The holidays have arrived, and so have the familiar pleasure of Christmas markets lighting up the GTA with their handmade ornaments and gifts, steaming hot drinks and twinkling trees.
Making the market rounds is an easy, enjoyable way to slip into the season. To help you choose which ones to visit, here’s what to expect at some of the most popular Christmas markets in and around the GTA.
The Distillery Winter Village
Since it began in 2010, this holiday market has exploded into a massive seasonal event that stretches across the red-brick lanes of the city’s Victorian-era distillery district: over a million visitors are expected this year.
Now called the Distillery Winter Village, it blends old world charm with immersive holiday installations. At the heart of it all stands a 55-foot silver fir Christmas tree, decked out with more than 80,000 lights and hundreds of ornaments. (After the holidays, the tree is destined for Habitat for Humanity GTA, to help build new homes.)
This year’s Winter Village offers 40 food stalls, nine themed outdoor bars, and a new “Chef’s Lane” spotlighting some of Canada’s top chefs.
Fifty vendor cabins are stocked with handmade jewelry, unique gifts, fashion pieces and festive treats.
For families and Instagrammers alike, the Narnia-themed Santa’s Village inside Soulpepper Theatre’s lobby has been transformed by OCAD University students into an enchanting winter forest, all snow-dusted pines and shimmering crystal lights. Highlights include the “Stranger Things Upside Down” installation, Pawpin’ Clicks’ bustling photo spot, the vintage Alley Press newspaper stand, and the Candy Cane Wreath at Peppermint Patio.
On opening night, the market raised $56,500 and made donations to the Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund among other local charities.
Dates: Until Jan. 4, daily
Tickets: Tickets are required after 4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; also, daily from Dec. 15-31. Free entry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $15; kids 9 and under enter free.
Elora Christmas Market
A little further afield, held in what many call Ontario’s prettiest town, Elora Christmas Market stretches across 12,000 feet of cobblestone streets, under a canopy of more than 100,000 twinkling lights. Located 90 minutes from Toronto, it’s the perfect holiday road trip.
The whole village turns festive with over 150 Christmas trees, some reaching 15 feet high, lining the walkways. A living, rooted 35-foot tree shines at the centre of the celebrations.
The cedar chalets are packed with vendors — every single one new to the market this season.
Visitors will find artisanal candle makers and hand painted ornament crafters, local gluten free bakeries, comfort food stalls serving sourdough pizza and halal burgers, freshly baked doughnuts and hot specialty drinks.
At fire tables and Muskoka chairs warmed with patio heaters, you can sip and snack while enjoying live music and holiday performances.
Dates: Until Dec. 25 (Wed.-Sun.)
Tickets: Free admission
Mississauga Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is an arts-forward holiday celebration that brings together a vibrant market, live music and creative installations, under one historic roof at the Small Arms Inspection Building in Mississauga.
This year, visitors can take part in the new Market Passport program: collect stamps at the markets for a shot at prizes.
Commissioned artwork by Ontario artists turns the space into an immersive forest, while hands-on workshops invite you to try everything from cookie decorating to DIY crafts with local makers.
The holiday market features over 80 artisan and culinary vendors each weekend. As you browse for gifts and treats, live performances from local musicians fill the building with festive tunes.
Admission is pay what you can, and proceeds go to CreativeHub 1352’s arts and community programming. Guests can give back by donating mittens or non-perishable food at the Mitten Tree, helping support local families through The Compass Food Bank.
Dates: Dec. 12-14
Tickets: Pay what you can. Free parking.
St. Lawrence Winter Market
The St. Lawrence Winter Market transforms one of Toronto’s oldest landmarks into a lively holiday hub. This year brings free photos with Santa on weekends, roaming carolers, viral singing sheep making their return, and Friday Night Jazz.
There’s also a carousel, a synthetic ice rink and outdoor film screenings with the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show.
There’s also a massive weekend makers’ market under the white tent at Jarvis and Esplanade, featuring more than 75 artisans and food vendors. Expect apple fritters, roasted chestnuts, handmade glass jewelry, gourmet chocolate, Jamaican patties and churros from chef Elia Herrera.
Dates: Until Dec. 23 (Thurs.-Sun.), Mon. Dec. 23
Tickets: Free admission. Skate rentals are pay-what-you-can, with proceeds going to Second Harvest.
Holiday Hills at Stackt Market
Holiday Hills transforms STACKT Market into one of Toronto’s most playful winter destinations. The shipping container marketplace is filled with immersive light displays, oversized installations, and a photo-ready light tunnel.
A rotating lineup of vendors and pop-ups will offer handmade goods and small-batch treats, a speakeasy-style espresso martini bar, mulled wine stands and street food stalls.
Weekend activities include family-friendly workshops, live performances, curling lanes and dog-friendly events.
Dates: Until Dec. 28 (Tues.-Sun.)
Tickets: Free admission.
Another wonderful way to participate in the season’s joy and help spread the festive magic is by donating to the Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund. Donate now to help volunteers deliver gift boxes of presents, winter items and treats to children across the city.
The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund
With your gift, the Santa Claus Fund can help provide holiday gift boxes that inspire hope and joy to 50,000 financially vulnerable kids.
GOAL: $1.5 million
How to donate:
Online: To donate by Visa, Mastercard or Amex, use our secure form at thestar.com/scf
By cheque: Mail to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8
By phone: Call 647-250-8282
Tax receipts will be issued.
To volunteer:
Email [email protected]
Follow us on social:
Instagram: @torontostarchildrenscharities
Facebook: @thetorontostarchildrenscharities
X: @TStarCharities
LinkedIn: the Toronto Star Children’s Charities
TikTok: @torstarchildrenscharity
Bluesky: @tstarcharities.bsky.social
#StarSantaClausFund
