The Toronto Christmas Market, now called The Distillery Winter Village, is an amazing holiday tradition in the city. You won’t only find Christmas markets in Europe. This German tradition has migrated to the Americas. One of the best Ontario Christmas markets and Canadian Christmas markets is the annual Toronto Christmas Market at the historic Distillery District.
If you love Christmas, you don’t want to miss the Distillery Winter Village. It’s a (mostly) free festive event in the city. I visit the Distillery District Christmas Market every year as it’s the best Christmas festival in Toronto. It’s one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Toronto and one of the best things to do in Toronto in winter.
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About the Toronto Christmas Market (Distillery Winter Village)
Traditional Christmas Markets originated in Germany and Austria during the Late Middle Ages. They are street markets and festivals that celebrate Christmas during the four weeks of Advent.
The Toronto Christmas Market opens from the end of November through the weekend before Christmas. And this Distillery District Christmas Market takes place in one of the best spots in the city.
The Distillery District was once home to the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, which represents the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. This revitalized pedestrian-only city block has boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and microbreweries.
The Toronto Christmas Market is exactly what you would expect of a European Christmas Market, except that it’s in Canada.
What to Expect at the Toronto Christmas Market
The Toronto Christmas Market is lined with dozens of wooden huts, each selling a unique variety of handmade gifts and goodies. There are imported treats from across Europe, Christmas decorations, nesting dolls, knit winter wear, and so much more. We saw sweets and local delicacies from Germany, the Netherlands, and England, among others.
It’s one of the best places to go shopping for Christmas ornaments in Toronto. I added a new Christmas ornament to our growing collection, a little wooden owl decoration. You’ll be able to find unique holiday gifts here for loved ones…or yourself!
I also love that there’s always a countdown to Christmas at the top of one of the historic buildings. It’s a great reminder as to how many days are left until the big day.
The Distillery Christmas Market Tree
What’s a Christmas Market without a Christmas tree? The Distillery Christmas Market tree at the Toronto Christmas Market is massive and beautifully decorated in silver and gold ornaments.
The tree looks extra special with the old, industrial buildings in the background. Of course, it looks even better as the day quickly turns into night (as early as 4:30pm it seems!) and the lights begin to twinkle in the twilight.
The Toronto Christmas Market tree is one of the best places to gather your loved ones and snap a selfie or two. Otherwise, be sure to gaze up at this magical tree and savor the moment. Nowadays, the Distillery Winter Village’s tree is sponsored by Dior and it’s so brilliant.
Restaurants & Food (Including Vegan Options)
Over the years, I haven’t found that the Toronto Christmas Market was very vegan-friendly, aside from the alcoholic beverages. However, that’s all changed this year. I’m now able to put together a little vegan Toronto Christmas Market guide for you because there are lots of plant-based meals and treats.
First, if you’re looking for dinner, head straight to the wooden booth that sells the Beyond Meat bratwursts. By default, it comes with a “crusty bun” that is not vegan. The vegan version is the pretzel bun, and you’ll have to ask for it. Top it up with caramelized onions, ketchup, and spicy mustard. Although a little pricey, it’s absolutely delicious.
Next, I’m sure you’d like to indulge your sweet tooth. There are a couple of options here. You can go to the Eva’s Original Chimneys booth for many vegan treats. Everything that’s vegan is marked with a “V”. Many of their chimney cakes are vegan or can be made vegan. I opted for a traditional cinnamon chimney cake (known as Trdelník in Czech or Kürtőskalács in Hungarian), which is a fried dough pastry rolled in cinnamon and sugar.
Another booth at the Toronto Christmas Market with vegan treats is Tartistry. They have one vegan butter tart that’s super tasty. I couldn’t resist bringing home a couple of vegan butter tarts for later.
Another snack around the Toronto Christmas Market that’s vegan is the Tornado Potato. It’s thinly sliced fried potatoes on a big stick. While there are many Toronto Christmas Market restaurants that are regularly in the Distillery District and open for business, you can easily find vegan options out on the street.
New to the Distillery Winter Village in 2023, there’s a grilled cheese stand with vegan grilled cheese sandwiches. While they come at a premium price, it’s a delicious snack to enjoy as you wander around the market.
If you’re looking for some hot chocolate, most of the regular vendor booths don’t have vegan-friendly cocoa. Instead, you’ll have to wander over to Balzac’s Coffee Shop for a vegan hot chocolate made with your choice of plant-based milk (soy, almond, coconut or oat milk).
Warming Lounge & Drinks
After you’ve walked around for a little while at the Toronto Christmas Market, you might feel a little chilly. You can warm up with a delicious beverage at the Toronto Christmas Market Warming Lounge. Enjoy alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) hot beverages outdoors on the heated patio.
A seasonal favorite of any festive market is the mulled wine, also known as Gluhwein. There are also Hot Toddies, complete with a cinnamon stick for garnish. If you’re not into drinking alcohol, there’s no shortage of hot apple cider or hot chocolate.
Feeling more like a cold beverage? Mill Street Brewery is right in the heart of the Distillery District, and you’ll have lots of opportunities to taste their beer. You can enjoy it inside their brew pub and restaurant or outdoors at the Toronto Christmas Market Warming Lounge. They bring out some of their seasonal varieties, like the Vanilla Porter, too.
