‘Tis the season! December is officially here, and it’s time to get festive in the city! Simply walking around Toronto, you can feel the holiday season in the air, thanks to flashy light displays, festive pop-ups, Christmas decorations, and more. If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays and indulge in some festive activities, Toronto has plenty to offer. From holiday markets to cheery events, Toronto is the place to go if you want to get festive.
Here’s where you can get festive in the city!
Distillery Winter Village
Of course, we had to start this list with Toronto’s most famous festive location, The Distillery Winter Village. Every year the Distillery District transforms into a festive holiday experience, this year with the help of none other than Dior. While visiting the picture-perfect Winter Village, you can shop a curated selection from local vendors and shops, dine at the many featured restaurants and outdoor bars, and, of course, take pictures in front of the various insta-worthy installations.
WinterFest At Canada’s Wonderland
Step into a world of holiday magic at Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest! From now until January 6th, Canada’s Wonderland will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, featuring ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, live shows and holiday entertainment, exciting rides, light displays, Christmas trees, and more!
Nathan Phillips Square
The Cavalcade of Lights tree lighting ceremony has happened at Nathan Phillips Square! Marking the beginning of holiday magic in the square. From now until January 7th, you can experience the magical lights inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals and winter solstice celebrations. That’s not all, though! From December 1st to 23, 2023, you can visit the Holiday Fair in the Square, which supports Epilepsy Toronto, where you can shop from vendors, relax fireside, enjoy a warm beverage, and even visit Santa.
Miracle
Now, if you’re looking to indulge in a festive cocktail (or two), you have to check out Miracle Toronto! This year, the pop-up bar is located at 875 Bloor Street and, as always, features a ton of kitschy holiday decor everywhere you look. Serving up the ultimate holiday cheer(s)!
Christmas at the Castle
Casa Loma is hosting Christmas at the Castle from December 2nd to January 6th! The castle will be decked out with holiday decor, surrounding guests will holiday magic while a wide range of activities and thrilling performances take place. Santa will also be in attendance, where children are invited to visit his workshop and participate in festive arts and crafts!
Stackt Holiday Market
Stackt Holiday Market, also known as, Holiday Hills, is back for the season! This year’s Holiday Hills is bigger than ever, with immaculate seasonal vibes you won’t want to miss. Including one-of-a-kind holiday shopping pop-ups, Fizz & Fire patio with s’mores kits and a buzzing champagne bar, all-weather outdoor curling lanes with cozy warming huts to hang out in, and so much more!
The Nutcracker
Every year during the holiday season The National Ballet of Canada performs The Nutcracker, a beloved Christmas classic. The ballet tells the story of The Nutcracker through a magical performance of dancing, costumes, and displays. It’s a bucket list holiday performance!
Yorkville Village
During the holiday season, Bloor-Yorkville is decked out with festive light displays for visitors to enjoy in between shopping in dining! The neighbourhood gets turned into a glistening winter wonderland all the way through to December 31st.
The Thirsty Elf
The Thirsty Elf, located in Fairmont Royal York, is a holiday-themed pop-up bar with plenty of festive cocktails to go around. If the holiday-themed cocktails don’t get you into the festive spirit, the cheerful decor sure will.
CF Winterville – The Eaton Centre
This holiday season, the magical daily Tree Light and Snow Shows will create a wintery wonderland at CF Winterville inside the Toronto Eaton Centre from November 16th to December 31st. And, of course, Santa is back in town for the occasion!
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The most wonderful time of the year is here and you can celebrate the season by checking out these limited-time-only holiday markets and events taking place in Toronto that will make the season merry and bright.
Visit These 10 Holiday Markets And Events Happening In Toronto
Canadian Tire Christmas Trail
When: Now until December 23
Where: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York
The Canadian Tire Christmas Trail is back for its third year and bringing even more magic to the 2022 Christmas season with its 1.5 km multi-sensory drive-thru experience, new interactive displays, festive treats, live entertainment, and photo ops with Santa. The cost is $25 per vehicle with all proceeds donated to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to benefit child and youth sports throughout Canada.
The Distillery Winter Village
When: Now until December 31
Where: Toronto’s historic Distillery District
In addition to the Distillery District’s 65-plus local shops, restaurants, and cafés, you can check out the outdoor cabins offering specially curated seasonal items and gifts, plus delicious, can’t-miss food. Visitors can enjoy strolling the cobblestone streets under the canopy of lights while checking out the Christmas tree and looking for gifts for everyone on their list.
