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13 Best Holiday Events in Toronto

13 Best Holiday Events in Toronto

Looking for some fun and festive Christmas events and activities in Toronto to attend this holiday season?

The holidays are one of my favourite times of the year here in the city – from ice skating under the stars to sipping hot apple cider at festive markets, there are just so many fun and wintery Toronto holiday events and activities!

It also makes me so excited to see glittering lights and decorations across the city – everything is just so darn jolly and cute.

Maybe the Canadian winter weather isn’t so bad with all the festive cuteness going on…

Holiday season at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario

While there are tons of great Toronto Christmas events, today I’ll be sharing my absolute favourite things to do whenever the winter season rolls around.

Here are some of the best Toronto holiday events, markets, and festivals to visit during the Christmas season!

Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!

More things to do in Toronto

If you’re looking for more festive things to do this Christmas, you might enjoy these posts:


Best Christmas events & activities in Toronto


Distillery Winter Village at the Toronto Distillery District

Distillery Winter Village at the Distillery District

The holiday season isn’t complete without a visit to the Toronto Christmas Market, which is now called the Distillery Winter Village!

Located in the adorable Distillery District (where there are so many fun things to do), there are tons of festive decorations and delicious holiday eats.

Enjoy internationally-inspired eats, sip on some hot apple cider, and do a little holiday shopping at all the unique vendors.

Christmas in the Distillery District
Christmas in the Distillery District
Distillery Winter Village at the Distillery District in Toronto

Or, hit up one of the many local restaurants in the Distillery District neighbourhood like Cluny (for French cuisine) or Boku (for Japanese eats).

It’s best to explore the Distillery Winter Village in the evening to enjoy all the dazzling holiday lights, but it’s also really nice to visit during the day as well!

Distillery Winter Village at the Toronto Distillery District
The Distillery Winter Village is nice to visit during the day as well.

The Distillery Winter Village is happening everyday from now through December 31st (except for Christmas Day, when it’ll be closed).

Tickets (starting at $15 plus tax) are also required for entry Friday through Saturday after 4 PM, but it’s a free event otherwise.

It’s a staple Christmas event that every Toronto person does at least once a year!

DATES: Now until December 31st, 2023


Christmas decorations at the Toronto Eaton Centre

Get festive at the Toronto Eaton Centre

Get at least some of your holiday gift shopping done while you’re at the Eaton Centre.

Let’s be real – who really gets it all done before the last week leading up to Christmas?

After you’ve done your gift shopping, head on over to the centre of the mall to see live music performed by local artists, be mesmerized by the magical indoor snowfalls, and meet Santa!

The Eaton Centre is host to Canada’s tallest Christmas tree, which sits at 108 feet tall of glimmering glory.

LOCATION: 220 Yonge St, Toronto, ON


Holiday Magic in Toronto's Yorkville

Holiday Magic in Yorkville

Every year, the Bloor-Yorkville BIA kicks off the holiday season with Holiday Magic, an annual community concert in support of the Canadian Foundation for Aids Research.

And for the rest of the year, the Yorkville neighbourhood gets decked out in dazzling holiday lights and decorations.

You can even make it a productive visit and get some of your holiday shopping done along Yorkville, then check out one of the best restaurants in Yorkville!

You can also catch traditional carollers strolling and singing their way through Yorkville on Friday and weekend afternoons to bring you all the festive cheer.

DATES: Now until December 31st, 2023


Holiday season at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario

Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square

The Cavalcade of Lights is back at Nathan Phillips Square, and it’s the perfect excuse to go skating under all the pretty holiday lights adorning the square.

The square turns into a sparkling winter wonderland, with pretty lighting installations and artwork for you to enjoy.

Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

Afterwards, you can hit up one of the many amazing restaurants on Queen Street, arguably the best shopping and dining street in all of Toronto!

DATE: Now until January 7, 2024

LOCATION: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON


Holiday Fair in the Square at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

Holiday Fair in the Square

Holiday Fair in the Square is an annual event that’s sort of like a holiday market combined with a winter carnival.

