It’s December 23 and you still have names on your list. Don’t panic: Toronto has plenty of ways to shop at the last minute. Here’s where to go and what to buy.
Where to shop in the final days
- CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale: extended hours in the days before Christmas, and close early on Christmas Eve (around 5 p.m. last year). Mall holiday hours
- St. Lawrence Winter Market: open until December 22, including Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd, with local makers and food gifts. St. Lawrence Market at Christmas
- Distillery Winter Village: open on December 23 and 24 (ticketed after 4 p.m.), with vendor cabins and permanent shops. Distillery Winter Village
- Neighbourhood shops: independent boutiques on Queen West, Ossington, Leslieville and the Junction often have shorter lines than the malls. Toronto’s best shopping streets
Gifts you can buy instantly
- Experiences: show tickets, a cooking class, a skating lesson or a food tour, delivered by email. Experience gifts in Toronto
- Gift cards for a favourite restaurant, bookstore or local shop.
- Memberships to the ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo or the Science Centre.
- Donations in someone’s name to a local charity.
Food and drink gifts
Bakeries, chocolatiers and cheese shops make easy last-minute gifts: panettone, chocolates, local cheeses and wine. Remember the LCBO closes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Christmas bakeries · LCBO holiday hours
Last-minute gift ideas by recipient
- For parents and grandparents: a framed family photo printed at a same-day photo counter, a cozy blanket, or tickets to a show in the new year.
- For a partner: a weekend getaway booking, a dinner reservation, or jewellery from a local designer.
- For kids: books, art supplies, board games and LEGO, all easy to find at big stores up to Christmas Eve.
- For teens: gift cards, headphones, or concert or game tickets.
- For hosts: a nice bottle from the LCBO (closes early on Christmas Eve), local chocolates or a plant.
- For coworkers: coffee, candles, or treats from a Toronto bakery.
Digital and experience gifts
If time has truly run out, consider gifts you can send instantly:
- Gift cards for restaurants, shops or streaming services.
- Experience tickets: a cooking class, a concert, a zoo membership or a museum pass. Experience gifts
- Donations in someone’s name to a cause they care about.
- A homemade “coupon book” for favours, outings or a home-cooked meal.
Shopping strategy for the final days
- Make a list with a budget for each person.
- Pick one big mall or shopping street to get most gifts in one trip.
- Go early in the morning, when stores are calmer and fully stocked.
- Use click-and-collect to reserve items online and pick them up in store.
- Bring reusable bags and a gift bag supply so you’re not wrapping late on Christmas Eve.
Last-minute shopping: FAQ
What time do Toronto malls close on Christmas Eve? Most close early, around 5 p.m. in 2025. Check each mall’s holiday hours.
Are stores open on Christmas Day? Almost all are closed. Boxing Day (Saturday, December 26, 2026) is the next big shopping day.
Tips
- Go first thing in the morning on December 23 and 24.
- Take transit to avoid parking chaos.
- Gift wrap: many malls and markets offer charity gift-wrapping stations.
