Christmas Events Toronto: Toronto Christmas Parade
I was told that the Toronto Christmas parade was THE event to kick off the Christmas season in Toronto! And … perhaps it’s true. Well, at least it was the first of the Christmas events Toronto held, and that I attended. During the Toronto Christmas parade, popular companies in Canada across all industries (food and beverage, transportation, tech, communication, etc.) put together Christmas-style decorated floats. They march on the streets (this year, from Christie Pits to the St Lawrence Markets), spreading Christmas cheers to Torontonians, visitors and anyone who comes out on that day to hear them!
This is what the Toronto Christmas parade looks like in real life:
In addition, you can also see musical bands (from various schools), costume bands (such as penguins, clowns, etc.) gracing the streets with their energy, smiles and Christmas cheers. The Toronto Christmas parade usually takes place in mid-November. If you miss this in-person Christmas event in Toronto, CTV news has a rebroadcast in the first week of December.
Christmas Events Toronto: Christmas at the Castle (Casa Loma)
Ah, the reputable Casa Loma: Toronto’s real life castle. Outside of the Christmas season, Casa Loma is already a well-known and well-loved tourist attraction. It always makes the list of “things to do in Toronto”, during all seasons. During the Christmas season, the “castle on the hill” magically transforms into a wonderland that attracts both adults and kids. Casa Loma offers two key Christmas events in Toronto: Christmas at the Castle (day tour) and Holiday Lights (night tour). The Casa Loma day tour ends at 5:00 PM, and that is also when the night tour starts.
During Christmas at the Castle (day tour), you get to have a tour of Casa Loma, fully decorated as a Christmas castle. Walking through the different rooms, halls and towers almost feels like you are exploring the intimacy of Sir Henry Pallatt and his family. This Casa Loma Christmas tour transports you to his century, when he conceptualized this castle and made it his home. The secret passageways are also full of secrets, and they are a great addition to this Christmas at the Castle experience.
Christmas Events Toronto: Casa Loma Holiday Lights Tour
The Holiday Lights Tour at Casa Loma perfectly complements the Christmas at the Castle experience. After spending an afternoon walking through the halls of Casa Loma, step outside at night to the illuminated gardens and transform your experience! I truly enjoyed the Holiday Lights at Casa Loma. I’d probably put it as my top Christmas lights experience in Toronto, and here is why: beyond Christmas lights in the Casa Loma gardens, you also get to explore unique Christmas-themed rooms, attend magic shows and fire shows, walked through a “special Christmas house” (I would say no more on this), and walk the secret passageway (the same one as for the Christmas at the Castle) experience.
I think this is a very good Christmas event in Toronto where you can bring your family to, and to even… start your family at! During my visit there, a gentleman proposed to his now fiancée (and it was a very heartwarming experience). Speaking of warmth, the Holiday Lights tour also has a stand for pretty affordable warm drinks and donuts: definitely comes in handy during your tour!
Whether you are going for the day or night tour, make sure you book your tickets well in advance to ensure you get a spot on your selected day/night!
Christmas events in Toronto: The Candlelight Concert Series
The Candlelight Concert Series has become one of Toronto’s most enchanting holiday experiences, offering intimate, glow-filled performances of classical and modern music. Set in beautiful venues lit by hundreds of flickering candles, these concerts transform familiar holiday melodies into immersive, emotional moments. Whether it’s a string quartet performing festive classics, movie soundtracks, or winter-themed favorites, the atmosphere feels warm, elegant, and deeply calming—perfect for escaping the holiday rush. It’s a standout December activity for couples, friends, or solo explorers seeking something magical and memorable.