Holiday Hills
When: Now until December 31
Where: Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst Street
For the next six weeks, Stackt Market will host a festive market filled with immersive photo installations and experiences, unique hospitality concepts, small business holiday shopping, community-led events, workshops, and family programs. Be sure to check out the whiskey yurt bar, Ferris wheel, Toronto’s first-ever wellness playground, marketplace shopping, and s’mores huts.
Winterfest at Canada’s Wonderland
When: Now until December 31
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
This immersive holiday experience is perfect for the entire family. Featuring live shows and holiday entertainment, ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, hundreds of lit-up Christmas trees, and even a few rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Glow Toronto
When: November 30 until December 30
Where: Toronto Congress Centre, 1020 Martin Grove Road, Etobicoke
Get into the holiday spirit at Glow Toronto where you can explore the glowing light gardens, snack on festive food and drinks, enjoy live entertainment, and even get some holiday shopping done.
Northern Lights
When: December 1st to January 8th
Where: Grand Bizarre at Exhibition Place
Northern Lights is an immersive experience that wraps you up in the lights, sights, sounds, and feelings of the holidays. Bring your festive spirit and explore 80,000 square feet of holiday fun including art installations, dazzling décor, a 25-foot illuminated Christmas tree, games and activities, a holiday vendor market, festive food and drinks, and much more. Tickets are on sale now and a portion of every admission ticket sold will be donated to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Holiday Fair in the Square
When: December 2nd to 23rd
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Toronto’s Holiday Fair in the Square will transform Nathan Phillips Square into a winter wonderland. Whether you’re looking for something sweet to eat, a cozy drink to warm you up, holiday shopping, or just to get into the festive spirit, this popular event combines the charm and elegance of a Christmas market with the excitement of a winter carnival and light show, making it a holiday tradition you don’t want to miss.
Christmas at the Castle
When: Select dates, December 2nd until January 2nd
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
This December, you can enjoy holiday magic at Casa Loma during Christmas at the Castle. Casa Loma will host a wide range of activities, performances, holiday décor – including a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall – and eight other signature trees by talented Canadian designers. As always, kids are invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop and participate in festive arts and crafts, visit with wintery holiday mascots, and much more.
KIND Winter Fair
When: December 7th and 8th from 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: RendezViews, 229 Richmond Street West, Toronto
KIND Winter Fairs coming to RendezViews this December, bringing the first-ever, cannabis-friendly holiday market to Toronto. Visitors can look forward to brand experiences, street food vendors, and local shops, making it the perfect place to pick up last-minute gifts and items for the holiday season, all while living the high life.
The Bay Holiday Windows
When: On now
Where: The Bay Downtown, Queen Street West
Holiday shoppers are invited to check out The Bay’s iconic holiday windows display along Queen Street. For more than 100 years, these holiday windows have been quintessential to the Toronto experience, however, this year, the historic display includes a digital extension, bringing an immersive experience to all of Canada. The annual window tradition will feature a new interactive augmented reality experience in Canada powered by Meta Spark tech. Canadians will be able to “transport” themselves digitally inside the windows from anywhere across the country by scanning a QR code.
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With the wacky weather these days, it’s hard to know whether or not we’ll be having a white Christmas… However, what you can 100% count on are our incredible light displays to get you in the holiday spirit (even with a potential lack of snow). Towering and massive installations can be found in more than one spot in Ontario, so don’t fret, there is more than likely a winter wonderland close enough that you don’t need to travel far.
Here are the best places to see spectacular Christmas lights in Ontario this year.
Winter Festival of Lights
If you thought Niagara Falls was just a summertime destination, think again. Every year for the past 39 years the Ontario Power Generation has been lighting up Niagara with the Winter Festival of Lights. Featuring amazing lighting displays in the Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands, and the surrounding tourist areas – this is Canada’s largest illumination festival! Entry to the event is free but donations can be made to support of the festival.
Christmas Panorama
Head to Wellington Park in Simcoe to see it get transformed into a winter wonderland. Take a stroll or jump on a horse-drawn trolley to see themed displays and thousands of lights starting on December 4 to January 2th, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy the small-town hospitality and break from the bustle of the city.
Parliament Hill
Get yourself to Parliament Hill to catch the winter lightscapes multimedia show that’ll be projected onto Parliament Hill’s Centre Block from December 8th, 2021 until January 7, 2022. The 15-minute loop is inspired by Canada’s nature, climate, and culture. In addition to the multimedia show, head to nearby Confederation Park to experience the 34th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada on December 8 for the illumination ceremony for free Beavertails, too!
Toronto Winter Village
Toronto’s most famous Christmas market in the Distillery District is a touch different this year. It’s now called the Toronto Winter Village, but it still has some of the best light displays in the city! Framed by historic buildings, the village isn’t only stunning but also boasts some of the most unique and fun holiday shopping with vendors and yummy food. Stroll around sipping a hot chocolate while taking in all the lights, including the 50-foot Christmas tree.
