Ontario Christmas Markets: A Road Trip from Toronto

Toronto has excellent Christmas markets, but some of Ontario’s best are a short road trip away. Here’s a guide to the top ones, with 2026 dates where announced.

Market	Town	Drive from Toronto	2026 dates
Christkindl Market	Kitchener	~1.25 hours	Dec 3–6 and Dec 10–13
Ottawa Christmas Market	Ottawa	~4.5 hours	Weekends from Nov 20, plus Dec 31
Niagara-on-the-Lake holiday events	Niagara-on-the-Lake	~1.5 hours	Through December (TBA)
Stratford Christmas market	Stratford	~2 hours	TBA
Grand Marché de Noël	Montreal	~5.5 hours	TBA

Kitchener Christkindl Market

Canada’s original Christkindl market, now in its 30th year, held at Kitchener City Hall. German food, crafts and traditions. Full guide

Ottawa Christmas Market

A free European-style market at Lansdowne’s Aberdeen Plaza on weekends through late November and December. Christmas in Ottawa

Niagara-on-the-Lake

A festive historic town with holiday shopping, wineries and seasonal events. Christmas in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Stratford

Victorian downtown, holiday markets and a chocolate trail. Christmas in Stratford

Montreal

The Grand Marché de Noël in the Quartier des spectacles has about 40 chalets. Christmas in Montreal

Planning an Ontario Christmas market road trip

Two-day western loop. Day one: drive to Kitchener for the Christkindl Market, then on to Stratford for dinner and an overnight stay. Day two: explore Stratford’s downtown and chocolate shops, then stop in Elora on the way home. See Christmas in Elora.

Niagara weekend. Spend a day in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s shops and wineries, see the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls in the evening, and stay overnight. See Niagara Falls at Christmas.

Capital and Quebec weekend. Take VIA Rail to Ottawa for the market at Lansdowne, then continue to Montreal for its Christmas market and Old Montreal. This works best over three or four days.

What makes each market special

• Kitchener’s Christkindl Market is inspired by the traditional markets of Germany, reflecting the Waterloo Region’s German heritage, with bratwurst, gingerbread and handcrafted ornaments.
• The Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne is free and set up in European style with wooden cabins and lights.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake combines a historic main street with wineries and inns, perfect for a romantic getaway.
• Stratford has a Victorian downtown and a festive chocolate trail.
• Montreal’s Grand Marché de Noël has a distinctly French-Canadian flavour, with Quebec crafts and food.

Winter driving tips

• Check Ontario 511 for road conditions before you leave.
• Use winter tires and keep an emergency kit in the car.
• Leave extra time for snow, especially on Highway 401 and Highway 400.
• Consider the train for Ottawa, Montreal and Stratford.

Ontario Christmas markets: FAQ

What’s the best Christmas market in Ontario? Kitchener’s Christkindl Market is the most traditional; Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village is the biggest.

Are Ontario Christmas markets free? Many are, including Ottawa’s and Kitchener’s. Some charge entry at busy times.

Closer to home

For markets in the city and GTA, see Toronto Christmas markets and Christmas markets near Toronto.