Christmas Markets And Events In Toronto, Canada

1. Toronto Christmas Market - November 15 to December 23, 2018

This festive market was inspired by European markets, like the Christkindlmarkt held in Germany in the 1400s. Ideally held in the Distillery Historic District, with its Victorian buildings and cobblestoned streets, this magical market runs for five weeks, selling the wares of local craft workers and artisanal food-makers and offering some spectacular light displays to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. The market runs from November 15 to December 23, 2018.

Toronto Christmas Market

Address: Distillery Historic District, Toronto, Canada

Website: Toronto Christmas Market

2. Venus Fest and Winter Market – December 16, 2018

Venus Fest celebrates feminism in the arts. This is the first year Venus Fest has hosted a Winter Market, which will feature hand-crafted goods from local businesses operated by non-binary artists and women. It will be held in the Lula Lounge from 11h00 to 17:00 on December 16. After the market, visitors can enjoy performances by Kith & Kin and Bernice, along with a fun game of bingo.

Venus Fest

Address: Lula Lounge, Toronto, Canada

Website: Venus Fest

3. Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto – November 24, 2018

The Cavalcade of Lights is an event which starts off the holiday season in Toronto. The famous Christmas tree, located in Nathan Phillips Square, is lit, while a fireworks display, outdoor skating party and musical performances are all held in the illumination of thousands of lights.

Cavalcade of Lights

Address: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada

Website: Cavalcade of Lights

4. A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle - December 1, 2018 to January 6, 2019

Held at Casa Loma, Toronto’s unique castle, a range of events and activities are available over the festive season. Enjoy ice skating displays and shows by an illusionist entertainer. The castle will be decked out with holiday splendor​, including a 40ft tree in the Great Hall. Eight other Christmas trees by Canadian designers will be placed throughout the property. Take the kids to see Santa Claus in the castle workshop and to have fun participating in the creation of arts and crafts. Enjoy exploring Casa Loma at night with its dazzling lighting display throughout the gardens and take time out to shop at the outdoor Christmas Market.

Christmas at Casa Loma

Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, Canada

Website: Christmas at Casa Loma

5. Ballet Creole “Soulful Messiah” – November 30, December 7-9, 2018

Ballet Creole brings in the Christmas spirit with their holiday production, “Soulful Messiah.” The event combines ballet, tap, African-Caribbean, jazz and modern dance styles set to Quincy Jones’ rendition of Handel’s Messiah.

Ballet Creole

Address: Flato Markham Theater, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, Toronto, Canada

Website: Ballet Creole

6. Home Alone in Concert – December 6, 7 and 8, 2018

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Macaulay Culkin’s famous 1990 film Home Alone, where the 8-year-old’s family leaves him behind and alone at Christmas, forcing him to fight off burglars. Now imagine watching that movie again, backed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Resonance Youth Choir, playing and singing along. The event will be held at the Roy Thomson Hall from December 6-8, 2018.

Home Alone in Concert

Address: Roy Thomson Hall, 500-145 Wellington St. W., Toronto, Canada

Website: Home Alone in Concert

7. Conservatory by Candlelight – December 2018 to mid-January 2019

The Centennial Park Conservatory turns festive over the Christmas period, with decorations, flowering plants and more than 30 varieties of the holiday favorite poinsettia. In the evenings, the conservatory is lit by hundreds of candles. The event will run from December until mid-January from 17h00 to 19h00.

Centennial Park Conservatory

Address: 151 Elmcrest Road, Toronto, Canada

Website: Centennial Park Conservatory

8. The Happy Place - November 1, 2018 to January 1, 2019

If you want to have fun without all the festive trappings, The Happy Place is perfect for you. The wacky pop-up environment is visiting Queens Quay West during November and December and consists of multi-sensory immersive rooms. Among the attractions, you can dance in the world’s largest Confetti Dome, jump from a double rainbow into the pot of happiness, or enjoy the rubber ducky bathtub of fun, to “capture your happy.”

The Happy Place

Address: 245 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Canada

Website: The Happy Place

9. Polar Express in IMAX 3D - December 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2018

Polar Express is the ideal film to enjoy during the holiday season, and how better than in IMAX 3D? The film tells the tale of a young boy who doesn’t believe in Santa, taking an extraordinary train journey to the North Pole. The movie will be screened on December 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2018.

Cinesphere & IMAX

Address: West Island, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, Canada

Website: Cinesphere & IMAX

10. Aurora Winter Festival – November 29 to December 30, 2018

A new event starting in 2018 is the Aurora Winter Festival located in Ontario Place. Visit a hidden village with a tube park, skating rink, beautiful light displays, amusement rides, magical characters, food gardens and, of course, a Christmas Market. Among other attractions, the kids can have fun in Santa’s Workshop, while the whole family can enjoy a ride on the choo-choo train, or ride on the 60-foot Ferris wheel, offering the best view of the whole festival.

Aurora Winter Festival

Address: Ontario Place, Toronto, Canada

Website: Aurora Winter Festival

Christmas in Toronto, Canada

Have fun this holiday season by enjoying many of the festive attractions on offer in Toronto, Canada.