Interview with a City Councillor - September 14th, 2026

Monday, 14 September 2026 at 10:39

Councillor Liz Wismer-Van Meer talked about the possibility of a Winter Lights Market in downtown Woodstock.

WOODSTOCK - Something new could be coming to downtown Woodstock this holiday season.

During this week's meeting, city council will be asked to approve $15,000 in OLG funding to cover the cleaning and activation costs for a Winter Lights Market.

It would be located located at 478 to 484 Dundas Street, also known as the former liquidation store building beside City Hall. The city purchased the now vacant building back in 2023, and it has yet to decide what to do with it in the long term.

If council signs off on the Winter Lights Market, councillor Liz Wismer-Van Meer says it would be an addition to some of the other holiday traditions downtown Woodstock.

"So what they're looking to do is do the indoor vendor market on the night of the Lighting of Museum Square and the Santa Claus Parade, so that's the third weekend of November. They're also looking to do December 10th to 12th and the 17th to the 19th, so there would be three separate weekends."

The market could feature local vendors, artisans, and live entertainment, but Wismer-Van Meer says that's not all.

"They would also have some featured activations from Woodstock Museum, Woodstock Art Gallery, and the Downtown Woodstock BIA. That way we're incorporating more of our arts and culture from the city and surrounding area."

This Thursday's City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

Councillor Wismer-Van Meer also discussed the following during her interview this morning:

- A motion to invite Woodstock Police to a future council meeting to discuss kick-style e-scooters and micro-mobility devices.

- Her thoughts ahead of her final meetings as a Woodstock City Council.

- Her thoughts on today's Daily Debate; are you ready for the cooler fall weather?

You can listen to the full interview below: