30+ Ontario Christmas Markets Yule Absolutely Adore [2023]

With the colder weather comes the spirit of the season, and what better way to enjoy it than with a Christmas market! A right of passage for the season in Europe, us Canadians also love a good holiday market. While ours aren’t nearly as old as some of the German Christmas markets for example, I ensure these Ontario Christmas markets will have you singing carols in no time! Unless you’re like me then nobody wants to hear that… but you get the idea.

Without further ado… here are the best Christmas markets in Ontario for some seriously festive fun!

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The Toronto Christmas Market Now Known as Distillery Winter Village

The Distillery Winter Village

Location: Distillery District in Toronto
When: November 16th until January 7, 2024
Fee: Free Admission until 4:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when Paid Admission is Required
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Broadview Hotel

If you’re going to visit any of the Toronto Christmas events, this is the place to go. Previously known as the Toronto Christmas Market, The Distillery Winter Village is a favourite for many Torontonians and Southern Ontarians – and for good reason!

You’ll find a number of incredible light installations, pop-up shops and some fantastic holiday decorations. This year, the iconic centrepiece is a 51-foot-tall white spruce Christmas tree. Collaboratively designed with Parfums Christian Dior, it shines brightly with 70,000 twinkling lights, 400 custom midnight blue ornaments, 1,700 shiny and matte gold balls, AND 1,000 custom DIOR star charms. Admire this beauty with some of the tasty eats and treats you’ll find at the vendor cabins throughout the market. Of course, warming up with a glass of mulled wine is never a bad idea either.

If you can swing a weekday visit, you’ll be rewarded by saving some money! From 4:00 pm onwards on Fridays and for the rest of the weekend, you’ll have to pay an $11 entrance fee. Also, the Distillery Winter Market is closed on Mondays so plan accordingly! For more information on this holly jolly Christmas event, visit the Distillery Winter Village website.

INSIDER TIP: If you have a reservation at one of the restaurants inside the Distillery District, you don’t need to purchase a ticket to enter! Just head to the Green Express Lane and show proof of your reservation to enter.

Toronto Holiday Fair in the Square

Location: Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
When: December 1st until the 23rd, 2022
Fee: Free
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Chelsea Hotel Toronto

Nathan Phillips Square is always done right for Christmas with outdoor skating and plenty of decorations. Come December, it gets even better with the Holiday Fair in the Square!

Another fantastic Christmas market in Toronto, stroll around and peek at the local artisans and vendors as you sip and savour tasty food and drinks from the Polar Bear Bar. It’s fun for the whole family with plenty of midway games and entertainment. Get cozy by the firepit and soak up all the yuletide cheer Toronto’s public square has to offer! 

Holiday Fair in the Square in Nathan Phillips Square Toronto

Winterfest Christmas Market

Location: Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan
When: Select Dates in November and December
Fee: $29.99 for Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: Aloft Vaughan Mills

See Canada’s Wonderland in a whole new way as it transforms into a magical winter wonderland! There’s plenty of fun for all ages with live holiday entertainment, millions of twinkling lights, Christmas trees galore and more.

Make your way through the themed areas as you indulge in festive eats and treats and shop til you drop. Strap on some skates and glide on Snow Flake Lake. Sing along to the classics with live entertainment like the all-new Tinker’s Toy Factory and the ever-popular, Four Drummers Drumming. Of course, you can always take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane with its brilliant light displays.

If that’s not enough, fill your evening with activities like writing a letter to Santa, decorating cookies with Mrs Claus and snapping photos that will last a lifetime. 

RELATED: For more festive fun in and around Ontario’s capital, check out my guide to Christmas in Toronto!

Aurora Christmas Market

Location: Aurora Town Park
When: December 1st to 3rd and 8th to 10th, 2023
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: Microtel Inn & Suites Aurora

Named one of the top 100 festivals in the province, I’d say this is one of the Ontario Christmas markets that is not to be missed! Each night has something fun and exciting planned with live performances including fire dancers and gingerbread hula hoopers, plenty of makers and artisans, as well as lots of eats, treats and festive lights. It will surely get you in the holiday spirit!

