Toronto’s Christmas market season is headlined by the Distillery District Winter Village. This guide has the confirmed 2024 dates, opening times and ticket information.
Toronto Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Toronto Christmas Market dates: 13th November to 31st December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in January. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: The Distillery Historic District at 55 Mill Street.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 5pm. No tickets required.
Christmas Day: Closed.
New Year’s Eve: 10am to midnight.
Tickets
Tickets: Generally required after 4pm. Check dates and book here.
Prices: From $15.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Take a Distillery District walking tour to discover more of this historic area.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Where to stay: One King West Hotel is a 20-minute walk away or 10-minutes on public transit.
Amenities and Attractions
Tree lighting: 13th November at 6pm (unconfirmed). Advance tickets required. Proceeds to charity.
Santa Claus Parade: Sunday, 24th November (unconfirmed).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Some options. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: Swiss raclette, churros, Venezuelan pies, Ukrainian perogies and Portuguese pastéis de nata.
Drinks: Festive cocktails, Ontario-spiced apple cider, blood orange gin and tonic, hibiscus syrup and citrus.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.
Convenient Hotels
If you’re travelling to Toronto, I recommend staying in the more central Old Toronto area rather than near the Distillery District, as Old Toronto is more convenient for reaching other attractions.
I would stay at One King West Hotel as it’s centrally located and well-rated.
Interesting Tours
If this is your first time in Toronto, I recommend this city tour, which includes a visit to the CN Tower and a river cruise. With a local guide, you’ll see many of the city’s highlights.
On the other hand, you might prefer taking this food tour to get an idea of the local Canadian culture through their cuisine. Food tours are a lot of fun so definitely consider this one!
Find more places to visit with my guide to the best Canadian Christmas Markets.
Location
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
Distillery District
Wander through the Winter Village beneath the glow of a 51-foot Christmas tree in Trinity Square that is decorated with 70,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments.
Shop for artisan gifts, enjoy amusement rides and savour the seasonal specialties from the food cabins.
- Historic Architecture: The District is known for its Victorian Industrial architecture, with red-brick buildings, cobblestone streets and iconic green street signs.
- Art Galleries: Galleries such as the Thompson Landry Gallery exhibit works from Canadian and international artists.
- Performing Arts: Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts are popular venues.
- Food and Drink: Whether you fancy a craft beer from the Mill Street Brew Pub, want to sample the chocolate at SOMA chocolate maker, or prefer a fine dining experience at Cluny Bistro, there’s plenty of interest.
- Distillery Tours: The Spirit of York Distillery provides tours where you can learn about the distillation process, site’s history and taste some of its premium spirits.
Destination Toronto has more information regarding events and the best ways to experience Toronto.
Food Specialties
- Roasted Coffee: Local roasters offer freshly brewed coffee with beans often sourced from sustainable or fairtrade farms.
- Artisan Breads: Brick Street Bakery sells a variety of baked goods, with breads like traditional sourdough and seasonal loaves.
- French Cuisine: Cluny Bistro serves classic French dishes with a holiday twist.
- Seafood Specialties: Pure Spirits Oyster House offers fresh oysters and seafood dishes.
- Craft Cocktails: Spirithouse Toronto is the place for innovative Christmas cocktails crafted by skilled mixologists.
- Sweet Treats: The Sweet Escape Patisserie provides a selection of pastries and sweets.
Cabins and Vendors
- Artwork: Art galleries showcase pieces from local and international artists, including paintings, sculptures and limited-edition prints.
- Natural Bee Products: Bee & Co specialises in products made from beeswax and honey, ranging from candles to beauty products.
- Vintage Collectibles: Blackbird Vintage Finds is a trove if you love the charm of the past. You can find rare antiques, vintage decor and retro accessories.
- Cultural Crafts: The Deaf Culture Centre features crafts and artworks created by members of the Deaf community. Purchases here support the artists and raise awareness.
- Herbal Remedies: Fika Herbal Goods sells herbal teas and natural remedies.
- Bridal and Lace: Grace Loves Lace presents lace garments and bridal wear.
- Craft Sake: Izumi Sake Brewery, Toronto’s own sake maker, provides a taste of Japan.
- Flavourful Spices: Pepper Palace is the spot for hot sauce and spice blends.
- Gluten-Free Treats: Tartistry specialises in gluten-free tarts that don’t compromise on flavour.
- Writing Elegance: Toronto Pen Shoppe caters to those who appreciate the art of writing, with a selection of fine pens, stationery and inks.
Responsible Travel Ideas
- Eco Hotels: Book one of Toronto’s green hotels committed to environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
- Food Waste: Some restaurants participate in food rescue programmes, such as Second Harvest, that reduce food waste. Also, be aware of how much you order at local events.
- Ethical Shopping: Conscious consumption can also be practised while shopping for gifts and souvenirs.
- Sustainable Diets: Many markets and cafes focus on locally sourced, organic and plant-based dishes.
- Public Transport and Cycling: Toronto has an extensive public transportation system, the TTC, that includes buses, trams and subways. Additionally, Bike Share Toronto has thousands of bikes available to rent across the city.
- Water Bottle Refill Stations: The city has numerous water refill stations.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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