A Romantic Christmas in Toronto

Twinkling lights, outdoor skating and cozy restaurants make Toronto a lovely place to celebrate Christmas as a couple.

Romantic things to do

• Skate under the lights at Nathan Phillips Square or the Natrel Rink.
• Stroll the Distillery Winter Village at night with mulled wine.
• Holiday afternoon tea at a grand hotel.
• Candlelight concerts or the Nutcracker.
• Dine in a heated igloo or dome.
• Take in the skyline from the water or the CN Tower. See holiday harbour cruises.

Where to stay

Choose a hotel with holiday decor and a great bar. See best hotels for Christmas in Toronto.

A romantic Toronto Christmas weekend

Friday evening. Check in to a festive hotel, then walk to the Distillery Winter Village after dark. Share a mulled wine by the big tree, browse the market cabins and have dinner in one of the district’s heritage-building restaurants.

Saturday. Sleep in, then have a long brunch. In the afternoon, book a holiday afternoon tea, then walk through Yorkville’s lights and window displays. As the sun goes down, skate hand in hand at Nathan Phillips Square under the city’s Christmas tree. Finish with dinner and cocktails at a cozy wine bar or a Christmas pop-up bar.

Sunday. Take a winter walk along the waterfront or the Scarborough Bluffs, then warm up with hot chocolate before heading home.

Romantic restaurants and bars

Look for places with fireplaces, candlelight, views or private nooks. Hotel bars, wine bars in the Distillery District and waterfront restaurants are good bets, and some restaurants set up heated domes on their patios. Book early for Fridays and Saturdays in December. See Christmas dining in Toronto and Christmas pop-up bars.

Proposal ideas

Toronto has plenty of picture-perfect spots for a Christmas proposal:

• Under the Distillery’s giant Christmas tree on a quiet weekday evening.
• On the ice at Nathan Phillips Square, with the Toronto sign glowing behind you.
• At Casa Loma during its holiday lights programme.
• On the waterfront at sunset, with the city skyline across the harbour.

Consider hiring a photographer to capture the moment discreetly, and have a backup plan for bad weather.

Romantic gift ideas

• An experience together: a show, a cooking class or a spa day. Experience gifts
• A weekend away in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• Something handmade from a Toronto maker. Toronto-made gifts

Romantic Christmas in Toronto: FAQ

What’s the most romantic Christmas thing to do in Toronto? Skating at Nathan Phillips Square after dark, followed by dinner and a stroll through the Distillery.

Where should couples stay? Downtown or Yorkville hotels with festive decor. See best hotels for Christmas.

Romantic things to do for free

Romance doesn’t have to cost much. Some of the city’s loveliest moments are free:

• A sunset walk along the waterfront, with the skyline lighting up across the harbour.
• Window-shopping in Yorkville and along Queen Street as the lights come on.
• Skating at a City rink with your own skates.
• A free Distillery evening on a Monday to Wednesday before mid-December.
• A carol service in a historic downtown church. Christmas carols
• The residential lights in Toronto’s best-decorated neighbourhoods. Christmas lights neighbourhoods

Romantic getaways

Niagara-on-the-Lake, with inns and wineries, and Elora make perfect overnight escapes.

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