Richmond Hill Christmas Events 2026

Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto on Yonge Street, celebrates the holidays with outdoor skating, community events and a free family New Year’s Eve, and it’s minutes from some of York Region’s biggest Christmas attractions.

Richmond Hill holiday highlights

• Outdoor skating: the Richmond Green skating trail and the newer outdoor rink at Bayview Hill Community Centre are the city’s winter hubs, opening when the weather allows.
• First Night (New Year’s Eve): a free afternoon family celebration. In 2025 it moved to Bayview Hill Community Centre, from 3 to 6 p.m., with a live performance, outdoor skating (bring skates and a helmet), free swims and food for purchase. New Year’s Eve near Toronto
• Santa: Hillcrest Mall hosts Santa visits from mid-November.
• Community events: churches, libraries and community centres hold holiday markets and concerts through December. Check the City of Richmond Hill’s events calendar.

A Richmond Hill holiday day out

Start with a morning skate at Richmond Green or Bayview Hill, then have lunch in the village core along Yonge Street, where independent shops and restaurants make a good spot for gift browsing. In the afternoon, visit Santa at Hillcrest Mall or head to a nearby holiday event. In the evening, drive 15 minutes west to Canada’s Wonderland for WinterFest on an open night, or north to Aurora and Newmarket for their downtown decorations. See WinterFest and Newmarket and Aurora at Christmas.

Richmond Hill for families

• Skating at the city’s outdoor rinks and trail, weather permitting. Bring a helmet for young skaters.
• First Night on New Year’s Eve, a free afternoon family celebration that’s perfect for kids who can’t stay up until midnight.
• Library programmes: Richmond Hill Public Library branches run holiday crafts, story times and family events in December.
• Santa visits at Hillcrest Mall from mid-November.
• Tobogganing on local hills after a good snowfall; check the City’s list of designated hills.

Shopping and food

Hillcrest Mall is the city’s main shopping centre, while Highway 7 and the plazas along Yonge Street and Leslie Street are known for excellent Asian restaurants and bakeries, from dim sum to Korean and Persian food. It’s a great area for a festive family meal.

Nearby Christmas events

Richmond Hill sits between Vaughan and Markham, so many of York Region’s biggest events are close by: Markham’s Festival of Lights on Main Street, Unionville’s decorated historic village, and Vaughan’s WinterFest. See Christmas in York Region and York Region Santa Claus parades.

Richmond Hill Christmas events: FAQ

Does Richmond Hill have a Santa Claus parade? Check the York Region parades guide for nearby parades and 2026 dates.

Is First Night free? Yes, it’s a free family celebration. Some food is available for purchase.

Nearby

• Aurora and Newmarket hold Santa Claus parades on November 21. Newmarket and Aurora
• Markham’s Festival of Lights and parade are on November 27 and 28. Markham
• WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan. WinterFest

Getting there

Viva and YRT buses run along Yonge Street, and the Richmond Hill GO line serves the city on weekdays. By car, it’s about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Toronto.

More: Christmas in York Region