If you only do a handful of things this Christmas in Toronto, make them these. This is our bucket list of 15 essential Toronto holiday experiences, the ones locals return to every year and visitors remember long after the trip. Tick them off one by one.
The Toronto Christmas bucket list
- 1. See the Distillery Winter Village after dark. The lights, the cobblestones and the tree make it Toronto’s most iconic Christmas scene. Go at dusk on a free Monday to Wednesday before December 14. Guide
- 2. Watch the Santa Claus Parade. The 122nd parade is on Sunday, November 22, from 12:30 p.m. Guide
- 3. Skate under the city tree at Nathan Phillips Square. Guide
- 4. See The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre, December 5 to 31. Guide
- 5. Hear the Hallelujah chorus live at a Messiah performance, or sing it yourself at the Sing-Along Messiah. Guide
- 6. Walk through Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights Tour. Guide
- 7. Do the downtown lights walk: St. Lawrence Market, the Eaton Centre and Nathan Phillips Square. Route
- 8. Get a photo with Santa. Free at the St. Lawrence Winter Market on weekends. Where to see Santa
- 9. Shop the One of a Kind Christmas Show for gifts from Canadian makers. Guide
- 10. Have holiday afternoon tea at one of Toronto’s grand hotels. Guide
- 11. Drink something festive at a Christmas pop-up bar. Guide
- 12. Walk the Glow in the Wild lantern trail at the Toronto Zoo. Guide
- 13. Cut down your own tree at a farm just outside the city. Guide
- 14. Catch the CPKC Holiday Train concert on November 29. Guide
- 15. Count down to 2027 at the City’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Guide
Bonus: beyond the city
- A nighttime Santa parade in Brampton or Aurora on November 21 (parades near Toronto)
- WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (guide)
- The waterfront Festival of Lights in Burlington (lights near Toronto)
- Niagara Falls lit up for the Winter Festival of Lights (day trip)
Bucket list by budget
| Free | Under $50 | Splurge |
|---|---|---|
| The Santa Claus Parade | A Distillery Winter Village evening ticket | The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre |
| Skating at Nathan Phillips Square | Toronto Zoo holiday lights | Holiday afternoon tea at a grand hotel |
| The Cavalcade of Lights tree | Casa Loma at Christmas | A festive hotel weekend |
| The Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival | Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest | New Year’s Eve dinner with a view |
Bucket list by season
- Early to mid-November: the Royal Winter Fair, the Distillery opening, the Santa Claus Parade.
- Late November to early December: the One of a Kind Show, the CPKC Holiday Train, tree lightings and markets.
- Mid-December: The Nutcracker, Messiah, carols and the lights at their best.
- Christmas week: a winter walk, Boxing Day, skating and a cozy movie.
- New Year’s: the waterfront fireworks and a polar bear dip on January 1.
See the full calendar: Toronto Christmas events 2026.
Make your own bucket list
Print this page, let everyone in your family pick their top three, and plan the season around them. For first-time visitors, a three-day Toronto Christmas itinerary can cover most of the list. For more ideas, see 50 Christmas things to do in Toronto and unique Christmas experiences in Toronto.
Toronto Christmas bucket list: FAQ
What’s the number one Christmas thing to do in Toronto? Most locals would say the Distillery Winter Village at night, followed closely by skating at Nathan Phillips Square.
Can I do the bucket list for free? Much of it, yes. The parade, the city tree, skating with your own skates, free Distillery days and free concerts cost nothing. See free Christmas things to do in Toronto.
Plan it
- One weekend? Use our Christmas weekend in Toronto plan.
- Three days? Follow the Toronto Christmas itinerary.
- Want more? See 50 Christmas things to do in Toronto.
For dates and planning, start with the complete guide to Christmas in Toronto.
