The most wonderful time of the year is about to kick into full gear. In fact, I have already seen a few ads on TV promoting holiday gifts! They seem to get earlier and earlier each year! Well, it never hurts to plan ahead, especially if you are thinking of attending a Toronto Christmas family event in 2022. I anticipate there will be a huge interest in attending holiday events this year since people were generally more concerned about the spread of Covid last year. Read below to find out about family friendly Christmas events in Toronto 2022.
The Santa Claus Parade 2022
For me, the holiday season officially kicks off on Sunday, November 20, 2022, the day of the Santa Claus Parade. See the return of amazing floats, bands performing holiday classics, marchers, Celebrity Clowns and of course, Mrs. Claus and Santa! With more than 500,000 people attending each year, you should plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. at the latest in order to get a good viewing spot along the parade route. If you would prefer to stay warm, you can watch the Santa’s Claus Parade on television. CTV will be broadcasting the Santa Claus Parade 2022 later the same day at 4:30 p.m. You might want to read my blog post, “Tips for Viewing the Santa Claus Parade”.
Festive Nights at Black Creek Pioneer Village 2022
Black Creek Pioneer Village is hosting Festive Nights, a family-friendly holiday event in Toronto, on December 3, 10, and 17, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The village will be decorated for Christmas and feature twinkling lights, cozy fires, and rustic oil lamps.
Enjoy live entertainment and taste scrumptious holiday treats. Warm up by the crackling fire and listen to a traditional holiday tale, take part in the Yuletide Ball, and create old-fashioned handmade ornaments to take home. You can also take part in Victorian parlour games, try candle dipping, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while watching a puppet show.
Tickets are Adults (18+) $31.45 plus HST; Children/Youth (ages 3-18) $26.79 plus HST. Conservation Parks Members Adults (18+) $28.31 plus HST; Parks Members Children/Youth (Ages 3-18) $24.11 plus HST. Purchase tickets online.
Visit with Santa at Toronto Eaton Centre 2022
Take your child to visit with Santa at Toronto Eaton Centre from Saturday, November 19, 2022 to Saturday, December 24, 2022. CF Insiders can reserve their spot online now before it opens to the public. The cost is $10, which includes your visit and five professional digital photos.
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland 2022
Taking place from November 18-December 31, 2022 on select dates, WinterFest returns to Canada’s Wonderland. This Toronto Christmas family event features live entertainment including the all new Tinker’s Toy Factory, Four Drummers Drumming and Cool Yule Christmas. Take a walk down Candy Cane Lane and watch the lights dance to holiday music. Go ice skating on Snow Flake Lake and write a letter to Santa. Decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus and get a family photo with Santa. Decorate a special ornament and help Charlie Brown and Linus pick out a tree at Charlie Brown’s Christmas Show. Shop for Christmas gifts including apparel, plush toys, Christmas ornaments and decor.
Check out this YouTube video of WinterFest in 2019:
Canadian Tire Christmas Trail 2022
Celebrate Canadian Tire’s 100th birthday by taking a drive along The Canadian Tire Christmas Trail at Black Creek Pioneer Village. The 1.5 kilometre experience features thousands of twinkling holiday lights, interactive displays, and live entertainment. Guests will be immersed in the magic of Christmas and can have their photo taken with Santa right from their own vehicle. You will be contacted by email in the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather.
Pets are not permitted on the premises for the safety of staff and guests. Guests with a pet in their vehicle will be turned away.
The cost per vehicle is $25.00 + HST and can be booked online. All proceeds will be donated to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
The Canadian Tire Christmas Trail is open from Saturday, November 12, 2022 to Friday, December 23, 2022.
Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York.
The Distillery Winter Village 2022
The Distillery Winter Village (formerly The Toronto Christmas Market) at the Distillery District is one of my favourite Christmas markets in Toronto. The holiday market will be returning in 2022 with the Winter Village scheduled to take place from Thurs., Nov. 17, 2022 to Sat., Dec. 31, 2022. One of the most popular Christmas family events in Toronto, this holiday market is based on a European-styled street market with vendors selling artisan gifts and gourmet treats for Christmas. In the centre of it all is the majestic 50-foot-tall white spruce Christmas tree for the perfect selfie. Enjoy listening to roaming carolers or watch groups performing holiday classics on the Main Stage. Pop into the beer and mulled wine garden for Christmas spirits, or take the kids to see Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo, gingerbread house and forest maze. The Distillery District’s towering Christmas tree will be lit on opening night, Thursday, November 17, 2022. Market hours are Tues-Thurs noon to 9 p.m., Fri from noon to 10 p.m., Sat from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free Tuesdays to Thursdays and on Fridays until 4 p.m. Admission is $11 plus HST after 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Snow White at Young People’s Theatre 2022
Young People’s Theatre’s holiday production of Snow White takes place from Nov. 21, 2022 to January 7, 2023 on the Ada Slaight Stage. Directed by Aurora Browne (co-creator and star of CBC’s Baroness von Sketch Show), the classic tale receives a timely interpretation. The two-actor take on the beloved story is a holiday event for the whole family to enjoy. The performance schedule is as follows:
Weekdays: Nov. 21, 22, 30, Dec. 1, 7-9, 14-16, 21, 2022 at 10:15 a.m. | Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 22, 2022 at 10:15 a.m. & 1 p.m. | Dec. 27-29, 2022 and Jan. 3, 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. | Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. | Dec. 30, 2022 and Jan. 6, 2023 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | Jan. 5, 2023 at 1 p.m.
Saturdays: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 2022 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | Jan. 7, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Sundays: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Tickets are $10-$54 plus HST and service charges. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Run time is 75 minutes. Call 416-862-2222 to purchase tickets.
One Christmas Carol at The Wychwood Theatre 2022
Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, One Christmas Carol at The Wychwood Theatre features Conall Walsh in this solo show. Walsh will voice over 35 distinct characters in this beloved holiday classic, making it the perfect Toronto family Christmas event. Run time is 80 minutes. Tickets are $30.71 to $36.01 and can be purchased online. The Wychwood Theatre is located at 76 Wychwood Avenue.
Do you know of any other Toronto Christmas family event to add to my blog post? Please include it in the comment section.
Ross Petty Productions Presents Peter’s Final Flight at The Elgin Theatre
Ross Petty Productions’ final family musical, Peter’s Final Flight, is onstage at The Elgin Theatre from December 2, 2022 to January 7, 2023. After 25 years of shows, Petty will play the villainous Captain Hook. This family-friendly Toronto show will include pop songs, jokes, laughter, ad-libs, sing-alongs, singing and dancing. Dan Chameroy plays Plumbum, while Eddie Glen returns as Smee. Sara-Jeanne Hosie plays the captain’s wife Helga Hook and new-to-the-show, Stephanie Sy, plays Wendy. Tickets are $32.25, $73.75, $78.75, $89.75 and $110.75 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster. The Elgin Theatre is located at 189 Yonge Street.
