Just north of Toronto, York Region mixes the GTA’s biggest holiday light event with some of its most charming small-town traditions. There’s WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland, a 41-year-old Festival of Lights on Main Street Markham, a nighttime parade in Aurora and historic villages like Unionville and Kleinburg made for a festive stroll.
York Region Christmas highlights 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Select nights, Nov 21 – Jan 3 | Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest | Vaughan |
| Sat, Nov 21, 11 a.m. | Newmarket Santa Claus Parade | Eagle Street and Main Street, Newmarket |
| Sat, Nov 21, 6 p.m. | Aurora Santa Under the Stars Parade | Yonge Street, Aurora |
| Fri, Nov 27 | 41st Annual Festival of Lights and tree lighting | Main Street Markham |
| Sat, Nov 28, 11 a.m. | 52nd Markham Santa Claus Parade | Main Street Markham |
| Mon, Nov 30, 10:15 a.m. | CPKC Holiday Train | Nashville Road, Kleinburg area, Vaughan |
| Sat, Dec 5, 6 p.m. | Stouffville Santa Claus Parade | Whitchurch-Stouffville |
| TBA | Vaughan Santafest Parade and City Hall tree lighting | Maple, Vaughan |
Vaughan
Vaughan is home to WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland, the biggest holiday light festival in the GTA outside Toronto, open on select nights from November 21 to January 3. The City of Vaughan also holds a Christmas tree lighting at City Hall and brought back its Santafest Parade in Maple in 2025. Nearby Kleinburg is a village worth a festive visit, and the CPKC Holiday Train stops on Nashville Road on the morning of November 30.
Read more: Vaughan Christmas events · WinterFest · Christmas in Kleinburg
Markham
Main Street Markham does Christmas weekend in style: the 41st Annual Festival of Lights with its tree lighting on Friday, November 27, then the 52nd Markham Santa Claus Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 28. GO trains don’t stop at Markham GO during the parade. Historic Main Street Unionville is a classic spot for a Christmas walk among heritage buildings.
Read more: Markham Christmas events · Christmas in Unionville
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s holiday season centres on community events, skating and markets. Read more: Richmond Hill Christmas events
Newmarket and Aurora
Neighbouring towns, back-to-back parades: Newmarket’s daytime parade on historic Main Street and Aurora’s nighttime Santa Under the Stars on Yonge Street, both on Saturday, November 21. Bring a letter for Santa; Canada Post collects them at both. Read more: Christmas in Newmarket and Aurora
Stouffville
Whitchurch-Stouffville holds its evening Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. Read more: Christmas in Stouffville
Markets in York Region
From church bazaars to village markets, see Christmas markets in York Region.
A York Region Christmas day trip
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| Morning | Stroll Kleinburg’s village and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection |
| Lunch | Kleinburg’s Islington Avenue cafés |
| Afternoon | Unionville’s Main Street shops in Markham |
| Evening | WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (select nights, timed tickets) |
Or swap in Newmarket’s Main Street and Aurora for a quieter day. See Kleinburg at Christmas, Unionville at Christmas and Newmarket and Aurora at Christmas.
York Region for families
- WinterFest: lights, rides and shows. WinterFest guide
- Santa Claus parades: Newmarket, Markham, Aurora’s nighttime parade and more. York Region parades
- Tree farms and winter walks in the Oak Ridges Moraine.
- Santa visits at Vaughan Mills, Markville and other malls. Santa photos near Toronto
Holiday shopping
Vaughan Mills, Markville, Hillcrest and Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket are the region’s big malls, while Unionville, Kleinburg and Stouffville’s Main Street have independent shops perfect for gifts. See York Region Christmas markets.
City guides
Vaughan · Markham · Richmond Hill · Newmarket and Aurora · Stouffville
Christmas in York Region: FAQ
What’s the biggest Christmas event in York Region? WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland draws the biggest crowds; Markham’s Festival of Lights is the longest-running community tradition.
Can I reach York Region by transit? Yes. Line 1 runs to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and GO and YRT buses connect the rest of the region.
Getting to York Region from Toronto
- Subway: Line 1 reaches Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
- GO Transit: the Stouffville line (Markham, Unionville, Stouffville) and the Barrie line (Maple, Aurora, Newmarket).
- YRT/Viva buses connect the region.
- Driving: 30 to 60 minutes from downtown Toronto via Highway 400, 404 or 407.
