Discover the best holiday events in Markham with our detailed guide. For Markham insiders and outsiders alike, this guide is your passport to festive fun.
Kick off the holiday season with the heartwarming Santa Claus Parade, where you’ll enjoy joyous floats and lively performances. Marvel as Markham comes alive with twinkling lights and family-friendly activities at the Markham Festival of Lights. And the Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering unique gifts and delicious treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Markham Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Markham
See these and even more events listed below!Markham Holiday Light Displays
Markham Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and cultural performances
Description:
Markham's Festival of Lights illuminates the winter nights with a dazzling array of interactive light installations. This innovative event blends technology and art, featuring motion-activated displays that respond to visitors' movements. Cultural performances showcase the diversity of Markham, reflecting its rich multicultural heritage. Visitors can create their own light art at hands-on workshops, learning about the science behind the displays. The festival originated as a community initiative to brighten the long winter nights and has since grown into a major regional attraction.
Website:
Nearby Events
Santa Claus Parade (Toronto)
What to Expect:
One of the largest Santa Claus parades in North America
Description:
Toronto's Santa Claus Parade transforms the city streets into a moving spectacle of holiday cheer. As one of North America's largest parades, it features over 25 animated floats and 2,000 participants. The parade's history dates back to 1905, making it one of the oldest Christmas parades in the world. Spectators can enjoy the melodious sounds of marching bands while watching colorful characters and elaborate floats pass by. The event culminates with Santa's grand arrival, delighting both young and old alike.
Website:
Christmas Market (Toronto)
What to Expect:
European-style market with a distinctly Canadian twist
Description:
Toronto's Christmas Market brings Old World charm to the historic Distillery District. This European-style market infuses Canadian elements, creating a unique fusion of traditions. Visitors can sample poutine alongside traditional German bratwurst, symbolizing the event's cultural blend. The market's location in a 19th-century whiskey distillery adds a distinctive historical backdrop. Artisans showcase handcrafted goods, offering a diverse array of potential gifts. Live performances by local musicians fill the air with seasonal melodies, enhancing the convivial atmosphere.
Website:
Winter Fest (Vaughan)
What to Expect:
Celebration of winter sports and activities
Description:
Vaughan's Winter Fest embraces the cold season with gusto, celebrating winter sports and outdoor activities. This dynamic event features ice sculpting demonstrations, showcasing the artistry possible with frozen water. Visitors can try their hand at curling, experiencing this uniquely Canadian sport firsthand. The festival pays homage to Vaughan's winter sports history, which dates back to the early 20th century. Warming stations offer respite from the cold, serving up hot chocolate and other seasonal treats. Winter Fest proves that the colder months can be just as lively and engaging as summer.
Website:
Aurora's Christmas Parade (Aurora)
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with a focus on local talent
Description:
Aurora's Christmas Parade shines a spotlight on local talent and community spirit. This grassroots event features floats designed and built by local organizations, schools, and businesses. The parade route winds through Aurora's historic downtown, passing by buildings that date back to the 19th century. Spectators can enjoy the creative interpretations of holiday themes, from whimsical to traditional. The event culminates in a tree-lighting ceremony in Town Park, a tradition that has been ongoing for over 50 years. This parade embodies the close-knit nature of Aurora's community.
Website:
Holiday Fair in the Square (Toronto)
What to Expect:
Outdoor holiday market and carnival in the heart of downtown Toronto
Description:
Holiday Fair in the Square transforms Nathan Phillips Square into a vibrant outdoor market and carnival. This unique event combines the charm of a traditional Christmas market with the excitement of midway rides and games. Visitors can glide across the iconic outdoor ice rink, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations. The fair showcases local artisans and vendors, offering a diverse array of handcrafted gifts and gourmet treats. This relatively new event, started in 2016, has quickly become a beloved Toronto tradition, drawing inspiration from European winter markets while maintaining a distinctly urban Canadian flair.
Website:
Jingle and Mingle (Stouffville)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm with a focus on community togetherness
Description:
Stouffville's Jingle and Mingle event captures the essence of small-town holiday celebrations. This intimate gathering brings together local residents and visitors in a spirit of community togetherness. The event features a cookie exchange, where participants can share their favorite holiday recipes and sample a variety of homemade treats. Stouffville's rich agricultural heritage is celebrated through displays of vintage farm equipment decorated for the season. Live performances by local choirs fill the air with harmonious carols, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Website:
Newmarket Winter Wonderland (Newmarket)
What to Expect:
Interactive winter-themed activities and displays
Description:
Newmarket's Winter Wonderland transforms Riverwalk Commons into an interactive celebration of the season. This immersive event features a series of winter-themed activities and displays that engage visitors of all ages. You can explore an ice maze, testing your navigation skills while surrounded by glistening frozen walls. The event pays homage to Newmarket's history as a center for ice harvesting in the 19th century. Visitors can participate in winter sports demonstrations, learning about activities that have been popular in the area for generations. The Wonderland showcases the beauty and excitement of winter in a uniquely engaging way.
