This has been a hectic past four weeks for me because we decided to move! I know…moving during the holidays…what were we thinking? Just before we moved, I decided that I wanted to visit the Distillery Winter Village because I knew I wouldn’t have time once December rolled around. In previous years, this popular Toronto holiday market was known as the Toronto Christmas Market, but it has been renamed to reflect a more subdued presence and fewer attractions due to the pandemic.
The Distillery Winter Village still features the same majestic Christmas tree at the center of the Distillery District. The village is dressed up in Christmas lights and there are vendor cabins for last minute Christmas shopping. Although Santa will be at the village, there will be no official visits with Santa. We saw him roaming the cobblestone streets along with his elves. You can stop him and get a selfie taken with him. There will also not be a Ferris wheel or carousel at the village this year.
We still enjoyed visiting the vendor cabins to check out unique Christmas gifts and discovering new items in some of the stores. My favourite store to wander around in is Bergo Designs, which carries stylish home decor and gifts. Another fun store is FloorPlay Socks. They had every type of sock imaginable and of course, they would make perfect stocking stuffers. They had a pair I loved with Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. I also enjoyed checking out the offerings at Yummi Candles. I was tempted to buy this festive pot pourri.
I always have to stop in at Corktown Designs because they feature original jewellery designs from local designers. And a visit to the Distillery District would not be complete for me if I didn’t browse the paintings at the Arta Gallery. I always see one or two pieces that I really like. One day, I will buy one!
The Distillery Winter Village Hours
The Distillery Winter Village outdoor shopping and food cabins are open Tuesdays to Sundays from noon to close, at which time proof of full vaccination and government-issued ID is required to gain entry. Make sure you have your QR Code handy on your phone. I thought I knew where mine was, but darn it if I could find it when it was time to enter the village! Proof of vaccination is required even if you are entering during a non-ticketed time.
Special holiday hours:
- December 20: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- December 24: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Distillery restaurants, cafes and retailers open only. Outdoor shopping cabins and food vendors closed)
- December 25: Closed
- December 26: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Distillery restaurants, cafes and retailers open only. Outdoor shopping cabins and food vendors closed)
- December 27-31: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tickets for the Distillery Winter Village
Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 4 p.m. and from December 20, 2021 to December 23, 2021 from 4 p.m. onwards, to manage capacity during peak hours.
Tickets are $8 per person (age 6 years and up), and will be pre-sold only here. Kids 5 and under, including babies, require a ticket, but admission is free of charge for them. At all other times, tickets are not required and access is free of charge.
The Distillery Winter Village is on at the Distillery District in Toronto from November 18, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
You might be interested in reading, “Best Holiday Gifts under $150 for Her in 2021“.
