Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Toronto 2026

Real Christmas trees go on sale in Toronto from mid-November, and the best ones sell fast. Here’s where to buy a Christmas tree in the city, how to choose one and how to get it home without a car.

Where to buy

Pop-up tree lots

From mid-November, temporary tree lots appear across the city at churches, community centres, schools and parking lots, many run by charities and service clubs as fundraisers. Look for them on main streets in your neighbourhood; buying from a charity lot supports a local cause.

Garden centres and nurseries

Garden centres carry a wide range of fresh-cut trees (fraser fir, balsam fir, spruce and pine), wreaths and garland, and staff will usually trim the trunk and net the tree.

Grocery and hardware stores

Big grocery and hardware chains sell trees in their parking lots in late November and December. Selection is narrower, but they’re convenient and often well priced.

Tree delivery services

Several Toronto businesses deliver trees to your door and some will set them up in your stand, a big help for condo dwellers and anyone without a car.

Cut your own

For the full experience, drive 45 minutes to a farm in Milton, Caledon or Courtice and cut your own. See Christmas tree farms near Toronto.

How to choose a tree

• Measure first: ceiling height and floor space. Leave about 30 cm for the topper and stand.
• Do the freshness test: run a branch through your hand; needles shouldn’t fall off easily.
• Know your species: fraser and balsam firs hold their needles well and smell wonderful; spruce has sturdy branches for heavy ornaments; pine has long soft needles.
• Condo tip: look for narrow or “slim” trees and check your building’s rules about real trees.

Getting it home

• Ask for netting; it makes carrying and fitting it through doors much easier.
• No car? Choose delivery, or carry a small tree home from a lot within walking distance.
• Make a fresh cut on the trunk at home and water it right away.

Real or artificial?

	Real tree	Artificial tree
Look and smell	The classic pine scent	No scent
Cost	Bought every year	One-time purchase, lasts many seasons
Care	Needs daily watering	No care needed
Disposal	Free City curbside pickup in January	Oversized garbage or donation at end of life
Environment	Grown on farms and composted after use	Made of plastic; greener only if used for many years

If you love the smell and ritual, go real. If you have a small condo, pets or allergies, an artificial tree may be easier.

Tree sizes for Toronto homes

• Condo or small apartment: a 4- to 5-foot tree or a tabletop tree.
• Townhouse or semi: 6 to 7 feet is the most popular size.
• Houses with high ceilings: 8 feet or more. Measure the ceiling height first and leave room for the stand and the topper.

Measure your doorways and elevator too; a netted tree is easier to move than you’d think, but an unnetted one isn’t.

When to buy

Buy in the first two weeks of December for the best balance of selection and freshness. A fresh-cut tree that’s kept watered should last about four weeks. If you want a tree for American Thanksgiving weekend or earlier, choose a fir, which holds its needles longer.

Caring for your tree

1. Cut a thin slice off the trunk right before you put it in the stand so it can drink.
2. Fill the stand with water right away and check it every day; fresh trees drink a lot in the first week.
3. Keep it away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces and heat vents.
4. Use LED lights, which run cooler and use less power.
5. Turn the lights off when you leave the house or go to bed.

Cut your own

For a family outing, head to a farm just outside the city and cut your own tree. See Christmas tree farms near Toronto.

Buying a Christmas tree in Toronto: FAQ

When do Christmas tree lots open in Toronto? Most open from mid-November to early December and stay open until they sell out, usually just before Christmas.

How much does a Christmas tree cost in Toronto? Prices depend on the size, type and seller. Charity lots and garden centres post their prices on site; expect to pay more for taller or premium firs.

After Christmas

The City of Toronto collects real Christmas trees on regular garbage days in January. Remove all decorations and don’t put the tree in a bag. Christmas tree collection in Toronto

More: where to buy Christmas decorations in Toronto · Christmas shopping in Toronto