Posted: Sept 5, 2019

Updated: Nov, 15 2024

Things to do in Toronto in December are not hard to find, especially as Toronto is one of the Canadian cities that truly come alive during the winter! From the first time I visited Toronto in December in 2018, I was almost discouraged from visiting Toronto in December because I was afraid of how cold it would be. I naturally tend to prefer warmer temperatures because I have lived in the Caribbean for so long. But Toronto is not just any city: a cultural and social melting pot, a walking maze of skyscrapers, national museums and a constantly growing hub of entertainment of all genres, Toronto seemed to have everything for everyone. I wanted to see what was in it for me, and I am happy I did! If you ever plan to visit Toronto and are looking for Christmas events in Toronto in December, here is a short list of my 8 top recommendations of things to do in Toronto in December.

Things to do in Toronto in December: Things to Consider if you Plan to Visit Toronto in December

Canada is known to be a particularly cold country. However, December and Christmas events in Toronto can be pretty enjoyable. Just make sure to keep the following in mind: 

1. Pack warm items – basically, all the essentials that you usually need to survive the winter. Even though December is not extremely cold, it is better to be over prepared than to to be freezing cold everywhere you go.
2. Make a budget – I found shopping and food to be generally pricier in Canada (compared to the USA). With that in mind, make sure you make an estimate budget for all your expenses. Also, you should keep in mind that the sales tax is about 13%. So add it to all your expenses. 
3. Consider taking the Union-Pearson (UP)Train from the Airport to the Union Station – The UP train is extremely convenient and inexpensive when it comes to getting downtown Toronto from the airport. It costs about 12.35 CAD, which is three times cheaper than what you would pay if you were to get a cab to the city. Plus, the UP train drops you at the Union Station downtown. From there, you can literally go anywhere. 
4. The city is culturally diverse, and bigger than you think – In fact, the entire population is estimated at about 6 million. Make sure you don’t get lost!

Things to do in Toronto in December: The Distillery Christmas Market (Toronto Winter Village)

The Distillery District Toronto Christmas Market is always at the top of my list of things to do in Toronto in December. I had read about it online, watched pictures on different websites and I was very eager to go. The Christmas lights that decorate all the stalls make you feel like you’re in a truly enchanted place. The lovely music played all around the distillery music keeps your spirit alive. This is easily one of the best Christmas events in Toronto every year. As you walk through the different stands, your heart jumps of joy. You want to see more. You want to feel more. You want to experience more. And when you start to feel the cold that is expected when visiting Toronto in December, you can indulge in a warm cup of tea (or coffee for the coffee lovers) at any of the stalls you see! And don’t get me started on all the culinary aromas that would entice on your sense of smell and excite your palate: the winter wind carries them from every corner of the market, and brings them in your direction. If you’re like me, it would be difficult to resist. So let yourself go, it’s Christmas! Taste the freshly grilled bratwurst hot dogs, the cinnamon-spiced pastries and all the other delectable treats that you can enjoy during amazing Christmas events in Toronto every year!

My Special Personal Tips when visiting the Distillery District Toronto Christmas Market in December:

• Entrance is FREE on weekdays. There is an admission cost on the weekend (CAD $6), starting at 5:00 pm on Friday.
• Beat the crowd and go there early to capture the market alive during the daytime hours!
• Get the full experience by staying until the sunset, and enjoy the magic of the Toronto Christmas Market at night!
• Dress up as warm as you possibly can: it gets chillier in the evening, and you don’t want to miss the fun because you’re cold!

Things to do in Toronto in December: Visit The CF Toronto Eaton Center Christmas Tree

There is something magical about stepping in a shopping center and seeing it come alive with all the Christmas lights. If you absolutely don’t have enough time to visit Toronto in December, but you still want to feel the Christmas spirit, then head over to the CF Toronto Eaton Center. It is a great spot to hang out, take pictures, get warm (of course, this is important). It is also the largest shopping center in Toronto, named after Eaton (the largest shopping chain in Canada).

What does this mean? Simply put, if you were planning on doing some light (or heavy) shopping during your stay in Toronto), this is THE place to go. It also has fun Christmas events in Toronto such as concerts. And like many other malls in Canada, they have the option of “visiting Santa”. This could be particularly exciting for the kids. You can check out the opening hours and directions to the CF Toronto Eaton Center on their official website.

Who Should visit the CF Toronto Eaton Center?

Anyone who wants to experience Toronto Shopping Life, take amazing Christmas pictures, while staying warm and indoors!

Christmas Events in Toronto: Walk around The St Lawrence Market

The St Lawrence market in Toronto is claimed as the largest indoor market in the country. It is definitely one of the top tourist attractions in Toronto, and a great destination to catch exciting Christmas events in Toronto. The St Lawrence market is a great spot to get to know local merchants, discover victorian arts, and shop for unique antiques in Toronto in December!

Special tips when visiting the St Lawrence Market in Toronto in December:

• If you’d like to get the full experience, plan your visit between Monday and Saturday. Only part of the market is opened on Sunday.
• Spice up your visit of the St Lawrence Market in December can learn how to make French pastries, discover the Victorian tradition or learn the art of beer craft by attending one of the market events!

