Last updated: November 11, 2024
See the festive season in High Park North from a new perspective. Our guide highlights all the key holiday events. Whether you're a High Park North native or a seasonal visitor, this guide helps you navigate the festive landscape.
One of the standout attractions is the WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland, where seasonal decorations and themed activities transform the park into a winter wonderland. Additionally, the Cavalcade of Lights showcases a spectacular display of lights and entertainment, making it a highlight of the holiday calendar. And the Christmas at the Castle is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its enchanting atmosphere and stunning decorations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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High Park North Holiday Light Displays
Cavalcade of Lights
- What to Expect
- Live tree lighting and nightly ice skating.
- Description
- The Cavalcade of Lights is a long-standing winter festival in Toronto, featuring live performances, the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree, and nightly ice skating with festive light installations.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Cavalcade of Lights
Holiday Lights Tour at Casa Loma
- What to Expect
- Dazzling outdoor and tunnel lighting displays.
- Description
- Wander through a dazzling lighting display in the gardens and tunnels of Casa Loma, all decorated for the festive season. This self-guided walk features spectacular decorations, outdoor lighting displays, and live performances. Kids are invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Holiday Lights Tour at Casa Loma
Brooks Farms Festive Nights
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday celebration with local artisans and festive activities.
- Description
- Brooks Farms Festive Nights features a lit Christmas forest, holiday displays, live music, bonfires, and visits with Santa, along with a craft market and festive treats.
- Where
- Mount Albert | More Info : Brooks Farms Festive Nights
Rusty Griswold’s Christmas Light Display
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show with 12 different holiday songs.
- Description
- Rusty Griswold’s Christmas Light Display features thousands of synchronized lights and holiday songs, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.
- Where
- Burlington | More Info : Rusty Griswold’s Christmas Light Display
High Park North Holiday Markets and Shopping
Toronto Botanical Gardens Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Eco-friendly shopping experience with local vendors.
- Description
- The Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market is an eco-minded, nature-inspired shopping event featuring over 60 local vendors showcasing planet-friendly and botanically-themed products. Enjoy a wide selection of holiday home decor, nature-based gifts, fine chocolates, and fresh seasonal greens. Recharge with local eats and enjoy live music, winter workshops, and outdoor activities.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Toronto Botanical Gardens Holiday Market
Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience with live artist demonstrations and food vendors.
- Description
- The Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market is a free, outdoor event featuring 180 talented Toronto artists and artisans showcasing unique items like art, photography, sculptures, jewelry, fashion, home decor, and skin care products. The market also includes food vendors and live entertainment by DJ Kid Artik.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market
New Toronto Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Eco-friendly shopping experience with local vendors.
- Description
- The Annual Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market is an eco-minded, nature-inspired shopping event featuring over 60 local vendors showcasing planet-friendly and botanically-themed products. The market includes a Garden Shop with holiday home decor, nature-based gifts, fine chocolates, and fresh seasonal greens. Enjoy live music, winter workshops, and free family activities.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : New Toronto Holiday Market
A Very Merry Market
- What to Expect
- Artisan vendors and festive holiday displays.
- Description
- The Merry Marketplace is a holiday event featuring artisan vendors, community holiday displays, and festive activities. It takes place at Richmond Green Park, offering a cozy atmosphere with thousands of lights illuminating the area until 10 p.m. Visitors can discover unique gifts, enjoy hot chocolate, and create memorable holiday memories.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : A Very Merry Market
Riverside Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping with local vendors and family-friendly activities.
- Description
- Join us at Riverside Common for a festive holiday market featuring 20 local vendors, free meet-and-greets with Santa, live music, and holiday-themed kids' crafts and treats.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Riverside Holiday Market
Toronto Vegan Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique vegan products and gourmet food offerings.
- Description
- The Vegan Christmas Market in Montreal offers a variety of vegan products, including gourmet food, outerwear, and unique gifts. This event is held at a new beautiful venue, 200 Sherbrooke Street West, and features a diverse selection of vendors.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Toronto Vegan Holiday Market
Holiday Fair in the Square
- What to Expect
- Artisan marketplace with Santa visits and festive drinks.
