Who doesn’t love Christmas in Toronto? From looking the Hudson Bay Christmas home windows to ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto transforms right into a winter wonderland in the course of the vacation season. Now that we’ve got moved out of town, we love going into city much more to rejoice all the things town presents in the course of the Christmas season.
Christmas in Toronto
There are so many Christmas occasions in Toronto that you could spend each weekend main as much as the vacations doing one thing completely different. We’ve booked our annual Christmas present, made our purchasing checklist, and booked our resort to spend an evening in city for some vacation enjoyable. From historic markets to dazzling mild shows, town is brimming with festivities that cater to all ages. Here’s a complete information to the 30 finest Christmas occasions in Toronto.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is likely one of the hottest Christmas occasions in Toronto, attracting households from throughout the GTA and past. People come into town for this annual parade that has been going for 119 years! The Santa Claus Parade is the official begin of the vacation season in Toronto, and the streets are filled with revelers. The Santa Claus parade begins at Christie Pitts at Christie & Bloor at 12:30 tomorrow, November 25, 2023.
The Santa Claus Parade web site claims that a whole lot of hundreds of individuals hit the streets and tens of millions extra watch at residence. We’ve watched many a Santa Claus Parade in Toronto and at residence, so we consider it! The parade weaves by way of downtown through University to Wellington and ends on the St. Lawrence Market, the place you possibly can store for some Christmas bushes!
The Distillery Winter Village (Formerly Toronto Christmas Market)
I feel when the Distillery first started its Toronto Christmas Market custom, it was the primary place in town that jogged my memory of the Christmas Markets in Europe. During the vacation season, the Distillery Winter Village transforms the cobblestone streets of the previous Distillery district into a stunning winter wonderland of Christmas Markets and outside enjoyable.
The Toronto Christmas Market is likely one of the hottest Christmas occasions in Toronto and may get very crowded, particularly on Friday nights by way of to Sunday, so we suggest going in the course of the week earlier than 4 pm. Enjoy vacation spirits like mulled wine and scrumptious meals as you benefit from the festive cheer.
There is loads of purchasing on your vacation season items, and with microbreweries, eating places, and a fantastic setting, this is likely one of the not-to-miss Christmas Events in Toronto. The Distillery Winter Village is greater than only a market; it’s a festive vacation spot the place the spirit of Christmas in Toronto comes alive, bringing folks collectively for the vacation season.
The big Christmas tree at Trinity Square is adorned with hundreds of lights. Live music and performances add to the full of life environment, making the Distillery Winter Village a Christmas Market you don’t wish to miss.
The Village options an array of charming wood cabins providing distinctive crafts, artisanal items, and scrumptious culinary delights, making it an ideal spot for vacation purchasing and eating. And you possibly can catch a present on the Soulpepper Theatre.
Distillery Winter Village particulars
When: December 16, 2023 – January 7, 2024 (Closed Christmas Day) Opening hours from 10 am Ticketed entry after 4 pm
Casa Loma’s Christmas on the Castle and Holiday Lights Tour
Before transferring out of town, Dave and I lived a hop, skip, and soar from the beloved Casa Loma. Dave used to work usually in Casa Loma in Toronto’s movie business and sometimes turned that stunning fortress into a vacation scene. I even took half in a vacation present at Casa Loma as a music theatre performer again in the day. But that’s one other story.
Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma is a gothic-style fortress constructed in the early twentieth century by Sir Henry Pellatt. This majestic fortress has lengthy been a Toronto landmark with its towering spires and stylish gardens, and in the course of the Christmas season, they go all out. Castle Loma’s Christmas in the Castle is a fascinating place in the course of the vacation season. With reside music, carolers, and holiday-themed reveals, an evening at Casa Loma will fulfill your Christmas goals.
During the Holiday Lights Tour, the fortress and its grounds are illuminated with hundreds of colourful lights. One of the tour’s highlights is being greeted in the Great Hall by its big Christmas tree. Kids can go to Santa Claus and the fortress workshop to create arts and crafts. Casa Loma’s vacation spirit continues with fantastically adorned rooms and halls with eight different Christmas bushes moreover the 40-foot-tall tree in the Great Hall. The vacation decor, garlands, and lights mirror the grandeur of the early twentieth century and supply a glimpse into the fortress’s previous celebrations.
