It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time for frequent family visits, holiday parties and some socially distancing-friendly activities for a safe yet joyous celebration. Here are the top 10 holiday festivities lined up to have some fun and spend quality time with family and friends.
Note: The province of Ontario requires proof of vaccination for entry into many indoor venues, for all guests over 12 years of age. Always check the event details before heading out.
Santa Fest
This year Santa and his team have completely reimagined and revamped Santafest weekends to bring a new experience to you and your family! For the first time at Santafest, enjoy several of your favourite rides such as the Candy Cane Express Train, the Christmas Carousel and more. Enjoy many other new activities such as our Christmas Light Display that spans the entire park and everyone’s favourite Horse-drawn Wagon ride through the Village!
December 14/15 and 21/22
Purchase Tickets at: santasvillage.ca
Santa Visits at Cadillac Fairview Malls
Rediscover that hearing-ho-ho-ho-in-real-life feeling and enjoy a magical and safe visit with Santa at your local CF shopping centre. All in-person visits with Santa must be pre-booked online prior to your arrival and there is a $5 reservation fee to reserve your spot.
CF Malls
Santa Claus parades in Toronto and GTA
November 19th to December 24th
Purchase Tickets at: shops.cadillacfairview.com
Christmas Markets
The Distillery District Winter Village
The Distillery Winter Village is an intimate, picture-perfect holiday experience, where friends and family gather to explore the rich history of The Distillery District, take in the timeless romance of the holidays, and enjoy a curated selection of Toronto’s finest craftspeople, local shops, restaurants and cafes.
November 18th to December 31st
Purchase Tickets at: thedistillerywintervillage.com
Brooks Farms Festive Nights
Embark on a magical evening of lights and live music in an enchanted forest. Enjoy a storytime tractor ride, sip on some delicious hot chocolate, roast marshmallows, live music from local artists, meet and greet with holiday characters, visit with the real Santa, Elsa the Ice Queen and more! All children visiting receive a gift from Santa!
November 19th to December 23rd
Purchase Tickets at: brooksfarms.com
Christmas at the Castle
Visitors will be surrounded by magic throughout the castle interior, resplendent with festive décor including a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall, and a stunning collection of other signature holiday trees decorated by renowned Canadian designers. Younger guests will thrill to visit Santa in his castle workshop and visit with live holiday mascots, and more.
Casa Loma
November 25th to December 30th
Purchase Tickets at: casaloma.ca
The North Pole Light UP Express Train
Onboard the 1-hour journey, passengers will be entertained by some of the beloved Christmas characters and served delicious hot cocoa and a cookie from dancing elves. The train will arrive at the North Pole where Santa will climb aboard and personally deliver a gift of Christmas to each child. We will join in and sing Christmas Carols as we return back to Uxbridge Station, we hope you’ll join us in rockin’ around the Christmas tree.
York Durham Heritage Railway
November 26th to December 30th
Purchase Tickets at: ydhr.ca
Drive-Thru / Walk-Thru Christmas Light Shows
Eclipse Walk With Light
Eclipse “Walk with Light” is an interactive, unique and artistic sound to light forest night walk at the Rotary Village Station inside Muskoka Heritage Place (100 Forbes Hill Drive) in Huntsville, Ontario. Participants walk a circular path of light, where they will encounter unique heritage buildings and illuminated soundscapes linked to the seasons of the year, and the cycles of the day and moon. There will be music, spoken words and thousands of interactive lights that will respond to sounds created by the visitors themselves.
Open Until May 2022
Purchase Tickets at: eclipselightwalk.com
Snow Magic
Wander into this immersive wonderland brimming with epic legendary creatures, crystalline caverns and mysterious sights that only dreams are made of. Feel the pulse of a heartfelt soundscape that inspires you. Surround yourself with captivating beauty, awe and delight. Be curious, play the game and share the tale.
Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto
November 12th, 2021 to January 16th, 2022
Purchase Tickets at: drivethrufunco.com
Gift of Lights
Gift of Lights is a family-friendly drive-thru holiday light display with two tunnels and over 300 animated and static light displays! Enjoy this holiday spectacle from inside the comfort of your own vehicle and tune into Gift of Lights Radio at 103.3FM.
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
November 13th, 2021 to January 9th, 2022
Purchase Tickets at: bingemans.com
Canadian Tire’s Christmas Trail
The magical display is back this year at Black Creek Pioneer Village entrance, and organizers are planning a bigger event this year. You will get to explore a mesmerizing 1.5-kilometre journey from your car. There will also be festive characters, larger-than-life displays, thousands of lights strung with care and more.
1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York
November 13th, 2021 to December 23rd, 2021
Purchase Tickets at: ctchristmastickets.com
OPG Winter Festival of Lights
The most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the 39th annual Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with 3 million lights along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and across Niagara Falls.
Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and across Niagara Falls.
November 13th, 2021 to February 21st, 2022
Purchase Tickets at: wfol.com