Website:
Festival of Northern Lights (Owen Sound)
What to Expect:
Massive light displays inspired by the Northern Lights
Description:
Owen Sound's Festival of Northern Lights illuminates the night sky with displays inspired by the aurora borealis. This expansive light festival stretches along the Sydenham River, creating a breathtaking reflection of colors on the water's surface. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour, discovering over 400 displays that pay tribute to local wildlife and landscapes. The festival's origins trace back to 1987, making it one of the longest-running light festivals in Ontario. Interactive light installations allow guests to create their own aurora-like displays, bringing the northern lights experience to life.
Website:
Holiday Magic (Bloor Yorkville)
What to Expect:
Upscale holiday celebration in Toronto's most luxurious shopping district
Description:
Holiday Magic in Bloor-Yorkville elevates the season with a sophisticated celebration in Toronto's most exclusive neighborhood. This refined event features elegant light installations that complement the area's high-end boutiques and galleries. Visitors can indulge in gourmet food tastings from renowned local restaurants, sampling seasonal delicacies. The event highlights Bloor-Yorkville's transformation from a Victorian-era village to a luxury shopping destination. Art installations by local sculptors and painters add a cultural dimension to the festivities, reflecting the neighborhood's artistic heritage.
Website:
Magical Christmas Forest (Durham Region)
What to Expect:
Immersive forest experience with themed zones
Description:
Durham Region's Magical Christmas Forest transports visitors into a world of themed holiday zones. This immersive experience features distinct areas, each with its own unique atmosphere and activities. Guests can wander through the "Candy Cane Lane," where the air is filled with the sweet scent of peppermint. The event draws inspiration from the region's diverse ecosystems, incorporating elements of local flora and fauna into the displays. Interactive storytelling sessions bring holiday tales to life, captivating audiences with animated performances. This forest adventure offers a fresh take on holiday celebrations, blending nature and festive cheer.
Website:
Kempenfest (Barrie)
What to Expect:
Summer festival with a winter holiday twist
Description:
Barrie's Kempenfest puts a unique spin on holiday celebrations by bringing winter cheer to a summer setting. This unconventional event combines traditional summer festival activities with holiday-themed attractions. Visitors can enjoy water sports on Kempenfelt Bay while surrounded by Christmas decorations, creating a surreal juxtaposition of seasons. The festival pays homage to Barrie's history as both a summer resort town and a winter sports destination. Artisans showcase winter-themed crafts alongside typical summer fare, offering a diverse array of goods. This innovative approach to holiday celebrations challenges the notion that festive events are confined to the winter months.
Website:
Winterfest (Ajax)
What to Expect:
Winter sports and activities with a focus on accessibility
Description:
Ajax's Winterfest stands out for its commitment to inclusive winter fun, ensuring that all visitors can participate in seasonal activities. This thoughtful event features adaptive equipment for winter sports, allowing people of all abilities to enjoy activities like sledding and ice skating. Visitors can experience the thrill of dog sledding, connecting with a tradition that has been part of Canadian winters for centuries. The festival showcases Ajax's progress in becoming a more accessible community, a journey that began in the post-World War II era. Warming stations offer a variety of international hot beverages, reflecting the town's diverse population.
Website:
Christmas by Lamplight (Toronto)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of 19th-century Christmas celebrations
Description:
Christmas by Lamplight in Toronto offers a journey back in time to experience holiday traditions of the 19th century. This immersive event takes place in Black Creek Pioneer Village, where historical buildings are illuminated by the warm glow of oil lamps. Visitors can participate in traditional crafts such as candle dipping, learning skills that were essential to early settlers. The village comes alive with the sounds of carolers in period costume, performing songs that have been sung for generations. This event provides a unique opportunity to connect with Toronto's past and understand how holiday celebrations have evolved over time.
Website:
Alliston Potato Festival Winter Edition (Alliston)
What to Expect:
Celebration of potato farming heritage with a winter twist
Description:
Alliston's Potato Festival Winter Edition pays homage to the town's agricultural roots while embracing the winter season. This unique event features potato-themed winter activities, such as potato sack sledding races down snowy hills. Visitors can sample a variety of potato-based dishes with winter flavors, showcasing the versatility of this humble tuber. The festival highlights Alliston's history as Ontario's potato capital, a title it has held since the early 20th century. Ice sculptures depicting various potato varieties add an artistic element to the celebration. This event demonstrates how agricultural traditions can be adapted and celebrated throughout the year.
