Looking for something beyond the cookie-cutter gifts this year? Head to these fun, quintessential holiday markets to buy local and handmade items instead! You’ll find everything from kids’ toys and clothing to beauty products, housewares, and giftable food items.
More than just markets, these events also have live music, hot apple cider and baked goods, workshops, and visits from Santa.
Toronto Christmas Market
DOWNTOWN / DISTILLERY DISTRICT
The historic Distillery District’s annual Toronto Christmas Market is the seasonal market event not to miss. Along the cobblestone lanes—decked out in lovely, Dickens’-esque, European yuletide décor—you’ll find more than 30 vendors, seasonal food, and daily live entertainment (Santa’s Elves’ Sing-Along is a good bet with little ones); plus a Ferris wheel, a carousel and Santa’s House.
Nov. 14–Dec. 22 Free weekdays (until Fri. at 6 pm), regular price admission $12 weekends; discounts available
One Of A Kind Show
DOWNTOWN / EXHIBITION PLACE
Do all your holiday shopping in one go at the massive One of a Kind Show, held twice a year (holiday season and in spring). A shopping tradition since 1975, OOAK is attended by more than 140,000 people and features more than 800 artisans and their handmade clothing, jewellery, crafts, toys, beauty products, and food items. Our top picks: kid and baby clothing, handmade toys, locally made and all-natural products for mom!
Nov. 21–Dec. 1Admission $15 adults, kids under 12 free
Aurora Winter Festival
DOWNTOWN / ONTARIO PLACE
More than just a market, the Aurora Winter Festival is a winter wonderland at Ontario Place features interactive “mystical worlds” to explore: an ice palace, Candy Cane Lane and Gingerbread Hut, a yeti cave, and more. It also has rides and games, an ice tube slide, storytimes with Santa, live music, food trucks, and more than 25 vendors.
Nov. 22–Jan. 5Regular-price admission $20 adults, $15 kids; discounts available
Holiday Fair in the Square
DOWNTOWN / NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE
A Christmas market meets winter carnival, Fair in the Square is at Nathan Phillips Square, so you can get in some skating on the picturesque rink before or after visits with Santa, rides and games, food at the many vendors, and shopping for local, unique, and handmade gifts.
Dec. 7–23Free admission
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Evergreen Winter Village
MIDTOWN / ROSEDALE
The Holiday Market at Evergreen Brick Works’ Evergreen Winter Village is dedicated to sustainable and locally made goods. It features a rotation of more than 40 vendors, so you’ll find something new each time you visit. You’ll also find food trucks and stalls, outdoor skating, live music, and workshops, all in this lovely natural oasis in the city.
Weekends Nov. 30–Dec. 22Free admission
Holiday Market at the Barns
MIDTOWN / WYCHWOOD
At Artscape Wychwood Barns, the family-friendly Holiday Market at the Barns features vendors, food, live music, a holiday bar, and crafts for kids.
Dec. 8Free admission
Holiday Markets in GTA and Beyond
Thes are some of the biggest and best Christmas artisan markets outside the city.
Downtown Whitby Christmas Market
WHITBY
Soak up the season with ice skating, live music, mulled wine and hot chocolate, warm fires, and—of course—lots of holiday shopping at the Downtown Whitby Christmas Market at Celebration Square.
Dec. 6–8Free admission
Seasons Christmas Show
MISSISSAUGA
If it’s handmade, local, and one-of-a-kind, you’ll find it at the annual Seasons Christmas Show at the International Centre. Browse more than 100 exhibitor booths, check the main stage schedule for presentations on decorating and entertaining, plus Makeful Workshops where you can make DIY ornaments, wreaths, and more.
November 22–24Adults $15, youth (13–17) $12, kids 12 and under free
Christkindl Market
KITCHENER
For more than 20 years, this German Festival of Christmas has brought centuries-old holiday traditions to Kitchener. In addition to outdoor concerts, sleigh rides, and the Kinderecke Kids’ Corner (magicians, storytime, puppet shows, craft workshops), there are more than 100 food and artisan vendors in the Christkindl outdoor village.
Dec. 5–8Free admission
Smaller local markets will be popping up all over the city. See our events calendar, updated daily, for more info!