Christmas events in Toronto: The Nutcracker
A true Canadian holiday tradition, The Nutcracker remains one of Toronto’s most beloved seasonal performances. Each year, audiences gather to experience the timeless story brought to life through stunning choreography, lavish costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. From the magical Christmas Eve party to the Land of Sweets, every scene delivers nostalgia, beauty, and pure festive wonder. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or keeping up a yearly tradition, The Nutcracker is an essential part of Toronto’s holiday season and a perfect way to embrace the warmth and creativity of December celebrations. You can grab your ticket to go see the Nutcracker here!
There you have it: the round-up of some of the best Christmas events Toronto offers during the holidays season! Check out this guide if you are up for more adventure or want to see more things to do in Toronto during December!
Looking for more unique Toronto Christmas experiences?
If you liked this article, you will probably love:
- The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Toronto
- The Best Christmas Markets in Toronto
- The Best Christmas lights displays in Toronto
- The best places to see amazing Christmas Lights in Toronto for FREE
- Things to do in Toronto during the winter
- Things to do in Toronto in December
- Canada Bucketlist experiences for the holidays
When it comes to Christmas events, Toronto is the city that never sleeps (and it applies to all seasons in fact). From amazing Christmas lights displays to unique Christmas events where you can catch the “magic of the season”, and Toronto Christmas markets where you can find trinkets and hearty goods, there are countless opportunities to have a memorable and enjoyable Christmas season in Toronto. In this guide, I will share with you my best recommendations of the top Christmas events Toronto offers, those I attended, and how you can plan your holiday season around those!
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Christmas Events Toronto: Christmas Concert Series at the Eaton Center
Everyone in Toronto knows that the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Eaton Center is THE Christmas event that everyone should attend! And if you didn’t know this (because you are not in Toronto), well… Now, you know because you know me! During the holiday season, there are live performances at the shopping mall that enhance the shopping experience and make you want to linger a little (a lot) longer!
Imagine going to the biggest shopping mall in town, and being serenaded by music while you shop or chill with your friends! I specifically went on a day when they were having the Steel Pan Fantasy band playing, and I am truly glad I did! Such a heartwarming and nostalgia-inducing moment to listen to Christmas songs and popular songs played in the Caribbean style, by a steelpan band! This is definitely one of the Christmas events Toronto had this season that I truly enjoyed. Check out the Toronto Eaton Center Instagram page to find out the lineup and future events!
And if you want to see their beautiful holiday display, this is what the Eaton Center looks like at Christmas:
Christmas Events Toronto: Toronto Christmas markets
Toronto Christmas markets were one of the first Christmas events I ever attended in Toronto. From the first time I visited this city, I felt like there was something unique about Toronto Christmas markets. The Distillery Winter Village Christmas market is the most popular Christmas market in Toronto. It offers a wide variety of local stores, artisans workshops and trinkets shops where you can buy unique finds and Christmas gifts you might not find anywhere else.
The Distillery Winter Village is a very popular Christmas market in Toronto because of the humongous Dior tree located at the center of the market: every year, this Christmas tree (sponsored by Dior) attracts thousands of v樂威壯 isitors who spend their days and evenings at the Distillery Christmas market for unique memories. Whether you are visiting Toronto for the holidays or are a newcomer to the city, I definitely recommend spending an evening (or two) at the Distillery Winter Village.
Christmas Events Toronto: Toronto Christmas Parade
I was told that the Toronto Christmas parade was THE event to kick off the Christmas season in Toronto! And … perhaps it’s true. Well, at least it was the first of the Christmas events Toronto held, and that I attended. During the Toronto Christmas parade, popular companies in Canada across all industries (food and beverage, transportation, tech, communication, etc.) put together Christmas-style decorated floats. They march on the streets (this year, from Christie Pits to the St Lawrence Markets), spreading Christmas cheers to Torontonians, visitors and anyone who comes out on that day to hear them!
This is what the Toronto Christmas parade looks like in real life:
In addition, you can also see musical bands (from various schools), costume bands (such as penguins, clowns, etc.) gracing the streets with their energy, smiles and Christmas cheers. The Toronto Christmas parade usually takes place in mid-November. If you miss this in-person Christmas event in Toronto, CTV news has a rebroadcast in the first week of December.