Downtown Kitchener Comes Alive for the Christkindl Market

Kitchener Christkindl Market

Location: King Street in Downtown Kitchener and Kitchener City Hall
When: December 7th to 10th, 2023
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Walper Hotel

This Christmas market in Ontario is near and dear to my heart as Kitchener’s Christkindl Market was the first holiday market I ever went to!

Kitchener City Hall and the surrounding area are transformed into a charming winter wonderland. You’ll find gorgeous stalls with plenty of handmade items, delicious treats and yummy eats to keep you warm and cozy as you get in the spirit of the holidays. It’s a Christmas tradition for many Waterloo Region families, especially since it’s the first Christkindl market in all of Canada!

Every year this Kitchener Christmas market grows so it’s no surprise to see more beautifully decorated outdoor huts with German-style eats and treats, along with the iconic Christmas drink – Glühwein. With over 100 vendors to choose from, blacksmith demonstrations and more, it’s a must-visit for anyone who’s a fan of Christmas!

St Jacobs Sparkles

Location: Village of St Jacobs
When: November 16th to 19th and 23rd to 26th, 2022
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites By Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs

If you’re looking for a solid dose of country charm to go with the festive vibes then look no further than St Jacobs Sparkles! The village fully embraces the Christmas spirit as the businesses and shops all pitch in to make the last two weekends of November extra special.

Visitors will be treated to a number of additional activities occurring throughout the village like Christmas carolers and fun holiday photo opportunities. The majority of the businesses in the heart of town stay open late and some even offer extra deals and benefits for shopping during St Jacobs Sparkles.

RELATED: This gem in Waterloo Region is worth a visit in its own right! Check out all the great things to do in St Jacobs and you’ll see what I mean.

St Jacobs Sparkles Is Extra Fun with a Fresh Batch of Snow!

Cambridge Christmas Market

Location: Cambridge City Hall Civic Square
When: December 9th, 2023
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre

Celebrating its 10th year, this award-winning Christmas market is the place to be in the city to kickstart your holiday cheer. Featuring almost 60 local artisans, crafters and makers, there is no shortage of shopping to be done. Plus, the Cambridge Christmas Market is a favourite destination for seasonal food to keep you fuelled as you peruse the unique gifts you’ll find throughout the market.

With amazing light displays, musical performances and more, the Cambridge Christmas Market is one of the best holiday destinations you’ll find in Waterloo Region!

Paris Christmas Market

Location: Paris Fairgrounds in Paris
When: November 3rd to 5th, 2023
Fee: $5 Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Arlington Hotel

While Paris is known as the prettiest town in Canada, it’s also the perfect destination for die-hard Christma-holics. Head to the fairgrounds in town and explore this fantastic indoor crafters market. You’ll stay nice and cozy with a warm cider in hand as you hum to the live music. Plus you won’t be able to resist the candied almonds that are always a hit with attendees!

RELATED: Looking for more things to do in Paris? Check out my guide to the city and how to best experience the town!

I’m Always Happy with a Cup of Mulled Wine in My Hand!

London Merry Market

Location: 100 Kellogg Lane in London
When: November 30th to December 3rd, December 7th to 10th and December 14th to 17th, 2023
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: Allure Hotel & Suites London Downtown

Explore the Winter Village and Twinkle Town as this old cereal factory is transformed into a yuletide extravaganza! For three years now, London’s Merry Market has garnered quite the following for its epic photo backdrops and abundance of festive cheer. 

Do some Christmas shopping as you support the local vendors that occupy the wooden huts between Powerhouse Brewery and Paradigm Spirits. You can sip and savour some tasty morsels from the city’s top makers and bakers to keep you fuelled for this one-of-a-kind event. Don’t forget to check out the market’s ice sculpture, big red phone booth and to mail your letters to Santa at the mailbox on-site!

