December is here and the best way to celebrate the month is by exploring and enjoying all the things to do in Toronto, especially for the holidays. It’s another wonderful week and we’re ready to dive right in.
Whether you’re all in for these festive activities or rather explore more exciting things in your city, don’t you worry! There are tons to do across Toronto for the first weekend of December.
Here are 11 of the best things to do in Toronto this weekend.
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One Of A Kind Show
The One Of A Kind show is back in Toronto and there’s no better place to cross gifts off your list!
From November 24th to December 4th, the OOAK show will take over the Enercare Centre and more than 600 artisans from all over Canada will showcase their extensive selection of goods.
You can expect to find a wide range of craft goods including houseware items, clothing, art pieces, sweet treats, and jewelry.
When: Until December 3rd, 2023
Where: 100 Princes’ Blvd – Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
Cost: $18 per adult
Wonka’s Sweet Escape
Have you ever thought of what it would be like visiting Willy Wonka’s factory? Well, now you can finally explore the world of the famous fictional chocolatier at this new immersive Wonka experience in Toronto. And you don’t need a golden ticket for this sweet adventure.
Visitors will have the chance to tap into the candy maker’s imagination and experience the magic firsthand through visual content displays and even replica props.
When: Until January 2nd, 2024
Where: Yorkdale Mall
Sponsored Pick: Holiday Night of Lights at Scarborough Town Centre
Toronto’s favourite holiday experience, the Holiday Night of Lights, is back! Visit the Scarborough Town Centre between now and January 7th to enjoy immersive light displays, divulge in delicious food truck dishes, shop from local artisan vendors and sing along to your favourite holiday tunes as you explore the grounds. Tickets are on sale now, grab yours before they’re gone!
When: Friday, December 1st, 2023 – Sunday, January 7th, 2024
Where: Scarborough Town Centre
Cost: Single tickets and family passes are available online.
Christmas at the Castle & Holiday Lights
The holiday magic is coming back to Toronto’s Casa Loma for the festive season, transforming the castle grounds into a winter wonderland. Christmas at the Castle and Holiday Lights Tour experiences will take over Casa Loma this December.
Get ready to experience a holiday event like no other starting December 1st. Embark on a Christmas journey as you wander outdoors, through dazzling light displays in the gardens and throughout the castle grounds and tunnels.
Holiday Lights is a self-guided walk that will delight guests as they encounter the almost endless holiday decorations, lights, and live performances. There will be a magic show, a fire performer, roaming mime artists, mascots, and silt walkers. We can’t for the Christmas carolers and of course, Santa.
When: December 1st to January 6th
Where: Casa Loma – 1 Austin Terrace
Cost: Starting at $45+tax
Sponsored Pick: Discover APPYs Recipes with Summer Fresh
If you love finger foods, but are short on inspiration, Summer Fresh just released their annual holiday recipe booklet full of delicious bites and tasty treats. Take your favourite hummus, dips, salads, and more, and transform them into a fancy feast that will leave your guests extremely impressed. The recipe booklet is free to download online for an ‘appy’ holiday that won’t blow your grocery budget.
When: Available now
Where: Online at summerfresh.com
Cost: Free to download!
Holiday Fair in the Square
Toronto’s getting a magical winter wonderland festival with a fireside lounge, outdoor bar, and more this year. And we can’t help but get excited! Holiday Fair in the Square returns and here’s what to know.
The annual event kicks off this December but this time, it has moved to Mel Lastman Square. It’s a beloved tradition and if it’s anything like last year, you can expect a fun-filled carnival and festive market all in one place.
Here you’ll have to opportunity to browse through the artisan marketplace for that special Christmas gift and support local businesses. After some shopping, treat yourself to delicious eats including seasonal snacks and cuisine from the best food trucks and gourmet merchants in Toronto.
When: December 1st to December 23rd – (Closed Mondays)
Where: Mel Lastman Square – 5100 Yonge St, North York, ON
Cost: FREE
Sponsored Pick: Concord Park Place Holiday Charity Pop-Up
Concord Park Place is teaming up with Claw & Kitty for a charity holiday event in support of the SickKids Foundation. The event will be a pop-up in North York, transforming the space into a holiday wonderland with claw machines filled with adorable plushies to be won. The event is completely free to attend, and walk-ins are welcome – but it’s worth registering ahead of time. Concord will be donating $10 to the SickKids Foundation for each participant who registers in advance, and you also get 3 free tokens to play the games. If you want more while you’re there, you can get another 3 tokens for every $10 donation, with all proceeds going to the SickKids Foundation.
When: Sundays, December 3 & 10, from 1 PM to 5 PM
Where: Concord Park Place, 87 Esther Shiner Blvd
Cost: Free to attend, register to get free game tokens
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
The annual WinterFest has taken over Canada’s Wonderland with fun and festive activities, including ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, live shows, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of sparkling trees throughout the park.
This one-of-a-kind event transports you to a new world, full of stunning luminous displays, ambient holiday lights and festive tunes.
When: Until January 6th, 2024 (Select nights)
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
Cost: From $29.99 per person
Outdoor ice skating
It’s time to sharpen up those skates and get your warmest gear out. Toronto’s outdoor skating season kicks off this weekend as outdoor artificial ice rinks will officially open for all to enjoy, this Saturday.
From local parks to the city’s popular outdoor skating rinks, Toronto offers great skating options – east to west. According to the city, Toronto’s outdoor rinks typically open in late November and last up until March. So that means you have plenty of time to hit the ice and practice those skills.
When: Until end of season in March (depending on rink)
Where: Outdoor skating rinks across the city
The Thirsty Elf
One of Toronto’s most beloved and magical holiday pop-ups is back!
Get ready for The Thirsty Elf at the Fairmont Royal York!
Celebrate the holidays this season with over-the-top cocktails in the most festive bar imaginable.
The Thirsty Elf pop-up will be located on the Mezzanine (MM) Level of Fairmont Royal York, at the former York Station Bar.
When: Until December 22nd, 2023
Where: Fairmont Royal York, 1OO Front Street West
Cost: Varies
Cut down a real Christmas tree
Still looking for the perfect Christmas tree? If you’re on the hunt for a real tree to really bring in the holiday spirit, check out these Christmas tree farms in Ontario.
There are plenty of Christmas tree farms in Ontario that offer both cut-your-own experiences and precut trees.
When: Select dates
Where: Across Ontario
