19 Magical Things to Do at Christmas in Toronto (2024)

Going to be in Toronto during the Christmas season, and looking for things to do at Christmas in Toronto?

Toronto, as the 4th largest city in North America, has a bit of that cosmopolitan Christmas feel that you might imagine in a city like New York.

If you’re looking for traditional holiday markets, a variety of shopping, stunning Christmas trees, festive dinners with twinkly lights, holiday-themed drinks and pop-ups – you’ll find lots of things in Toronto at Christmas.

I live near Toronto, and I’m in the city multiple times every year during the Christmas and the winter season. My daughter sings in a Christmas choir, and we often take advantage of other holiday-themed attractions when heading downtown Toronto.

Toronto has many holiday events and special features around the Christmas season. Here are the things to consider adding to your calendars!

Is it Worth Visiting Toronto at Christmas?

Toronto is worth a visit any time of year, and of course, like many cities, it has a special feel during the holiday season.

There’s only a 50% chance of a white Christmas in Toronto (the past couple years have not had any snow on Christmas Day) and sometimes the weather is too mild in the weeks leading up to Christmas to enjoy many winter activities.

But there are lots of Christmas decorations, lights, and Christmas trees all around the city. The city decorates for Christmas and tries to create that holiday elegance and magic.

There are so many things to do in Toronto from mid-November to late December that are unique to the holiday season. If you’re living in Toronto, or nearby and you love festive things, then you won’t be disappointed.

You’re visiting from out of town, then 2-3 days in Toronto is enough to see all the highlights, plus the special Christmas features.

19 Magical Things to do in Toronto at Christmas

Grab your calendars to mark down the dates for these fun events between November and December in Toronto.

1. Watch the Santa Claus Parade

Date: November 24th, 2024

One of the first events to kick off the start of the Christmas season in Toronto is the Santa Claus parade.

Santa Claus has been running since 1905 and is one of Toronto’s oldest Christmas traditions.

The parade starts near the Christie Pitts (near Christie St. and Bloor St. W), and ends in Old Toronto (at Front Jarvis st, near the St, Lawrence Market.)

From wherever you’re sitting along the path of the parade, it would take about 90 minutes to see the entire parade go by.

Some people bring camp chairs to sit down and watch. Be sure to dress warmly, of course!

Since the parade is quite long, its not too hard to get a spot. I’d recommend coming to your spot early if you want to be able to sit down along the edge of the road.

2. Get into the Christmas spirit at Winter Village Distillery District

Distillery District Winter Village 2024 Dates: November 16th – December 31st, 2024

The Distillery District Winter Village used to be called the Christmas Market, but was changed to Winter Village to make the name sound more inclusive.

The Distillery District is a Victorian, car-free neighbourhood enclosed with walls. You can imagine how pretty it would be to walk around, seeing it lit up with all the Christmas lights, trees, and pop-up holiday bars, and music.

As the old name suggests, it is a Christmas market – a European-style one with wooden rooftop vendors selling handmade gifts.

Now, I won’t sugarcoat this – it gets packed at the Distillery District in the evenings, when everyone comes to see it lit up with pretty lights.

You can get tickets for the Distillery Winter Village at the door, or in advance on their website.

Tips for Visiting the Distillery District Winter Village

• If you want to visit at night when the lights are on, then I recommend reserving a ticket online in advance so that you’re guaranteed an entrance time. (You have to stand in a line up if you’re buying tickets at the door – and I’ve seen the line, it can get long, especially on weekend evenings.)
  
• I usually buy my tickets for a 3-4pm entrance, so I can enjoy an hour or two of daylight in the market before dark comes and its all lit up
  

• If you want to eat dinner while you’re there – Restaurants in the Distillery District do NOT take reservations, it’s a waitlist for first-come first served. The wait can be anywhere up to an hour on busy nights, so get your name in an hour or so before you want to eat.
• There are only a handful of restaurants. We always eat at the Mill Street Brewey, because I love it there – great food and environment. Check other restaurants in the Distillery District here

3. Visit the Market and Go Ice Skating at Nathan Phillips Square

Dates: TBA for 2024

Nathan Phillip’s Square is a good place to head to, all winter, but especially during the holiday season.

During the month of November and December, there is the Nathan Phillip’s Christmas Market, and some kid’s rides- so you can shop, go on rides, grab hot chocolate and go skating (weather permitting.)

The dates for the Nathan Phillip’s Square holiday events are TBA for 2024 at the time of writing this. You can check their website for the exact dates for all events by month.

4. Spend an evening at Winterfest at Canada’s Wonderland

2024 Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest Dates: Nov. 16, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025

If you love the holiday season, and especially if you love Wonderland, then consider heading over to Winterfest which is held at Wonderland every December.