Winter Wonderland
Take a short trip North just outside of Toronto to Newmarket to experience its Winter Wonderland without the hustle and bustle of the city. The festival is only on for a handful of days left which is December 17, 23, and 30! Along with spectacular lights, attendees can also enjoy free skating, free hot chocolate, photo ops, and even a DJ.
Upper Canada Village
Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night festival is a true winter wonderland until January 1st. Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting. Over one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees, and fences of Upper Canada Village creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival – a true winter wonderland!
Lakeside Festival of the Lights
Head to Spencer Smith Park in Burlington to see the 60 magical lighting displays that make up the Lakeside Festival of the Lights. This event starting November 26 until January 8, 2022 is so festive, that it even has its own mascot, Twinkle, a huge and happy red star. It’s free to attend and is sure to be fun for all ages.
Bingemans Gift of Lights
Unlike many of the other festivals, the Gift of Lights in Kitchener is experienced entirely from the comfort of your car. This drive-thru event, from November 13 until January 9, 2022, takes you through two light tunnels and hundreds of displays. The entry fee is $25 per car and for an enhanced experience you can tune into the Gift of Lights Radio 103.3 FM.
Festival of Northern Lights
The Festival of Northern Lights in Owen Sound is a combination of classic rope lighting and painted displays with some newer interactive technologies as well. The over 300 displays can be viewed from a walking tour or if you’re looking to up the romance factor you can take a horse-drawn wagon.
Casa Loma
Experience all the magic of Casa Loma this December from the 15th until January 1st, 2022. The gardens will be lit up with enchanting light displays and feature an outdoor market and performances by the Casa Loma Holiday Orchestra. Toronto’s reigning superstar, Drake, attended last year, and if it’s good enough for Drake it’s good enough for us.
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Get ready for some holiday cheer! The Holiday Street Market is back and it’ll be returning this year for three full weeks.
The market is going to be located at the Scarborough Town Centre, at 300 Borough Drive, in a 40,000 square foot spot starting on December 3 until December 24.
There will be a ton of delicious food, fun rides, and all things Christmas. You’ll get to check out a marshmallow fire pit lounge, a hot cocoa bar, food trucks, and a maple syrup sugar shack.
Plus, there’s even a gorgeous walk-in Christmas tree that’s decked out with 50,000 twinkling lights where you can take the ultimate holiday photos—talk about a beautiful backdrop!
Also, if you’re looking for a unique gift for your loved ones, head on over to the artisan village that’ll have over 80 vendors to shop.
You can purchase tickets now which are $20 for adults and $15 for youth.
Don’t miss out on the Holiday Street Market this year for a one-stop-shop this holiday season full of festive fun!
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In the month leading up to the holidays, the city brings on the festive cheer! From beautiful Christmas trees and twinkling lights, to fun local markets and more, there is so much to discover across the GTA in December.
One event we’re particularly excited for is the Merry & Bright Square One Holiday Market.
On from now until December 24, the market can be found on level two, right next to UNIQLO.
Inside, you’ll be transported to a festive wonderland, complete with larger-than-life candy installations, an IKEA-sponsored DIY workshop, local vendors, and more.
Square One guests can also visit the market for parcel and coat check, as well as gift wrapping.
To free up your hands during your visit, parcel and coat check are complimentary. And once you’ve found all of your gifts, gift wrapping services are available by donation, with all proceeds going to Epilepsy South Central Ontario.
There are tons of fun experiences to be had for you and your family.
So don’t miss out on them! Snap a picture with a gingerbread house or under a candy cane arch, or take part in one of the workshops where you can DIY scrunchies, learn calligraphy, create your own gift cards, and more.
And don’t forget to snap your experience because you could win big!
While you’re there, share your Merry & Bright Square One Holiday Market experience and tag @shopsquareone on Instagram with the hashtag #thatONEmoment to be entered into a draw to win prizes like IKEA gift cards, Annie Sloan mini project packs, and a SMEG stand mixer, to name a few.
The market is plenty of fun for the holidays. Don’t believe us? Take a peek inside the Merry & Bright Square One holiday market below.
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While we’re sad that summer is officially over, there are plenty of exciting things to look forward to this fall and winter. From celebrating Halloween underwater at Ripley’s Aquarium to the annual Toronto Christmas Market, there are so many events worth leaving the house for — no matter how cold it gets!
And for those who love the holidays, the Toronto Christmas Market is just around the corner.
The Toronto Christmas Market will officially open on November 14, 2019.