- Description
- Holiday Fair in the Square is an artisan marketplace at Mel Lastman Square, offering unique gifts and seasonal items. Visitors can stroll through stalls, enjoy hot chocolate and mulled wine, and visit Santa.
- Where
- North York | More Info : Holiday Fair in the Square
High Park North Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Santa Claus Parade
- What to Expect
- Iconic parade with giant balloons, creative floats, and festive performances.
- Description
- The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a historic event that has been kicking off the Christmas season since 1905. It features colorful floats, marching bands, celebrity clowns, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The parade brings hundreds of thousands of people together to celebrate hope, family, and love.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Santa Claus Parade
Distillery Winter Village
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with live entertainment and festive decorations.
- Description
- The Distillery Winter Village is a festive celebration featuring live entertainment, holiday carolers, and Santa's Tower of Toys. Enjoy holiday movies, hot chocolate, and samosas while exploring the beautifully decorated atrium.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Distillery Winter Village
Christmas at the Castle
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with live performances and festive decorations.
- Description
- Casa Loma hosts Christmas at the Castle, featuring a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall, eight signature trees by Canadian designers, festive arts and crafts, and live performances. Kids can visit Santa in his workshop and meet holiday mascots.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Christmas at the Castle
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with ice-skating and live entertainment.
- Description
- WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland features ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, over a dozen live shows, exciting rides, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park.
- Where
- Vaughan | More Info : WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
High Park North Other Holiday Activities
Sorauren Park’s Pumpkin Parade
- What to Expect
- Community-driven pumpkin display with organic composting.
- Description
- Sorauren Park’s Pumpkin Parade features over 1,500 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns lining the park path, creating a warm glow over the community. The event encourages participants to bring their best pumpkin carving creations, and the City provides organic disposal bins to help with post-event clean-up.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Sorauren Park’s Pumpkin Parade
Distillery Breakfast Tour
- What to Expect
- Guided breakfast tour in a historic European-style town square.
- Description
- Indulge in a rich morning experience in Toronto's Distillery District, exploring local favorites and Victorian-era architecture while savoring pastries, coffee, and tea.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Distillery Breakfast Tour
Haunted Walk
- What to Expect
- Immersive ghost tours with historical and paranormal storytelling.
- Description
- Haunted Walk offers immersive ghost tours and paranormal adventures in Ottawa, Toronto, and Kingston. Explore haunted landmarks, listen to spine-tingling ghost stories, and engage in paranormal investigations.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : Haunted Walk
High Park in the Fall
- What to Expect
- Seasonal birdwatching and wildlife observation.
- Description
- High Park in the Fall offers a vibrant display of autumn colors, with nature trails and educational programs that highlight the park's diverse flora and fauna. The season brings a variety of bird species, and the park's wetlands are home to river otters and other wildlife. Visitors can explore the park's natural spaces, learn about conservation efforts, and engage in outdoor activities that promote environmental awareness.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : High Park in the Fall
Kortright Centre for Conservation Magical Christmas Forest
- What to Expect
- Horse-drawn wagon rides and festive activities.
- Description
- The Kortright Centre for Conservation presents a festive event filled with lights, crafts, activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, and treats for the whole family. Enjoy a visit with Santa in his cabin amidst a winter wonderland setting.
- Where
- Vaughan | More Info : Kortright Centre for Conservation Magical Christmas Forest
Elliott Tree Farm Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Traditional family Christmas tree and maple syrup farm with unique museum and trail experiences.
- Description
- Elliott Tree Farm offers a traditional family Christmas tree and maple syrup experience with premium fresh cut and cut-your-own trees, a Maple Syrup Museum, and Heritage Gift Barn. Enjoy East and West Trail Loops for various activities like walking, running, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The farm also features a heated Horse Barn Canteen and a Field Stone Christmas Tree Cellar with Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir trees.
- Where
- Hillburgh | More Info : Elliott Tree Farm Winter Wonderland
CLOCKWORK Holiday Afternoon Tea
- What to Expect
- Three seatings: Prelude, Serenade, and Grand Finale.
- Description
- Savor buttery house-made scones, holiday-inspired sandwiches, and festive sweets while enjoying LOT 35 Fairmont curated teas at CLOCKWORK Holiday Afternoon Tea.
- Where
- Toronto | More Info : CLOCKWORK Holiday Afternoon Tea