Let’s face it: with presents, decorations, trees and trimmings, celebrating Christmas can get expensive. We all want to give our families a memorable and exciting holiday season, including spending time together participating in festive events around town. But it doesn’t require a miracle worthy of a made-for-TV movie to have fun this season for little to no money! So, consider us your special frugal elf as we present our gift to you: our Guide to the Best Cheap and Free Christmas Events in Toronto and the GTA…
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Truck Tour
When: November 15 — December 9, 2024
The unmistakably jolly, red and lit-up truck of the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan truck tour is travelling across Canada again this Christmas season, including many locations around Toronto and the GTA!
CPKC Canadian Holiday Train
When: November 23-30, 2024
The CPKC Canadian Holiday Train is back on the rails this year, travelling all across Canada with free concerts in support of local food banks, plus you can track the train’s location live on their website.
Cheap and Free Christmas Events in Toronto
The Distillery Winter Village
When: November 13, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Embrace the holiday spirit of a traditional outdoor Christmas market at The Distillery Winter Village, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets, indulge in delicious food, and much more. Once again, there is free entry from 10:00am to 4:00pm, plus this year, kids 9 and under are free anytime.
stackt market Holiday Hills
When: November 15 — December 31, 2024
The stackt market downtown outdoor market hosts the free Holiday Hills festival, with vendor markets, Family Funday Sundays, and more.
Leslieville BIA: Wanderlust
When: November 23, 2024
Leslieville BIA hosts the Leslieville Wanderlust shopping event, taking place on Queen Street East, plus a holiday party with Santa and his elves at Leslie Grove Park.
Bloor West Village BIA: Meet Santa in the VillageÂ
When: November 23, 2024
Bloor West Village hosts free festive family fun with the Meet Santa in the Village event, including marketplace, entertainment and crafts.
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
When: November 23 — December 31, 2024; Official tree lighting ceremony: November 23, 5:00-7:00pm
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic casts a glow on the upscale shopping and entertainment area this festive season with lights and music.
The Original Santa Claus Parade
When: November 24, 2024
Since 1905, families have enjoyed The Original Santa Claus Parade in the streets of downtown Toronto with festive floats and plenty of holiday cheer.
Street Eats Market & Harbourfront Centre: Winterfest Toronto
When: November 29, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Street Eats Market and Harbourfront Centre have joined together to host Winterfest Toronto, a new holiday experience featuring twinkling lights, an indoor/outdoor artisan market, Winter Express train rides, marshmallow fire pits, food stalls, free ice skating and more.
The Junction BIA: Window Wonderland
When: November 29, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Window Wonderland transforms the Dundas Street West neighbourhood, The Junction, into an interactive, engaging and magical outdoor gallery.
City of Toronto: Cavalcade of Lights
When: November 30, 2024 – January 7, 2025. Tree-lighting Opening Night: November 30, 6:40pm
The City of Toronto hosts Cavalcade of Lights, a free festival that bathes Nathan Phillips Square, transforming City Hall and its surroundings into a dazzling wonderland every night during the the holiday season.
The Beach BIA: Santa in the Beach & Christmas Tree Lighting
When: November 30, 2024
The Beach BIA’s annual event “Santa in the Beach” and Christmas Tree Lighting includes a full afternoon of holiday festivities, plus photo with the jolly old man.
Weston Village Winterfest
When: December 6-8, 2024
Weston Winterfest is a neighbourhood celebration with free treats, musical entertainment, street performers, contests and a holiday market.
The Bentway Skate Trail
When: Starts December 21, 2024
Embrace winter at the Bentway when its Skate Trail opens for the 2024-25 season, with their opening day just before Christmas!
Cheap and Free Christmas Events in the GTA
Brampton Winter Lights Festival
When: November 15-16, 2024
The Winter Lights Festival in Downtown Brampton kicks off the holiday season with free family-friendly activities, including a Tree Lighting Ceremony, winter lights displays, amusement rides, artist market, and more.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
When: November 16, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival, so get your fill of sparkle and good cheer!
Village of Streetsville: Christmas in the Village
When: November 22-23, 2024
The Village of Streetsville in Mississauga returns with their Christmas in the Village event, including horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, live music, photo ops, hot cocoa, and so much more.
City of Mississauga: Light Up The Square
When: November 23, 2024
Celebrate the magic of winter in Mississauga with a Christmas tree lighting, photos with Santa, ice skating, live performances and the Holiday Street Market.
Burlington Festival of Lights
When: November 29, 2024 — January 8, 2025
Drive or walk along the waterfront in Burlington for the annual Festival of Lights for a great free outing for the family this year.
Halton Hills: Light up the Hills Winter Festival
When: December 1, 2024 — January 12, 2025
Halton Hills lights up their parks again this holiday season at the Light up the Hills Winter Festival to bring joy and hope to surrounding communities with light displays, free to view.
Orangeville Christmas in the Park
When: December 1-31, 2024
The month-long free Christmas in the Park event in Orangeville includes millions of dazzling lights, music, entertainment, hot chocolate and more.
Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights
When: December 7, 2024 — January 4, 2025
One of the biggest exhibits of Christmas lights in Canada, you can either drive or walk through the brilliant path of light displays at the annual Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights event, even on Christmas Day!
Lights on Stratford Winter Festival of Lights
When: December 13, 2024 – January 19, 2025
The free annual Lights On Stratford Winter Festival of Lights transforms Stratford’s heritage downtown core and parks with luminous art and interactive light installations.
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas with Holiday Events here!
