Toronto Christmas lights turn the city into a twinkling playground of festive cheer. Some of them are free, and others have a price tag, but in this article I will share with you the Toronto Christmas light experiences that are worth paying for! I also have a piece on where to see Christmas lights in Toronto for free sharing recommendations on all the best things to do in Toronto during Christmas, such as Toronto Christmas markets, festive pop up holiday bars, as well as Toronto Christmas shows and events. 

With no further ado, let’s dive into the best Toronto Christmas immersive lights experiences that are worth paying for!

Toronto Christmas Lights: Casa Loma’s Holidays at the Castle

Toronto Christmas Lights at Casa Loma are a completely different experience! Casa Loma is an iconic tourist activity in Toronto, and I will explain to you why I am adding it to this list. Having visited Casa Loma during the holidays, I can definitely tell you that holidays are perhaps the best time to visit such a tourist attraction. I love exploring museums and iconic places, and sometimes the experience might be repetitive and redundant. However, visiting Casa Loma during Christmas brings in a different flair to Sir Henry Pellatt’s real life castle. As I walked through the halls, corridors and the beautifully decorated rooms. I imagined what it felt like living in such a beautiful castle at Christmas.

This is what the Casa Loma Holiday DAY Tour looks like:

This is what the Casa Loma Holiday NIGHT Tour looks like:

Secondly, there was a different component to Casa Loma during Christmas: select key rooms and areas were decorated by prolific Canadian personalities in the arts, creative and beauty industries. It gave me the opportunity to discover their talents, read about their art, and appreciate their work more. When you visit Casa Loma as part of your Toronto Christmas experience, you’ll see different portraits in front of each room/area, describing who was in charge of the décor during the exhibition. I give a bit more of this experience in my “Holidays at the Castle” vlog, featuring my Casa Loma Christmas experience. 

But your Casa Loma tour experience during Christmas can’t be complete unless you also do the Holiday Lights Experience at the Castle…

Toronto Christmas Lights: Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights Experience

The Holiday Lights Experience at the castle perfectly complements the Casa Loma day time tour during the Christmas period. Though the two events are sold separately, you can purchase your tickets online together as a package, if you want to have both Toronto Christmas Lights experiences on the same day. I picked that option because it was my first time visiting Casa Loma and I wanted the whole, comprehensive experience.

The Holiday Lights tour starts at 5:00 PM, right after the day time tour of Casa Loma ends. It is a self-paced walk throughout the Casa Loma gardens, where you can stroll through what feels like an enchanting forest with live Christmas characters such as The Grinch and The Nutcracker. Added to this, are special Christmas-themed rooms (indoors) such as the wonderland room, candy cane room, a bakery-style decorated room and so many more; representing aspects of what we loved so much about the holidays. 

But that’s not all: During this Toronto Christmas Lights experience, you can also attend live fire-display and magic shows that add to your entertainment at the castle. And to end the tour, there is a special story time tour of the Casa Loma Christmas House (that I might have run away from), but which definitely adds “another” dimension to this Toronto Christmas lights experience (since I am trying so hard not to spill the beans, I will say no more… but if you’re smart, you’ll check out my Casa Loma at Christmas to see exactly what I am talking about! Or … just get your ticket with blind faith and find out on your own)!

The best way to end this Toronto Christmas lights experience is by walking through one of Sir Henry Pellatt’s secret tunnels at the castle, admiring the décor, watching some of Santa’s workshops and why not… even participate in one of them! This Toronto Christmas lights experience was definitely full of surprises, and I would recommend it for fun, a bit of scare and …some good memories!

Toronto Distillery Winter Village Christmas Lights

The Distillery Winter Village Lights are one of the most enchanting parts of the Toronto Christmas lights experience, transforming the historic Distillery District into a glowing holiday wonderland. Cobblestone streets are lined with sparkling string lights, oversized ornaments, festive art installations, and the iconic towering Christmas tree that draws thousands every year. The village feels straight out of a European Christmas market, with charming vendor cabins, artisan shops, and seasonal treats filling the air with warmth and holiday spirit. Whether you’re strolling with friends, taking photos, or grabbing mulled wine, the Distillery Winter Village offers one of the most magical and immersive light displays in Toronto.

This is what it looks like in real life:

Where to Eat Near Toronto’s Best Christmas Lights

As you are planning a night out exploring the Toronto Christmas lights, you’ll definitely want a cozy spot to warm up, recharge, and enjoy a great meal or drink. Here are the best and closest places to eat near the city’s most magical holiday light displays—perfect for turning your light-hunting adventure into a full festive experience.

At the Distillery Winter Village Lights

• Cluny Bistro – A chic French brasserie ideal for a festive dinner, rich flavours, and beautiful interiors that feel like a holiday escape.

• El Catrin: For bold Mexican flavours and one of the most vibrant heated patios in Toronto, this is a perfect stop after the lights.

• Balzac’s Coffee Roasters (my fav + multiple locations) Warm up with a latte or hot chocolate in one of Toronto’s coziest cafés.

At Yorkville Lights (Free Lights Expo)

• Café Boulud – Upscale and refined, ideal for a special holiday meal.

• Eataly Toronto – Three floors of Italian food options, from pasta to pastries—perfect for festive grazing.

• Bar Reyna – A cozy hideaway known for Mediterranean small plates and a year-round heated patio.

Casa Loma Holiday Lights

After exploring the enchanted tunnels, glowing gardens, and castle pathways, enjoy a meal on-site:

• BlueBlood Steakhouse – A luxury dining experience inside the castle, great for a romantic holiday evening.

Toronto turns into a magical city at Christmas, and there are so many things to do. From free Toronto Christmas lights displays, to unique Toronto Christmas markets, and exciting Toronto Christmas events, this Toronto Christmas lights combination of experiences simply adds the icing on the cake that makes Toronto a beautiful city to visit during the winter season!