Casa Loma’s Christmas on the Castle and Holiday Lights Tour Details
When: December 2nd, 2023 – January sixth, 2024 9.30 am – 5 pm (final admission at 4.30 pm)
Nathan Phillips Square Cavalcade of Lights
When I consider Christmas in Toronto, Nathan Phillips Square will at all times be on the prime of my thoughts till it opens up; the Christmas season hasn’t really begun. Natha. Phillips Square is Toronto’s reply to the Rockefeller in New York, the place town’s official Christmas tree resides, and ice skaters benefit from the outside skating rink.
Throughout the vacation season, Nathan Phillips Square buzzes with many Toronto Christmas occasions and actions, together with the well-known Cavalcade of Lights, which marks the official begin of the vacation season in Toronto. This yr, the Nathan Phillips Square Cavalcade of Lights begins on November 25, 2023 (Tonight) and runs till January 7. Plus, it’s a free occasion! It has reside musical performances and a tree lighting ceremony kicking off the vacation occasions across the metropolis.
The ice skating, the array of occasions, and the seasonal decorations make Nathan Phillips Square the right place to kick of your Christmas season in Toronto.
Nathan Phillips Square Cavalcade of Lights Details
When: November 25, 2023 – January 7 Location: Nathan Phillips Square Highlights: Cavalcade of Lights, ice skating, Christmas market
Holiday Fair in the Square
Formerly positioned at Nathan Philips Square, the Holiday Fair in the Square is occurring at Mel Lastman Square in the course of the festive season. It’s becoming the Christmas occasions in Toronto have moved uptown. More and extra individuals are residing north of the 401.
The Holiday Fair In the Square is returning to Mel Lastman Square in North York, and each nook is full of vacation cheer and festive surprises.
This yr, the Holiday Fair is bursting with distinctive choices, from artisan and meals distributors presenting their one-of-a-kind creations to the spirited Polar Point Bar, set outdoor for that excellent winter contact. Treat your self to seasonal favorites like Mulled Wine, Hot Apple Cider, and wealthy, creamy Hot Chocolate, excellent for these crisp winter evenings.
The complete household will love the roaming performers and a comfortable fireplace lounge that invitations you to unwind and soak in the festive environment. Plus, a go to to Santa’s Village is a should.
Holiday Fair in the Square particulars
When: December 1 to December 23 (closed on Mondays) Location: Mel Lastman Square Highlights: Pop up bar, Santa’s Village, Christmas market
The Christmas Tree at CF Toronto the Eaton Centre
No Christmas in Toronto could be full with out Christmas purchasing on the Eaton Centre. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre at Dundas Square is Toronto’s premier purchasing vacation spot. It is the epicenter of Toronto Holiday Events with outside performances and vacation decorations. But nothing compares to the large Christmas tree on the mall’s heart. After taking a yr off, Canada’s tallest Christmas tree has returned. There are day by day mild reveals from November sixteenth – December 31, full with music and snow!
Walking by way of the Eaton Centre immediately places you in the vacation temper with Christmas decorations and Christmas mild shows. Besides the Christmas tree, there may be additionally an enormous reindeer to admire. So put in your favorite ugly Christmas sweater or Santa Hat and make your to the mall, hanging out on the Eaton Centre actually is a lot enjoyable!
Holiday Magic in Bloor-Yorkville
Speaking of Christmas Shopping, Bloor-Yorkville is the very best. We used to reside in Yorkville and have watched it remodel all through the years. In one in every of Toronto’s most prestigious neighborhoods, Yorkville does its vacation decorations proper, with Christmas lights adorning the streets and reworking the realm right into a luminous winter paradise; Christmas in Toronto in Yorkville is Euro-chic.
Renowned for its upscale boutiques and high-end retailers, the neighborhood presents a novel vacation purchasing expertise enhanced by festive decorations and a cheerful vacation environment. Adding to the attract, the realm hosts numerous seasonal occasions and performances, making it a hub for each luxurious purchasing and cultural festivities. We beloved taking a night stroll in the course of the Christmas season to benefit from the neighborhood’s vacation lights.