Craftadian Hamilton Market

Location: McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton
When: December 9th & 10th, 2023
Fee: $5 Admission 
Suggested Overnight Stay: Visitor’s Inn

With over 150 makers (and different ones each day!), this Hamilton Christmas market will impress even the most picky of shoppers. Shop handmade and local this holiday season as you enjoy fantastic live music and tasty gourmet food. The entire event is licensed so you can sip on an adult beverage as you peruse the incredible makers you’ll find on-site! Plus if you’re one of the first fifty people to attend on either day, you’ll get a sweet swag bag to help you shop.

RELATED: In case you didn’t know, Hamilton is also known as the city of waterfalls so why not pair your trip with some waterfall chasing and hit up one of the best trails in the city!

There Are Always So Many Talented Artisans at These Ontario Christmas Markets!

Burlington Holiday Market

Location: Throughout Downtown Burlington
When: TBD
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Pearle Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection 

Returning for its second year, the Burlington Holiday Market will transform the heart of downtown into a holiday wonderland fit for all ages! Taking a page out of Europe’s book with their markets as inspiration, the organizers have made it their own by putting a Canadian spin on things.

This Ontario Christmas market has been a hit since day one as it draws over 15,000 people across the four days! Grab a friend or bring the whole family as you eat, drink, shop and be merry. Plus there will be plenty of photo opportunities scattered throughout the downtown core, especially with the Burlington Festival of Lights brightening the night!

Niagara Falls Christmas Market

Location: Queen Street in Niagara Falls
When: TBD
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Make a trip to Niagara Falls and see the market that grew three sizes this year! Each weekend until Christmas, Queen Street is being transformed into a scene straight out of a Christmas movie.

Local artisans have set up shop in adorable little cabins as they dot the downtown core. There are photo opportunities galore with visits from Santa, the Grinch and other festive characters as they hang out at city hall. Of course, you can always snap some selfies with Santa’s sleigh, giant ornaments and the other yuletide decorations scattered throughout. Oh, and did I mention there are glowing swings AND seesaws? Let’s just say there’s no shortage of fun to be had in downtown Niagara Falls.

Just a short walk from Clifton Hill, it’s easy to make this a very festive and fun weekend so why not pair it with a visit to the Winter Festival of Lights?

Ornaments at One of the Christmas Markets in Ontario

Collingwood Christmas Market

Location: Hurontario Street in Collingwood
When: December 1st, 8th & 15th, 2023
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: 11 Rooms Boutique Hotel

For the first three Fridays in December, downtown Collingwood will be transformed into a spirit-filled Christmas market! Take a stroll down Hurontario Street as it’s lit up with stellar light installations. Peruse the local vendors and pop into the downtown shops as they stay open late to join in on the festive fun.

With entertainment including stilt walkers, jugglers and dancers, it will certainly be the place to be on Friday nights! Make sure to stop by and say hello to the big guy in red as Santa will be hanging out beside the Federal Building.

Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market

Location: Niemi Family Farm in Mount Albert
When: Fridays and Saturdays Starting November 17th, 2023 as well as the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before Christmas
Fee: Free Admission, Additional Costs for Experiences
Suggested Overnight Stay: Newmarket Hotel & Suites

The Niemi’s are bringing a taste of Scandinavia to Ontario! Back for another year, the Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market will transport you to Europe with their outdoor market. Take a peek at the approximately 50 vendors, indulge in some delicious Finnish baking and pick up your Christmas tree for the season. 

For even more fun, head ingot Christmas Land as you catch a ride on the Polar Express. Say hello to the precious farm animals as you make your way to the final stop – Santa’s Workshop! Be sure to warm up by the bonfire and don’t miss out on roasting some s’mores. 

Christmas Tree Vendor at One of the Ontario Christmas Markets

Ottawa Christmas Market: Marche de Noel Ottawa

Location: Aberdeen Square in Ottawa’s Landsdowne Park
When: Friday through Sunday Starting November 24th, 2023 and Tuesday through Friday the Week of Christmas
Fee: Free Admission
Suggested Overnight Stay: The Business Inn & Suites

Say hello to the heart of yuletide cheer in Ottawa! This year, visitors will be treated to 16 days jam-packed with local musicians, DJ skate nights and even some hockey games. Be sure to try your luck and see if you can win big on the Casino Lac-Leamy Advent Calendar, too! You can find the whole schedule here.