The pond turns into an ice skating rink (if its cold enough) and there are holiday decorations, lights, and music everywhere. There are even some rides open.

Personally, I haven’t been to Winterfest yet (I plan to go this year) but I’ve been going to Wonderland every summer since I was young. Winterfest is a new event that just sprang up in the last few years, but it has been very popular with locals. I can’t wait to experience it.

Wonderland is Canada’s largest amusement park, and can be reached pretty easily from the TTC from downtown Toronto, or from staying at a hotel near the park.

Tickets to Winterfest can be bought on their website here.

If you head to Vaughan for Winterfest, IKEA or any other reason during the holiday season – don’t forget to check out its annual Christmas tree. You can see this tree (pictured below) from the entrance to the Vaughan subway station. It looks different every year

5. Check out Toronto’s tallest Christmas tree in the Eaton Centre

Dates: TBA

The Eaton’s Centre is known for putting up a record-breaking tall Christmas tree every year – 2023’s tree was 114-feet tall.

They don’t do it every year (there wasn’t a 2022 tree) so we’ll have to see what’s in store for 2024.

If there is a tree in 2024 (I will try to update when I find out) you will find it deep in the mall. From the entrance to the Eaton Centre at the Dundas subway station, it would probably take 5-10 minutes to walk there from the subway stop.

6. See the Christmas Decorations at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

Dates: mid-November until New Years

Pop into the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s most prestigious hotel to enjoy luxurious Christmas decorations, including garlands, cute setups and Christmas trees.

You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to go inside and take a look at the decorations in the lobby.

We used to perform at the Royal York Hotel, and they just have the most upscale Christmas look every year.

We now perform at the Chelsea Hotel instead, which of course, also has a beautifully decorated lobby at Christmas. Pretty much every nice hotel in downtown Toronto will.

10. Experience a Scandinavian Christmas

Swedish Christmas Fair Toronto Dates 2024: November 23-24, 2024.

Scandinavian-style Christmases have really grown in popularity in recent years. And And I’m lucky, because I’m half-Swedish and grew up with Swedish and Scandinavian holiday traditions.

Not too many people know about this, but there’s a large Swedish Christmas fair in downtown Toronto every year in mid-November.

We go every single year, and indulge in all the Swedish goodies, shop the market and watch a beautiful performance.

There are:

• Swedish-style handmade Christmas ornaments
• Folk dancers, and a St. Lucia choir
• Swedish glögg (mulled wine)
• Traditional Swedish fika (coffee, gingerbread cookies and baked goods)
• Mant imported goods and souvenirs from Sweden
• A kid’s play area
• A room with gingerbread baking and crafts for children. The crafts are always impressively well thought out, and organized. I’ve always been impressed with the crafts my daughter has brought home

It’s a popular event, and can get crowded, but I highly recommend it. This is the first year that they’re holding it at their new location, which is 51 Dockside drive.

The Toronto Swedish Christmas Fair is free of charge, but I recommend bringing cash for food, and shopping. See more details on the website.

7. Experience ‘Christmas at the Castle’ at Casa Loma

Christmas as the Castle 2024 Dates: December 2nd, 2023 – January 6th, 2024

Casa Loma is beautiful in winter, but at Christmas, it features “Christmas at the Castle” which means that the castle is decorated inside and out with festive decorations, and has special holiday-themed activities and fun for the whole family.

Both in and outside the castle are festively decorated for the holidays. Lots of luxury-looking Christmas trees, cozy fireplaces with silk furniture. Like how you would picture Christmas in an old movie.

The tickets are $45 per PERSON (regardless of age) only 3 and under are free. So, something to keep in mind for families with multiple kids – it could get pricey.

I haven’t celebrated Christmas at Casa Loma in ages, and plan to go this year.

You can buy tickets for their Christmas at the Castle event here.

8. See The Nutcracker

Nutcracker in Toronto 2024 Dates: December 6th– 31st, 2024

The headquarters of the National Ballet of Canada are located in Toronto, and do year-round performances at the Four Seasons.

One of their most popular productions is The Nutcracker which plays for three weeks every December.

The Nutcracker is such a beautiful production of classical music, costumes and of course, talented dancers. It’s an upper-scale event where you will see most people dressed up in their best clothes, and ready to see a holiday favourite come to life on stage.

I’ve seen the Nutcracker as a date night with my husband, and also brought my oldest daughter. I’ve seen people of all ages; even families with kids as young as 4 years old. There is food on-site, but not fast food. There are charcuterie boards and glasses of champagne for purchase.

Tickets go on sale September 24th for The Nutcracker in Toronto, and you can buy them on the National Ballet website.

