Toronto’s top Christmas markets this holiday season

By José Gonzalez

Browsing a Christmas market is a special shopping experience that really gets you into the holiday spirit. These markets include everything you need for the season, from gifts to festive decorations, and all your shopping can be done in a charming Yuletide setting. This year, explore the popular Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery Historic District, the Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works or the One of a Kind Show for unique gifts for everyone on your list! [Photo courtesy of the Toronto Christmas Market]

Toronto Christmas Market
The Distillery Historic District’s classic, and undoubtedly the most popular, Christmas Market is filled with beautiful lighting and the opportunity to shop at a variety of vendors, sip some mulled wine and grab a giant turkey leg to nosh. This market is so popular you'll need a ticket to get in all day on weekends and after 5 pm on weekdays.

• When: November 16 to Saturday December 23, 2017
• Where: Distillery Historic District
• Price: On weekends: Regular ticket $6, Express pass $20
• Buy tickets
• Schedule: Tuesday to Thursdays and Sundays: 12 pm to 9 pm, Fridays: 12 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays: 10 am to 10 pm
• More information

Markham Home for the Holidays
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this show includes more than 130 exhibitors to get your home set up for the holidays. You'll find vendors showing off festive home decorations, seasonal cooking ideas and gifts for everyone on your list.

• When: November 17 to 19
• Where: Markham Fairgrounds
• Price: Adults: $9, Seniors: $8, Children: $2 and Children 2 & under: Free
• Schedule: November 17: 10 am to 8 pm, November 18: 10 am to 5 pm and November 19: 10 am to 4 pm
• More information

Seasons Christmas Show
More than 300 exhibitors are set up at this show, with everything you might need to prepare for the holiday season. There's a selection of Christmas-themed decor, handmade crafts and plenty more. There are also workshops for designing your own wreath, marshmallow-themed cooking and mason jar snow globes.

• When: November 17 to 19
• Where: International Centre
• Price: Adults: $15, Seniors (65+) & Youth (13-17): $12 and Children (12 & under): Free
• Buy tickets
• Schedule: November 17: 10 am to 8 pm, November 18: 10 am to 6 pm and November 19: 10 am to 5 pm
• More information

Toronto Christmas Pet Show
They might not know all the details for the celebrations, but pets enjoy having some fun during the holidays too. You're invited to bring your pet along to this show that will include pet-friendly vendors selling festive pet treats, seasonal pet clothing and even a few pet vacation destinations, if you're worried about where to leave your pal during your winter vacation.

• When: November 18 and 19
• Where: International Centre
• Price: Adults: $12 and Seniors & Youth: $8
• Buy tickets
• Schedule:  November 18: 10 am to 6 pm and November 19: 10 am to 5 pm
• More information

Christmas Gift & Craft Sale at Westway Christian Church
A community driven market, many of the artisans here are from in and around the Richview neighbourhood. A silent auction is also being held as part of the marketplace.

• When: November 18 from 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Westway Christian Church
• More information

Brampton Christmas Market
Ringing in the beginning of the holiday season, this market in downtown Brampton includes craft artisans, food vendors, buskers, musical performances and Santa himself. If you're feeling a bit creative, you can take part in cookie decorating or roast some marshmallows, and if you'd like to give your feet a break, there are carriage rides and a carousel.

• When: November 18 from 4 pm to 10 pm
• Where: Garden Square Brampton
• More information

Christmas Craft Show & Coffee House
A community Christmas market, with more than 20 artisans and craftspeople displaying their wares. The $2 admission for this market goes towards Hunger Patrol, the church's mobile soup kitchen that provides food, clothing, and sleeping bags to the poor.

• When: November 18 from 10 am to 4 pm
• Where: St. Olave's Anglican Church
• More information

Evergreen's Winter Village
The Winter Village returns, with special markets during the weekends in December. Saturdays bring the holiday farmer's market, letting you get some fresh produce for your festive season meals. On Sundays, you can visit the Holiday Etsy Market to find unique handmade crafts put together by local artisans. There will be lots of street food from local food trucks, and warm drinks served from the Sipping Container. You can even roast s'mores over the campfires! Evergreen Brick Works also has outdoor activities like street curling, ski biking, skating and more.

