Posted: Dec 8, 2023

Updated: Oct 10, 2024

Christmas lights in Toronto transform the city into a mesmerizing wonderland, casting a warm and festive glow over iconic landmarks and bustling neighborhoods! Looking for the best free places to see Christmas lights? Toronto has a lot of options when it comes to things to see and do in December. From open ice-skating plazas to popular Christmas markets with inviting Christmas lights displays, there is more than one way to get into the holidays magic in Toronto, without having to pay a dime! Here are my favorite recommendations of where to see Christmas lights in Toronto, for free!

Christmas Lights in Toronto: The Distillery Winter Village

The Distillery Winter Village (formerly Distillery Christmas Market) is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Toronto. A lot of people (tourists and Torontonians alike) head there every Christmas season to shop local, enjoy some heartwarming caroling, stroll the streets, and see some Christmas lights. Toronto has a lot of Christmas markets (in different regions including the Greater Toronto Area), and this winter village is said to be the largest. The Christmas spirit at the Distillery winter village is heightened by the magnanimous Dior Christmas tree, which is a popular eye-catcher and… as some would believe, one you can’t leave the Distillery Winter Village without taking a photo with. 

Christmas Lights in Toronto: The Nathan Phillip Square

Nathan Phillip Square has the largest open skating rink in the city, and is the most popular spot for ice skating in Toronto during the holidays and winter season. Since this open plaza naturally attracts large crowds in Toronto during the holidays, they also host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This opens up the festivities at Nathan Phillip square, with an event called Cavalcade of Lights. The Cavalcade of lights (bundled with the tree lighting ceremony) happens in one day, but the Christmas lights display remain throughout the season. In addition, they also open up another Christmas market in Toronto called the Fair in the Square, where you can shop local goods, enjoy local foods and pretty much spend a nice (and chilly) winter night with family and friends. 

Christmas Lights Toronto – Bloor Yorkville Neighborhood

The Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood in the GTA was definitely a “coup de coeur” for me during this Christmas season in Toronto. I was really on the search for things to do in Toronto during the winter, and where to see the best Christmas lights displays in Toronto. I’ve seen a lot of Christmas lights throughout the season, but there was just something charming about Bloor-Yorkville. You know, the business improvement area of each neighborhood within the GTA works to create the holiday spirit within their community, inviting locals to get outside and visitors to explore their neighborhood. 

There was just an air of “je ne sais quoi” that made me have a pinch of love and new-found appreciation for Bloor-Yorkville. Was it the natural warmth of the locale during the winter? The non-stop lineup of restaurants, cute cafes and bars? Or the beguiling Christmas lights at the Yorkville park? Whatever the case may be, despite the fact that I had difficulties finding the Village of Yorkville Park at first (and circled around for a solid 20 minutes on a winter night), I still loved their Christmas lights. Toronto has created a gem at Bloor-Yorkville, and I’ll definitely recommend stopping there, as one of the best things to do in Toronto during Christmas season. 

Christmas Lights in Toronto: The Toronto Eaton Center

If you are looking for somewhere to see Christmas Lights, Toronto Eaton Center never disappoints: it’s the easy solution, easy spot, easy destination, easy entertainment. I just love strolling through this gigantic mall. With 230+ stores and restaurants, it is the most popular shopping mall in Canada (with an estimate of 50 million visitors per year, followed by the West Edmonton Mall which welcomes 28 million visitors per year). As much as you can see an overarching theme of holiday lights at the Toronto Eaton Center, every single store also puts its best food forward to decorate the premises in a way that would invite shoppers, or at the very least, captivate their attention for longer than usual. And you would (most likely) agree with me when you watch my tour of the Christmas Lights – Toronto Eaton Center vlog. 

Christmas Lights in Toronto – The Hudson Bay Store Display

Rumor has it the Hudson Bay (The Bay/La Baie) in Toronto is the first mall in town to put up their Christmas decorations. I wouldn’t beg to differ, I am still a newcomer! However, when I stepped out in town on November 8th to handle my usual business, I was puzzled to see that The Hudson Bay Christmas display was already out and swinging in full lights: and I thought to myself: the fall season is not even over yet! Either way, it’s hard to miss, when you are downtown in the city. The Christmas lights at the Toronto Hudson Bay are more like a Santa’s workshop window showcase. The constant motion of Santa’s team of gift builders makes it all the more interesting for someone looking for more interactive Christmas lights in Toronto. 

Brookfield Place

One of the reasons I remember Brookfield place was because I always used to accidentally exit there when taking The Path in downtown Toronto. Certainly, the underground pathway that helps you keep warm during the winter exposed me to countless stores and beautiful outlets, but getting out at Brookfield Place (when I wasn’t supposed to) created a negative association. Fortunately, the beautiful Christmas decor displays at the Brookfield place have progressively wiped out these negative-ish memories, replacing them with the lights, colors and warmth that comes with the Christmas season in Toronto. And speaking of “The Path”…

Christmas Lights in Toronto: The Toronto Underground Path

Ah… this intricate and interesting underground network that connects train stations to office buildings within Downtown Toronto. The Path was built almost 150 years ago, and also serves as a great way to walk to downtown Toronto during the winter, while staying warm. And during the Christmas season, it’s heartwarming to see The Path transform at key points, with its luminescent chandeliers, Christmas trees and Christmas decorations along the way, making it a joy ride (or walk) to get to work!

Toronto is a naturally lit city, there’s no question about it. But when it comes to Christmas lights, Toronto offers so many avenues and places where you can feel the Christmas magic and get in the holiday spirit externally, without having to pay a dime. But when you are done with all the free lights, you might want to spice things up and go for a more immersive experience. When the time comes, check out my top recommendations of the best paid experiences to see Christmas lights in Toronto!

PS: visiting Toronto during the summer? Here are my recommendations of the best FREE summer festivals to attend in Toronto! And since you’re probably going to want more resources when it comes to Toronto, explore my Canada travel section!