Pro Tip: Last time we went to see an evening performance of The Nutcracker, we decided to make a dinner reservation a night or two before at one of the restaurants nearby before the show – big mistake. The restaurants near the Hummingbird Centre fill up VERY quickly during the Nutcracker season, so if you want to eat at any of them before your evening Nutcracker performance, you should book it several days or even a weeks in advance.

9. Celebrate ‘Channukah’ at Lawrence Plaza

2024 Dates: TBA

Hannukah celebrations take place right in downtown Toronto in mid-December. Its an outdoor event with music, food and candle-lighting.

This year, 2024 will be the 4th annual Toronto Chanukah event, and its suitable for the whole family, and all are welcome.

Lawrence Plaza Chanukah takes place at the Lawrence Plaza, as the name suggests, which is at the corner of Bathurst st. and Lawrence ave.

11. Festive Nights at the Black Creek Pioneer Village

Dates: TBA

I love an old-fashioned Christmas, and I think most other people do too; it’s part of what makes the holidays feel like Christmas.

Festive Nights is an event held at Black Creek Pioneer Village in north Toronto in December. If you enjoy old-fashioned Christmas-style activities, then you’ll love Festive Nights.

Festive Nights is a holiday event where you can explore all things vintage Christmas: roasted chestnuts, gingerbread cookies, candle dipping, puppet shoes, storytelling and even meeting Kris Kringle.

While this event is probably most worth it if you’re in Toronto with kids, all age groups are welcome.

Tickets for Festive Nights can be bought online on the Black Creek Pioneer website.

12. Winter Solstice in the Kensington Market

Dates: December 21st, 2024

The outdoor evening Winter Solstice event has been running since 1988 in the Kensington Market, Toronto’s bohemian neighbourhood.

There are parades, dances, costumes and music. The festival has a spiritual, pagan vibe and an upbeat atmosphere.

People of all ages, kids and adults are welcome. But it may be an event that appeals more to adults – see a short YouTube clip of what last year’s was like.

Winter Solstice at the Kensington Market is held at 6pm on December 21st (the first day of winter) every year. You can find the festival at the intersection of Augusta ave and Oxford St. Be sure to dress warmly!

13. Admire Christmas displays at The Hudson’s Bay Company

Dates: mid November to New Years

The Bay has created a holiday tradition of creating elaborate Christmas displays in both Toronto, and New York City. Many of them involve digital backgrounds, moving parts and works of art.

It’s a whole event just to walk by admiring them!

You can see what the displays often look like in this YouTube video. You can find the displays on Queen and Yonge; near where the Nathan Philip’s Square (TORONTO sign) is.

 14. See a symphony of the Messiah

Dates: Usually mid-December

Whether you enjoy the religious side of Christmas or not, you may enjoy some traditional Christmas instrumental classical music. There’s no better way to enjoy this than watching a symphony.

There are two orchestras in Toronto that perform the symphony of the Messiah. This Youtube video shows an example of what the show would look like, if you haven’t heard of the Handel Messiah, or seen a live orchestra before.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) – Tue, Dec 17–Sun, Dec 22, 2024

Tafelmusik, which is Baorque style – 2024 Dates are still TBA

16. Do some holiday shopping

It’s Toronto, there are lots of places to shop for unique items. Here are some unique ideas depending on what kinds of gifts you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking for high-end items, or unique Canadian gifts and souvenirs, these are some good places to shop:

• Eaton Centre (downtown)- has over 200 stores, or Yorkdale Mall (north Toronto)
• Kensington Market – lots of quirky stores, like the Blue Banana Market, where you can find unique and funny gifts. Chinatown (about a 10-minute walk from Kensington) is worth browsing
• Museum and Art Gallery gift shops (such as the ROM, Art Gallery of Ontario, Bata Shoe Museum or even Ripley’s) often have really nice, thoughtful gifts and souvenirs
• Toronto’s cutest bookstores – BMV Books or Ben McNally Books. Find some unique indy titles that take place in Canada
• Best shopping streets/areas – Queen Street, Bloor Street, Yonge Street, Danforth, Ossington, Toronto Beaches neighbourhood
• Toronto’s Best Toy Stores – Treasure Island Toys and Silly Goose Kids (both on Danforth),The Swag Sister’s Toy Store, (near Toronto Beaches)

Pro Tip: Black Friday (November 22nd) and Boxing Day (December 26th) are both big shopping events in Canada

17. Explore the holiday foodie and drink scene

A big part of Christmas in Canada is about gathering with family and friends. Restaurants in Toronto embrace this by decorating for Christmas, and there are also pop-up holiday bars throughout the city.

