UPDATED FOR 2019: The Christmas season goes by so quickly that it’s important to carve out some time to enjoy the holiday season with your family. This will probably require planning ahead and reserving a day in your calendar for a holiday event that the whole family can attend. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your family in the Christmas spirit. Read further to find out about our suggestions for family friendly Christmas events in Toronto 2019:
The Fort York Frost Fair 2019
The Fort York Frost Fair takes place January 17, 18 and 19, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy the festive season by visiting Fort York’s historic buildings where merchants will be selling 18th-and-19th-century-inspired merchandise. Print a Frost Fair souvenir or dress up in heritage clothing. Merchants dressed in period clothing will be staffing the stalls. Sample handmade shortbread, heritage chocolate and gourmet pretzels. 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) $10, 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.
Wreath-Making at Colborne Lodge 2019
If you’re looking for family-friendly Christmas events in Toronto 2019, you and your child can make a fresh pine wreath at Toronto’s historic Colborne Lodge in High Park then enjoy a tour of the house, which will be decorated for the season. After your class, enjoy complimentary refreshments in the drawing room. Wreath Making classes are popular so many have sold out. Below are the available classes at the time of publication. Wreath Making Classes for Families are open to one adult and one youth (age 8-15). Youth must be accompanied by an adult and adult must be accompanied by a youth. Purchase tickets for wreath-making classes online. Call 416-392-6916 for more information:
Wreath-Making Workshop for Families: Saturday, November 23, 2019, 10 a.m.; Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 10 a.m.; Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10 a.m. Adults $40 plus HST; Children & Youth (ages 8-18) $20 plus HST.
Wreath-Making Workshop for Families: Saturday, November 24, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 1, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 8, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Adults $40 plus HST; Children & Youth (ages 8-18) $20 plus HST.
Wreath-Making Workshop for Adults: Thursday, November 28, 2019 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 7 p.m. Adults $40 plus HST.
Family Christmas Weekends at Black Creek Pioneer Village 2019
If you’re looking for family-friendly Christmas events in Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village is hosting Family Christmas Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays including Nov. 16-7, 2019, Nov. 23-24, 2019, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, 2019, Dec. 7-8, 2019, Dec. 14-15, 2019 and Dec. 21, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy holiday activities in the village, which will be seasonally dressed for Christmas, including trimming a Christmas tree, singing along to Christmas carols, tasting roasted chestnuts, mincemeat tarts and plum pudding, learning about Christmas traditions and taking a horse-drawn wagon ride (wagon rides are $2 per person and available on in December). Admission is Adults (15-59) $15; Seniors (60+) $12; Students (15+ with ID) $12; Children (5-14) $11; and Infants (4 and under) Free. Parking is $7. Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway (Jane St. and Steeles Ave.), 416-667-6295.
A Christmas Carol at Campbell House Museum
The Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre perform Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol in the historic Campbell House Museum. With an original text by Justin Haigh, the play is directed by Sarah Thorpe, and enhanced by live musical elements courtesy of Musical Director Pratik Gandhi. The Campbell House Museum is located at 160 Queen Street West (Queen and University). Performances are:
Saturday, November 30, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Preview Performances)
Tuesday, December 3, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Preview Performances)
Wednesday Dec 4, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Opening Night)
Thursday, December 5, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Friday, December 6, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2019: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 pm
Sunday, Dec 15, 2019: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 19, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Friday, December 20, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, 2019: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 22, 2019: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Run Time: Approximately 85 minutes. Due to the immersive and mobile nature of this production, audience members will be required to stand for a significant portion of the performance, navigate stairs on multiple occasions, and will, at times, be in close quarters to other audience members.
Tickets: All tickets for the preview performances on November 30, 2019 and December 3, 2019 are $20. Tickets for all other performances are Adults $35; Children, Students, Seniors and Arts Workers, $25. Tickets are available at ChristmasCarolTO.com.
Accessibility: Because of the historic nature of the Campbell House Museum, this production is, unfortunately, not accessible for persons in wheelchairs or similar mobility devices. A very limited number of seats can be reserved for patrons unable to stand for extended periods of time. Please contact the Campbell House Museum at 416-597-0227 ext. 2 or sarah@campbellhousemuseum.ca to reserve in advance.
Aurora Winter Festival at Ontario Place 2019
This new winter festival takes place from Nov 22, 2019 to January 5, 2020 at Ontario Place and features four mystical worlds such as the Arctic Retreat, Luminous Gardens, Whimsical Forest and Disco Den inspired by the North Pole. You’ll encounter ice queens, ice elves and even Santa. Kids can play on the 170 foot slide covered in snow, make crafts at Santa’s Workshop, enjoy carnival rides and a tube park or marvel at the 50 foot LED light dome. Shop for holiday gifts at the vendor booths along Main Street. Tickets start at $14.99.
