Tickets must be purchased online ahead of your visit.
All Distillery Winter Village seasonal cabins are cashless.
Follow our Instagram @distilleryTO and #DistilleryWinterVillage to get news and updates.
The 2024 Distillery Winter Village runs daily from Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025, closed Christmas Day.
The Distillery District opens daily at 10:00 a.m., and cabins open daily at 12:00 p.m. (noon) until at 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
For the full event schedule, to find out when you need tickets and when you don’t, visit the ticketing page.
The Distillery Winter Village offers four ticketing options to make your visit more convenient and flexible. Tickets range from $15 - $39.50 (no increase from last year).
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the ticketing page.
Please note: There is no box office on-site. We strongly encourage tickets to be purchased in advance online to avoid disappointment, as tickets do sell out. However, tickets can be purchased via your mobile device at the door using the QR code on display.
Tickets are only required from December 12 - 31, 2024 after 4:00 p.m. Any other time, entrance is free. Kids aged nine and under are always free.
Free entry ends at 4:00 p.m.. Guests must pass through the gates by 4:00 p.m. to gain access. Plan to arrive early (2:30 - 3:00 p.m.) to secure your spot in line.
Capacity Limits for Free Entry:
Once we approach capacity for free entry, the line will be cut off. Guests behind this cut-off will not be admitted for free and will be invited to:
Thank you for helping us create an enjoyable, festive experience for everyone!
We offer four ticketing options to cater to different preferences. Tickets range from $15 - $39.50 and include HST (no increase from last year).
For further details and to purchase, visit the ticketing page.
Time slots help manage the capcity on-site and ensures a comfortable experience for all guests. You may enter at any point during the ticket window you purchased - you may stay as long as you wish. Please allow yourself time to potentially have to queue in line. Please note we do not allow in-and-out privileges.
There will be an Express Entry sign at all four entry points (essentially, it’s the exit areas). We anticipate express entry as the quickest way to access The Distillery Winter Village as only a limited number of Express Entry tickets are sold per time slot.
Yes!
Here’s What You Need to Know:
Free Entry Before 4:00 p.m. from December 12 - 31, 2024: Guests must pass through the entry gates by 4:00 p.m. to enjoy free access.
Plan Ahead: If you’re planning to visit for free and wish to enter the site before 4:00 p.m., we recommend arriving early to secure your spot in line (2:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.).
Line Monitoring: Our staff will monitor capacity closely. Once we feel we are at the limit for the number of people we can admit before 4:00 p.m., we’ll need to cut off the line for free entry. Guests in line before the cut-off will get in; those behind it will be invited to explore other entry options at the next available time slot.
Miss Free Entry? Here’s What You Can Do:
Purchase Tickets for a Later Time Slot: Secure a spot for the 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. entry times (availability permitting) by scanning the QR code on-site or visiting the ticketing page.
Come Back Another Day: Free entry will always be part of our offering, and we’d love to see you again! Plan to arrive early.
Kids 9 and under are always free.
Free entry, all day is also offered from January 1 - 5, 2025.
Tickets are non-refundable, but if you have a Flex or Express Gate Entry ticket, you can change your ticket to another date or time in the future, subject to availability. Severe weather conditions may also warrant a rescheduling option at the discretion of event management. These announcements will be made on the event website and on Instagram @distilleryto.
For inquiries related to weather, visitors may contact 647-693-4646 (HOHO) starting November 1st.
Starting November 1, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., daily
Starting November 13, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., daily
Yes, tickets are transferable. You can give your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Just forward the email or text you received with your ticket. The tickets do not have the buyer's name on them.
Tickets purchased together cannot be split up over multiple dates. So, everyone will need to visit on the same day/time.
Yes, dogs are welcome!
In fact, one of our new vendors, Pawpin’ Clicks, will be offering professional pet and family photography - a great way to capture your holiday memories. Scheduled sessions and drop-ins available. Book your session here.
