Do you love Christmas markets? Well, me too! And as much as I wish I could spend the entire winter travelling around Europe, visiting their historic Christmas markets, most years, I find myself in my hometown of Toronto. And while Toronto might not have the cache that many old European towns have, we have no shortage of charming holiday markets. The ones with twinkling lights, carol singers and plenty of mulled wine. Filled with hundreds of handicrafts and delightful festive goodies. These Toronto Holiday Markets are the perfect place to buy gifts or fill your own stockings!
Whether you are a local or a tourist, these holiday markets are a great way to support local businesses and neighbourhood creative artisans. But, with so many different options, it can be tricky to know which markets are worth visiting. So I’ve put together this helpful list of the best Toronto Holiday Markets you won’t want to miss during this beautiful time of year!
When you visit the Distillery District during the holidays, you will feel like you are in a winter wonderland! The Distillery District is one of Toronto’s most charming spots. Built in 1832, the old Gooderham and Worts Distillery has been preserved to be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The cobblestone streets and restored Victorian Industrial buildings have been transformed into a pedestrian-only neighbourhood with amazing restaurants, cozy bars and unique boutiques.
And there is no better time to visit the Distillery District than at Christmastime! The entire neighbourhood is converted in November into the Distillery Winter Village. The streets are transformed with millions of twinkle lights and bright Christmas baubles. Wooden market stalls pop up to mirror those traditional European Christmas Markets. It’s a great spot to do some holiday shopping! The market hosts over 65+ unique and local shops, artisans, restaurants and cafés. So whatever you’re looking for, you most likely will be able to find it here!
The market opens on November 17th, and the event’s last day is December 31st.
Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 PM and December 27-31 after 4:00 PM. At all other times, access is free of charge and tickets are not required. Your ticket time window indicates what time you can enter the distillery. But there is no limit to your visit duration.
The market is always packed on the weekend after 4 PM, hence the requirement for ticketing so they can control crowd levels. If you can go during the week, this will be your best chance to visit when it’s less busy. I always advise going during the week if you can.
Tickets are $11 + HST each. Kids 9 and under are FREE of charge.
Address: 55 Mill St, Toronto
The One-of-a-Kind Show is an arts & crafts fair held a few times a year in the huge Enercare Centre within Exhibition Place. Every year at Christmas time, over 600 artists from across the country gather to sell their handmade goods. This is often my favourite spot to shop for Christmas presents and unique seasonal decor. The stuff you find here, you won’t find anywhere else! It’s nice to have such one-of-a-kind pieces of festive decor that your friends and family will be in awe of this Christmas.
With over 600+ vendors, you can wander the floor for hours. Just admiring all the incredible things people can create! Sometimes it feels more like going to an art gallery than a craft show! But here, you can actually afford most of the art you see on the walls!
November 24 – December 4 | Weekdays & Saturdays: 10am to 9pm | Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Late Night Hours: December 1, 10 AM-11 PM
Tickets: $23 Adults | $17 Seniors | $17 Youth 5-17
Address: 100 Princes’ Blvd #1, Toronto
The Swedish Christmas Fair was always one of my favourite events in Toronto! I sorely missed it when it was closed in 2020 and 2021. But I rejoiced when I heard it would be back in 2022! The Swedish Christmas Market is hosted by SWEA Toronto. This adorable marketplace features Swedish designs, products and folk art that will surely add some Scandinavian flair to your holiday decor. I fondly remember my trip to Stockholm at Christmas and all the wonderful Christmas markets. But being back at the Swedish Chrismas Fair in Toronto feels like being right back there, without ever having to get on a plane.
Be sure to stop by the cafe to get a hot plate of meatballs and lingonberry jam. There are also many events throughout the day, like a St. Lucia procession, Swedish Folk Dancers and Swedish Christmas Singers. It’s a great event to learn more about Swedish Christmas traditions. But my favourite part? The traditional Glögg, which is Swedish mulled wine. This beverage is the perfect drink to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. M
November 19 – 20, 2022 | 11 am – 4 pm | FREE Admission
Address: 585 Dundas St E, Toronto
Most people who visit Toronto rarely experience the east end of the city. The downtown core definitely hogs all the attention. But in my opinion (and I suppose I’m biased since I live here), this is a sorely overlooked part of town. The east end is full of charming architecture, a laid-back atmosphere and fantastic shopping and restaurants. But to find all that east-end energy in one place, you should head to the Leslieville Christmas Pop-up Market. The market is held every weekend in December. It features 30-40 local artisans and east-end businesses selling all the best Christmas goodies! Plus all sorts of handmade items, perfect for your Christmas gift list. In addition to the shopping, there is also a hot chocolate bar, a chance to meet Santa, ornament-making workshops and a children’s craft corner! Something for everyone 🙂
Address: 911 Queen St East, Leslieville
Dec 3-4 | Dec 10-11 | Dec 17-18 | FREE admission
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for your Christmas Shopping, you should check out the Annual Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market. Over 65 local vendors come here to showcase their planet-friendly and botanically-themed festive products. If you love nature-based decor, this is the place to go. Everything from handmade real Christmas wreaths, seasonal plants, and vibrant poinsettias. There are even rare flower bulbs to give as gifts, great for planting in the spring! There are also Holiday Decor Demonstrations where you can learn how to make gorgeous floral arrangements! Something that will impress all your friends and family when they see it on the walls. And don’t forget to grab a fresh hot drink or light bite over in the charming Bloom Cafe!
