Markham, northeast of Toronto, packs a lot of Christmas into one weekend: a Festival of Lights and tree lighting on historic Main Street Markham, followed the next morning by the town’s 52nd Santa Claus Parade. Add a big holiday craft show, charming Unionville and plenty of shopping.
Markham Christmas events 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fri – Sun, Nov 20 – 22 | Markham Home for the Holidays (39th annual) | Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road |
| 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 (“The Power of Love”) | Main Street Markham, Highway 7 to 16th Avenue |
| Early December (TBA) | Unionville Christmas celebration and tree lighting | Main Street Unionville |
Festival of Lights and Santa Claus Parade
Main Street Markham’s biggest weekend begins on Friday, November 27 with the 41st Festival of Lights: the tree lighting, live entertainment and festive activities. The next morning, Saturday, November 28, the Markham Santa Claus Parade sets off at 11 a.m. from Highway 7 and travels up Main Street toward 16th Avenue until about 1 p.m.
- Transit note: GO trains won’t stop at Markham GO Station from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on parade day.
- Roads along Main Street close; the City posts detours.
Markham Home for the Holidays
One of the GTA’s biggest holiday craft shows fills the Markham Fairgrounds from November 20 to 22, with free parking. Door prices are cash only (adults $14.50); advance tickets are cheaper. Craft fairs
Unionville
Historic Main Street Unionville hosts a free Christmas celebration each December, with carollers, Santa and a tree lighting. Christmas in Unionville
Shopping and Santa
CF Markville hosts Santa from mid-November, including Sensitive Santa sessions. Pacific Mall and the area’s Asian malls are popular for holiday shopping and food.
Main Street Markham’s Festival of Lights
Main Street Markham’s Festival of Lights is one of the longest-running community holiday traditions in York Region. The historic main street fills with families for live entertainment, carollers, Santa and a tree lighting, followed the next morning by the Santa Claus Parade. Arrive early on festival night to find parking and a good spot, and dress warmly.
A Markham Christmas weekend
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Friday or Saturday | Markham Home for the Holidays at the Markham Fairgrounds |
| Saturday evening | Festival of Lights and tree lighting on Main Street Markham |
| Sunday morning | The Markham Santa Claus Parade |
| Sunday afternoon | Stroll and shop on Main Street Unionville |
Confirm the 2026 dates in the table above before you plan.
Markham’s food scene
Markham is one of the best places in the GTA for Asian food, with excellent dim sum, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Korean and Indian restaurants along Highway 7 and in plazas around Pacific Mall and Markville. A dim sum brunch after the parade is a local favourite. Book ahead or arrive early, as popular restaurants are busy on weekends.
Skating and winter fun
Markham’s outdoor rinks and skating trails open when the weather is cold enough, and parks like Toogood Pond in Unionville and the Rouge Valley are lovely for winter walks. See outdoor skating near Toronto and winter hikes.
Markham Christmas events: FAQ
Is the Markham Santa Claus Parade free? Yes, it’s free to watch.
What’s the best place to see Christmas lights in Markham? Main Street Markham during the Festival of Lights, and Main Street Unionville throughout December. Unionville at Christmas
How do I get to Markham from Toronto? Drive about 30 to 45 minutes, or take the GO Stouffville line to Markham or Unionville station.
Getting there
The Stouffville GO line serves Unionville and Markham stations. By car, it’s 35 to 45 minutes from downtown Toronto via the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 404 or 407.
More: Christmas in York Region · Christmas events near Toronto
