Christmas is around the corner, and like always, Toronto is all set to dazzle its residents with its extravagant charm. The markets are already decorated, and events have begun for the Christmas festival in Toronto. It is so sparkly that even the thick snow of the country fails to fade it! Toronto is one of the best cities to visit during the Christmas season for a reason. It has a great Christmas market for yummy food and cool decorations. People love the city’s light, and Santa shows up around the corner. This blog is about all the fun Christmas things to do in Toronto.
Toronto Christmas Market (Distillery Winter Village)
The Distillery Winter Village is the biggest Christmas market in Toronto. The market started on November 16, 2023, and is taking place till January 7, 2024. It is from 10 am till 9 at night. Shoppers can find clothes, Christmas decor, gifts, and products from local businesses like soaps, candles, jewellery and so much more. 85+ local vendors are catering to fulfilling the wish lists of the visitors, 16 booths catering to Christmas shoppers and 27 food stalls and bars.
There is a 56- foot tall Christmas tree by Christian Dior. Click photos with 7 feet tall snow people, special photo opps for you and your dog,3-D, life-sized greeting cards, vintage Christmas card photo wall on Case Goods Lane, Santa’s Tower of Toys on the Pure Spirits Patio, canopy lights, Santa’s sleigh and the Big Heart. You can catch Santa with elves roaming the crowd and entertaining the attendees. One of the most entertaining Christmas events in the distillery is the Candy Cane Forest..
You can sing along to your favourite Christmas carols and Countdown to Christmas with the Candy Cane carolers. You can see musicians and local artists perform at the venue. The Wish Cabin allows you to buy stars, on which you can write your wish and hang it on the Wish Tree. To know more about the Distillery Winter Village, you can visit https://www.thedistillerywintervillage.com/
Holiday Hills in Stackt Market
Stackt market is an open market and event space. Holiday Hills festival is a free Christmas market in Toronto to celebrate the festive season. Starting from November 17, 2023, till December 31, 2023, Holiday Market is full of Christmas activities, outstanding food and drinks, Christmas goods by small business owners, a 120 foot Tunnel of Lights with stunning city views and 40 foot long Wish Wall for all of your holiday hopes.
BMO Stackt is organising Weekly free live music nights, Family Funday Sundays, vendor markets, community led events and more that are yet to be announced. Visit the Speakeasy Whiskey Bar to experience live music by local artists. Christmas in Toronto is taken a step ahead because of the immersive photo experience with Santa, Disco Mistletoe and a 20 foot tall holiday tree in the marketplace.
Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest
The Winterfest is everyone’s favourite Christmas event in Toronto. The Winterfest started on November 17th and is till January 6th in parkwide, Vaughan. It’s famous for Winterfest and ice skating on Snow Flake Lake. Live music, rides, festive food and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Winterfest includes several live shows like Have fun ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus, and writing letters at the North Pole Post Office. Enjoy unique experiences like renting your own igloo, exploring the Northern Starlight Tunnel, and meeting the Peanuts at Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot.
Christmas at Nathan Phillips Square
The Toronto Christmas events & holiday festivities at Nathan Phillips Square begin on December 2, 2023, and are till December 23, 2023. Nathan Phillips Square tends to get busy during this time of the year due to the Cavalcade of Lights, Holiday Fair and the ice skating rink.
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Cavalcade of Lights
The tradition of the Cavalcade of Lights is 50 years old. Every year the lighting of the energy-efficient lights mark the start of Christmas festivities. This is the best place to see Christmas lights in Toronto. There is live music, fireworks, and circus performances throughout the celebration. This year Epilepsy Toronto is partnering for the Cavalcade of Lights.
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Holiday Fair
The Holiday Fair is a must-visit Christmas market in Toronto. Fair houses artisan markets where small businesses sell their products. Some of the stores are perfect for your Christmas shopping. Visit the Polar Point Bar for some season-themed cocktails. Fairs are the paradise of fried food. Food trucks are lined up for you to try as much holiday food as you can. You can witness incredible entertainers lining up at the Square just to perform for you. Santa’s here from the North Pole just to meet you. Santa is available Tuesday to Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 1 pm to 9 pm. To heighten your Christmas spirit there are rides at the Square for you to enjoy.
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Ice Skating Rink
Nathan Phillips’ ice skating rink is everyone’s favourite. If you like to skate, make your way to Nathan Phillips Square to thoroughly have a blast this holiday season.
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Christmas Lights Walking Tour
Bundle up and join the Xmas light tour for a night of sparkling lights and dazzling connections at Nathan Phillips Square. The tour will conclude at a restaurant for mingling.
