and better, keeping the best aspects of its inaugural run, and adding a few enhancements. Save the dates: February 14-17,... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 4, 2024
Over the summer, we were treated to the ice cream reconnaissance that 8-year-old Catherine (and her parents) shared with us. We were able to entice Catherine out of retirement for a new assignment: Candy Store Reviews!We did a write-up on Rhéo Thompson Candies, its history,... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 3, 2024
About 30 minutes northwest of Stratford, you’ll find Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese. It is totally worth the trek. Meet the cheesemaker, owner, and operator, Shep Ysselstein. He’s been honing his skills for years, with training in the USA, BC, and most recently, in Switzerland (homeland... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 2, 2024
Visitors to Stratford are often astounded by the number and variety of high-quality fine dining restaurants here. What can sometimes get overlooked, however, is the abundance of high quality quicker-service establishments. These spots are great for lunch, grab and go, or a quick bite. We're... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 1, 2024
Hey there! Amanda, your host at Avery House B&B, just stumbled across something spooky - but in a fun way! Fryfogel Tavern & Arboretum brought back its annual Ghost Tours this week, and it was perfect for those of us who enjoy a bit of... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published October 30, 2024
If you're searching for a delightful autumn escape near Stratford, Ontario, look no further than Castle Kilbride, a breathtaking mansion nestled just 30 minutes east in the town of Wilmot.Built in 1877 and home to the Livingston family for three generations, Castle Kilbride is now a fascinating museum and the... [read more]
By DiscoverStratford.com - Published October 22, 2024