Here are the best places to eat (or drink) around the holidays in Toronto for a real Christmasy experience:

• Check out several holiday pop up bars throughout the city, for ages 19+ (my personal favourite is Miracle – they donate proceeds to women’s shelters)
• Canoe – fancy, upscale restaurant downtown that always decorates elegantly for Christmas
• 360 Restaurant at the CN Tower – enjoy it decorated for Christmas while revolving around the lit-up city
• These venues that do special Christmas menus
• The Hilton Hotel in Toronto – offers dining and often decorates for The Nutcracker, because its right beside the Hummingbird Centre where the Nutcracker Performs. My husband and I ate dinner here once before the show

18. Admire residential Christmas lights

One of my favourite things about Christmas in Canada is that we all decorate for Christmas.

Best Residental areas to see dazzling decorations that will really wow you:

• Kringlewood Drive (Inglewood Drive at St. Clair Avenue East) – for the past 10 years, there’s been an inflatable Santa on every house!
• De Sario Family Festival of Lights – a family home that is known for really going ‘all out’ for the holidays – check out their Instagram page

19. Head out of town for a different Christmas vibe

Toronto is huge, but when you venture outside of its bounds, you can find very different environment.

Toronto has a big city cosmopolitan Christmas, whereas small towns surrounding the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is where you might find a more small-town Christmas vibe.

• Countless cute small towns surrounding the Toronto area (Fergus, Kleinburg, Niagara on the Lake, etc) where you can experience a small-town Christmas. Check each town’s website to see when they’re hosting markets and events
• Oakville, Ontario – The movie A Christmas Story (1983) was actually filmed here!
• Niagara Falls -they have some holiday festivities, and you can enjoy the falls lit up Christmas colours at night
• Stratford (famous for its Shakespare festival in the summer) puts on a winterfest in the holiday season
• Bowmanville (1 hour east of Toronto) – over 100 houses in the Old Scogog Rd neighbourhood are very decked out

20. GLOW Toronto

Dates: No dates for 2024 in Toronto

GLOW Toronto has been popular for a few years now, and has become an anticipated event for locals.

Unfortunately, GLOW won’t be returning in 2024. It’s being held in other Canadian cities, but none in Ontario.

I was disappointed to hear this, as we enjoy going to GLOW. Check their website for updates on future years.

Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Toronto

Here are the best places to see Christmas lights, both indoor and outdoor in Toronto during the holidays

Outdoor Christmas Lights:

• Nathan Phillips Square’s Cavalcade of Lights
• Distillery Winter Village
• The village of Yorkville Park is often illuminated for the holidays

Indoor Christmas Lights

• Illumi in Mississauga is an indoor light setup
• Holiday Nights of Lights in Scarborough
• GLOW Toronto (not running in 2024)

Where to See Santa in Toronto

Many events and venues host Santa, and give kids an opportunity to meet Santa. Here is where Santa will be hanging out in Toronto in 2024:

• The Santa Claus Parade
• Santa will be at Casa Loma on December 17th.
• Kris Kringle often makes an appearance at Festive Nights at Black Creek Pioneer Village

How to Spend Christmas Eve or Day in Toronto

Most things will be closed on Christmas Eve (starting from late afternoon) and all day on Christmas Day in Toronto.

All of the holiday activities in Toronto are closed at these times as well. The city becomes pretty empty and quiet, as most locals leave town for Christmas vacation or to visit family.

Unless you have family in Toronto, I probably wouldn’t plan to be in Toronto for the actual Christmas Day. The only things that will be open are generally Asian restaurants.

December 26th is Boxing Day, and is the big shopping event in Canada until Black Friday became popular here in the last decade.

Boxing Day still exists though and you can get some great deals, similar to the ones you’d find for Black Friday.

Christmas in Toronto Canada FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about celebrating Christmas in Toronto

Where is the best place to see Christmas lights in Toronto?

There are lots of places to see Christmas lights in Toronto, both residential and commercial. For commercial, there are both indoor and outdoor elaborate light displays. There are also some residential neighbourhoods in Toronto that are known for their traditions of elaborately decorating every year

What is there to do in Toronto at Christmas time?

In Toronto at Christmastime, you can visit vendor markets, have festive nights out at holiday pop up bars, admire some very elaborate holiday decorations and light shows, shop in environments from quirky bohemian neighbourhoods to high-end shopping malls

Is Toronto a good place to visit in Christmas?

Yes, Toronto is a great place to visit during Christmas. I wouldn’t specifically visit Toronto for it’s Christmas, but if you’re already visiting Toronto or live nearby, then there are certainly lots of great holiday events during the Christmas season.

How is Christmas celebrated in Toronto?

Christmas is celebrated in Toronto with Christmas vendor markets, visits with Santa, parades, pop-up holiday bars, and lots of holiday decorations throughout the city.

Final Thoughts on Toronto at Christmas

Do I think that Toronto is the most beautiful, Christmasy place in Canada at this time of year. Not necessarily – I think that Quebec City, or even Ottawa have a higher chance of having some snow, and are also much smaller with more of an intimate Christmas feel.