Christmas may still be months away, but nearby Toronto’s original and world-famous Christmas Market is already counting down to opening night. The Distillery Winter Village returns Nov. 13 through Jan. 4, 2026, and tickets are on sale today at www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.
Set against the backdrop of Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, The Distillery Winter Village transforms 13 acres of cobblestone streets and Victorian industrial architecture into a magical wonderland shopping from local artisans. One million visitors from around the world are expected this season, making The Distillery Winter Village one of the most popular holiday destinations of its kind.
Opening Night & Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 2025 season kicks off Thursday, Nov.13 at 6 p.m. with the most anticipated holiday tradition in the country — the lighting of Canada’s most iconic Christmas tree! A crowd of thousands will join Santa in counting down before he flips the switch and opens Toronto’s world-famous Christmas Market. Opening Night is a ticketed event and profits support local charities. At the end of the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to be used as mulch for 60 homes being built in 2026.
What to Expect This Season
Highlights include a new Santa’s Village (with a Narnia-inspired theme), Santa and his elves, roaming carollers, themed outdoor cocktail bars, the famed countdown clock, and vendor cabins filled with gifts and festive treats including the return of favorites like the Cluny s’mores hot chocolate. The full lineup of entertainment, holiday photo ops, and surprise performances, including Boxing Week and New Year’s Eve celebrations, will be announced in October.
“We know it’s early to be talking about the holidays, but we wanted to give families an early Christmas present by launching tickets so everyone can start planning their visit,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “Many of The Distillery Winter Village favorites are back this year — from Santa’s Village to the Naughty or Nice Bar to our famous photo ops — but we’ve also got some exciting new experiences in store that we can’t wait to share when we announce the full lineup next month.”
Tickets & Planning Your Visit
Tickets are required for peak times, including Opening Night; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4 p.m.; Thursdays in December after 4 p.m.; and daily from Dec. 15-31. Kids aged nine and under are always free. For ticket details, visitors should check the calendar at www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com. Tickets start at $15 (plus service charge and HST).
About The Distillery Winter Village
The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original and world-famous outdoor Christmas Market, set in the historic backdrop of The Distillery Historic District in Toronto, Ontario. It has ranked among the Best Christmas Markets globally and attracts one million visitors annually from around the world.
For over seven weeks from mid November to early January each year, The Distillery Winter Village transforms The Distillery Historic District into a magical winter wonderland filled with its centerpiece Christmas tree, Santa and his Elves, thousands of holiday lights, dozens of vendor cabins, festive fare, and themed bars. It employs over 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for community charities. For more information, visit www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.