Things to do in Toronto in December: Stop at The Toronto CN Tower

“CN” Tower stands for “Canadian National” Tower. It was initially conceptualized as a TV and radio communication platform. Interestingly, it has become one of the top things to see when visiting Toronto. But this can  be explained by several arguments. First of all, the tower was the tallest free-standing structure for 32 years (it was dethroned by the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates in 2007). Secondly, every visitor that goes to the CN Tower can appreciate spectacular views of the city. Such views cannot be seen at any other points in Toronto. And to spice up your experience, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the 360 restaurant, with an overlook on Toronto. (now, that would be a dream). To make it a unique Christmas event in Toronto during the holiday season, the 360 restaurant even offers special lunch and dinner menus, as well as cocktail receptions (you can find out more about it here).

My personal tips when visiting the CN tower during the holiday season in Toronto:

• Book your ticket online early to make sure you get a spot for the day/time you want to visit!
• If you’re short of time (or of money) you don’t have to get inside the tower to enjoy! Take the skywalk to the CN Tower from Toronto Union Station, and once outside, marvel at the beauty of this amazing building!
• The CN tower lights up at night and assumes a “majestic red look”!

Christmas Events in Toronto: Visit museums like The Bata Shoe Museum

I had never heard about a “shoe museum” until I heard about the Bata Shoe Museum. It is the only museum in North America dedicated to the history and preservation of footwear from all around the world. I just love how unique the concept of this museum is. The museum was initially created by Sonja Bata, wife of a prominent Canada-based businessman and owner of the Bata Shoe Company. Sonja used to travel the world on business with her husband. From these trips, she felt inspired by the wide diversity of shoes she would encounter, and became interested in their history (see how your life can change when you travel the world?).

Although Sonja originally studied to become an architect, she decided to refocus her architectural in the shoe industry, and the Bata Shoe Foundation was created. The museum was inaugurated in 1995, and is still one of the top tourist attractions in Toronto to this day. If you are looking for things to do in Toronto in December, I would happily recommend visiting the Bata Shoe Museum.

Christmas Events in Toronto: Pop in at the The Royal Ontario Museum

With over 6,000,000 of objects and close to 40 diverse galleries of world culture, natural history and architecture, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the largest (and most visited) museum in Canada. The museum is a great experience for any history lover who wants to feel in his element when visiting Toronto in December. They have special exhibitions and unique Christmas events in Toronto that you can explore when you visit the city. And even if you want to visit at another time, it is alright too. The museum offers exhibitions year-round.

My personal tips when visiting the Royal Ontario Museum:

• The museum is very large: pick one or two galleries of interest to you and focus on those. This would help you maximize your time. It is particularly helpful if you are only visiting for a few days and want to check out other amazing things to do in Toronto.
• If you can, plan your trip according to the museum exhibitions. They help to spice up your experience and give you more things to look forward to!

Christmas Events in Toronto: Brunch at the Hot House Restaurant

During my visit to Toronto, I was let in one of the locals best kept secret: “Hothouse restaurant is the best spot in town for a Sunday brunch!”. And fortunately, I had the chance to witness it myself: the brunch menu is very extensive, so much so that you are overwhelmed with all the options that they offer. And for a foodie like me, brunch is something that I hold dearly! The buffet brunch is such in high demand that they even recommend booking in advance (although you might still get a spot if you walk-in, like we did). In my Instagram highlight, (the one where I shared my adventure visiting Toronto in December), you can see all the food items that they offer live, and you can witness how amazing it is (for yourself!).

When we went there, there was a live jazz band playing, and families and co-workers sitting and eating together, doing a Christmas gift exchange. It was a very charming experience. If you are looking for unique Christmas events Toronto or things to do in Toronto in December and on a Sunday, the hot house restaurant brunch buffet is definitely something I would recommend.

 

My personal tips when visiting the Hot House Restaurant (for brunch):

• If you can, reserve a table in advance. Walk-ins are accepted as well (we didn’t have a reservation)
• The brunch menu costs $26.95 without tax (and about $30 with tax). For the ambiance, the diverse food options and the entire experience, it’s worth it.

Christmas Events in Toronto: Spend time at the Nathan Phillips Square

Nathan Phillips Square is an excellent place for amazing memories, whether you are starting or ending your Toronto adventure. While it’s mostly known for the famous “Toronto sign”, it also offers a lot of great Christmas events in Toronto. It is a vibrant space that offers a lot of activities year round, especially during the holiday season. The square is open during the day, but I would definitely recommend visiting at night. It gets all lit up, there are more people around, more food stands are open, and it’s overall, more fun! Whether you want to try your luck at ice skating or take a souvenir picture at the Toronto sign, just do it!

I wanted to experience the best things to do in Toronto in December. With the time I had, I decided to introduce myself to Toronto and see what I could learn from her in return. And I am glad I did. If you are planning on traveling to Toronto in December, don’t be discouraged thinking that it’s too cold to go sightseeing. I had three free afternoons (which turn out to be one full day, if you think of it in terms of 24 hours), and I had a lot of fun! Try all (or any) of the activities that I suggested here, and you’d see how interesting it can be to visit Toronto in December! And you will thank me later that you did.