If you are travelling to Toronto Ontario area in month of December, here are some holiday see/do ideas I put together for two HE Guests bookings. Sharing in case helpful to others in your planning.
Hmmmm… thought I could attach a file. Can’t so instead providing a copy paste of list:
Christmas focused Holiday experiences in GTA
Here’s a list of festive things to do in Toronto and the surrounding area for Christmas in December, including event names, dates, locations, costs, and websites:
1. Toronto Christmas Market Toronto Christmas Market
- Dates: Nov 16 - Dec 22 Location: Distillery District, 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Free entry DURING the week; some activities may have fees ***My tip, make a reservation at a restaurant for the day you are going so you don’t have to wait in absurd line to get in.
2. Nathan Phillips Square Christmas Tree Lighting
- Dates: Dec 1 – Jan 7 Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
- Cost: Free Website: City of Toronto Events
3. Holiday Magic at the Toronto Zoo
- Dates: December 1 – 30 Location: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Paid (varies by age) Website: Toronto Zoo
4. Winter Wonderland at Ontario Place
- Dates: Dec1 – Jan 7 Location: 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Ontario Place
5. Christmas at the Castle
- Dates: Dec 1 – 30 Location: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Paid (varies by age) Website: Casa Loma
6. Yorkville Holiday Window Displays Yorkville Village
- Dates: Throughout Dec Location: Yorkville, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Free **This is wandering the streets enjoying the window displays
7. Light Up the Village in Etobicoke
- Dates: November 25 - December 31 Location: Etobicoke, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Etobicoke Events
8. Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival
- Dates: December 21, 2024 Location: Kensington Market, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Kensington Market
9. Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade
- Dates: November 24, 2024 Location: Downtown Toronto
- Cost: Free Website: Santa Claus Parade
10. Outdoor Skating Rinks
- Dates: Open through December (check for specific rinks)
- Location: Various locations (Nathan Phillips Square, Harbourfront Centre, etc.)
- Cost: Free (skate rentals may have a fee) Website: Toronto Outdoor Skating Rinks
11. Holiday Shopping at St. Lawrence Market
- Dates: Open throughout December Location: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON
- Cost: Free Website: St. Lawrence Market
12. Christmas Lights Across Toronto
- Dates: Throughout Dec Location: Various neighborhoods (check local listings)
- Cost: Free Website: Toronto Light Displays
Worth also checking out:
The Eaton Centre
Activities outside of the Toronto core for Christmas
1. Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Festival
- Dates: Nov 18 - Dec 30 Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
- Cost: Free (some activities may have fees) Website: Niagara-on-the-Lake
2. Burlington Festival of Lights
- Dates: Dec 1 - Jan 7
- Location: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Festival of Lights Burlington
3. Mississauga Celebration Square Tree Lighting
- Dates: Dec 1 - Jan 7 Location: 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Mississauga Celebration Square
4. Oakville Festival of Lights
- Dates: Dec 1 - Jan 7 Location: Oakville, ON (various locations)
- Cost: Free Website: Oakville Festival of Lights
5. Streetsville’s Christmas in the Village
- Dates: Dec1 – Dec 24 Location: Streetsville, Mississauga, ON
- Cost: Free (some activities may have fees) Website: Streetsville Village
6. Vaughan Winter Wonderland - Christmas Market at WinterFest,
- Dates: Dec 1 - Jan 7
- Location: Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Vaughan Mills
7. Christmas in the Village at Port Credit
- Dates: Dec 1 – Dec 24 Location: Port Credit, Mississauga, ON
- Cost: Free (some activities may have fees) Website: Port Credit BIA
8. Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
- Dates: Nov 18 - Jan 7 Location: Niagara Falls, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Winter Festival of Lights
9. Halton Hills Christmas Market
- Dates: TBC Location: Acton, ON
- Cost: Free Website: Halton Hills Events
10. Guelph Christmas Market
- Dates: TBC Location: Downtown Guelph, ON
- Cost: Free (some activities may have fees) Website: Downtown Guelph
Christmas Markets not listed above:
- Festival of Trees in Mississauga https://www.creativehub1352.ca/festival-of-trees
- Aurora Christmas Market
- Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market (Mount Albert)
- Christmas Market at the Canadian Museum of History
- Once Upon a Christmas in Perth
- Holiday Market at Mackinnon Brothers Brewing (Bath)
- Burlington Holiday Market
- Christmas in the City Market (Hamilton)
- Cambridge Christmas Market
- Christkindl Market in Kitchener
- St. Jacobs Sparkles
- Christmas Night Market in Dresden
- Merry Market in London
- Christmas Market at Friday Harbour
- Collingwood Christmas Market
- Christmas on the Bay in Meaford
- Orangeville Christmas Market
- Brockville Christmas Market