Each November, Tillsonburg residents deck their halls as part of the annual Christmasfest. The six-week festival includes concerts, a community lighting competition and the renowned Down Home Country Christmas Craft Show featuring more than 100 artisans and crafters.
This annual summer street festival draws its inspiration from a legendary promise by Tillsonburg's founder, George Tillson, to return one day as a turtle to see how his town was fairing.
A few years after he died, a giant turtle was found near the Tillson homestead. Remembering Tillson's promise, citizens brought the turtle to the downtown area and invited everyone to visit and tell "George" how the town was prospering.
Tillsonburg is the place to be every July 1st when residents paint the town red in honour of Canada's birthday.