November in Durham means shorter days, the first parade dates and a few new places to check out. Here's a roundup of new spots that recently opened across the region, plus the Santa Claus parades and the CPKC Holiday Train coming up over the next few weeks.
As always, I haven't been paid to include anything here. Hours and details can change, so check with each spot before you go.
New places to check out
Christine's, Championed by CAA (Whitby)
Inside the Abilities Centre, 1 Jim Flaherty St., Whitby
A new café officially opened inside the Abilities Centre on October 21. Christine's is named for Christine Elliott, and it's staffed by graduates of the Abilities Centre's Employment Services program (Abilities Centre). It's open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and CAA members can get a free 12 oz. coffee or tea per visit (Christine's Café). A good stop before a workout or a kids' program at the centre.
KINTON RAMEN (north Oshawa)
1800 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
KINTON RAMEN has opened its first Durham Region location in north Oshawa, near Durham College and Ontario Tech University. After a soft opening in September, it held its official grand opening on October 24. It's open 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week (Daily Durham; KINTON RAMEN). A warm bowl on a cold November night is hard to beat.
Easton Community Park, a.k.a. "Rainbow Park" (Oshawa)
900 Adelaide Ave. E., Oshawa (northeast corner of Adelaide Avenue and Harmony Road)
The City of Oshawa reopened Easton Community Park on October 31 after a redesign. New features include junior and senior playgrounds with Oshawa's first wheelchair-accessible swing, a splash pad (seasonal), a full-size multi-use court, a walking loop and accessible parking (City of Oshawa). The splash pad will have to wait for summer, but the playgrounds and walking loop are ready now.
Northern Binz (downtown Whitby)
103 Dundas St. E., Whitby
For bargain hunters, Northern Binz is a bin store in downtown Whitby, where prices drop through the week, starting at $20 per item on Saturday and dropping to $1 by Friday. It was listed as now open in From Durham's mid-October roundup (From Durham, week of October 12 to 18). Check their social media for restock days before you go.
Holiday dates to save
Santa Claus parades
From Durham Tourism's parade roundup (Durham Tourism):
Date | Parade | Time |
|---|---|---|
Sunday, November 15 | Newcastle | 5:30 p.m. |
Saturday, November 21 | Bowmanville (King Street) | 10:30 a.m. |
Saturday, November 21 | Uxbridge | 11 a.m. |
Saturday, November 21 | Oshawa Parade of Lights | 6:30 p.m. |
Saturday, November 28 | Pickering | 10 a.m. |
Saturday, November 28 | Orono | 10:30 a.m. |
Saturday, December 5 | Whitby | 10 a.m. |
Saturday, December 5 | Scugog | 5 p.m. |
Sunday, December 6 | Courtice | Noon |
Routes and road closures can change, so check your town's website the week of the parade. The City of Pickering, for example, has noted that its route may change this year.
The CPKC Holiday Train comes to Durham on November 29
The CPKC Holiday Train is scheduled to stop in Durham on Sunday, November 29 (Narcity):
- Bowmanville: 2 to 2:30 p.m., Scugog Road and Wellington Street
- Oshawa: 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., 680 Laval Dr. (behind Walmart)
The shows are free, and you're encouraged to bring a donation for the local food bank. Dress warmly!
Know a new spot I should feature?
If a new café, shop, park or community space has opened near you in Durham or Toronto, message or email me at [email protected] and I may include it in a future "New in the Neighbourhood" post.
And if you're thinking about a move, or just curious what your home is worth in today's market, message or email me and I'll put together a free Home Value Report. It's my opinion of value based on recent nearby sales, not an appraisal, and there's no obligation.
Andrew Persaud, Sales Representative, REVEL Realty Inc., Brokerage #200B – 1032 Brock Street S, Whitby, ON L1N 4L8 📞 m 416.220.7045 | o 905.357.1700 ✉️ [email protected] 🌐 https://homesbyandrew.ca/
Business, park and event details come from the sources linked and were checked on November 2, 2026. Hours, prices, dates and routes can change, so please confirm directly before you go. Inclusion is not an endorsement, and no business paid to be included. A Home Value Report is an opinion of value, not an appraisal. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.
Sources (checked November 2, 2026)
- Abilities Centre, "Christine's, Championed by CAA, Officially Opens at Abilities Centre": https://abilitiescentre.org/christines-championed-by-caa-officially-opens-at-abilities-centre/
- Christine's Café (hours, CAA offer): https://christinescafe.ca/
- Durham Radio News on Christine's opening: https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/219108
- Daily Durham, "Kinton Ramen opens first Durham location in north Oshawa" (Oct 24, 2026): https://www.dailydurham.com/news/oshawa/oshawa-kinton-ramen-opens-first-durham-location-in-north-oshawa-6b45bc25
- KINTON RAMEN, Simcoe Oshawa location: https://kintonramen.com/location/kinton-ramen-simcoe-oshawa/
- Franchise Canada (CFA), KINTON RAMEN Oshawa grand opening: https://cfa.ca/franchisecanada/kinton-ramen-celebrates-grand-opening-of-first-oshawa-location/
- City of Oshawa, "Easton Community Park to reopen with new amenities October 31": https://www.oshawa.ca/news/posts/easton-community-park-to-reopen-with-new-amenities-october-31/
- From Durham, week of October 12 to 18, 2026 (Northern Binz): https://www.fromdurham.ca/week-of-october-12-18-2026/
- Durham Tourism, Santa Claus parades in Durham Region: https://www.durham.ca/tourism/blog/posts/celebrate-the-season-at-these-santa-claus-parades-in-durham-region/
- Narcity, CPKC Holiday Train Ontario stops 2026 (Oct 15, 2026): https://www.narcity.com/toronto/cpkc-holiday-train-schedule-ontario-stops-2026
