Side note: The Toronto Christmas Market has been renamed for the 2021 season to the Distillery Winter Village.
We're back with another installment of the "instagrammable" locations in Downtown Toronto, but this is a festive/holiday themed one, and that is, the Toronto Christmas Market.
Located in Downtown Toronto, specifically in the distillery district, from about Mid to late November leading up to Christmas, the space is transformed into this mini Santa’s workshop, Christmas Village, fresh out of a North American Hallmark Holiday movie kind of scene.
It’s free entry throughout the week from 10:00am - 7:00pm, and then until 4pm on Friday.
After 4pm on Friday and through the weekend tickets are required and must be purchased to enter, but it isn’t anymore than $10 per person. (The actual cost is $8.00CAD)
Also note that it's always closed on Mondays.
It’s a very popular seasonal tourist attraction, because who doesn't love the holidays, especially with how much they go above and beyond for the Christmas season in North America.
Those holiday/Christmas themed events you may have watched on TV as a child into adulthood, yeah, some of them are actually real, and this is one of them.
I’ve gone two years in a row now, because the atmosphere and the environment just gets you in the Christmas spirit. So if Christmas is one of your favourite holidays, this is definitely something I’d recommend checking out.
Especially if you want to spruce your Instagram a bit, you know, do another pop up after those Nuit Blanche photos you may have posted, and then disappear again.
The set up looks nice at any time of day, but in my opinion, the lights really pop when the sun goes down in the evening.
During this time of the year in Canada, that November - March period when daylight savings is happening and the clocks are turned back, it gets dark by like 4:30pm, so anytime after that is a great time to check this location out, with the Christmas lights adding to the whole Christmas-y atmosphere.
It really changes up the place, trust me. The lights pop differently in the photos too.
At the Christmas market you’ll find a big lit up countdown showing the number of days left before Christmas, numerous shops and vendors selling festive items from hot chocolate, to sausages, cookies, gifts, and toys, and a HUGE Christmas tree with lights displayed everywhere.
There are shops inside buildings, as well as those outside selling trinkets, snacks, even clothes.
It’s a nice place for a quick trip downtown if you're looking for a festive, holiday-themed touristy location to snap some new pictures to send home to family and friends.
As usual during this time of year, in this winter-esque weather, my main piece of advice here is to always make sure you check the forecast before you go.
There tends to still be some rain, or if you're unfortunate, even snow falling in November, and it's even more likely in December.
Make sure to check the forecast before you leave home to make sure you're bundled up enough, and prepared for any possible weather changes. You just never know with the Canadian weather.
Being such an open space, with many of the attractions and booths to purchase items being outside, there isn’t much shelter available to get out the rain if it happens to fall.
I learned that the hard way last year.
In terms of how much you'd expect to spend here, I personally haven't bought anything from the Christmas Market, I just go to walk around and smell all the Christmas aromas, check out all the Christmas sights and take a picture or two, or ten, but almost all the booths and pop ups take cash and card, so it's up to you to determine how much you want to spend, and what you want to spend your money on.
Don't feel pressured to buy anything though. If you're just going for the tourist experience to see the views, not buying anything doesn't take away from the experience.
Plus, with the market being located in Downtown Toronto, you aren't too far off from nearby food places if you don't want to purchase anything at the market specifically, but are still looking for a bite to eat when you're done.
The Christmas Market to me is yet another tourist moment that's added to my North American experience. Going there makes me feel like I'm in a Disney Channel Holiday original movie.
There are so many picture perfect locations all around the market, and compared to other pop ups around the city, this one doesn't require too much walking, so you can stroll comfortably from one end of the market to the other without breaking a sweat.
Sounds like popular Christmas songs, bells ringing, Carolers singing live (this was a surprise to me because I'd never seen actual carollers outside of a Christmas movie) - these sounds fill your ears while smells of warmly baked pretzels, cinnamon cookies, hot chocolate, sausages and more fill your nostrils, all while the Christmas strung lights and attractions glimmer in your eyes. It really appeals to many of your senses.
The market itself is relatively easy to access via the TTC transit.
The 504 streetcar is probably the easiest way to get as close to the market entrance as possible, with an additional 5 minute walk to the actual entrance, but the 121D bus is also another option with the same additional 5 minute walk. It'll just depend on what direction you're coming from.
If you have a significant other, the Toronto Christmas Market has very nice cute festive date potential.
No significant other? Still a lovely friend date location.
Live your main-character-in-a-Christmas-movie moment!
THINGS TO NOTE:
🎄 Price/Entry cost: FREE! (Tuesday to Thursday 10:00am - 7:00pm) - No tickets required
On Friday and the weekends, Tickets are required after 4pm for those 6+ and cost $8.00
🎄 Time of year: Mid-Late November - December
🎄 Average amount of time expected to spend here: 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
🎄 Location: The Distillery District, Downtown Toronto - 55 Mill Street, Toronto
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