One of the Best Toronto Christmas Events
Wandering around the Toronto Christmas Market really puts you right in the spirit of the holidays. There are people dressed up in costumes singing Christmas carols. There are snowman statues and photo opportunities with Mrs. Claus. For the little ones (or the young at heart), you can get your photograph with Santa and tell him what you’d like for Christmas.
You should definitely visit this Christmas festival in Toronto if you love traditional markets, want to go shopping for Christmas ornaments in Toronto, wish to enjoy warm and comforting food and drink, looking to spend time with friends or family at a festive event, or if you happen to be traveling to Toronto over the holidays.
If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate Christmas in Toronto, check out my full listing of Christmas events in Toronto, including Casa Loma’s Christmas events and the best Christmas lights in Toronto.
Plan Your Visit to the Distillery Winter Village
The Toronto Christmas Market is an annual event. The market typically runs from the end of November throughout December. Allow me to warn you ahead of time: as it gets closer and closer to Christmastime, the market gets busier and busier. Even though you might think that a random Tuesday night won’t be busy, think again!
Distillery Winter Village Hours
The Distillery Winter Village is free to visit throughout the week, there is a charge after 4:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and between December 18th and 24th). It is open seven days a week, starting at 10:00am. You can purchase tickets and view hours of operation on the official website.
Public Transportation and Parking Near the Distillery District
I recommend leaving your car at home and taking public transit to the Distillery District. However, if you are driving, there are some nearby parking lots:
- Green P parking lot, south of Front Street between Trinity and Cherry (entrance south from Front Street)
- 333 Lake Shore Blvd East – at Parliament Street and Lake Shore Blvd East
If you’re taking Go Transit or you’re arriving at Union Station, it’s only a 20 minute walk to the Distillery District. If you’d rather not walk from Union, you can take the 121 Fort York-Esplanade bus to Parliament Street and walk one block south to Mill Street. You can also take the 504A King streetcar from King or St Andrew stations, exiting at the Distillery Loop.
If you’ve purchased timed tickets to the Distillery Winter Village, you’ll receive an email the day before with instructions on special parking lots for this event. The lots at the Distillery District fill up fast, so I recommend taking the advice in the email.
Where to Stay Near the Toronto Christmas Market
One of the best hotels in Toronto (and the official partner hotel of the Toronto Christmas Market) is the Fairmont Royal York. It’s conveniently located right across the street from Union Station (and easy to access from both Toronto airports).
It’s a historic hotel with amazing amenities, world class restaurants, and friendly staff. You can also check out The Thirsty Elf holiday cocktail pop-up bar while you’re there. Book your stay at the Fairmont Royal York and read more reviews from fellow travelers who have stayed there.
More Christmas Events in Toronto and Beyond
Here are more blog posts about Christmas events in Toronto, as well as throughout Ontario and Canada.
- 35 Best Toronto Christmas Events
- 20 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Toronto
- The Most Magical Christmas Towns in Ontario
- The Best Christmas Markets in Ontario, Canada
- Mississauga Christmas Lights and Events To Check Out
- Christmas Markets in Canada You Must Visit
- Brockville Christmas Events
- Winter Wonders at the Royal Botanical Gardens
- 25 Best Christmas Events in Quebec City
- Casa Loma: Christmas Events at Toronto’s Castle
- Christkindl Market in Kitchener
- Quebec City Christmas Market
- Best Christmas Towns in New York State
- Christmas Decorated Mansions in Dutchess County, New York
- Best Christmas Events in Nashville, Tennessee
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Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.
Nina | Lemons and Luggage
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
Yay for the vegan options, and I'm really surprised they didn't have that many in previous years. But it kind of sucks that the bun with the Beyond Meat sausages is not vegan unless you ask for it. I would think that at a Christmas market the only people who will go for a vegan sausage will be vegetarian or vegan anyway.
Lauren
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
Yeah, exactly! The bun had egg in it, so it would be suitable for a vegetarian but not a vegan. I'm glad they at least had a pretzel bun as a replacement, which was not exactly shaped for a hot dog but probably tasted better than a regular bun anyway!
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
Friday 2nd of January 2015
Great post. I haven't visited a Christmas market yet, but my plan is to visit many of them in Europe in 2015 as we are planning a Rhine River cruise in December form Frankfurt to Basel, Switzerland.
Carmen | Carmen's Luxury Travel
Tuesday 30th of December 2014
Looks like a fun place, very festive. I've never been to Toronto but it's certainly on my list of places to go visit.
Elaine J. Masters
Monday 29th of December 2014
Just loved Toronto on my first visit during TBEX a few years ago and the Christmas Market is another wonderful reason to return. So wish we had something like this in San Diego - but then we'd probably need to have winter too! Thanks for the post and stellar photographs.
Lauren
Tuesday 30th of December 2014
Yes, there could be one in San Diego but it might not have the same feeling without the chill in the air and some snow! You'll just have to return to Toronto :)
Rhonda Albom
Monday 29th of December 2014
What a fantastic Christmas market. I love your colorful photos and now want a gingerbread cookie. Thanks for including the love locks photos - they are really cool.
Lauren
Tuesday 30th of December 2014
I really liked seeing the love locks, too! I realize that in some places they can damage bridges, etc but it seemed like this was a grate that was put up just for them. So, it's a win win :)