Christmas in the City: ultimate bucket list to get in the holiday spirit
I used to hold off in doing anything christmassy until December first. But year after year of feeling like christmas was just over way too quickly, I have began to embrace the November holiday spirit. Maybe I don’t start the very first day of November, but after Remembrance day, the Christmas decorations come out, Mariah Carrie comes on, and Hallmark specials are watched. It’s game on.
Waiting until December 1st to celebrate never worked out well for me. I would have an entire list of Christmas movies I wanted to watch, crafts I wanted to make, cookies I wanted to bake, on top of the general gift buying, decorating, and jam-packed social calendar that comes into effect this time of year.
There’s simply not time to do it all— and trying to fit it all in usually results in a batch of burnt sugar cookies, lost receipts, and half-finished crafts you end up throwing out in the new year.
So, come and jump on the Christmas-cheer-bandwagon early with me this year! With the world slowly opening up again, Toronto and the GTA have some pretty amazing events and destinations to get us in the Christmas spirit, from holiday markets to popup bars to themed escape rooms and paint nights!
Merry November!
Things To Do
Hosting DJ Skate Nights, the Harbourfront is turning into a skating party right into the New Year. The rink is free to use, and if you don’t have your own pair of skates, they have skate rentals (and sharpening services!) available.
Play Crokicurl at Stack Market
A game almost like a blend of curling and air hockey, Crokicurl is almost as fun to say as it is to say. Stackt’s Belgian Moon Brewery is hosting games to groups from December 1-31st. Grab your friends, coworkers, or family and book a time slot to have the ice to yourself, and then check out the Holiday Hills market for all kinds of goodies to warm up and fuel up after.
Immerse yourself in a Nutcracker Ballet experience
From the producers of the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit comes the Immersive Nutcracker: a Winter Miracle! This experience at 1 Yonge street brings Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet to life with 1,296,674 frames of video and music in 500,000 cubic feet of visual wonder. My family for many years has gone to see the ballet on stage at various theatres in Toronto, but I am hoping to switch it up and get tickets for this immersive experience instead.
Admire the Bay Window Displays @The Toronto Eaton Centre
Walk along Queen West to admire the Windows at The Hudson Bay Company, this year transporting us into a whimsical toy making factory at the North Pole.
Solve Your Way Out of a Christmas-Themed Escape Room
Mysterious Minds Escape Room on Bloor Street West has created a holiday escape room story called the Quest to Save Santa. With challenge levels from beginner to advanced, this escape room challenge can be enjoyed by all ages, whether its the beginning of a pub crawl with your friends, or on the family christmas itinerary with your little nieces and nephews.
Places to Go
Evergreen Brickworks Winter Village
Few details have been given this year about the holiday market and events at the Brickworkd, but if previous years are any indication, expect an enchanted rustic winter market, complete with fire pits, a skating rink, artisan vendors, and a plethora of local and hearty food options. Dress warm, as while covered, a big portion of this market takes place in the unheated old brick-making factory portion of Evergreen. Also, this is a dog lovers’ market, so if you have a people loving and obedient pooch, bring them along for some christmas fun!
The famous and always packed Christmas Market in Toronto’s Distillery District is back this year with a new name and a new vibe as the Distillery Winter Village. With fewer outdoor vendors, the focus this year is the heated outdoor patios and indoor dining options of the restaurants and cafes, along with the beautiful light displays and photo ops throughout the distillery.
To control numbers, admission tickets with entry times are required for Friday nights and weekends. From personal experience, hitting the distillery in November during the week, either early in the day or late in the evening gives you the best crowd-free experience off peak times.
Food and Drink
Back again this year in Yorkville is Miracle Bar, a popup serving delicious christmas themed cocktails to get you in the yuletide spirit
Festivals, Events and Markets
Watch the Toronto Santa Clause Parade
Taking place December 4th at 7 PM, the 117th annual Toronto Santa Claus Parade will be broadcast so you can watch it in your christmas PJs form the comfort of your couch. Some of us may be missing the live experience lining the city streets as we did pre-covid, but at least I won’t be jostling elbows with kids I am eye level with for the best view of my favourite floats this year (Ie. Mother Goose!)
Happening at Bandshell Park near Exhibition place from now until December 26th is the Polar Winter Festival. This walkthrough winter festival is on for the first time since before the pandemic, and features a shimmering ice tunnel, light displays, and a sprawling market with delicious holiday treats. Make sure you come wearing your christmas best to take a picture inside Canada’s largest Santa Selfie photo opp.
One of a Kind Christmas Craft Show
After two years of being kicked out to the virtual realm, the One of a Kind Show (christmas edition) is BACK in person at the Enercare Centre from November 25th to December 5th. Get your christmas shopping done early, supporting artisans, artists, and canadian businesses instead of succumbing to Amazon Prime 1-Day shipping on the 23rd.
Leslieville Christmas Pop-up Market
Back for its eighth year is the impossibly cute Leslieville Christmas Pop-up market. This years market will be hosted indoors and featuring over 30-40 creative talented local vendors. There is also rumoured to be a complimentary Hot Chocolate Deluxe Bar, a Best Dog Holiday Costume Competition, and Sanata on-site giving out candy to all the kids (and kids at heart) who are on the nice list this year. Tickets can be purchased here.
Toronto Christmas Movies
For an activity that celebrates Christmas in the city without leaving your couch, watch one of these holiday movies that were all filmed in our hometown of the 6ix.
1. The Santa Claus
2. A Christmas Story
3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (original animated film voiceovers recorded in Toronto)
4. One Magic Christmas
5. The Christmas Chronicles
6. Let it Snow
7. Scrooged
What are you doing to celebrate Christmas in the 6ix this month? What else should this list include?
Let the countdown begin! Happy holidays!
xxoo
Jordan