Explore the 35 vendors who have a number of local items to offer from locally grown/made food items to handmade crafts and more. For the little ones, there are plenty of crafts to be made, visits with Santa to be had and light installations to feast your eyes on. Ottawa is certainly home to one of the best Christmas markets in Eastern Ontario!

The Biggest Question of All – Have You Been Naughty or Nice?

More Ontario Christmas Markets and Events

Ontario is a big province and as you can imagine, there is plenty of festive fun to be had! If you’ve been to all of the above events, check out some of these local Christmas markets for more holiday cheer.

Handmade Market in Niagara Falls [November 17th to 19th, 2023] – Shop thousands of one-of-a-kind handmade products and loads of artisan-made goodies from over 175 vendors that are conveniently located under one roof.

One of a Kind Winter Show in Toronto [November 23rd until December 3rd, 2023] – If you’re looking for a unique gift for that special someone on your list, there’s no better place to go than the One of a Kind Winter Show.

Festival of Trees in Mississauga [December 8th to 17th, 2023] – Admire the brilliant tree and woodpile art installations while enjoying live local entertainment as well as the Artisan Market, Workshops, and Culinary Market that will wow your senses.

Orangeville Christmas Market [November 18th, 2023] – Head to the Orangeville Fairgrounds and check out the vendor booths, enjoy some family-friendly activities and more all while supporting the Orangeville Food Bank.

Uxbridge Farmers Market Holiday Series [November 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, 2023] – The top-notch farmers’ market you know and love in Uxbridge but with a holiday twist.

Blue Mountain Christmas Gift Show [November 25th and 26th, 2023] – Don’t miss this vibrant marketplace with everything from crafters to home decor as well as tasty eats and treats.

Christmas on the Bay in Meaford [November 30th to December 3rd, 2023] – Head to Georgian Bay’s largest outdoor Christmas market with delightfully decorated wooden stalls, firepits, twinkling lights and more.

Holiday Sip n Shop at the St Jacobs Market

St Jacobs Farmers Market Holiday Sip n Shop [November 17th and December 1st, 2023] – Enjoy the country charm of the St Jacobs Farmers Market as it’s bursting with holiday cheer as it transforms into a bustling night market.

Christmas Trail in Stratford [November 1st to December 20th, 2023] – Grab your six vouchers and get started on your holiday shopping with unique offerings from local shops throughout Stratford.

MacKinnon Brothers Outdoor Holiday Market in Bath [November 25th, 26th and December 2nd, 3rd, 2023] – Come out for a fun-filled day with the family as Jolly Old Saint Nick stops by the brewery.

Canadian Museum of History Christmas Market in Ottawa [November 23rd to 26th, 2023] – Explore the majestic Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of History as 80 exhibitors await you with yummy treats and handmade creations.

Once Upon a Christmas in Perth [November 25th, 2023] – Step into what feels like a Christmas storybook as live music, fire pits, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

Kingston Holiday Market [December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th, 2023] – Head to the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning to find a variety of vendors with new ones each weekend the market is running.

Downtown Holiday Market in Sudbury [November 25th, 2023] – Go for a stroll along Holiday Main Street with vendors, photo displays, holiday music and more along Durham Street 

Handmade Christmas Market in Sault Ste Marie [December 3rd, 2023] – Head to the Machine Shop and see what the 50+ local vendors have in store for you this year.

Silver Bells Christmas Market in Sault Ste Marie [December 10th, 2023] – The Water Tower Inn is once again hosting this fantastic Northern Ontario Christmas market in support of the Kidney Foundation.

So, what are you waiting for? With all these Christmas markets in Ontario, there’s no way you can’t get in the spirit of the season. Grab your Santa hat and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year!

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