Which means that you can take in all things holiday-related in less than a month! This year, the market will feature tons of live entertainment, vendors to peruse for gifts, and of course, plenty of food like German potato pancakes and more.
Just like in past years, from Tuesdays to Thursdays and Fridays until 6 p.m., entry into the festival is free of charge.
But if you’re thinking of hitting up the Toronto Christmas Market on a weekend, there is a fee involved to keep crowds at bay.
You can buy tickets online, which cost $8 in advance, $12 day-of, or $30 for a premium experience pass, which allows you to bypass the market’s entry and exclusive access into indoor warming lounges. There are also limited tickets available at the entrance day-of, but your best bet is to buy them online to guarantee entry! All proceeds from ticket entries go to charity.
This year, the good folks at Toronto Christmas Market are also giving visitors the chance to visit for free on the weekend.
You can get into the 2019 Toronto Christmas Market for free on the first two opening weekends.
On the weekends of November 15 to 16 and November 22 to 24, you can get free admission into the Toronto Christmas Market just by bringing in a donation of eight non-perishable food items. The food will go to the Daily Bread Food Bank, so you can feel extra good about your visit.
Visitors can drop off their canned goods at a donation bin outside of the Ticket Tent in exchange for admission — it’s a great way to spread the holiday cheer to those who need it most.
Head to tochristmasmarket.com for more information.
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Christmas might be more than a month away, but that doesn’t mean that Toronto’s waiting to get the city ready for the holidays. From Hudson’s Bay’s big window unveiling with Carly Rae Jepson and their decked out basement, to parades and light shows galore, there are tons of incredible options for getting into a wintery mood.
One Toronto tradition that can’t be missed is the Toronto Christmas Market, which officially opens to the public on Thursday, November 15. For those who don’t know, the market, which has been ranked one of the top holiday markets in the world, pops up each year in the Distillery District and transforms into Southern-Ontario’s version of the North Pole.
Instagram/@cirqos
This year, in addition to 40,000 twinkling lights and Instagram photo opportunities like the market’s 50-foot tree, the Christmas Market will feature a slew of daily musical entertainment on their outdoor stage with themes like bluegrass, world music, holiday jazz, pop, and instrumental, vocal, and choir ensembles. Not to mention, a daily interactive show dubbed, “Santa’s Elves Sing-Along” — something that’s sure to get kids and adults going. Check out their scheduled events to get the full picture.
Instagram/@shaunamichellle
For foodies, the Christmas Market is the place to get your feast on — just be sure to bring a warm pair of gloves to keep your fingers warm!
First time visitors have got to try the market’s classics: mulled wine and a traditional turkey leg. But if you’re looking to explore other options, there’s a vendor with offerings to suit everyone’s palettes.
This year on the roster, visitors can enjoy things new to the market like chocolate fondue, served under the canopy at Cluny Bistro; Boku Noodle Bar, which is open year ’round but will be decking their patio out with fire pits and lounge chairs; and butter and jerk chicken, which will be served at select cabins on the cobble streets. Other notable eateries making a return to the market include Wafel Bar, Tornado Potato, Eva’s Original Chimneys, and Raclette.
Instagram/@tastesbyjade
For those who like to get their drink on, well there’s not one, not two, but multiple adult-friendly areas for you to visit!
El Catrin will have a Tequila Terrace featuring cocktails by the Toronto-owned, Mexican-made brand, Tromba. The market will feature two areas dedicated to beer lovers: the Mill Street beer garden and the Winter Craft Beer Lounge. The latter will also be hosted on El Catrin’s patio.
Other spots to grab a drink with your holiday-loving family and friends include the Holiday Spirits Square on the Archeo Trattoria Patio, which will be sampling premium vodkas, brandy, and wines; the PMA Canada Holiday Lounge, which will serve up toasted coconut rum hot chocolate and cinnamon spiced eggnog on the Pure Spirits Oyster House patio; and the PMA Canada Wine Hut, located in front of Cluny Bistro, serving up — you guessed it — wine!
Instagram/@shaun_nie
Of course, a market wouldn’t be complete without a little shopping, so be sure to check out the Distillery District’s regular roster of shops while you make your way across the market. Not only is it a good way to warm up, but the stores are a great place to cross names off your holiday shopping lists, too.
For opening day, the market will hosting Opening Ceremonies starting at 6 p.m., with performances by Barbra Lica and Sharon Riley.
While the market is closed on Mondays, it’s completely free to visit Tuesday to Thursday, and Friday until 5 p.m. Weekend tickets can be purchased online and at the door for $6. Express passes, which let you jump the admission line, are $20 each.
Featured Image: Instagram/@veroailes