Twinkle, sparkle and shine… it’s almost Christmas time! What better way to usher in the holiday spirit than with some spectacular light displays across the Greater Toronto Area. Whether indoors or outdoors, by foot or by car, these festivals and shows are bound to instantly get you into a festive mood, especially when there’s carols playing! Embrace the magic and wonder of these Christmas lights in festivals and displays across Toronto and the GTA.
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 of under canopies of Christmas lights, take photos by the huge Christmas tree in Trinity Square and much more.
stackt market Holiday Hills
When: November 15 — December 31, 2024
The stackt market downtown outdoor market hosts the free Holiday Hills festival, with a 120-foot Tunnel of Lights with stunning city views, vendor markets, Family Funday Sundays, and more.
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.
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
When: November 23 — December 31, 2024; Official tree lighting ceremony: November 23, 5:00-7:00pm
This free festival casts a glow on the famous upscale shopping and entertainment area this festive season with lights and music.
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.
Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Festive Lights at Queen’s Park
When: December 2-14, 2024
Join the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Festive Lights at Queen’s Park, a free celebration a free celebration of the holidays showcasing Ontario’s Legislative Building adorned with sparkling lights and festive decorations.
Sankofa Square: Winter Glow
When: December 5-22, 2024
Sankofa Square (formerly known as Yonge-Dundas Square) gets its glow on with Winter Glow, their family-friendly holiday event in the heart of downtown Toronto that’s free to attend!
Casa Loma: Holiday Lights Toronto
When: December 5, 2024 — January 4, 2025
Experience the joy and magic of the holiday season at Casa Loma with their Holiday Lights tour that lets visitors tour the historic castle after dark to see dazzling light displays in the landscaped gardens and mysterious tunnels.
Holiday Fair in the Square
When: December 6-23, 2024
Mel Lastman Square transforms into a magical winter wonderland at the free Holiday Fair in the Square outdoor festival, featuring an artisan marketplace, Santa’s Village, holiday maze, Lego Brickmas Pop-up and a visit from the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Truck Tour.
City Sightseeing Toronto: Festive Lights Double-Decker Bus Tour
When: December 6-30, 2024
Discover the magic of downtown Toronto this holiday season with City Sightseeing Toronto on their enchanting Festive Lights Tour! Best of all, Family Fun Toronto readers get 15% off tickets with the promo code FAMILYFUN.
The Village at Black Creek: Festive Fun at The Village
When: December 7-23, 2024
Experience an old-fashioned holiday at The Village at Black Creek at their Christmas event, celebrating with Festive Fun at The Village both day and night! Spend time with the jolly old fellow and even have a VIP visit with Santa himself, then explore the historic buildings and relive the magic of winters past.
Friends of High Park Zoo: Snowflake Walk
When: December 15, 2024
Friends of High Park Zoo hosts the Snowflake Walk, where you can stroll through the Zoo in the dark to see the park’s trees lit up and maybe see some animals too!
Christmas Lights in the GTA
Brampton Winter Lights Festival
When: November 15-16, 2024
The City of Brampton kicks off the holiday season with the Winter Lights Festival in Downtown Brampton, with free family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy!
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
When: November 16, 2024 — January 4, 2025
The amusement park becomes a winter wonderland for WinterFest. Take a starlit walk through a 100-foot-long, coloured LED tunnel. Plus there’s festive shows and food, and an artisan market.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons: First Light
When: November 21 — December 8, 2024
Celebrating 23 years of holiday magic, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons presents a traditional celebration with First Light, including family activities and live musical performances, all aglow with thousands of candles.
Angus Glen Golf Club: Angus Glen Winter Events and Fairway of Lights
When: November 29, 2024 — January 4, 2025
Angus Glen Golf Club hosts the Winter At Angus series of holiday events, including dining options and Fairway of Lights, their annual walking light show on the elaborately decorated golf course.
Kortright Centre for Conservation: Magical Christmas Forest
When: November 29 — December 23, 2024
Escape into the woods at the Kortright Centre, including a winter wonderland at Santa’s cabin with lights, wagon rides, crafts, children’s activities and treats for the whole family!
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.
Holiday Nights of Lights Reimagined {Discount Code}
When: December 7, 2024 — January 4, 2025
This holiday season, create long-lasting memories with the whole family at Holiday Nights of Lights Reimagined, at its new location at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket! Family Fun Toronto readers, get 15% off tickets when you enter the promo code FAMFUN.
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!
Waterloo Railway: Christmas train trips
When: November 14 — December 22, 2024
Have a magical time with your family on a historic passenger train at the Waterloo Central Railway Christmas train trips, at Santa’s Candy Crossing in the evening with the train all lit up for the holidays.
The Holidays at illumi by Cavalia
When: November 14, 2024 — January 5, 2025
illumi by Cavalia is a magical nocturnal outdoor journey that ignites the night with thousands of structures and the Tree of Lights.
Bingemans: Gift of Lights
When: November 22, 2024 — January 4, 2025
Kitchener-Waterloo becomes a festive party this year with Bingemans Gift of Lights, an attraction that winds through their scenic grounds, sparkling with over a million lights and more than 300 diverse light installations.
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.
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) Winter Wonders
When: December 5, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Discover the magic of nature and light at the newest experience from the Royal Botanical Gardens with festive light displays dotting a 1.5 km pathway through the park.
Mississauga Festival of Trees
When: December 6-15, 2024
This festival celebrates the joy of the season with seasonal lights, wood art, markets and workshops, located along the lakeshore.
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.
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue: Christmas with Wildlife
When: November 15 — December 23, 2024
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue presents Christmas with Wildlife where guests explore the wildlife centre, have treats, see light displays, and more.
Niemi Farm Christmas Market
When: November 15 — December 21, 2024
Feel the hygge at this outdoor holiday experience with fresh local food, visits with Santa, twinkly forest lights perfect for photo opportunities, kids activities and a Scandinavian flair.
Brooks Farms Festive Nights
When: November 29 — December 23, 2024
Stroll through the evergreen forest with holiday lights and displays, holiday characters and live music by local musicians. Enjoy wagon rides, festive treats and marshmallow roasting, along with a visit with Santa.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
When: November 16, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Get your fill of sparkle and good cheer at the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. It’s Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival!
Safari Niagara: Safari Lights
When: November 21 — December 30, 2024
The Safari Lights drive-thru adventure at Safari Niagara has immersive light tunnels, motion lights, and whimsical animal light displays.
Walk through a Winter Wonderland with more Holiday Events here!
