Christmas markets Toronto offers plenty of festive options, and after researching the top Toronto Christmas events during my first full winter here, I created a simple, curated list of the best markets to visit. I combed through websites, blogs, and local guides, then narrowed everything down to the markets that truly stand out. This guide highlights what each market offers—from unique artisan goods to seasonal treats—along with the reasons I personally recommend them.

Christmas Market Toronto: The Distillery Winter Village

This is by far the largest and most popular Christmas market in Toronto. Formerly known as the Distillery District Christmas Market, the Distillery Winter Village in Toronto rebranded a few years ago to highlight the fact that this Christmas market puts a heavy emphasis on local arts, artists, craft makers and small businesses. At the Distillery Winter Village, you can stroll around different alleys and get a completely different experience. I loved the Distillery Winter Village for two key reasons. First, it was my very first experience of what Christmas in Toronto feels like, when I first visited a few years ago. 

On a cold pre-winter night, my friends and I braved the weather and headed out in the streets to listen to some traditional Christmas carols, have some hot chocolate and demolish loaded sausages. Fast forward a few years later, here I am again. But this time, it felt different: I took the time to walk through and explore the art gallery, admire local finds and shop some unique trinkets at Bergo designs: one of the many stores that you can find at the Distillery Winter Village.

This is what it looks like in real life:

Tips for visiting: The Distillery Winter Village is opened every day and is free during the week. On the weekends, you need to get your tickets to explore the Christmas market. I recommend going there around the end of November until the second week of December. During those days, the streets are not completely packed (except for the opening night), and you can also experience some snowy nights of wonder, while marveling at the iconic (and famous) Dior Christmas tree.

Christmas Market Toronto: Holiday Hills Stackt Market

Have you ever seen a Christmas market where the stalls and booths are hosted in shipping containers? Yes – this is the Holiday Hills Christmas Market! Toronto has not stopped surprising me, and I am sure there is more to come as I keep discovering this amazingly welcoming city. The Stackt market was established a few years ago, and also hosts events in Toronto during the summer. However, it’s really during this winter and Christmas season in Toronto that I got to discover this market for the first time. 

This is what it looks like in real life:

Another element that makes this Christmas market in Toronto unique (apart from the shipping containers aspect), is the fact that they have events during the day and in the evening. During the day (and sun hours), you can attend different community workshops, get to meet sellers, artisans and merchants, or even take different classes (including dance classes). In the evenings, you can walk around the Christmas market, enjoy the lights and indulge in a live performance on specific nights!

Tip for visiting: go to the Holiday Stackt Market on a night when they have live performances scheduled: the atmosphere is a lot livelier, and you are more likely to meet other Christmas-loving humans like you! You can check out their full events + performances schedule here. 

Winterfest Toronto 

Winterfest Toronto at Harbourfront Centre is a must-see part of Toronto’s holiday lights scene — this year (Nov 28–Dec 31, 2025) the waterfront is transformed into a glowing, festive wonderland. Expect dazzling lights, a giant walk-in Christmas tree, a magical “Winter Maze” of twinkling pathways, and a charming “Harbourfront Express” train ride under the city skyline. There’s also a vendor lane full of seasonal food trucks, a craft-design marketplace with handmade gifts, and live performances — from fire-circus shows and cabaret to Victorian carolers and Indigenous storytelling by the fire. Plus, you can lace up your skates and glide on the expanded waterfront rink, open daily with free skate rentals on Saturdays. You can find out more about the programming here! 

Holiday Fair in the Square (Sankofa Square)

 The Holiday Fair in the Square (aka Winter Glow) makes a festive return to Sankofa Square from December 11–21, 2025. This free downtown holiday market is packed with twinkling lights, artisan stalls, a fireside lounge, and a licensed Polar Point Bar serving mulled wine and spiced cider.You’ll also find roaming performers, a “Santa Village” for photo ops, and generous support for Epilepsy Toronto, making it a joyful space to shop, sip, and celebrate. 

Christmas markets Toronto: The St. Lawrence Market Winter Market

New for this year and running from November 20 to December 22, 2025, the St Lawrence Christmas Marker will transform Market Street into a cozy holiday hub every Thursday through Sunday. You’ll discover handcrafted gifts, seasonal food and drink, live performances, and festive decor. Families can snap free photos with Santa on weekends, while street performances, from choirs to opera (which I am particularly looking forward to) will bring holiday cheer to the market. You can see the full schedule here to plan your visit!

When it comes to Christmas markets, Toronto as a city delivers. Whilst this guide does not include all the Toronto Christmas markets, it certainly highlights my favorite, as well as reasons why I love them (and why you might quickly fall in love with them too!)

But Christmas markets in Toronto are only one of the many fun things to do in Toronto in December. Check out my comprehensive guide of things to do in Toronto during the Christmas season: get ready – you will get more Toronto Christmas events than you bargained for!

Looking for more unique Toronto Christmas experiences?

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