• When: Opens December 2, running every weekend in December, plus December 26 to 29.
• Time: 10 am to 5 pm
• Where: Evergreen Brick Works
• Food truck schedule
• More information

One of a Kind Show
Certainly living up to its name, this crafts show specializes in unique holiday-themed goods. Although the Enercare setting doesn't quite have the same charm as an outdoor market, it does make up for that with more than 800 artisans on hand and a few contests to take part in, including a $500 prize for your shopping experience.

• When: November 23 to December 3
• Where: Enercare Centre
• Price: Adult (ages 18+): $15, Senior (ages 65+) & Youth (ages 13-17): $7.50 and Children (12 and under): Free
• Buy tickets
• Schedule: Weekdays & Saturdays: 10 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm
• More information

WinterGreen Festival
Though not the most obvious of spots for one, this holiday market nonetheless includes all the festive attractions you might expect, including stands selling handmade gifts, toys and decorations. You'll also be able to enjoy carolers, bright lights and a warm beverage.

• When: November 23 to December 23
• Where: Woodbine Beach
• Schedule: Mondays to Thursdays: 3 pm to 9 pm, Fridays: 3 pm to 10 pm, Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm
• More information

Swedish Christmas Fair
An annual tradition at the Harbourfront Centre, this fair has a healthy dose of Swedish flavours, including folk dancing, a Swedish cafe and the Lucia pageant. Of course, you'll have ample opportunity to check out the many vendors selling traditional Swedish decorations, crafts and foods.

• When: November 25 and 26
• Where: Harbourfront Centre
• Schedule: November 25: 11 am to 5 pm and November 26: 11 am to 4 pm
• More information

Bloordale Christmas Sale
This Etobicoke market includes ideas for holiday gifts you may be stressing over. You have a shot at winning one of the door prizes given away throughout the day, and little ones might appreciate the chance to meet some of Santa's helpers.

• When: November 25 from 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Bloordale United Church
• More information

Queen St. Holiday Market
This market includes local vendors offering items from one of the city's hippest streets. A donation of a non-perishable food item to the Daily Food Bank will also get your gifts wrapped for free.

• When: November 25 from 1 pm to 9 pm
• Where: Twist Gallery
• More information

Leslieville Flea Holiday Market
The holiday edition of the popular flea market returns for 2017, this year held on two dates. One of the most popular markets to get vintage, second-hand and other rare finds, the holiday theme will bring out some particularly timely items.

• When: November 26 and December 10: 10 am to 4 pm
• Where: SH Armstrong Community Centre
• More information

Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market
A Christmas edition of the popular art market includes items and entertainment from 95 artists, designers, food vendors, musicians and more. There are also interactive activities and a cash bar, and the first 25 visitors receive a VIP bag.

• When: December 3: 11 am to 7 pm
• Where: The Great Hall
• Price: $8
• Buy tickets
• More information

Holiday Fair at Nathan Phillips Square
One part an outdoor market, one part a winter carnival, this is one of the newer markets in the city, and happens to be located on a prime piece of real estate at Nathan Phillips Square. Store booths, midway games and the square's iconic skating rink fill the space, and occasionally live music is performed to help get you in the holiday spirit.

• When: December 1 to 23
• Where: Nathan Phillips Square
• Schedule: Tuesdays to Fridays: 4 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays & Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
• More information

Toronto Etsy Street Team Christmas Marketplace
The popular crafts website Etsy has some very talented artisans in Toronto, and the Toronto Etsy Street Team brings some of the best of them to this market. It's also held later in the season, making it a great place to hit up if you couldn't find what you were looking for at any of the other holiday markets. The first 50 people to arrive get a special gift bag.

• When: December 16 from 11 am to 5:30 pm
• Where: Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields
• More information

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