Family-Friendly Christmas Events in Toronto, GTA and Niagara Falls
There is nothing like Christmas time in Toronto! If you looking for Family-Friendly Christmas events in Toronto to do this year with your kids, you have come to the right place.
There are many Family Friendly Christmas events in Toronto, most of them for free. Get into the festive spirit this Christmas and enjoy this wonderful time with your family.
Family-Friendly Christmas and Holiday Events in Toronto
1. Northern Lights TO
Northern Lights is an immersive experience that wraps you up in the lights, sights, sounds, and feelings of the holidays. It is right in the cit (Ontario place), but has all the great Christmas activities.
Bring your festive spirit and explore everything you love about the most wonderful time of the year!
We have a special discount code for you. Use TorontoNewMom15 for 15% discount!
When? 1 December 2022 – 8 January 2023
Where? Grand Bizarre , Exhibition Place, Toronto.
Admission: Tickets start at $22.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids 12 and under. Kids 2 and under are FREE.
Click here to buy your tickets.
2. Toronto Christmas Market
Visitors to the Toronto Christmas Market will be immersed in a unique atmosphere that brings out the best and most unique craftspeople, artists and artisans, together with an international roster of world-class vendors.
When? November 17 – December 31, 2012 (not open on Mondays)
Where? Toronto Distillery Historic District
Admission: Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 pm, and December 27-31 after 4:00 pm. Tickets are $11 + HST each. Kids 9 and under are FREE of charge
All other times, access is free of charge and tickets are not required.
3. Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square
Whether looking for that unique, perfect gift, taking the family for an afternoon of skating and festive fun, stopping by for some lunch and shopping, or enjoying a romantic evening drink at the ice bar, Holiday Fair in the Square has something for everyone.
When? December 2nd to December 23rd – (Closed Mondays)
Opening Friday, Dec 2nd at 4:00 pm.
Closing Friday, Dec 23rd at 9:00 pm
Regular Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Friday* to Saturday – 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Sunday – 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Monday – closed
Where? Nathan Phillips Square
Admission: Free
4. The Santa Claus Parade- Toronto
The Santa Claus Parade has been spreading joy for over 100 years and has been made possible through the help of thousands of volunteers and sponsors since the first parade in 1913.
Get ready for cold weather- pack lots of layers. Fill a backpack with gloves, scarves, and hats.
When? Sunday, November 23, 2022, 12:30 PM
Where? Bathurst and Bloor to St.Lawrence Market
Admission: Free
Click here for the Facebook event
5. Canadas Wonderland Winterfest
Canada’s Wonderland will magically transform into a winter Wonderland full of enchantment and holiday cheer during WinterFest! Become immersed in the season’s spirit with spectacular holiday lights and décor, world-class live entertainment, savoury treats and fanciful Christmas activities.
When? Select nights Nov 18 – Dec 31, 2022.
Where? 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada
Admission: From $29.99 CAD.
6. Christmas Parade- Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Parade Committee presents one of Ontario’s best Santa Claus Parades.
When? Saturday, December 10, 2022 | 11 am – 1 pm
Where? Old Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake
7. The Winter Festival of Lights – Niagara Falls
The most enchanting of Niagara attractions, The Winter Festival of Lights, has become a Holiday tradition for over one million visitors from around the globe. The signature 8km long route travels through the beautiful landscapes of the Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands and surrounding tourist districts to transform the city into a winter wonderland.
When? Nov 12, 2022 – Feb 20, 2023
Where? Along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and Niagara Falls.
Admission: There is no admission fee to view the lights but Festival Ambassadors gratefully accept donations at the exit of Dufferin Islands
8. Santa Train by York-Durham Heritage railway
Enjoy live entertainment on decorated and heated heritage train. A visit from Santa makes the trip complete. Best of all, Santa will visit each child at their seat. This is a great photo opportunity!
Each child also receives a gift bag upon departing the train. This is a great family holiday experience!
When? Dec 2 – Dec 24.