Tickets are all electronic and will be sent to you via email and an SMS message upon purchase. Simply recall the text or email and present the QR code at the entry gate. You also have the option of saving your tickets to your Apple Wallet, a great place for safe keeping!
For inquiries, visitors may contact 647-693-4646 (HOHO) starting November 1st. Until then, all inquiries should be directed to email: wintervillage@thedistillerydistrict.com.
Starting November 1, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., daily
Starting November 13, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., daily
This year, we are thrilled to announce a stunning Dior-designed Christmas tree that will be unveiled on opening night. Santa and his elves will be here too!
Here's some of the new, exciting things you can expect this year:
NEW: Candy-Apple Red Vintage Santa’s Sleigh – Pose with a nostalgic red sleigh, complete with vintage bells and eight reindeer made out of whisky barrels.
NEW: Indoor Santa's Village – Located in the Soulpepper Theatre atrium, where kids can warm up with hot chocolate and snap photos with Santa himself.
NEW: North Pole Post – Located just west of Soulpepper Theatre, kids can get creative and write letters to Santa, pleading their case for being on the ‘nice’ list this year. Kids can mail their letters to the North Pole in a five-foot-tall authentic British-style mailbox.
NEW: The Distillery’s Aurora Borealis – Step into a winter wonderland inspired by our iconic Northern Canadian vistas, featuring light projections over snow-capped mountains, trees, and a real two-person sleigh for the ultimate wintery photo opp.
NEW: Holiday Portrait Studio & Polaroids at the Tree - Capture a picture perfect holiday memory with a professional keepsake photo at our new vendor, Pawpin’ Clicks. Perfect for pets, couples, families, and friends! Pre-book and walk-ins welcome. Book your session here.
NEW: The McGregor Carollers -This year, we welcome The McGregor Carollers, who will be filling The Distillery Winter Village with the sounds of the season. Lyrics will be projected on the Spirit of York singing wall, so everyone can sing along and spread holiday cheer together. You can find the carollers' schedule here.
NEW: The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir (a singing sheep quartet performing in English and French). This hilariously dressed singing group will prance around Sunday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. singing Christmas carols delivering holiday cheer!
NEW: Family Wreath – Make a grand statement with a festive photo in front of this giant 10’ towering wreath outside Madrina Bar y Tapas.
Tell Ol’ Saint Nick what you want for Christmas and grab a keepsake photo!
See Santa at our new, indoor Santa’s Village in the Soulpepper Theatre atrium, or strolling the cobblestone streets:
Mondays to Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in November; and then from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. in December.
Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
And, don’t miss Santa’s roaming jolly Elves spreading holiday cheer!
No, Santa has to return to the North Pole to give out gifts to all the little girls and boys on Christmas Day, so his last day at The Distillery Winter Village is December 23, along with his Elves.
The last day for the McGregor Carollers will be December 23.
Holiday shoppers can find the perfect gift for everyone on their list: stylish fashions for men, women and kids, home décor, hand-made accessories and jewellery, gourmet food gifts, one-of-a-kind art, relaxing self-care products and services, and more.
See the 2024 Distillery District Holiday Gift Guide, here.
In addition to the year-round 85+ local merchants, restaurants and cafés, expect to find an additional seasonal vendor cabins offering unique gift items.
Note: All seasonal vendor cabins are cashless. Please pay with credit or debit card.
The Distillery Historic District has always been a dining destination for foodies. Check out this year’s vendors: smash burgers, pierogies, pretzels, poutine, schnitzel, grilled cheese, raclette, crab cakes in a cone, blackened shrimp tacos, jerk chicken, Japanese tacos, crèpes, chocolate-covered strawberries, mini pancakes, mini donuts, waffles, cotton candy, cookies, churros, and much more! Enjoy German Bratwurst served on the BBQ and smoker, available on the Pure Spirits patio.
Outdoor bars will serve hot chocolate, hot sangria, mulled wine, egg nog, Ontario spiced apple cider, liqueur cocktails, beer and more! In addition to the 13 permanent restaurants, distilleries and breweries (some with heated patios), and 13 cafés and specialty shops, there are 50 seasonal vendor cabins including outdoor bar experiences.
