Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest 2026 Guide

Every winter, Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan swaps roller-coaster screams for Christmas carols. WinterFest transforms the amusement park with millions of lights, holiday shows, festive food and drink and a selection of rides. It’s one of the biggest holiday light events in the Toronto area.

WinterFest 2026 at a glance

Detail	2026
Dates	Select nights, November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Where	Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
Hours	Evenings; check the park’s calendar for each night
Tickets	Daily tickets or season passes, bought online
Official site	Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest page on sixflags.com

WinterFest only operates on selected nights, not every day in that range, so check the park’s calendar before you plan your trip.

What to expect

• Millions of lights across the park, with themed light displays.
• New live entertainment for 2026. The park has promised new shows; titles and showtimes are announced on its website.
• Holiday food and drinks, from comfort food to seasonal treats and warm drinks.
• Select rides and attractions. Not every ride runs in winter, so don’t expect the full summer line-up.
• Family activities and photo opportunities, including visits with Santa in past seasons.

In past seasons, WinterFest has also offered outdoor skating and a large number of shows. The park hasn’t published the full 2026 line-up yet, so check its website for this year’s details before you go.

Tips for visiting

• Buy tickets online and in advance. Weekend nights in December are the busiest.
• Check the calendar. WinterFest runs on select nights only.
• Arrive at opening to see the lights come on and get ahead of lines for rides and food.
• Dress for an evening outdoors. Vaughan can feel colder than downtown Toronto, and you’ll be outside for hours. See what to pack for Toronto in winter.
• Season pass holders: check whether your pass includes WinterFest before buying a separate ticket.

Getting there from Toronto

• Driving: about 30 to 45 minutes from downtown via Highway 400, longer in traffic. There’s paid parking at the park.
• Transit: take Line 1 to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, then a York Region Transit bus or a short taxi or rideshare to the park. Check YRT’s trip planner for current routes, and allow at least an hour and a half from downtown.

Best things to do at WinterFest

• Walk the light displays: millions of lights across the park’s themed areas, with the biggest displays around the main fountain and International Street.
• Skate: WinterFest has offered a skating experience in the park, with skate rentals available.
• Catch a holiday show: live shows and performers throughout the evening.
• Ride a few rides: a selection of rides operates, depending on the weather.
• Meet Santa and other characters (check the schedule for times).
• Eat and drink: holiday treats, hot drinks and seasonal menus.

WinterFest with kids

• Go early in the evening when the lights come on and before it gets too cold.
• Check height requirements for rides before you go.
• Dress in layers; the park is open and windy.
• Plan breaks indoors at shows and restaurants.

Season Pass and value

If you plan to visit Canada’s Wonderland in summer as well, a season pass may include WinterFest, which can be cheaper than buying separate tickets. Compare options on the park’s website before you buy. For free and cheaper light displays, see free Christmas lights in Toronto.

WinterFest vs. other light events

	WinterFest	Toronto Zoo holiday lights	Distillery Winter Village
Where	Vaughan	Scarborough	Downtown Toronto
Best for	Lights plus rides and shows	Families who love animals and lanterns	Markets and atmosphere
Cost	Ticketed	Ticketed	Free at off-peak times

More: Toronto Zoo holiday lights · Christmas lights in Toronto

Is WinterFest worth it?

If you want one big, all-in-one holiday night out with kids, yes. It packs lights, shows, rides and Santa into one place. For a cheaper evening, the free Cavalcade of Lights and free Christmas lights in Toronto are good alternatives.

More holiday lights near Toronto

• Best Christmas lights in Toronto
• Casa Loma at Christmas
• Toronto Zoo holiday lights
• Drive-through Christmas lights near Toronto

Frequently asked questions

When does WinterFest 2026 start?

WinterFest runs on select nights from November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

Is WinterFest open every day?

No. It operates on selected nights only. Check the park’s calendar.

Are rides open at WinterFest?

Some are. The park runs a selection of rides and attractions during WinterFest, not the full summer line-up.

Plan the rest of your season with Christmas in Toronto with kids and our complete guide to Christmas in Toronto.