Christmas in Toronto doesn’t have to be expensive. Some of the best things to do in the city all season are completely free: the Santa Claus Parade, the official city tree, outdoor skating, markets, carols and lights. Here are 25 free Christmas things to do in Toronto in 2026.
Free events with fixed dates
| Date | Free event |
|---|---|
| Mon – Wed until Dec 13 | Distillery Winter Village free all day |
| Thu – Sun, Nov 19 – Dec 22 | St. Lawrence Market Winter Market |
| Sat, Nov 21, 5 – 7 p.m. | Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic lighting with Molly Johnson |
| Sun, Nov 22, 12:30 p.m. | Original Santa Claus Parade |
| Late Nov (TBA) | Cavalcade of Lights opening night |
| Sun, Nov 29, 8:30 p.m. | CPKC Holiday Train, 750 Runnymede Road |
| Dec 31 | City New Year’s Eve celebration (on the waterfront at Harbourfront Centre in 2025) |
25 free things to do
Markets and shopping
- Visit the Distillery Winter Village Monday to Wednesday before December 14, or before 4 p.m. on most days. Kids 9 and under are always free. When you need a ticket
- Browse the St. Lawrence Winter Market on Market Street.
- Shop church and community craft fairs, most of them free to enter.
- Window-shop Bloor-Yorkville and the Eaton Centre.
- See the free market list: free Christmas markets in Toronto.
Lights
- See the official city tree and 300,000 lights at Nathan Phillips Square.
- Attend a free tree lighting, like Yorkville’s on November 21.
- Walk our downtown lights tour.
- Tour the best-decorated residential streets.
- More ideas: free Christmas lights in Toronto.
Santa and parades
- Watch the Santa Claus Parade on November 22.
- Get free Santa photos at the St. Lawrence Winter Market on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 3 p.m. More free Santa photos
- Write to Santa at H0H 0H0. No stamp needed in Canada. How
- See the CPKC Holiday Train concert on November 29 (bring a food bank donation).
- Catch a neighbourhood Santa parade.
Winter fun
- Skate for free at city rinks, including Nathan Phillips Square, if you bring your own skates. Outdoor skating
- Go tobogganing on a snow day.
- Take a winter hike in the ravines.
Music and culture
- Hear a free Christmas concert at a downtown church.
- Join a carol sing-along.
- Celebrate the winter solstice in Kensington Market.
- See a public menorah lighting during Hanukkah, December 4 to 12.
- Visit the Toronto Public Library for free holiday programs and crafts for kids.
Giving back
- Volunteer at a food bank or toy drive.
- Ring in the new year free at the City’s celebration. New Year’s Eve in Toronto
A free Christmas day out in Toronto
You can fill a whole festive day downtown without buying a ticket. Here’s a route that works on a weekday in early December:
| Time | Free stop |
|---|---|
| 11 a.m. | Browse the St. Lawrence Winter Market area and the historic Old Town streets |
| 12:30 p.m. | Walk east to the Distillery Winter Village (free Monday to Wednesday until mid-December) |
| 3 p.m. | Head up to the Eaton Centre and the festive windows along Queen Street |
| 4:30 p.m. | Sunset skate at Nathan Phillips Square with your own skates |
| 5:30 p.m. | See the city tree lit up, then follow our lights walking tour |
| Evening | Carols or a free concert at a downtown church. Free Christmas concerts |
Bring a thermos, take the TTC and you’ll spend little more than your transit fare.
Free Christmas things to do by neighbourhood
- Downtown: Nathan Phillips Square, the Eaton Centre, the PATH and the Financial District lobbies, which often have big decorated trees.
- Old Town and the Distillery: St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery on free days and the heritage streets around King and Jarvis.
- Yorkville: festive storefronts, the lighting ceremony and window displays. Yorkville at Christmas
- Kensington Market: the Winter Solstice Festival on the longest night of the year.
- East end: Leslieville and the Beaches have small-town-style holiday events and parades. Christmas in Leslieville · Christmas in the Beaches
- West end: the Junction and Roncesvalles host local markets and light strolls. Christmas in the Junction
- Waterfront: Harbourfront Centre’s free events and lakeside walks. Christmas at Harbourfront Centre
Explore more areas in our Toronto neighbourhoods at Christmas guide.
Free things to do in bad weather
If it’s too cold or wet outside, these are free and indoors:
- Toronto Public Library branches run holiday crafts, story times and family movies.
- Free gallery hours: some museums and galleries offer free admission at set times. The library’s Museum + Arts Pass also gives free admission to some attractions.
- Window-shopping malls and the PATH downtown.
- Church concerts and carol services. Christmas church services
More ideas: indoor winter activities in Toronto.
Free Christmas things to do in Toronto: FAQ
Is the Distillery Winter Village free? On some days. It’s been free Monday to Wednesday until mid-December, with timed tickets on busy evenings and weekends. Check when you need a ticket.
Is skating at Nathan Phillips Square free? Yes, if you bring your own skates. Rentals cost extra.
Is the Santa Claus Parade free? Yes. It’s free to watch anywhere along the route. See the parade route.
Free Christmas fun near Toronto
The suburbs are full of free events too: parades and tree lightings in Mississauga, Brampton, Markham and Oakville, Burlington’s waterfront Festival of Lights and village festivals in Streetsville and Brooklin. See free Christmas events near Toronto.
Money-saving tips
- Kids ride the TTC free (12 and under), and GO Transit is free for kids 12 and under too.
- Pack a thermos of hot chocolate for parades and lights.
- Use free Distillery days instead of paying for weekend evenings.
More: Toronto at Christmas on a budget · 50 Christmas things to do in Toronto
