The holidays are just around the corner and you know what that means: It’s time for Christmas markets! Beautiful light displays, exciting performances, handmade gifts, mouth-watering treats, and much more await you at the market of your choosing. Here are a few road-trip worthy markets in Ontario you can visit this season.
The Distillery Winter Village
This year, the beloved Toronto Christmas Market is returning with a new name: the Winter Village.
Known as the heart of downtown, the pedestrian-only Distillery District in Toronto will play host to the holiday market with over 75 local merchants, restaurants, and cafés. There will also be an additional eight vendor cabins and 12 food cabins to satisfy all your cravings. Oh, and there’s also a 50-foot Christmas tree—you can’t miss it!
Because of the location, we recommend you take public transit to get to the market. Some visitors choose to drive into the city, park from a distance, and travel on foot or by transit the rest of the way. If you do need to drive all the way there, check out nearby parking rates first to help you find a spot.
Admission to the Winter Village is free, but only outside of peak hours. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as between December 20th and 23rd, you’ll need to pay an $8 admission fee if you arrive later than 4pm (no fee for children under 5). You can also purchase tickets online prior to your visit to avoid potential capacity limits during peak hours.
The Winter Village is open daily from November 18th to December 31st .Check out their official website to find out about operation hours for particular dates.
Ottawa Christmas Market
Thanks to its expanded programming and over 35 unique vendors, the Ottawa Christmas Market is expecting up to 100,000 visitors this year! There will also be tons of entertainment. A complete schedule of events is available, so you can catch a performance during your visit.
Admission to the market free, but certain activities and events have fees and/or registration. Also make sure you don’t miss anything by planning parking and public transit ahead of time.
The Ottawa Christmas Market will be open every Friday to Sunday from November 26th to December 22nd. Check out the website for specific hours during the week you plan to visit.
Niagara Falls Christmas Market
The 2021 Niagara Falls Christmas Market is going to be the biggest one yet!
With over 50 vendors, 30+ elaborate light displays, and live choir performances, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. If you visit on a Saturday, Santa Claus and his sleigh will be available for photo ops.
The market is located just a five-minute drive away from tourist hotspot known as Clifton Hill and from prime viewing spots of the Niagara Falls.
You can find parking options near the market, too. Admission is free, no tickets required!
The Niagara Falls Christmas Market will run from November 13th to December 19th. You can check out the website for operation hours, information about vendors, and more.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!