Step into holiday cheer for seasonal treats, live shows, and festive shopping.
The Distillery Winter Village returned to Toronto this year on Nov. 13, turning the historic distillery district into a holiday wonderland for anyone in the spirit to enjoy. The annual event runs until Jan. 4, 2026,
This year marks year 16 of the event; a mixture of holiday cheer, seasonal flavors, live performances, and shopping.
When the event was in its infancy, those attending may remember it as a modest weekend event under the name Toronto Christmas Market. Since then, it has grown steadily in popularity to become a festive spot that welcomes more than 1-million visitors.
“It’s no coincidence that this event has grown over the years with popularity, because it really has become a tradition for so many people, whether it is families with children, whether it is date night, whether it is folks who are coming to get dinner and see you know the sights under these incredible lights at night. There’s tourists who come, there’s locals who come. We welcome everybody” said Michael Strathmore, manager of festivals and events for the Distillery District.
A centerpiece is a refreshed 55-foot silver Christmas tree, Canada’s most photographed, featuring 80,000 lights, 750 ornaments, gold starbursts, and snowflakes.
“It is a new Christmas tree, so it’s a new design, and includes a very robust base around the tree, which is actually a stage as well, so we can have performers on stage. So that’s new. So obviously we have a tree every year, but it’s been refreshed for 2025, event to be quite a fun new thing. So yeah, so it is a 55-foot silver fir. It’s beautiful. Takes about 1000 hours, people hours to decorate it, to build the stage. But the base itself, if you have a chance, if you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to do so. It looks a bit like a ring that goes around the tree. And if you look inside, we’ve created a little miniature winter village, and there’s a there’s a train inside there as well, and lots of little homes, and it’s really quite darling. We’re really proud of it.”
Other highlights include ‘Chef’s Lane’ in the Pure Spirits Courtyard. Strathmore notes this must see item has four acclaimed chefs who have helped to craft menu items which can be enjoyed across four cabins.
Santa’s Village at Soulpepper Theatre is back, this year with a twist.
“t’s been reinvented to be in the image of one of the shows that Soulpepper theater is doing. So they’re doing a live incarnation of Narnia, which is a popular tale, and so the entire atrium of the theater has been redecorated for that event, for that show, but we also double as having meet and greets with Santa. Oh, okay, so every day, folks can come line up and meet Santa and then buy a ticket to see a great show,” said Strathmore.
Visitors can also visit more than 40 food cabins and outdoor bars, including returning favorites and new treats like Santa Spuds, Dubai Chocolates, and Craig’s Cookies.
Performances include The McGregor Carollers, the Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, among others.
The festival hosts mostly local artisans and businesses, from boutique retailers to specialty food and beverages.
Visitors can shop unique gifts, taste seasonal treats, and enjoy festive music and lights throughout the district.
For full event details and ticketing information, visit www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.