It used to be held at Nathan Phillips Square, but you can now find it at Mel Lastman Square in North York.

From one-of-a-kind gifts at the Artisan Marketplace to delicious eats from Toronto’s best food trucks, the Holiday Fair in the Square is a super cute festive market to visit.

You’ll find some unique vendors selling things like cotton candy art and holiday-themed bubble tea drinks!

They even have a ferris wheel and carousel, for kids or adults to enjoy.

Holiday Fair in the Square at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

There’s also a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree for all your Instagram photo needs, and Santa will be visiting on weekends for more photo opps.

Holiday Fair in the Square at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

The fair itself is completely free to visit, and it’s open everyday except December 4th, 7th, and 11th.

The whole event is in partnership with Epilepsy Toronto, and a portion of the proceeds of the fair goes towards supporting Epilepsy Toronto services!

DATES: Now until December 23rd, 2023

LOCATION: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON


Shop local at the Toronto Art Crawl

Shop from over 120 local artists and vendors at the second annual Toronto Art Crawl.

You’ll find everything from art, to jewelry, to candles, and you can even enjoy mulled wine and plenty of holiday treats.

Check it out December 16th from 12-5 PM at the Grand Bizarre!

DATE: December 16th, 2023

LOCATION: 15 Saskatchewan Rd, Toronto, ON


Shop more local at the TIS THE SZN Holiday Market

This adorable holiday market on Queen West is happening every weekend from now through December 23rd.

It’s the perfect spot to shop locally-made and handcrafted goods, from candle ornaments, to stationary, to vintage clothing.

You can shop from over 45 unique small businesses across two storeys, so there’s plenty to see!

The event is also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends.

DATES: Now until December 23rd, 2023

LOCATION: 938 Queen St W, Toronto, ON


Watch the Santa Claus Parade

The Santa Claus Parade draws in crowds and crowds of families every year, but you’ll never be too old to watch it!

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade begins at Christie Pits Park and ends at St. Lawrence Market.

It’s already happened this year, but be sure to keep it on your radar for next year!

Don’t forget to bring a warm hat, your ugliest holiday sweater, and a hot drink – it gets pretty dang chilly out there.

If you can’t make it in person, you can also watch it live on CTV.

Fun fact: the Santa Claus Parade has been happening annually since 1905 – it’s been almost 120 years!


Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario

WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland

Get all of the festive feels at WinterFest, where you can enjoy holiday lights, ice skating, and live entertainment.

They have millions of twinkling lights and hundreds of Christmas trees throughout the entire park, and it’s literally a winter wonderland!

Peep it out from now until December 31st, with tickets starting at $29.99.

Canada’s Wonderland is located north of Toronto, up in Vaughan, but it’s definitely one of the GTA’s most beloved attractions!

Like a lot of kids in the GTA, I grew up going to Wonderland, and I have so many fond memories with my friends and family.

DATES: Now until January 6, 2024

LOCATION: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr, Vaughan, ON


One of a Kind Winter Show at the Enercare Centre in Toronto

One of a Kind Winter Show at the Enercare Centre

The annual One of a Kind Winter Show is the perfect spot to get all of your holiday shopping one and done.

You can shop locally-made goods and unique gifts from over 800 makers and artisans from across Canada!

One of a Kind Show at the Enercare Centre, Toronto
One of a Kind Show at the Enercare Centre, Toronto
One of the over 800 vendors at the One of a Kind Show.
One of a Kind Show at the Enercare Centre, Toronto

Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for students, and GO Transit even offers discounted combo tickets if you’re coming from outside of the city.

This bi-annual event (also happens in the spring) is held at the massive Enercare Centre, and you’ll definitely need at least one day to fully explore the whole marketplace!

The winter show has already passed, but keep an eye out for the spring show happening in March!

You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so be sure to wear some good walking shoes!