Website:
Alliston Potato Festival Winter Edition
Festival of Trees (Oshawa)
What to Expect:
Showcase of creatively decorated trees for charity
Description:
Oshawa's Festival of Trees transforms the holiday staple into works of art for a good cause. This innovative event features dozens of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, each sponsored by local businesses and organizations. Visitors can marvel at the creative interpretations of tree decorating, from traditional to avant-garde designs. The festival raises funds for local charities, continuing Oshawa's long tradition of community support dating back to its founding. Silent auctions allow guests to bid on their favorite trees, with proceeds benefiting various causes. This event reimagines the Christmas tree as a medium for artistic expression and charitable giving.
Website:
Season’s Christmas Show (Mississauga)
What to Expect:
Massive indoor holiday market and showcase
Description:
Mississauga's Season's Christmas Show stands out as one of the largest indoor holiday markets in the Greater Toronto Area. This expansive event features hundreds of vendors spread across multiple halls, offering a vast array of holiday-themed products and gifts. Visitors can attend workshops on holiday crafts and cooking, learning new skills from expert demonstrators. The show pays tribute to Mississauga's rapid growth from a rural area to a major city, reflected in the diverse range of products and experiences offered. Live entertainment stages showcase local talent, adding a dynamic element to the shopping experience.
Website:
Light Up The Hills (Halton Hills)
What to Expect:
Community-wide light display across multiple towns
Description:
Light Up The Hills in Halton Hills spreads holiday cheer across an entire region, connecting multiple communities through light displays. This expansive event encourages residents and businesses in Georgetown, Acton, and surrounding areas to create elaborate light installations. Visitors can embark on a self-guided driving tour, exploring the diverse displays that reflect each community's unique character. The event celebrates the region's history of cooperation, dating back to the formation of Halton Hills in 1974. Interactive maps guide tourists to hidden gems and local attractions, promoting exploration of the entire area.
Website:
The Santa Shuffle (Burlington)
What to Expect:
Charity run with participants dressed as Santa
Description:
Burlington's Santa Shuffle turns a typical charity run into a sea of red and white, as participants don Santa suits for a good cause. This lively event combines physical activity with holiday spirit, creating a unique spectacle as hundreds of Santas race through the streets. Runners can choose between a 5K run or a 1K walk, making the event accessible to all fitness levels. The Santa Shuffle supports local food banks, addressing hunger issues that have been a concern in the region since the Great Depression. Post-race festivities include a "best dressed Santa" contest, adding a playful element to the charitable endeavor.
Website:
Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas (Unionville)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas celebration in a historic village
Description:
Unionville's Olde Tyme Christmas transports visitors to a Victorian-era holiday celebration in the heart of a beautifully preserved 19th-century village. This immersive event features costumed interpreters who bring the customs and traditions of the past to life. Visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage ride down Main Street, experiencing travel as it was in Unionville's early days. The event showcases the village's well-preserved architecture, with many buildings dating back to the 1840s. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and quilting, offering a glimpse into the skills that were essential in Victorian times.
Website:
Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas
Merry & Bright Festival (Oshawa)
What to Expect:
Fusion of modern light technology and traditional holiday elements
Description:
Oshawa's Merry & Bright Festival blends cutting-edge light technology with classic holiday traditions, creating a unique sensory experience. This innovative event features interactive light installations that respond to movement and sound, encouraging visitor participation. You can explore a series of themed light tunnels, each telling a different story through synchronized light and sound. The festival pays homage to Oshawa's automotive heritage, incorporating car-themed light displays that showcase the city's industrial past. Local artists contribute light-based sculptures, adding a contemporary art element to the traditional holiday atmosphere.
Website:
Polar Express Train Ride (Uxbridge)
What to Expect:
Immersive train ride experience based on the popular book and movie
Description:
Uxbridge's Polar Express Train Ride brings a beloved holiday story to life through an immersive journey on a real steam train. This interactive experience recreates scenes from the classic tale, complete with hot chocolate service and a visit from Santa. Passengers can listen to a live reading of the story as the train winds through the scenic York-Durham Heritage Railway. The event takes place on a historic rail line that has been in operation since 1868, adding an element of authenticity to the experience. Costumed actors engage with guests throughout the journey, creating a truly immersive storytelling adventure.