This year, the covered 40’ x 45’ Naughty or Nice Bar will offer bar service and food cabins under a heated tent. A Visit Florida bar on the Archeo patio will provide a warm, vacation-inspired experience, where you can check out flavours from the sunshine state.
The Distillery Historic District has always been a dining destination for foodies. This year, some of our most popular items include the Cluny S’mores Hot Chocolate featuring Belgium chocolate, torched marshmallow meringue and whipped cream; the Japan Taco (on Gristmill Lane); and the Yorkie Burrito in front of Spirit of York.
Additionally, check out this year’s vendors: smash burgers, pierogies, pretzels, poutine, schnitzel, grilled cheese, raclette, crab cakes in a cone, blackened shrimp tacos, jerk chicken, crèpes, chocolate-covered strawberries, mini pancakes, mini donuts, waffles, cotton candy, cookies, churros, and much more! Enjoy German Bratwurst served on the BBQ and smoker, available on the Pure Spirits patio.
Outdoor bars will serve hot chocolate, hot sangria, mulled wine, egg nog, Ontario spiced apple cider, liqueur cocktails, beer and more! In addition to the 13 permanent restaurants, distilleries and breweries (some with heated patios), and 13 cafés and specialty shops, there are 50 seasonal vendor cabins including outdoor bar experiences.
This year, the covered 40’ x 45’ Naughty or Nice Bar will offer bar service and food cabins under a heated tent. A Visit Florida bar on the Archeo patio will provide a warm, vacation-inspired experience, where you can check out flavours from the sunshine state.
This year, for the first time, we will be accepting limited reservations at all restaurants.
Guests will be required to hold their reservations on Opentable using a credit card for specific time slots. During DWV ticketed times, there will be a $35 penalty for no-shows or cancellations made after 12 p.m. on the day of the reservation.
Customers with restaurant reservations will be granted access to The Distillery Winter Village at no charge. 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.
NOTE: Guests will be permitted to enter no earlier than 30 minutes before the reservation start time.
For visitors attending an organized event at The Distillery District (i.e. wedding, event-by-invitation), you may gain access to the site through Express entrance, at no charge.
In order to enter the site without a Distillery Winter Village ticket, guests will be required to show proof of the event they are attending via a digital or physical confirmation with the date, time and location of the event.
NOTE: Guests will be permitted to enter no earlier than 30 minutes before the reservation start time.
Yes, The Distillery Winter Village is proud to support three local charities: The Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre, and The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. All profits from opening night ticket sales will be evenly split among these charitable partners.
The Distillery Winter Village has plenty for kids to enjoy, including photo opportunities with Santa and his elves in our new indoor Santa’s Village (or strolling the cobblestone streets), write letters to Santa and mail them to the North Pole, sing along with our carollers, sip hot chocolate, eat delicious food, and see The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir (a singing sheep quartet performing in English and French) as they prance around the site Sunday afternoons bringing smiles to everyone’s face.
Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside The Distillery Winter Village. However, we have a wide selection of food and beverages available, including seasonal treats, holiday-themed snacks, and a variety of hot and cold drinks.
Yes, we have a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music and fireworks at midnight. The event will be hosted by Devo Brown and DJ Clymaxxx from 10:00 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets are $30, which includes access from 9:00 p.m. onwards.
There will also be live entertainment along Trinity Street by Mo Guzman from 4:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to take public transit, a rideshare service or bike/walk to The Distillery Winter Village as parking is extremely limited due to construction and development in the area.
For paid parking lots nearby, visit here.
The pick-up and drop-off zone for all carpooling and ridesharing services will be
located on Front Street East between Trinity Street & Cherry Street. Buses and taxis will use the designated taxi-zone located on Trinity Street (north of Mill Street).
For those coming from out of town and planning to stay the night, you can find information on our hotel partners on our website.