Northern Lights in Toronto
Northern Lights is a fairly new Christmas event in Toronto. This Christmas fair is spread over 80,000 square feet. The holiday event is for every member of the family. There are various options for Christmas shopping, humongous decorations and toys, delectable festive food. There would be tons of photo and video opportunities near the 25 ft. illuminated Christmas tree. Santa promises to visit from December 1 to December 25. Mr Grinch will pay a visit from December 26 to January 8. You can take part in Christmas games while jamming to your favourite carols. Make your way through the resplendent immersive 41 feet-light tunnel. Don’t forget to wander off in the Christmas tree forest.
Casa Loma’s Castle and Christmas Lights
Visit Casa Loma for a magical Christmas time. The lights at the castle and the 40 feet high Christmas tree in Great Hall would instantly put a smile on your face. There are two events in the castle- Christmas Castle and Holiday Lights Tour. The organisers have prepared many activities for kids and adults. The lit castle will leave you in awe. For kids, Santa has special activities planned in his workshop. The event will be hosted between December 2nd, 2023 to January 6th, 2024.
Holiday Light Display at Yorkville Village
To experience the wondrous Christmas lights in Toronto, visit the Holiday Light Display at Yorkville Village. If you want to enjoy a free event after a long day or week, grab a beverage and walk through the beautiful tunnel of lights and destress. While you are there check out the famous Yorkville Christmas tree. You can enjoy a live performance by Matt Dusk with a special guest, Barbra Lica.
Winter Flower Show At Allan Gardens
The Allan Gardens Festival commenced on December 2 and runs until January 9, 2024. The event is free and operates during regular hours (10 am-5 pm) and extends until 7 pm on December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23. The entire conservatory is decorated and filled with thousands of flowering plants. Showcasing over 30 varieties of poinsettias and seasonal topiary masterpieces made entirely from plant material, this place is a must. Various flowers are in bloom during this time at the Allan Garden Conservatory.
Santa Clause Parade in Toronto
Another aged tradition of the Christmas festival in Toronto is the Santa Clause Parade. The first Santa Parade took place in 1905. Every year a large crowd gathers to witness Mr and Mrs Clause. Kids love to see their heroes waving back at them. The parade starts at Christie Pitts and ends at Lakeshore Road. The duration of the parade is two hours. Post parade, visit other holiday fairs and festivals taking place in Toronto downtown.
Christmas-Themed Bars and Cocktail Lounges in Toronto
As soon as Thanksgiving is over in October, Canada gets into its Christmas spirit. Mid-November is when Christmas festivities start in Canada. Bars and cocktail lounges are painted red white and green. So is their menu. The following are the bars and lounges that have the most popular Christmas settings.
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- Miracle Toronto, located at 875 Bloor St. W,
- Little Sister‘s Java Jingle Holiday Bar – 102 Portland St. and 2031 Yonge St.
- The Thirsty Elf at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel
- Project Giggle Water Holiday Bar
Frosty Musicals
Toronto has great holiday music shows happening. Check out
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- Roy Thomson Hall for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra playing “Holiday at the Pops.”
- The Princess of Wales Theater has festive performances like “The Illusionists.”
- Scotia Bank Theatre hosts the annual Trans Siberian Orchestra playing “Ghosts of Christmas Eve.”
Nutcracker Ballet by The National Ballet of Canada
The Nutcracker Ballet by The National Ballet of Canada is a cherished Toronto Christmas tradition hosted at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. This enchanting performance, filled with nonstop dancing, magical costumes, and a festive spirit, will staple you in the moment. The National Ballet of Canada showcases some of the finest dancers globally, making it an excellent introduction for children to ballet.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall
On another festive note, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall bring joy to the season. This year’s lineup includes Sleeping Beauty, Home Alone in Concert, The Messiah, The Tenors, The TSO Holiday Pops, and an Andrean Christmas presented by the students of St. Andrew’s Andrew’s College. Attending a Christmas concert is a delightful way to embrace the holiday spirit.
You May Also Read :
| Casa Loma Christmas | All About Casa Loma Christmas |
| Mississauga Christmas Events | Christmas Event in Mississauga |
| Santa Claus Parade in Toronto | Tips For Visiting The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto |
| Mississauga Festival of Trees | Guide To Mississauga Festival of Trees |
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Visit the Distillery Winter Village, Northern Lights in Toronto, Yorkville village and One-of-a-Kind Show.
Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest is one of the best theme parks in the country. Winterfest offers festive activities, food and rides for people of all ages.
The best Christmas lights in Toronto are at Northern Lights and Holiday Light Village at Yorkville.
Queen Street West looks the prettiest due to Hudson’s bay five-window display.
Yes, the Santa Clause parade is related to Christmas. What are the best places to visit Christmas lights Toronto?
Why is Canada's Wonderland WinterFest famous?
Where are the best Christmas lights in Toronto?
Which is the prettiest street in Toronto during Christmas?
Is the Santa Claus parade in Toronto related to Christmas?
