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Spend a festive two hours in the McLaughlin Room creating Northern Lights and Cardinal ornaments under local artist Sarah Shaw’s guidance. All materials are included—arrive ready to make gifts that look polished but feel handmade.
Spend a festive two hours in the McLaughlin Room creating Northern Lights and Cardinal ornaments under local artist Sarah Shaw’s guidance. All materials are included—arrive ready to make gifts that look polished but feel handmade.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Parkwood National Historic Site · Oshawa, Ontario
Holiday Ornament Painting Workshop at the McLaughlin Room in Oshawa, Ontario offers a hands-on creative evening for people who want a tidy, memorable holiday craft. Held in the Carriage House on the estate, this two-hour session pairs step-by-step instruction with all materials provided. Local artist Sarah Shaw guides participants through two designs—Northern Lights and Cardinal—so you leave with a matched set of ornaments ready to hang or gift.
The room itself is part of the estate's Carriage House complex, a low-slung interior with museum-like calm that makes focused painting easy even for first-timers. The workshop is also a social experience: Carol’s charcuterie-board option adds a communal, tasting element for those who reserve it. The program welcomes teens (minimum age 14) and adults; the session accommodates up to 30 people and is wheelchair accessible. Check-in takes place inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes before start, and the meeting point is listed as the McLaughlin Room - Carriage House.
What makes this workshop special is the combination of place, instruction, and polish. You aren’t painting at a craft store table—you’re working in a historic estate space with guided techniques from an artist who simplifies brushwork, layering, and color choices so novices can produce ornaments that look intentional rather than improvised. All painting supplies, ribbons and brushes are included, so you can arrive empty-handed and leave with finished pieces and a renewed appetite for hands-on making. Be aware the event runs two hours and organizer notes there are no refunds; limited parking is available, and carpooling is encouraged.
Practical details you’ll want to note: plan to arrive early to find parking, bring a jacket if you linger outdoors after the workshop, and leave room in your luggage for delicate ornaments if you’re traveling. The event suits people seeking slow, tactile holiday activities, a creative date night, or a gift-making session with friends. It also pairs well with a visit to the estate grounds or the Gift Shop before or after your class.
If you treasure small, well-crafted gifts and prefer learning from a local artist in a calm, well-appointed setting, this workshop is an accessible way to mark the season. It’s part craft class, part local-studio experience—perfect for anyone who likes a practical keepsake they can hang, wrap, and hand to someone they love.
Sarah Shaw’s approach emphasizes simple brushstrokes, glazing layers, and composition, making it easy to replicate ornament designs at home. For travelers, the workshop is a compact way to sample local creative culture. The McLaughlin Room’s accessible layout and small-group size keep instruction personal; if you need accessibility accommodations, the event is listed as wheelchair accessible. Remember the minimum age is 14 and that space is limited, so book early.
Minimum age is 14; participants under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
Yes—all painting supplies, ornaments, ribbon and brushes are provided.
Please check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes prior to your workshop start time and present your receipt.
Yes—the session is listed as wheelchair accessible and held in the McLaughlin Room - Carriage House.
Please note there are no refunds for this workshop.
There is limited parking; organizers encourage carpooling and note additional parking in adjacent neighbourhoods or paid lots at nearby facilities.
Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa, Ontario preserves a rich cultural setting and offers a broad calendar of public programming that blends historic interpretation with hands-on experiences. The site presents guided tours and interpreted performances such as Servants' Tours and themed walks, alongside practical workshops in crafts, food, and floral design. Programming includes seasonal markets like Retro Fest Vendor Market and Winter Fest Vendor Market, community-focused events such as Parkwood Christmas Tours and The Way Home Film Location Bus Tour, and creative workshops covering stained glass, candle making, holiday wreaths, pottery, perfume making, and culinary demonstrations. Several workshops are taught by named instructors or partners noted in event listings — for example, stained glass sessions led by Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy and perfume-making presented by Dakaari Fragrance House. Parkwood also stages horticultural programs in its greenhouses, including floral arrangement workshops and guided garden tours led by site staff. Parkwood’s event listings show a mix of ticketed and free events and seasonal sell-outs, reflecting active community engagement. The site's public programs combine interpretive tours with hands-on learning opportunities across craft, food, horticulture, and holiday-themed experiences. All descriptions and event listings are presented in third person and reflect the programming and partnerships publicly listed for Parkwood National Historic Site.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site