Want something beyond the usual? These are some of Toronto’s most memorable Christmas experiences.
Historic Christmas
- Casa Loma: a decorated castle with holiday events.
- Black Creek Pioneer Village: a 19th-century village at Christmas.
Ride a Santa train
Santa train rides near Toronto and the CPKC Holiday Train.
Only in Toronto
- Skate under the Gardiner on the Bentway.
- The Santa Claus Parade, one of the oldest in North America.
- Kensington Market’s Winter Solstice Festival.
Luxury
- Holiday afternoon tea.
- A festive hotel stay. See best hotels for Christmas.
- Igloo dining.
Experiences in more detail
A castle Christmas at Casa Loma. Toronto’s only castle decorates its grand rooms for the holidays and lights up its gardens after dark. Walking through the tunnel and climbing the towers on a winter evening is a uniquely Toronto memory.
A Victorian Christmas at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Costumed interpreters show how Ontario families celebrated in the 1800s, with period decorations, hearth cooking and traditional crafts. It’s a gentle, old-fashioned contrast to the busy downtown markets.
Skating under the Gardiner. The Bentway turns the space beneath an elevated expressway into a skate trail, often with music and lights. It’s one of the most distinctive winter spaces in North America.
Watching a 120-year-old parade. Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade began in 1905, making it one of the oldest in North America. Watching it from the curb is a rite of passage for Toronto kids.
A lantern parade on the longest night. Kensington Market’s Winter Solstice Festival is the city’s most alternative holiday tradition, with lanterns, giant puppets and fire on December 21.
Experiences by type of traveller
| Traveller | Our pick |
|---|---|
| First-time visitor | The Distillery Winter Village after dark |
| Families | A Santa train ride or breakfast with Santa |
| Couples | Afternoon tea, then a candlelight concert |
| Friends | A Christmas pop-up bar and an igloo dinner |
| Culture lovers | The Nutcracker or Messiah |
| Outdoor lovers | A winter hike in the Don Valley and a skate at the Bentway |
Book ahead
The most popular experiences, like Santa trains, breakfasts with Santa, afternoon teas and The Nutcracker, sell out weeks ahead. Book as soon as 2026 dates are released, ideally in October or early November.
Christmas experiences: FAQ
What’s the most unique Christmas experience in Toronto? Skating under the Gardiner at the Bentway or the Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival.
What can I give as an experience gift? Show tickets, afternoon tea, cooking classes or a castle visit. See experience gifts in Toronto.
A three-day experience itinerary
Day 1: Classic Toronto. Start at St. Lawrence Market for brunch, wander to the Distillery Winter Village in the afternoon, and finish with an evening skate at Nathan Phillips Square under the city’s Christmas tree.
Day 2: Old-fashioned Christmas. Spend the day at Black Creek Pioneer Village, then head to Casa Loma for its evening holiday programme. End with a late dinner in the Annex.
Day 3: Treat yourself. Book a holiday afternoon tea, walk through Yorkville’s lights and windows, and see The Nutcracker or a candlelight concert in the evening.
For a full plan with times and transit, see the Toronto Christmas itinerary.
Experiences near Toronto
Some of the region’s most memorable holiday experiences are a short trip away: the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, a cut-your-own tree farm, a Santa train ride or the Kitchener Christkindl Market. See Christmas day trips from Toronto.
Give an experience
See experience gifts in Toronto and the Toronto Christmas bucket list.