Location: Bloor-Yorkville. November twenty fifth is the official opening and tree. The occasion is Free! Highlights: Christmas decorations, illuminated bushes alongside Bloor Street Why Visit: A stylish and stylish Christmas expertise with upscale purchasing.
Fairmont Royal York
Toronto’s historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel is the Grand Dame of Toronto Hotels, and anybody can go inside for a glance. Connected to the PATH, it’s simple to get to. Plus, it presents an array of pop-up occasions and gorgeous decorations, making it a must-visit vacation vacation spot. These embody festive afternoon teas, the place patrons can indulge in seasonal treats and teas in a lavishly adorned setting. The pop-up occasions usually characteristic distinctive themes, showcasing the inventive spirit of the vacation season.
Upon coming into the Fairmont Royal York, the foyer turns into a spectacle of vacation splendor with a towering Christmas tree, adorned with twinkling lights and stylish ornaments.
In conserving with the season of giving, the Fairmont Royal York usually hosts vacation markets that includes native artisans. These markets are a fantastic alternative for company to seek out distinctive items and assist native companies, including allure to the resort’s Christmas choices.
Pop Up Bars
Speaking of pop-up Christmas occasions, when the vacation season comes round, so do the vacation pop-up bars, the place eating places and bars remodel their venues to holiday-themed bars. From themed Christmas drinks to fantastically adorned venues, these pop-up bars are excellent Christmas occasions in Toronto for adults. Enjoy festive cocktails surrounded by Christmas cheer along with your finest buddies.
Popular pop-up bars taking place in Toronto for 2023 embody:
Miracle Toronto, positioned 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 Gigglewater Holiday bar
Candlelight Concerts in Toronto
One of the coolest things to do in at Christmas in Toronto is to find one of the Candlelight Concerts around the city. Candlelight concerts are in 100 cities worldwide, and during the holiday season, Toronto’s Candlelight live shows tackle a festive theme with numerous live shows, together with Charlie Brown Christmas, The Nutcracker, and extra. Do one thing distinctive this vacation season and take a look at one in every of these Toronto Christmas occasions on their web site. Toronto Candlelight Christmas occasions.
Location: Various venues Highlights: Themed performances by classically-trained musicians Why Visit: Enjoy the heat of candlelit live shows, providing a serene musical retreat.
Stackt Market Holiday Hills
Stackt Market in Toronto provides a definite taste to town’s Christmas vacation season, inviting guests to expertise the vacations in North America’s largest transport container market. Get into the festive spirit from November 17 – December 31. Holiday Hills creates a magical night for the winter season with festive meals and festive cocktails. There is the Disco Mistletoe, hearth pits, s’mores kits and sizzling chocolate, warming huts, and a 20 foot tall Christmas tree.
Stackt Market presents a up to date twist on conventional Christmas markets just like the Distillery Winter Village, making it a must-visit vacation spot in Toronto’s Christmas season.
When: November 17 – December 31 Location: Bathurst and Front Why Visit:
Catch a Holiday Musical
Toronto has a unbelievable music theater scene, and all the vacation productions are in full swing. Several venues round Toronto have particular vacation performances. Check out Roy Thompson Hall for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra enjoying Holiday on the Pops. The Princess of Wales Theater has holiday-themed performances. We are heading into Toronto subsequent week to see The Illusionists. Scotia Bank Theatre has the annual efficiency of the Trans Siberian Orchestra enjoying. This yr it’s the Ghosts of Christmas Eve.
The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada
Oh, The Nutcracker. It has been a staple of Toronto Christmas Events for so long as I can bear in mind. My household used to go on a regular basis and at this time it continues as an enchanted Christmas custom for the following era. It actually is a superb present! The National Ballet of Canada has a few of the most interesting dancers on earth and it is a fantastic introduction for youths with its non cease dancing, magical costumes and staging and festive spirit.
Location: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Highlights: Iconic Christmas ballet efficiency Why Visit: Experience a timeless vacation custom by way of breathtaking dance.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts
I was an usher at Roy Thompson Hall and the Christmas Season was at all times my favorite as a result of the vacation live shows started. This yr there are some enjoyable live shows from Sleeping Beauty to Home Alone in Concert. The Toronto Christmas Events maintain going by way of to the vacations with The Messiah, The Tenors, The TSO Holiday Pops, and an Andrean Christmas the place the scholars of St. Andrew’s College current a magical night of leisure. Nothing says Christmas like going to a Christmas live performance.
