Christmas in Toronto | Things to do in Toronto During the Holidays with Kids

Christmas is on our minds and I know that the kids are excited to attend the many Christmas events in Toronto. If you’re looking for a fun list of things to do in Toronto during the holidays, we’re sharing our favourite Christmas trees, holiday bars and Christmas markets with you. Christmas is slowly making its appearance in downtown Toronto as the underground PATH is getting their Christmas decorations up and the department stores have already unveiled their Christmas windows so things will be in full swing soon. If you’re looking for a list of our favourite things to do at Christmas in Toronto with kids, I got you! 

Things to do During the 2024 Toronto Holiday Season with Kids

Perfectly Decorated Toronto Hotels During the Holidays

I am a huge fan of hotel lobby hangs and many Toronto hotels decorate their lobbies for the festive season. Some have special events and a resident Santa to greet hotel guests. Living in Toronto, planning a staycation during the festive season is definitely recommended but you can also pop in for afternoon tea, a drink or a meal at one of the hotel’s restaurants and taken in the festive atmosphere. Obviously all hotels welcome kids so this is an easy idea if you want to plan a holiday meal or catch up with friends. 

Chelsea Hotel

This family friendly Toronto hotel not only decorates their lobby but their employees also decorate ginger bread houses and you can vote for your favourite one! They occasionally have hot chocolate and candy canes in their lobby for hotel guests but if you happen to be passing through or visiting one of their restaurants, you’re welcome to them as well. I am also a huge fan of the Santa here and our kids have dropped their Santa letters here since they were toddlers! More details will be announced here as they finalize their 2023 Toronto Christmas plans for families.

Shangri La Toronto

 One of our annual traditions is to take the kids to this Toronto hotel for a Nutcracker Afternoon tea  (this year’s menu is a culinary tribute to the timeless elegance of The Nutcracker ballet). This is one of the most kid friendly afternoon tea offerings in Toronto (available all year long) and they do it so well. Kids 12 and under not only have their own menu  but the hotel also donates $5 from each kids’ package to the Make a Wish Foundation. Parents should also take a peek at the festive cocktail menu  and enjoy the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea and order the kids afternoon tea for the littles. 

Toronto Christmas Bars and Restaurants

I am a sucker for a Christmas bar (I mean, I do a host an annual 12 pubs of Christmas for our friends each year after all) and there are some fabulous Toronto bars and restaurants that go all out for the holiday season. Quite a few are returning for the 2024 holiday season in Toronto and many of them allow kids to visit (they have modified family hours though). I’ve listed all the ones with family hours but keep in mind that these are still very much bars and so it will be loud at times. Going as soon as they open is the best option! 

Ginger’s Cocktail Bar : This is a new pop up taking place at Le Dolci cooking studio and it’s super cute for families because they have mocktails and cocktail… AND sweet treats! From November 15 to Dec 24, 2024 (Wednesdays to Saturdays 6 p.m.-2 a.m.) you can enjoy all the sweet holiday fun here. Just remember that kids are invited and welcome to enjoy the enchantment before 8pm, after 8pm the space is 19+. Reservations are recommended and there’s a $25 fee PER guest. $5 from that fee goes towards the Daily Food Bank and $20 goes towards your bill. 

Miracle Bar Toronto : I’ve been visiting this Christmas bar annually since 2018 and their decor and cocktail menu gets better and better each year. Wear your kitschiest holiday outfit and get ready to drink some fancy cocktails and mocktails. Please note that it’s 19+ after 9:00 p.m. so take the kids earlier in the day. Reservations can be made through OpenTable at $22 per person. This fee includes a welcome drink, popcorn for the table, and a Miracle branded beanie. More details can be found here. $1 of every drink sold is donated to Nellie’s Shelter. In 2024, Miracle is open from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29. (Mondays to Fridays 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.).  

Project Gigglewater : Giggly Christmas is the theme this year once again and the entire bar is plastered with wrapping paper and ornaments. They have themed drinks and is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nov 19 until Dec. 31. 2024. This bar accepts reservations and kids are allowed . They recommend families coming in as soon as they open. More details can be found on their IG.  

Papi Chulo’s – Mistletoe’s & Margaritas : If you’re dreaming of a Mexican Christmas but are stuck in Toronto, this is where you want to be! Holiday themed drinks and tacos? Yes please! This is another walk-in spot and limited reservations are accepted. This Dundas West restaurant is open  Noon-2 a.m./late and is a great spot for a lunch time visit with kids. The holiday decor will be around until Jan 6th 2025. They don’t have any mocktails but will add sprinkles to the pop glassware if you ask! Kids are only allowed until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays but can stay later during the week days. 

