UPDATED FOR 2017: You may say every year that you want to take time out during the holiday season to enjoy some festive Christmas activities such as attending Toronto Christmas Concerts or other holiday events with family or friends, but then before you know it, Christmas has come and gone. Why not enter some of these Christmas events in Toronto 2017 in your calendar and make a plan this year to attend just one!
Toronto Christmas Market at The Distillery District 2017
Experience a recreated European Christmas market at the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District in Toronto from Thurs., Nov. 16 to Sat., Dec. 23, 2017. This is one of the most popular Christmas events in Toronto 2017 and includes an outdoor vendors’ market if you’re looking for unique Christmas crafts and gifts, holiday-themed shows, children’s choirs, and roaming carolers. There is also a Ferris wheel, beer and wine gardens, fairy tale maze, Santa’s elves workshop, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo and a 52-foot white spruce Christmas tree that will be lit on opening night. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate at the American Express Lounge Friday to Sunday nights. Hours are Tuesday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free from Tuesday to Thursday and up until 5 p.m. on Friday. Admission is $6 after 5 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday and Sunday. Opens Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 4 p.m.
Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at the Omni King Edward Hotel 2017
If you’re looking for elegant Christmas events in Toronto 2017, enjoy a festive afternoon tea at the Omni King Edward Hotel. The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea takes place from Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 2017 between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (excluding Mondays, Tuesdays and Dec. 24, and 25). The Festive Nutcracker Tea is $54 per person (more with a glass of sherry/sparkling wine/champagne) and includes fine teas, finger sandwiches, homemade scones with Devonshire cream, sticky carrot toffee pudding, shortbread and pastries. Enjoy your Nutcracker tea beside the glorious holiday tree in the Omni King Edward Hotel lobby. Reservations required. Call 416-863-4125.
Christmas in The Valley at Todmorden Mills
Explore Christmas traditions of the 1890s and the 1940s at Todmorden Mills. Sample festive treats, create a holiday craft to take home, tour the historic homes dressed for the holidays, and enjoy a winter-themed outdoor tour of the Wildflower Preserve. Christmas in the Valley takes place Fri. Dec. 2, 2016 to Sun., Dec. 4, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. & from Dec. 24, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017 from noon to 4 p.m. Guided tours are at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Admission is Adults $7.08 plus tax; Youth/Seniors $4.42 plus tax; and Children $3.76 plus tax and 5 and under Free.
Breakfast with Santa at Palais Royale 2017
Take the kids to have Breakfast with Santa at the Palais Royale on Dec. 16-19, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy Mrs. Claus’s breakfast buffet at 8:30 a.m., at 9:30 a.m., the Palais, Polaris Express departs, get a photo taken with Santa (parents, please bring your own camera) enjoy story time, Christmas caroling with the elves and create a decoration for your tree. Admission is $40-$45 per person. Open style seating for breakfast. Please call for group seating. The Palais Royale is located at 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Call 416-533-3553 or email info@palaisroyale.ca to reserve.
The Nutcracker by the National Ballet of Canada 2017
This Tchaikovsky Christmas classic never gets old. James Kudelka’s version of The Nutcracker runs 120 minutes with a 20-minute intermission so it’s not too long for children’s attention spans. The National Ballet of Canada performs the holiday classic from Dec. 9-30, 2017 at the Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595. Tickets are $39, $55, $65, $70, $90, $95, $105, $120, $135, $140, $150, $175 and $190.
Nathan Phillips Square Tree Lighting 2017
Watch the massive Christmas tree lighting at the 50th Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square just in time for the holidays on Sat., Nov. 25, 2017 at 6 p.m., then enjoy live musical performances by musical performers to be announced. Enjoy skating and fireworks at 8:20 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square will continue to be lit up every night from dusk until 11 p.m. until Dec. 31, 2017.
Santa Claus Parade Toronto 2017
Bundle up because the 113th Santa Claus Parade happens on Sun., Nov. 19, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. beginning at Christie Pits at Bloor and Christie Streets and then continuing to Avenue Rd./University Avenue where it heads south until Wellington St. W. The parade then turns east along Wellington Street until Yonge Street, then south on Yonge to Front Street and ends at Jarvis Street. The parade will be broadcast on CTV at 4:30 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 19, 2017.
Christmas by Lamplight at Black Creek Pioneer Village 2017
Black Creek Pioneer Village gets dressed for the holidays during Christmas by Lamplight on Sat. Dec. 9, Sat. Dec. 16 and Sat. Dec. 23, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wander through the village and admire the seasonal decor, listen to a chorus in the village’s old church, sample apple cider, chestnuts and other seasonal treats, listen to Christmas tales, participate in a Victorian carol sing-along and learn how to make period decorations. Father Christmas makes an appearance each night. Admission is Adults $29.95 ($34.95 on Dec. 23) plus H.S.T. and Children under 12 $24.95 ($29.95 on Dec. 23) plus H.S.T. Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway (Jane St. and Steeles Ave.), 416-667-6295.
Wreath-Making at Colborne Lodge
If you’re looking for creative things to do at Christmas, you can make a fresh pine wreath at the Toronto’s historic Colborne Lodge in High Park then enjoy a tour of the house. Light refreshments served. Adult wreath-making classes are two hours, cost $32.50 plus H.S.T. and take place Sun. Nov. 19, 2017 at 10 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m., Sun., Nov. 26, 2017 at 10 a.m. and Thurs., Dec. 7, 2017 at 7 p.m. Adult/youth classes for one adult and one youth are $50 plus H.S.T. and are scheduled on Sat., Nov. 18, 2017 at 10 a.m., Sat., Nov. 25, 2017 at 10 a.m., and Sat., Dec. 2, 2017 at 10 a.m. One additional adult is $32.50 and one additional youth (8-15) is $17.50 plus tax. Call 416-392-6916 for more information and purchase tickets for wreath-making classes online.
Fort York Frost Fair 2017
If you are looking for Christmas event in Toronto 2017 that celebrate the traditions of the past, the Fort York Frost Fair takes place Sat. Dec. 9, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the festive season by visiting Fort York’s historic buildings where merchants will be selling 18th-and-19th-century-inspired merchandise. Many activities will be scheduled throughout the day, including a chance to print a Frost Fair souvenir and demonstrations by the Culinary Historians of Canada. Merchants dressed in period clothing will be staffing the stalls. Warm up at the Officers’ Mess Kitchen hearth. Watch the Royal Veteran Battalion practice exercises and musket firing on Saturday. Admission is Adults $14.01, Seniors (65+) $10, Youth (13-18) $8.02, Children (6-12) $5.99, 5 and under Free. Fort York is located at 250 Fort York Boulevard (north of Lake Shore Blvd., west of Bathurst St.), 416-392-6907.
Do you know of any other Christmas events in Toronto 2017? Please mention them in the comments.
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