Attractions
The Distillery Winter Village Attractions
The Distillery Winter Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
On November 13 at 6:00 p.m., join thousands of onlookers from Toronto and around the world for the official kickoff to the holiday season. The country’s most anticipated tree lighting will see Santa flip the switch on Canada’s most photographed Christmas tree – and declare Toronto’s Christmas Market officially open.
Opening night for The Distillery Winter Village is a ticketed event and always sells out quickly, so grab your tickets early. All profits from ticket sales will once again support our charity partners: Anishnawe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre, and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
This year, we’re proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity GTA. At the end of the season, the tree will be turned into mulch to help build homes across the Greater Toronto Area.
The Distillery Winter Village is famous for having the best holiday photo spots and Christmas backdrops in Toronto. Along with Canada’s most photographed Christmas tree, you’ll find Instagram-worthy moments around every corner.
Returning favourites include: The Heart of Christmas display, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, Candy Cane Wreath, outdoor themed patios and bars, and, of course, the famous Countdown to Christmas clock.
The entire site will be decked out in red, white, and gold décor with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights strung throughout The Distillery District.
Be sure to tag @distilleryTO when posting your photos and videos!
Festive Food & Holiday Vendors
Holiday shoppers can discover the perfect gifts for everyone on their list - from stylish fashions and handmade jewelry to gourmet food gifts, self-care products, and one-of-a-kind art. In addition to 85+ year-round shops, restaurants, and cafés, seasonal vendor cabins offer unique holiday finds you won’t see anywhere else.
The Distillery District is also a dining destination for foodies. With seasonal food vendors and outdoor holiday bars around the site, you’ll find everything from savoury bites and sweet treats to seasonal sips. Whether it’s a bubbling raclette, the viral s’mores hot chocolate, or a cocktail by the fire pit, come hungry and ready to indulge.
Note: all seasonal vendor cabins are cashless - debit or credit required.
Check back in October for a complete list of all our seasonal vendors.
Spread holiday cheer and sing along with The McGregor Carollers as they roam The Distillery Winter Village performing live holiday music and your favourite Christmas carols.
See their schedule
The kids may have Santa’s Village, but adults get their own holiday playground with more outdoor holiday cocktail bars than ever before - each with a unique theme, festive décor, and seasonal sips designed to keep spirits bright.
Naughty or Nice Bar
Decide which list you belong on as you warm up under a heated 40’ x 45’ tent decked in holiday décor and canopy of twinkling lights. Enjoy mulled wine, hot sangria, and cozy bites from nearby food vendors while you soak in the festive atmosphere.
Ugly Sweater Patio Bar
Pull out your loudest knit and wear it with pride. This Cluny Bistro patio takeover celebrates all things tacky-chic and invites you to flaunt your best (or worst) holiday sweater. An 8-foot ball of yarn sets the stage for a quirky, can’t-miss holiday hangout.
Peppermint Patio
Follow the 10’ Candy Cane Wreath into a red-and-white striped wonderland. From arches to columns, this Madrina patio is sugar-cane sweet and brimming with holiday cheer. Order a candy-cane inspired cocktail and raise a glass to the season.
Pura Vida Bar (by Visit Costa Rica)
Escape the cold and step into pura vida - “the good life.” On the Archeo patio, this tropical-inspired bar serves up coconut hot chocolate (in an actual coconuts shell), the decadent “mochanut” (coffee + hot chocolate in a coconut shell), and tropical fruit fondue. With surfboard tables and vacation vibes, it’s a little slice of paradise in the middle of the Winter Village.
More to be announced soon.
Santa’s Village
Step inside the cozy atrium of Soulpepper Theatre and discover Santa’s Village - a festive stop for kids (and kids at heart). This year, Santa’s Village has a magical new look inspired by Soulpepper’s production of Bad Hats’ Narnia, an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved story about the mystical land of Narnia.
You’ll enter through a wardrobe into a winter wonderland, where you may even encounter characters from the classic tale. Meet Santa, share your wish list, and take a holiday photo with him. Be sure to check Santa’s schedule before your visit.
And don’t be surprised if you spot Santa’s elves roaming the cobblestone streets, spreading cheer throughout The Distillery Winter Village.
Soulpeppers’s Bad Hats Narnia is on from November 18 - December 28. Purchase tickets.