Java Jingle : A great combo awaits you here! Mouth-watering Indonesian food and fabulous cocktails. This holiday bar will be available at both Little Sister locations-102 Portland St. and 2031 Yonge St.- and goes until Dec. 31. Both bars will be decked out in holiday gear and as with the other Toronto Christmas bars, there’s festive cocktails to be enjoyed. Java Jingle is open from 5 p.m. onwards and while their kitchen closes early (between 9:30 and 11 p.m.) the bar is open much later. Reservations can be made and while it’s 19+ they do allow kids before 9 p.m. and they have fun mocktails! For more, click here. 

The Best Toronto Christmas Trees – Places to Hang At in Toronto During Christmas

Some days you just want to roam around aimlessly, see a fancy Christmas tree and maybe buy a thing or two. Toronto is home to quite a few markets and malls that are all decked out for the holiday season. Some even have holiday programing and are indoors, making it an easy way to drag the kids away from screens. 

Distillery Winter Village: The Distillery District in downtown Toronto gets transformed and this Christmas market in Toronto will have you thinking you’re in Europe! Complete with beer gardens, photo opps like Candy Cane Forest and a magnificent DIOR tree – there’s something for every age here. The space is stroller friendly but does get VERY busy on the weekends that I recommend baby wearing if you visit at night. This year the Distillery Winter Village goes on until January 5th (they are closed on Christmas day) and while entrance is free Mon-Wed, you do need to buy tickets for those 10 and over on Thursday -Sundays after 4 p.m. If you enter before 4 p.m. you can hang as long as you want! Keep in mind that you need tickets every day between Dec 18 and 31 after 4 p.m. – not just on the weekends. They also have charitable partners they are supporting with the funds this year. You can meet Santa, elves and carolers here and for my family, a visit to a Toronto Christmas market with the grandparents is a holiday tradition!  Oh and if you have reservations at any of the restaurants or theatre shows, then you don’t need tickets to enter. In order to enter the site without a ticket (during ticketed times), guests will be required to show proof of their reservation via a digital or physical confirmation with the date, time and location of the reservation. Guests will be permitted to enter no earlier than 30 minutes before the reservation start time.

CF Winterville at Eaton Centre : This year the Eaton Centre tree is absolutely lovely! They’ve stepped into the future with digital projections on the tallest indoor tree in North America! There’s a full light and snow show that takes place four times a day and I know kids of all ages will enjoy this when visiting this Toronto mall for those holiday shopping sprees. Shows are free and take place daily until Dec 31- Mon to Sat hourly from noon to 8:00 p.m. Sun 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Each time it snows, they’ll donate $500 to CF Play Makers to help build play spaces for kids to enjoy at schools across Canada – for a total holiday gift of $100,000! Visits with Santa have to pre-booked and are $15 per visit with a max of 6 family members in each group to ensure everyone fits into the 5 digital photos that come with the Santa visit. I will mention that if you’re used to the lovely cabin experience from previous years, it’s very different and a much smaller backdrop this year. 

Holiday Hills at STACKT Market : I am a huge fan of this market because they truly do an amazing job at bringing fun into the city. If you want to finish your holiday shopping by visiting local makers (some of whom make fantastic items ranging from clothes to home decor) and get in the merry mood, STACKT can help. Their Holiday Hills festival feature photo opportunities like the 120 foot Tunnel of Lights and they have firepits to keep the kids happy with marshmallows and s’mores. They also have outdoor street curling, pop up events and various food booths to make it a fun afternoon that goes into the evening hours. Holiday Hills takes place until Dec 29th and all ages are free to enter the space. Hours –  Shops: 12 -8p.m., Brewery: Daily 12-11 p.m., Cocktail Patios 4-11pm

Christmas at Castle Loma : You should definitely visit this Toronto Castle to see the indoor Great Hall space decked out for the holidays with eight signature trees created by talented Canadian artists. As you roam around the Castle this December you will see live theatrical performances including a Knight Before Christmas performance with swordplay and archery, a Canadian Majinx illusion show, a live aerialist soaring through the Great Hall, roaming mimes and mascots, a wandering and interactive magician, and more. Children are also invited to visit Santa daily until December 24th from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Christmas at the Castle runs from 9:30am – 5 p.m. between Dec 5th and Jan 4th and performances run between 11 a.m. -3 p.m. One dollar from each adult admission during Christmas at the Castle will be donated to the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish Foundation.