Christmas Events Toronto: Christmas at the Castle (Casa Loma)
Ah, the reputable Casa Loma: Toronto’s real life castle. Outside of the Christmas season, Casa Loma is already a well-known and well-loved tourist attraction. It always makes the list of “things to do in Toronto”, during all seasons. During the Christmas season, the “castle on the hill” magically transforms into a wonderland that attracts both adults and kids. Casa Loma offers two key Christmas events in Toronto: Christmas at the Castle (day tour) and Holiday Lights (night tour). The Casa Loma day tour ends at 5:00 PM, and that is also when the night tour starts.
During Christmas at the Castle (day tour), you get to have a tour of Casa Loma, fully decorated as a Christmas castle. Walking through the different rooms, halls and towers almost feels like you are exploring the intimacy of Sir Henry Pallatt and his family. This Casa Loma Christmas tour transports you to his century, when he conceptualized this castle and made it his home. The secret passageways are also full of secrets, and they are a great addition to this Christmas at the Castle experience.
Christmas Events Toronto: Casa Loma Holiday Lights Tour
The Holiday Lights Tour at Casa Loma perfectly complements the Christmas at the Castle experience. After spending an afternoon walking through the halls of Casa Loma, step outside at night to the illuminated gardens and transform your experience! I truly enjoyed the Holiday Lights at Casa Loma. I’d probably put it as my top Christmas lights experience in Toronto, and here is why: beyond Christmas lights in the Casa Loma gardens, you also get to explore unique Christmas-themed rooms, attend magic shows and fire shows, walked through a “special Christmas house” (I would say no more on this), and walk the secret passageway (the same one as for the Christmas at the Castle) experience.
I think this is a very good Christmas event in Toronto where you can bring your family to, and to even… start your family at! During my visit there, a gentleman proposed to his now fiancée (and it was a very heartwarming experience). Speaking of warmth, the Holiday Lights tour also has a stand for pretty affordable warm drinks and donuts: definitely comes in handy during your tour!
Whether you are going for the day or night tour, make sure you book your tickets well in advance to ensure you get a spot on your selected day/night!
Christmas events in Toronto: The Candlelight Concert Series
The Candlelight Concert Series has become one of Toronto’s most enchanting holiday experiences, offering intimate, glow-filled performances of classical and modern music. Set in beautiful venues lit by hundreds of flickering candles, these concerts transform familiar holiday melodies into immersive, emotional moments. Whether it’s a string quartet performing festive classics, movie soundtracks, or winter-themed favorites, the atmosphere feels warm, elegant, and deeply calming—perfect for escaping the holiday rush. It’s a standout December activity for couples, friends, or solo explorers seeking something magical and memorable.
Christmas events in Toronto: The Nutcracker
A true Canadian holiday tradition, The Nutcracker remains one of Toronto’s most beloved seasonal performances. Each year, audiences gather to experience the timeless story brought to life through stunning choreography, lavish costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. From the magical Christmas Eve party to the Land of Sweets, every scene delivers nostalgia, beauty, and pure festive wonder. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or keeping up a yearly tradition, The Nutcracker is an essential part of Toronto’s holiday season and a perfect way to embrace the warmth and creativity of December celebrations. You can grab your ticket to go see the Nutcracker here!
There you have it: the round-up of some of the best Christmas events Toronto offers during the holidays season! Check out this guide if you are up for more adventure or want to see more things to do in Toronto during December!
Looking for more unique Toronto Christmas experiences?
If you liked this article, you will probably love:
- The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Toronto
- The Best Christmas Markets in Toronto
- The Best Christmas lights displays in Toronto
- The best places to see amazing Christmas Lights in Toronto for FREE
- Things to do in Toronto during the winter
- Things to do in Toronto in December
- Canada Bucketlist experiences for the holidays
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