We are almost at the end of October, which means that you’re going to start hearing Christmas music in malls and stores! The holiday season seems to start earlier and earlier each year! Keeping this in mind, it’s never too early to start making plans to enjoy family Christmas events in Toronto since popular Christmas concerts and activities sell out quickly. Continue reading to learn about the best family Christmas events in Toronto 2023:
The Distillery Winter Village 2023
One of my favourite Christmas markets in Toronto is The Distillery Winter Village at the Distillery District. Entering the holiday market, you will feel immediately transported to Christmases of long ago. The Christmas market takes place from Thursday, November 16, 2023 to Sunday, December 31, 2023. One of the most popular Christmas craft shows in Toronto, this holiday market is based on a European-styled street market with vendors selling artisan gifts, stocking stuffers and gourmet treats for Christmas. I love taking a selfie in front of the majestic Christmas tree! You can also enjoy listening to roaming carolers or watch groups performing holiday classics on the Main Stage. Stop by 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 16, 2023. 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.
New this year: General Admission is $15; Flex Ticket is $18 (allows you to change your ticket to a future date at no additional fee); Express Gate Entry is $30 (allows you to make unlimited changes to your ticket for no additional fee). Kids 9 and under Free. Purchase tickets online. Keep in mind that The Distillery Winter Village is one of the most popular Christmas events in Toronto 2023.
Chris, Mrs. – A New Holiday Musical
Take the whole family to see Chris, Mrs. at The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre from December 5-31, 2023. In this new holiday musical, Ben Chris decides to leverage his late parents’ lodge in exchange for a promotion, but first, he must convince his brother Charlie to sell. Ben, along with his socialite girlfriend Vicki, teenage daughter Claire and twins Samuel and Samantha head to the lodge. After discovering a ring in their father’s suitcase, the twins write to Santa for assistance, who appears in the form of Holly, a lodge employee.
Tickets are $51 to $138 with family and group discounts available. Book tickets online or call 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754 (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre is located at 189 Yonge Street.
Disney in Concert: The Muppet Christmas Carol 2023
Experience the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale as told by the Muppets in a family-friendly screening of the complete film at Meridian Hall on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The score will be performed by the TO Live Orchestra. Run time is 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Tickets are $39-$99 plus fees. Purchase tickets online.
Meridian Hall is located at 1 Front Street East.
Soup Can Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Now in its sixth year, Soup Can Theatre’s acclaimed performance of A Christmas Carol will be staged in Toronto’s Campbell House Museum. The Charles Dickens classic tells the story of miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve who urge him to change his stingy ways.
Due to the immersive and mobile nature of this production, audience members will be required to stand for a significant portion of the 85 minute performance, navigate stairs on several occasions, and will, at times, be close in close proximity to other audience members. 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 confirm availability of these seats and to reserve in advance.
Performances run from December 6-10, 13-17, and 19-22, 2023. Performance times are Weeknights and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; Sundays at 6:45 p.m. Ticket prices to be announced.
Campbell House Museum is located at 160 Queen Street West (just west of University Avenue).
Festive Nights at Black Creek Pioneer Village 2023
Black Creek Pioneer Village is hosting Festive Nights, a family-friendly holiday event in Toronto, on December 2, 9, and 16, 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 holiday entertainment and sample roasted chestnuts and gingerbread cookies. Warm up by the crackling fire with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and listen to a traditional holiday tale, take part in a country dance, and create old-fashioned holiday crafts to take home. You can also take part in Victorian parlour games, try candle dipping, watch a puppet show and meet Santa.
Tickets are Adults (15+) $32.10 plus HST; Youth (ages 3-14) $27.30 plus HST. Members Adults (15+) $28.30 plus HST; Members Youth (Ages 3-14) $24.55 plus HST. Purchase tickets online.
It’s A Wonderful Life at Young People’s Theatre 2023
The whole family will enjoy Young People’s Theatre’s production of the classic, It’s A Wonderful Life performed as a live radio play at The Ada Slaight Stage from November 20, 2023 to December 30, 2023.
It’s a snowy Christmas Eve and George is depressed about his unfulfilling life. A guardian angel named Clarence appears and takes George under his wing, revealing what life might have looked like without him in it. Just in time for Christmas, George is reminded how precious life is, and the value of family, community and love.
Tickets are Adults (19+) $10-$54; Youth (1-18) $10-$49. Run time is approximately 85 minutes. Recommended for ages 10+.
The Santa Claus Parade 2023
For me, the holiday season officially kicks off on Sunday, November 26, 2023 with the Santa Claus Parade. See amazing floats, marching bands performing holiday favourites, Celebrity Clowns and of course, Mrs. Claus and Santa! More than 500,000 people attend this popular parade each year so you should plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to get a good viewing spot – the parade starts at 12:30 p.m. 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 2023 a few weeks later.
Holiday Fair in the Square at 2023
Holiday Fair in the Square, which was previously held at Nathan Phillips Square, is moving to Mel Lastman Square in 2023. Take the family to this free Toronto holiday event, which runs from December 1-23, 2023. Enjoy an artisan market for holiday gift shopping, a Fireside Lounge to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, mulled wine and s’mores, Santa’s Village, live entertainment, local food trucks and rides and games. The event supports Epilepsy Toronto.
The holiday fair is open Tuesday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hours on Saturday, December 23, 2023 are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Winter Wonderland Spectacular at Illuminarium 2023
The Distillery District is bringing a one-of-a-kind Christmas immersive titled Winter Wonderland Spectacular for people to experience the magic of the holidays. The yuletide experience runs from November 24, 2023 to January 7, 2024 and will coincide with The Distillery Winter Village.
Enter a winter wonderland castle filled with state-of-the-art interactive technology and be surrounded by nutcrackers, candy canes and jingle bells. From Santa’s luxurious winter palace to whirling snowstorms and glowing Northern Lights, Winter Wonderland Spectacular is a place of beauty and magic for kids and adults alike.
Some additional experiences include:
Holiday Themed Spectacular
360 Degree Immersive Show
Santa or Mrs.Klaus Photo Opportunities
Free Hot Cocoa Station
Tickets are $35 plus HST and fees. Purchase tickets for Winter Wonderland Spectacular online at Illuminarium or at the Box Office at 28 Gristmill Lane, Toronto.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Christmas events in Toronto 2023. Let me know in the comment section which family holiday events in Toronto you plan to attend.
You may be interested in reading “Toronto Christmas Craft Sales and Shows 2023“.
