It is finally the time of the year when trees are put up, houses are lit, hot chocolate has replaced the evening beverages and Santa is checking the final gift list. Christmas is just around the corner and Toronto is shining as bright as ever. The events have already started for the Christmas festival in Toronto. If snowfall doesn’t put people in Christmas lights Toronto, spirits, events, shows and Toronto Christmas market eventually will.
Toronto is one of the best cities to visit during the Christmas season. Christmas markets in Toronto are famous for delicious Christmas food, booths selling trinkets and other decorations, and Christmas-themed toys and clothes. Light shows in various places in Toronto are peoples’ favourites. Since it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, there are tons of Christmas things to do in Toronto. Given below are a few must-experience Toronto Christmas events.
Toronto Christmas Market (Distillery Winter Village)
The Distillery Winter Village is the biggest Christmas market in Toronto. The market started on November 17, 2022, and is taking place till December 31, 2022. It is from 10 am till 10 at night. Shoppers can find clothes, Christmas decor, gifts, and products from local businesses like soaps, candles, jewellery and so much more. 65+ local vendors are catering to fulfilling the wish lists of the visitors, 12 booths catering to Christmas shoppers and 25 food stalls and bars.
There is a 51- foot tall Christmas tree by Christian Dior Parfums. Click photos with 7 feet tall snow people, 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 Gingerbread people Hunt. 12 gingerbread people are adorning Christmas hats. If you find one, click a selfie and post it on @distilleryto and @distillery and have a chance to win a $100 worth e-gift card. You can sing along to your favourite Christmas carols 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 18, 2022, till December 31, 2022, Holiday Market is full of Christmas activities, outstanding food and drinks, Christmas goods by small business owners, a crokicurl arena and a gigantic Ferris wheel.
BMO Stackt is organising workshops like puppy yoga, pottery glazing, DIY lotion making, candle making, and Christmas ornaments making to name a few. Other activities include a wellness ground which is purely a spiritual event including saunas, cold plunges, breathwork, and other exclusive member events. Visit the Blue Brewery on Fridays to experience live music by local artists. Christmas in Toronto is taken a step ahead because of the immersive photo experience with Santa, Puppy Sleigh and Disco Mistletoe.
Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest
The Winterfest is everyone’s favourite Christmas event in Toronto. The Winterfest started on November 18th and is till December 30th. Canada’s Wonderland is a theme park. It is famous for its Halloween Haunts and Winterfest. Live music, rides, festive food and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
Winterfest includes several live shows like Peanut’s guide to Christmas, Tinker’s Toy Factory, and Holly Jolly Trolley, among others. The Lazy Bear Lounge is the place for epicures to treat themselves to Christmas food. Since it is a theme park, Winterfest also has unique rides for kids and adults.
Christmas at Nathan Phillips Square
The Toronto Christmas events & holiday festivities at Nathan Phillips Square begin on December 2, 2022, and are till December 23, 2022. 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ice Skating Rink
Nathan Phillips’ ice skating rink is everyone’s favorite. If you like to skate, make your way to Nathan Phillips Square to thoroughly have a blast this holiday season.
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, and tons of photo and video opportunities. Santa promises to visit from December 1 to December 25. Mr Grinch will pay a visit from December 26 to December 31. You can take part in Christmas games while jamming to your favourite carols. Make your way through the resplendent immersive 30 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 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.
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. Currently, there is a Christmas-themed flower festival (Fleurs de Villes) going on at Yorkville Village.
Allan Gardens Christmas by Candlelight
The Allan Gardens Festival commenced on December 4. The exhibition is up until January 8, 2023. The candlelight viewing takes place on Saturday and Sunday between 5 pm to 7 pm. The Christmas Flower show is a must-attend at the Allan Gardens. A variety of flowers are in bloom during this time at the Allan Garden Conservatory. The amalgamation of thousands of flowers in the candlelight is not a site you want to miss.
Hudson’s Bay Holiday Windows
For the last 100 years Queen Street West has displayed Christmas-themed decor. Hudson’s Bay Holiday Window watching is one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Toronto. The display is spread over 5 windows and is adored by the passerby.
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.
- Miracle on Bloor Street
- The Thirsty Elf at the Fairmont Royal York
- Java Jingle Holiday Bar
- Mistletoes & Margaritas
More Christmas Events Beyond Toronto
Christmas Festivities beyond Toronto are worth exploring. A few of the events which you need to visit in other parts of Canada are-
- Christmas events are Niagara are quite famous. The Christmas market in Niagara falls downtown is the biggest in the area.
- Kitchener has a large German population. Therefore, Kitchener Market has a large visitor population. You have more than 100 options to shop from at the Kitchener Market.
- Ottawa Christmas Market has over 35 shops for Christmas shopping, amazing food options and handicrafts.
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?
