Going to Christmas Markets in Ontario ( or anywhere for that matter) have become my favourite thing to do over the holiday season. Hello, my name is Marisa and I will travel for Christmas Markets.
While there are many amazing Christmas markets in other parts of the world ( aheem Europe), there are more and more popping up right here in Ontario! Basically every town in Ontario has started to plan for more Christmas themed markets and events and I am here for it.
While there are a few traditional Christmas Markets in Ontario, there are a TON of events that are themed around Christmas and offer up the same kind of vibes!
I have rounded up my favourite Ontario Christmas Markets below: everywhere from the big cities like Toronto and Niagara Falls to smaller and more intimate towns like Perth and St Jacobs. There is something for everyone!
The Best Christmas Markets in Ontario
Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market aka the cutest Christmas Market in Ontario
When I first saw a photo of this place, it immediately made me stop scrolling. WHERE IS THIS PLACE? IS THIS WHERE SANTA ACTUALLY LIVES?
There was something so unique about it- like you couldn’t manufacture it. It looked like it almost could be in the North Pole. I was shocked to find out it was only 1 hour from Toronto…yet it looked worlds away.
Neimi’s Christmas Market is the real deal! They have everything set up in a remote location surrounded by evergreens and lights, there are Christmas train rides on site and the best baked items you can dream of to purchase. If I can recommend on Ontario Christmas Market, this would be it!
St. Jacobs Ontario- The Best Christmas Town in Ontario
St Jacob’s at Christmas time literally transports you directly into a Hallmark movie. They have several weekends that are Christmas themed like “Sparkle” which is a holiday themed shopping weekend where stores are open late, vendors are on the streets offering people drinks and carollers are serenading you as you take in the village.
They also have an old school “Christmas train” which looks like the Polar Express that runs every weekend during the holidays. If you have kids, you NEED to get tickets to this. The train ride is about an hour and takes you to the “North Pole”. They have elf’s on board, Mrs Clause…and even the grinch for those who aren’t listening their best! haha
Check out my full guide on visiting St. Jacobs at Christmas time
Ottawa Christmas Market
Located at Lansdowne Park in Canada’s capital, the Ottawa Christmas market offers a mix of local artisans, food vendors, and holiday activities. The market features the traditional wooden stalls that are lined up throughout the streets making it one of the most authentic Christmas Markets in Ontario!
Also called the Marche de Noel, Ottawa’s Christmas market has gotten quite big over the years. Last season , we visited Ottawa during this time and we fell in love with the city ( it was our first time there). We couldn’t believe that in addition to the market they also have a ton of other festive events throughout the months. Every corner is basically Christmas central. I rounded up 9+ Winter Activities To Do in Ottawa if you want to check it out!
Here are some other Holiday and Winter Posts You Might Like:
- 10 Things To Do in Quebec at Christmas Time
- The Best Romantic Getaways in Ontario
- 5 Of The Best Christmas Markets around the world
- 1 Day Itinerary for Quebec at Christmas Time
- 13 Magical Things To Do in Ontario In Winter
Kingston Holiday Market
Kingston, Ontario was a city we had the chance to visit earlier this year and it blew us away!
The city is exploding with restaurants and cool events and we loved discovering all it had to offer. There are a TON of limestone buildings and old Victorian houses that line each street which also make it a very picturesque town in general but add in holiday decor on these buildings and WOW!
The Kingston Holiday Market is a great Ontario Christmas Market to visit and should be added to your list. I feel like it’s the right scale -not too big but not too small. Plus the skating rink in the center of town makes for a great activity to do after visiting all of the vendors! While this is market we visited, there are literally different festive events each weekend in town!
Read my full guide to 9 Of The Best Restaurants in Kingston, Ontario
Niagara on the Lake- Ontario Christmas Event for Kids
One of our favourite Christmas traditions to do with the kids is to head to Niagara on the Lake for their annual Candle light walk night. We get bundled up and walk down the charming main street which looks stunning any time of the year but is especially cute during the festive season. All the storefronts are decked up and we all walk together with candles down towards “Santa’s Mailbox”.
There is a designated special mailbox on Queen Street- just outside the Court House by the entrance of the Niagara on the Lake Commerce office. Our kiddos absolutely love it and it’s so special!
The walk takes place on the first Friday of December every year!
TIP: Visit the Pillar and Post after or Prince of Wales for dinner if you are looking for an amazing ambience and holiday feel
Mississauga Christmas Event- Tunnel of Lights!
Mississauga has become a little Toronto- it is bustling at the seams with new restaurants and things to do these days! I love it because I can get my big city fix much closer than having to go right into Toronto!
Mississauga does Christmas WELL my friends and they have so many different events happening throughout the holiday season.
My favourite event though? The Journey Into Enchantment which is a one of a kind immerservie experience where you can drive through tunnels of lights where you are transported into another world. The lights are sequeneced with popular Christmas tunes and there are holiday characters to see along the way! The entire drive is about 45 minutes!
If you have kids, I like this since they can stay warm in the car ( and won’t get tired from walking!)
Casa Loma Christmas Event in Toronto
Casa Loma is one of the most historic landmarks in Toronto! This old castle is now an event venue and while it hosts private and social events, it also has some ticketed public events throughout the year!