LOCATION: 100 Princes’ Blvd Unit 1, Toronto, ON


The Thirsty Elf at Fairmont Royal York

The Fairmont Royal York has a holiday-themed popup every year, and you can check out The Thirsty Elf from now through December 22nd!

Enjoy fun and festive cocktails like their Gin-gle All the Way and Let It Smoke, Let It Smoke, Let It Smoke, or enjoy spirit-free drinks made using Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits.

It’s open every Thursday through Saturday from 5 PM to 11 PM, and they’re only allowing walk-ins with a 1-hour seating time.

Don’t forget to take a walk down Gingerbread Lane while you’re at the Fairmont – it’s made up of real gingerbread and candy and smells like sweets heaven!

DATES: Now until December 22nd, 2023

LOCATION: 100 Front St W, Toronto, ON


Christmas cocktail from Miracle Toronto holiday popup bar
Photo by Miracle Toronto

Miracle Toronto on Bloor St.

If festive cocktails are your thing, you’ll fa-la-love Miracle Toronto.

You can snap some cute holiday pics for the ‘Gram and sip on holiday-inspired classic cocktails at this adorable popup cocktail bar, which pops up in different locations of the city each year.

Take note that there is a $5 cover fee for entry now, and they only allow walk-ins!

$1 of every drink sold will be donated to Nellie’s Shelter, an incredible organization that provides shelter, education, and advocacy for women and children in the GTA.

Miracle is open 7 days a week from now through December 30th!

DATES: Now until December 30th, 2023

LOCATION: 875 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON


Christmas in the Financial District

See all the holiday decorations in Downtown Toronto

Downtown Toronto is filled with glittering lights and festive decorations during this time of year, and it’s absolutely stunning to see!

It’s so much fun to walk around and enjoy all the pretty decorations all across the city during the holiday season in Toronto.

Christmas decorations at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel always has stunning holiday decorations and displays.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Also in front of the Fairmont Royal York.

The Fairmont Royal York Hotel is one of the best spots to see holiday decorations – they deck out their front windows in festive displays during the holidays!

You can also make your way up from the Financial District towards the Eaton Centre, where you can peep out the pretty holiday window displays at the Hudson’s Bay.


Christmas events & activities in Toronto to check out this holiday season:

  1. Distillery Winter Village
  2. Eaton Centre
  3. Holiday Magic in Yorkville
  4. Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square
  5. Holiday Fair in the Square
  6. Toronto Art Crawl at The Great Hall
  7. TIS THE SZN Holiday Market
  8. Santa Claus Parade
  9. WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
  10. One of a Kind Winter Show
  11. The Thirsty Elf at Fairmont Royal York
  12. Miracle Toronto
  13. Decorations in the Financial District

The holidays are a great time to be in the city, and you’ll find a lot more Toronto Christmas events and activities than what’s on this list.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate!

And if you’re lookin’ to spend a lot of time chillin’ at home this holiday season, you can cozy up to some holiday movies on Netflix or Prime Video.

You can even build some DIY gingerbread houses or open up some advent calendars while you’re enjoying all the cheesy holiday movies!

Will you be kicking off the festive season at any of these Christmas events in Toronto? Are there any other Toronto Christmas events I missed? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!

More things to do in Toronto

If you’re looking for more festive things to do this Christmas, you might enjoy these posts:

Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, TikTokTwitter, Facebook, and Pinterest if you aren’t already!

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Jessica Lam | Toronto lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and travel blogger | Diary of a Toronto Girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog


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The best festive activities to do in Toronto during the holidays!
  1. I love all these recommendations Jessica! Especially, skating!
    Ps. You look gorgeous as well. <3

    Laurel xo

  2. Jessica Lam says:

    Thanks so much Laurel! 🙂

  3. I live only about 40 mins away from Toronto and Ive been meaning to visit the market for the past 4 years, I’m hoping I can actually make it this year!

  4. Cat Forsley says:

    Holiday VIbes
    sooooooooooo Good

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