Where? York-Durham Heritage railway. About 45 min drive from Toronto.
Admission: Click here for the train schedule and admission on their site
9. Santa Train St. Jacobs
Family holiday outing with Santa, special arrangements with a community railway in nearby St. Jacobs, and they will be offering a Santa experience this year.
When? Dec 2- Dec 24, 2022
Where? WCR Train Museum Platform, 50 Isabella St., St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada, N0B2N0. About a 1.5-hour drive from Toronto.
Admission: Click here for more details
10. Aurora Winter Festival Toronto
Toronto’s Ontario Place, East Island, will be transformed into a captivating winter wonderland full of Mystical Worlds, magical characters, exciting attractions, holiday markets, and of course, the man of the hour himself, Santa Claus. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, October 18th at 10 AM
When? Dec 1- Dec 31, 2022
Where? 1020 Martin Grove Road Toronto, ON, Canada M9W 1J1
Admission: General admission for $30 ( weekends 32$) , Senior and children for $18 (weekends 20$).
Family ticket for $86 (weekends 94$)
11. Aurora Christmas Market
Holiday gift-giving just got easier! Aurora’s Christmas Market is a 3-day outdoor event at Aurora Town Hall and your go-to spot for amazingly unique, festive, delicious and creative gifts!
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with friends and family. Wander through the market, and enjoy the lights, festive atmosphere, carolling, buskers, and so much more.
When? December 2 to 4 | December 9 to 11
Where? Aurora Town Park (entrance from Larmont Street)
Admission: Free
12. Visit Santa at Upper Canada Mall
The Holly Jolly Lodge is back! Experience the magic of the holiday season at Upper Canada. To avoid disappointment, we encourage guests to reserve their Santa visit & photo package in advance. Limited walk-ups are available on a come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.
Location: Centre Court, Lower Level by Dollarama
When?
November 12-December 24
Where? Upper Canada Mall, 17600 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4Z1
Admission: Free
13. Burlington’s Lakeside Festival of Lights
Come and share your holiday spirits with family and friends while strolling through the 60 magical lighting displays set up at Spencer Smith Park.
When? Daily Nov 25, 2022, to Jan 8, 2023
Where? Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1Y2
Admission: Free
14. Streetsville’s 3rd Annual Christmas in the Village (Mississauga)
Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree this November! The Streetsville BIA is excited to present the third annual Christmas in the Village festival. Visitors can head down Queen St. S. to check out the many children’s activities, browse through dozens of unique market vendors, enjoy a horse and carriage ride, and take pictures with Santa! Hop aboard the Polar Express Train to ‘chug’ across the event in style!
When? November 18-19, 2022
Where? Streetsville Village Square, Queen Street South and Main Street, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 1L6
Admission: Free
15. illumi experience
A dazzling world of lights by Cavalia. illumi is an outdoor and nocturnal adventure through 13 universes built with the magic of light. Inventive concepts are transposed into thousands of larger-than-life light structures lit with 20 million LED bulbs. Illumi offers an epic adventure for kids and adults alike. Cutting-edge programming technologies and high-definition projections blur the boundaries of reality.
When? Dec 1st, 2022- Jan 27th, 2023
Where? 7174 Derrycrest Drive, Mississauga, ON L5W 1N4.
You can get to illlumi via highways 407 and 401
Admission: Click here more details
Christmas at the castle- Casa Loma
Casa Loma will host a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family. Guests will be surrounded by holiday magic throughout the castle which will be resplendent with holiday décor, including a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall and eight other signature trees by talented Canadian designers. As always kids are invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop and participate in festive arts and crafts, visit with wintery holiday mascots, and much more.
When? Dec 2, 2022- Jan 2, 2023
Where? 1 Austin TerraceToronto, ON M5R 1X8
Admission: Christmas at the Castle Admission $45 per person.
Children 3 and under are free when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.
The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker is an 1892 two-act ballet that consider as most Christmassy of ballets.
There are few options for purchase tickets:
The National Ballet of Canada
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