The Salvation Army Presents Christmas In The Square 2019
Bring your family to enjoy this free holiday event in Toronto: The Salvation Army Presents Christmas In The Square on Friday, November 29, 2019. Enjoy musical performances by The Salvation Army Band, The Salvation Army Choir and the Rolling Stronz Band, as well as an appearance by Dora the Explorer and a reading of “The Christmas Story”. Enjoy pizza, donuts and hot chocolate. The Salvation Army will be with their kettles accepting donations for their “Christmas Kettle Campaign”. Live entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., hosted by Juno-award-winning R&B artist Dru who will also be performing.
High Park Christmas Celebrations 2019
Celebrate with the family at the 8th annual High Park Christmas Celebration on Sun., Dec. 1, 2019 beginning at 1 p.m. when kids can see Santa at the High Park Zoo while he visits his reindeer. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., activities take place at Grenadier Restaurant including a sing-along with junior choirs and the Withnells and hot chocolate, cookies and a marshmallow roast on the Grenadier Restaurant patio. Make a holiday decoration with the High Park program groups, Colborne Lodge, High Park Children’s Garden, and High Park Nature Centre; enjoy a raffle, and meet Santa on the patio from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. The event is free. High Park is located at 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto.
Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery 2019
One of the most popular holiday events for families in Toronto 2018 is the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District, which opens on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 4 p.m. to Sunday, December 22, 2019. Wander among the outdoor vendors’ market to find the perfect holiday gift, kids can visit Santa at Santa’s House, bring your pet to get a pet photo with Santa on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. or listen to live musical performances on the main stage while gazing at the 52-foot white spruce Christmas tree. You can also enjoy a drink at the beer and wine gardens and listen to roaming Christmas carolers. Children will enjoy the Ferris wheel, carousel and life-sized gingerbread house. This year, there will be a $6 admission charge on weekends (beginning at 5 p.m. on Fridays), but weekdays remain free.
Breakfast with Santa at Ripley’s Aquarium 2019
Enjoy an underwater breakfast with Santa at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on Dec. 7, 21 and 22, 2019 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The holiday breakfast will include scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, breakfast sausage, home fries, French toast sticks, toast, yogourt, fresh fruit, pastries and preserves, juice, milk, coffee, and tea. Please check in between 7 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. to enjoy a complimentary coat check and see the first exhibit before breakfast, which starts at 7:30 a.m. There is no parking onsite. Cost is Adults $50 plus HST; Youth (6-13) and Child (3-5) $35 plus HST; Child (2 and Under) $10 plus HST. Cost includes general admission, breakfast, a complimentary coat check, and a complimentary family photo with Santa.
Winter Wander at Toronto Botanical Garden
Enjoy a festive morning with the family at Winter Wander at Toronto Botanical Garden on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Look for signs of winter wildlife, build and hang birdfeeders, make maple candy and play games to understand how animals survive the Canadian winter. Then, come inside to warm up with some hot cocoa and winter stories. Appropriate for ages 5 and up.
PUBLIC: $15 per person or bring the family for $45
MEMBER: $12 per person or bring the family for $36
Do you know of other holiday events for families in Toronto 2019? Please mention them in the comment section.
Christmas markets are so fun! They’re definitely worth dealing with the cold.
I love visiting Christmas markets too; they really put you in the holiday mood! Cheers, Lori
I love any kind of family christmas event! WE have tons in our area!
Yes, I love them too! Glad to hear that there are so many where you live! Cheers, Lori
I’ve only been to Toronto in the summer, but I but it’s so fun around Christmastime. It does seem like there is a lot happening there this year for the holidays!
Yes, there seem to be more holiday fairs popping up across the city this year! Cheers, Lori
I’ve never made a wreath but I want to try this year. This looks like a fun event.
I have only made one or two; I love the smell of fresh pine and cedar! Cheers, Lori
I am so excited for Christmas and having a wreath making activity is such a wonderful idea. We have a local community of women in my area and will this. Also, can’t wait to visit Christmas markets — time to look for the best finds in the best season of the year.
Great ideas!!
Looking forward to the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District this year.
So am I. The Toronto Christmas Market always put me in the holiday mood! Cheers, Lori
[…] The Christmas holiday season is fun, but it sure can be hard on the wallet! It’s important to establish and follow a budget during the holidays because you don’t want to facing the new year ridden in debt. These Christmas holiday events in Toronto 2018 are free or cheap so you’ll be able to catch the Christmas spirit without forking out a lot of cash. You might also be interested in reading about family friendly Christmas events in Toronto. […]
[…] East Island of Ontario Place! The festival brings gorgeous light installations, food trucks, and family-friendly holiday fun Wednesdays to Sundays between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. until December 30, 2018. Torontonicity was invited […]
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