Holiday Events in Toronto 

If you’re looking to get your “Ho!Ho!Ho!” on and get in a Ho-lly jolly mood, these kid friendly Christmas events in Toronto are what you need in your life! Many of these are pop up events only around for the holidays so catch them before they end! 

Holiday Lights at Casa Loma :  For those who prefer to roam the Castle’s grounds at night, Holiday Lights  enables your family to wander through a dazzling light display in the gardens and tunnels. Designed as a self-guided walk, guests stroll through the property’s grounds while enjoying the twinkly decorations, light displays and live performances. As always, kids are invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop. Children 3 years and under are free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Hours – December 5th, 2024 – January 4th, 2024 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9 p.m.). 

Santa Claus Parade : Toronto’s Santa Claus parade takes place on November 24th and spots like the Hilton Hotel have an awesome view of the parade but standing at the street level with other families will give you a much needed Christmas vibe this year. The route starts at 12:30 p.m. at Christie Pitts and ends at Lawrence Market. Bundle up and get there early to secure a good spot. I enjoyed being a Celebrity Clown last year!

Cavalcade of Lights : It’s always fun to witness the tree light up for the first time each season isn’t it? This year’s festivities will  kickoff  with a tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday November 30th and celebrations will go on until Sunday January 7, 2024. On opening night there are many dance performances and there will be Olympians on the ice – not to worry, you too can get your skate on later in the evening. A few years ago we took in the experience from the Sheraton hotel across the road and it was great not being pushed and shoved in the crowds below. Definitely worth checking into a room there, just mention you want to watch the fireworks from your room at the time of booking so you get a room facing the square.

One of a Kind Show : Attending this show is a holiday tradition and my mom and I love getting our shopping on here. You can meet with the makers and have a good story to share when you give your gifts to loved ones this year. Yes it’s family friendly with special on-site activities,  with various fashion shows and one day there’s a Tswift Dance party with bracelet making session. This year’s 2024 One of a Kind Show takes place from Nov 21 to Dec 3 at Exhibition Place. This year your ticket provides free re-entry during the 11 days so you can visit every day if you want! Hours – they change daily so I recommend looking at the website for confirmation. Late Night Hours: Nov 28, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. They also have special days for Seniors (Nov 25th $14 tickets) and other specials  so check their website for more details. 

Holiday Fair in Mel Lastman Square : Take note that this free Toronto Christmas event is no longer in downtown Toronto-it has moved! You can eat, drink and shop here and the market will also include a midway with rides, food trucks, photo backdrops and a meeting with Santa. It’s a winter fair meets holiday wonderland. This event is pet friendly and while admission is free, a donation to Epilepsy Toronto is greatly appreciated. Dec 6-23. Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday to Saturday – 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Sunday – 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm. * On Monday, December 23rd, the fair will be closing at 7:00 pm

Vendor Market at Yorkgate Mall : Last year we visited this Toronto mall during the holidays and loved our experience. Not only was Santa there but kids received a free activity book, a printed photo and a candy cane. This was such a wholesome and free experience with the crazy rush that downtown mall have. Santa is there every weekend from 1-4 p.m. between Nov 23 and Dec 24 and if you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with a holiday market on Dec 21 so you can shop at the big stores and from local artisans as well. Some of the local artists had craft stations set up for kids and there were many free prizes as well. I hear they’re doing advent calendars on Nov 23and cookie decorating Dec 7 for kids crafts. 

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train :  This holiday train will be stopping in Toronto and all they ask in exchange for their 30 minute light show is that you bring food or a monetary donation for your local food bank. The 2024 CPKC Holiday Train tours Canada and the United States between Nov. 21 through Dec. 20, raising money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities. This year the train will be in Toronto on November 29, 2024. Arrive at 8:15 p.m. for the 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. show. Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish will be performing. Location – 750 Runnymede Road, in front of Lambton Yard. Free entrance with  non perishable food item donation. 

Craft fair lovers will definitely want to check this site out for a full list of awesome spots to get your holiday shopping on at. If you’re looking for theatrical events this one has you covered!  I’d also like to highlight that the Christmas season is a time for giving and so, if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities in Toronto be sure to check this site out!