Location: Roy Thomson Hall Highlights: Festive music performances Why Visit: Enjoy traditional vacation tunes carried out by world-class musicians.
Lace on the Skates
Nothing says vacation enjoyable like ice skating and there are many outside arenas in Toronto. Everyone is aware of that Nathan Phillips Square is the ice skating rink for vacationers in the course of the Christmas season in Toronto. It’s central, it’s simple, there are skate leases, at evening, there are stunning mild shows. But it might get crowded. So take a look at a number of different unbelievable locations.
The Bentway
The Bentway is a 220 meter lengthy skating that’s positioned beneath the Gardiner Expressway. There is a bar to seize some sizzling chocolate and skate leases can be found.
Evergreen Brickworks
Located simply off the DVP, the Evergreen Brickworks is a superb place for the vacations, plus there may be an out of doors skating rink.
Union Station
Make your approach to Union Station for a Toronto Christmas skate exterior. Skate in the center of the motion and it’s free! There can also be a free skate rental program and loads of locations for foods and drinks. You may even rejoice some festive nights with its DJ skate nights.
Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail at College Park
Located proper downtown a cease at College Park not solely is a should for Toronto Christmas purchasing and eating, however there’s a unbelievable skate path that’s formed in an oval. For non-Canadians, Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail was a darling of Canada in the course of the 1948 Olympics when she received gold in determine skating.
Toronto Christmas Events Outside the City
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
Did I ever let you know I labored at Canada’s Wonderland for 4 years? It will not be positioned in Toronto correct, however Canada’s Wonderland has upped the ante on the subject of discovering issues to do at Christmas in Toronto. During the festive season,
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland is a seasonal extravaganza that transforms one in every of Toronto’s hottest amusement parks into a wide ranging winter paradise, highlighting town’s Christmas occasions. As guests enter this magical realm, they’re surrounded by tens of millions of shimmering lights and gorgeous vacation shows, setting the scene for an unforgettable festive journey. The park presents an array of sights, together with ice skating on Snowflake Lake, reside vacation reveals, and interactive household actions, all beneath the mesmerizing glow of Christmas lights.
With its uniquely themed areas, every nook of WinterFest presents a brand new and enchanting expertise, from the charming Christmas village to the exhilarating holiday-themed rides. Visitors may indulge in seasonal treats and heat drinks, including to the comfy and merry ambiance.
Location: Canada’s Wonderland Highlights: Theme park reworked with lights, skating rinks, festive actions Why Visit: A distinctive theme park expertise with a vacation twist.
Black Creek Pioneer Village Christmas by Lamplight
Black Creek Pioneer Village is positioned an hour exterior of Toronto and is a Christmas vacation spot that can take you again in time to Nineteenth-century Canadian life,
Its meticulously restored buildings, costumed interpreters, and interactive workshops make it a enjoyable place for the entire household. There are loads of Christmas actions happening in this winter wonderland of festive enjoyable. From December 2 to December 23, youngsters can go to Santa in the Village on Saturdays and Sundays. Families may take pleasure in Festive Nights on the village in the course of the Christmas season with reside leisure, vacation treats, {and professional} storytelling.
Location: Black Creek Pioneer Village Highlights: Historical Christmas expertise, lamplight excursions Why Visit: Step again and luxuriate in Christmas in a Nineteenth-century setting.
York Durham Heritage Railway
Located in Uxbridge, the York Durham Heritage Railway is a should for households. Take the youngsters to this annual occasion, the place you’ll hop aboard a fantastically adorned prepare to the North Pole! There are conductor Elves, taking you to satisfy Santa Claus.
You’ll be capable of choose up some final minute Christmas purchasing and luxuriate in some sizzling chocolate whereas moving into the festive spirit.
Date: November twenty fifth – December twenty first Location: York-Durham Heritage Railway, Uxbridge
Merry Christmas
There are so many occasions taking place in Toronto; we may go on and on, and, hey, as we discover out extra, we simply may! Check again to see what’s new as we proceed by way of the vacation season. The Christmas season is simply starting!
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