Opening of Toronto’s famous holiday market announced, over 1 million visitors expected

It might be a beautiful 24 degrees outside, but with the official start of fall just days away, people are prepping not just for the spooky season, but for the holidays as well.

Today, the organizers of the much-loved Distillery Winter Village, which takes over Toronto’s historic Distillery District every holiday season, announced that the city’s famous Christmas market will kick off in November.

The annual event, which features holiday lights, a massive Christmas tree, carolers, selfie opportunities, food, and artisanal vendors in the 13-acre Victorian-style district (already known and loved for its cobblestone streets and Dickensian aesthetic), is expected to welcome one million visitors.

In a news release, organizers announced that the opening night and tree lighting ceremony will take place on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. Thousands of attendees are expected to join Santa for the countdown, which officially kicks off the multi-week event. The opening night festivities are ticketed, with proceeds benefiting local charities.

Organizers say that at the end of the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA to be used as mulch for 60 homes slated to be built in 2026.

As for what’s on tap this year, the news release says attendees can expect 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 selling gifts and food, including Cluny’s s’mores hot chocolate.

More details about entertainment, photo ops, performances and Boxing Week and New Year’s Eve events will be shared next month, according to the news release.

Tickets for the event, which will wrap up on Jan. 4, 2026, are available now.

“We know it’s early to be talking about the holidays, but we wanted to give Toronto an early Christmas present by launching tickets today so everyone can start planning their visit,” said Rik Ocvirk, director of experiences and events, in a statement.

“Many of The Distillery Winter Village favourites 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 line-up next month.”

The Distillery Winter Village is ticketed on certain days, including opening night, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 4 p.m., Thursdays in December after 4 p.m., and daily from Dec. 15 to 31. Kids aged nine and under can enter for free.

Tickets start at $15.

For more information, click here.