Friday, November 25, 2 to 8 pm | Saturday, November 26, 10 am to 4 pm | Sunday, November 27, 10 am to 4 pm.
If you buy your tickets in advance, they are $10 per person. Tickets cost $15 at the door, so it’s best to buy them in advance to save some coins!
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, North York
The Toronto Artisan Market is a non-profit organization that supports and benefits local artisans and the neighbouring community. Every year, the organization hosts a holiday market at the Twist Gallery on Queen Street West. Everything from holiday gifts to original art, handmade jewelry, skincare, ceramics, home goods and more can be found here. One of the best places in the city to shop for the most uniquely creative gift options! Even if you have no idea what to get someone for Christmas, this is the place to get inspired. You’ll be amazed at what you find and how happy you will be to discover the perfect something for that special someone you didn’t even know they needed!
Saturday November 19th – Sunday November 20th | 11 am to 5 pm
Free Admission + Pet Friendly
Address: 1100 Queen St W, Toronto
Every year, Nathan Phillips Square is a hub of Christmas activities and transforms into a magical winter wonderland. It is one of my favourite places to come at the start of the season to get into the Christmas spirit. And this year, their holiday fair has returned once more! This fantastic market is entirely free and open almost every day of the week! In addition to the fantastic vendors, there is a mesmerizing winter carnival with an old-fashioned carousel, carnival games and more! It is the perfect place for the kids to get that memorable meet-and-greet with Santa! And for the adults, there is the Polar Point bar. This holiday cocktail bar features seasonal favourites like mulled wine, hot apple cider, seasonal beer, liquor, and wine.
The brilliance of this market is the number of food trucks there selling delicious treats for you to enjoy! Potato Twists, Korean fried cheese, hot dumplings and Tiny Tom’s Donuts are just some Toronto street food classics you can get here at the market. Exhibiting the creative flair and cultural diversity of our city is of the utmost importance at the Holiday Fair at Nathan Phillips Square.
December 2nd to December 23rd (Closed Mondays)
Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Friday to Saturday – 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Sunday – 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto
Stackt Market is North America’s largest shipping container market and is located in the heart of Toronto’s downtown. Literally stacked up, one on top of the other, a series of recycled shipping containers are now home to various shops and restaurants. Everything from microbreweries to local artisans. It is also a relaxed place to go and get some of the most incredible views across the city. Pop-up vendors arrive at the holiday market during the festive season. They join various Christmas workshops, winter games, and festive experiences like the giant inflatable Santa’s Village! Their fire pits are the perfect place to relax with friends while keeping warm under a picturesque snowfall. There is also an ironically Canadian s’more station! Perfect to nosh on a delicious sweet treat while enjoying the magical ambiance all around you.
November 18 – December 31, 2022
Gates Open: 9 am – 11 pm | Stores Open: 12 pm – 8 pm | Restaurants Open: 12 pm – 11 pm | Free Admission
Address: 28 Bathurst St, Toronto
Evergreen Brick Works is one of those Toronto landmarks we all have fond memories of since it hosts some of the city’s best events! The former brick-making factory along the Don River has been transformed into one of the trendiest outdoor events spaces in the city! Evergreen prides itself on building sustainable practices that enable flourishing cities of the future. This year, after some closures during 2020 and 2021, they are hosting their Festive Winter Market again. This one-day-only event features everything from a delicious food court, a charming skating rink to immersive hikes along their wintery trails. And, of course, lots of vendors selling sustainably produced and handmade items along with artisan and vintage items. This is the place to experience a variety of classic Canadian Christmas traditions in one spot!
The firepits light up at night, and you can grab a winter-inspired cocktail from the bar to enjoy while relaxing in the warmth. The skating rink is open all night, and under a swath of twinkle lights, it is something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. At 7 pm, the space comes alive with live music, so grab your loved one and hit the dance floor! While many think Evergreen Brick Works is a little out of the way for tourists to easily visit, thankfully, the Evergreen Shuttle is back! This shuttle bus really helps make the journey as seamless as possible. Simply ride the subway to Broadview Station and hop on the shuttle. It runs every 30-45 minutes from the parkette north of the subway.
December 18th | 11am-5pm & evening activities from 6pm-9pm
Free and open to the public
Address: 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto
Hopefully, these Toronto Holiday Markets are the perfect place for you to check off all the items on your Christmas list! Let me know in the comments what you’re searching for this holiday season!
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