Visiting their annual Christmas event is not only fun but it’s an opportunity to see Casa Loma itself!
The ticketed Christmas event is one of the more pricier ones but it offers SO much for the price. There are aerial performers, Christmas characters showing up at different times, professional skating performances ( inside the space!), light displays, holiday decorations and even a trail leading to the “North Pole” where you can meet the Big Guy and Mrs. Clause!
Each room is beautifully decorated and there is an outside sitting area with warmers! Only con of this experience that I would like to make note of is that the food options were a bit limited. If going with kids, pack a lot of snacks!!
Royal Botanical Gardens- A Christmas Market in Burlington
Royal Botanical Gardens “Winter Wonders” Event is a Christmas Market that is sprawled through all of their grounds. You start in their indoor green house which has live music going, a bar offering up ciders and mulled wines and cute decorations. It sets the tone for the rest of the evening and we loved getting a drink in there.
From there, you make your way outdoors into their gardens which is decked in lights and festive fun. If you have kids, there is even a little wooden train that they can check out ( it is only operable on certain days so make sure to check that out ahead of time if you do want to ride the train).
Within the trails, there are snow globes that have displays within, little trailers with food vendors and music being played in speakers along the trail. We had SO much fun!
Some tips if you are visiting here:
-Bundle up as once you are outside there are not too many warming areas throughout
-Bring a stroller or wagon if you have kids. It’s a longer trail and it’s so much more enjoyable if they are rested and not using up all of their energy
-Allocate about 1.5 hours to walk the trail so you can fully take in all the amazing things they have!
Christmas Market in Kitchener aka Christkindl Market
Very close to the town of St. Jacobs is the city of Kitchener! Kitchener, Ontario puts on a fabulous Christmas Market…and it’s German themed ( which for me makes me feel like I am in Europe). There are tons of craft beer stands, Christmas Carolers on the streets, and delicious food options ( Schnitzels and sausages to be exact!).
The entire little street is transformed into a mini market and it’s one for the books! I would definitely look into doing the Christkindl Market, and St Jacobs together ( St Jacobs during the day and then Kitchener at night perhaps!).
Niagara Festival of Lights
Alright, well Niagara doesn’t have a traditional Christmas market like Toronto does but it has it’s annual Festival of Lights event which is a stunning display of lights and exhibitions ( I’m talking over 3 million lights!). They have a walking path to take in all of the light displays so it’s a great activity to do with kids if you are looking to burn some energy off!
The falls itself also lights up in festive colours and they have their nightly fireworks display to add a little more sparkle to this special time of year!
The festival falls between November- January so there is plenty of time to visit ( we always like going between Christmas and NYE!)
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Perth Ontario Christmas Events
While Perth, Ontario doesn’t have one large Christmas Market, they have a series of festive events throughout the months of November and December! Pair that with Perth being one of the most adorable towns and you got yourself a great reason to visit during the holidays! Make sure to visit their German themed restaurant called Maximilian for the ultimate Schnitzel
I would recommend doing an Ontario Christmas market tour around this area making stops in Perth, Ottawa and Kingston! It would make for the perfect Ontario road trip and allow you to see a big city version of Christmas ( Ottawa), a medium size one ( Kingston) and a small one (Perth).
ANOTHER TIP: Stop at the neighbouring town of Merrickville for some more Christmas fun! It’s only 20 minutes away from Perth!
Toronto Christmas Market
The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District is the OG of Christmas Markets. It was one of the first Christmas Markets in Ontario and it got popular real quick! We went the first year it opened and it was so cute and perfect that we came back every year!
While I still love the Toronto Christmas Market, I feel like it lost it’s special charm the last year or two strictly because it IS that popular. It gets really crowded and you need to be a bit strategic about when you visit. We went last year and it was almost too packed that we didn’t enjoy it! Just keep that in mind before visiting.
Now before I sound like a hater, it needs to be said that the Toronto Christmas Market is still one of the biggest and most unique Ontario Christmas Markets. With the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District and one of the largest light up Christmas Tree’s- it is a showstopper of a place!
WinterFest- Canada’s Wonderland’s Take on an Ontario Christmas Market
Canada’s Wonderland aka one of the top theme parks in Canada has started to do themed events for every special holiday ( Halloween, Christmas, Easter etc) Located in Vaughn, Canada’s Wonderland’s Winterfest is a perfect spot for both adults and kids.
They have craft beer tents and mulled wine for the parents/adults and cute little holiday performances, cookie decorating and even some rides open for the kiddos! As of last year, they even added a skating rink!
Christmas Market at Friday Harbour
Friday Harbour, located in Innisfil, is a building community that puts on an inviting Christmas Market. While their complexes cannot be rented like a hotel, the Christmas Market they put on can be attended by anyone in the community.
It definitely gives off the European vibes with their cute wooden market stands that are decorated with garlands and trees. They also have the opportunity to meet Santa on select dates, hot chocolate stations, warming puts and even skating!
Head North and make sure you visit this adorable little stop over the festive season!
I hope you enjoyed my round up of Ontario Christmas Markets and that you get the chance to visit some this upcoming holiday season!
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