Plan your perfect holiday itinerary in Richmond Hill! Our guide features all the top festive events and activities. From Richmond Hill die-hards to curious explorers, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Merry Marketplace, where visitors can peruse local crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts in a cozy, festive atmosphere. The OPG Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights dazzles with its stunning displays, transforming the surroundings into a winter wonderland. And the Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing captivating light displays along the beautiful riverfront. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Richmond Hill
- OPG Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)
- Merry Marketplace
- Vaughan Winterfest (Vaughan)
- Barrie Winterfest (Barrie)
- Hamilton Winterfest (Hamilton)
- Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival (Amherstburg)
- St. Marie Among the Hurons – First Light Festival (Midland)
- Port Hope Candlelight Festival (Port Hope)
- Aurora’s Christmas Market (Aurora)
- Stouffville Holiday Market (Stouffville)
See these and even more events listed below!
Richmond Hill Holiday Light Displays
Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Customized LED light displays in two main parks.
Description:
The Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival features hundreds of customized LED light displays illuminating two main parks, including traditional and whimsical displays. The event includes carolers, character actors, and family-friendly activities like the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.
Where: Amherstburg | More Info: Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival
OPG Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular outdoor light displays with a hot chocolate trail.
Description:
The OPG Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights features over 3 million lights and 75+ displays along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands, and tourist districts. The event includes the Sparkling Winter Lights Falls Illumination and the Hot Chocolate Trail with over 20 stops offering unique hot chocolate flavors.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: OPG Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Richmond Hill Holiday Markets and Shopping
Merry Marketplace
What to Expect:
Artisan vendors and community holiday displays.
Description:
The Merry Marketplace is a holiday event at Richmond Green Park featuring artisan vendors, community holiday displays, and festive activities under thousands of twinkling lights.
Where: Richmond Hill | More Info: Merry Marketplace
Stouffville Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local artisan vendor marketplace with horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
The Stouffville Holiday Market features a local artisan vendor marketplace, magical lighting displays, food and beverage, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa Claus, and live musical entertainment. It offers a diverse collection of vendors selling unique and locally crafted treasures, along with various attractions and warm food options.
Where: Stouffville | More Info: Stouffville Holiday Market
Aurora’s Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Hands-on workshops and diverse seasonal vendors.
Description:
Aurora’s Christmas Market is a free event filled with good cheer, hands-on workshops, and fantastic seasonal vendors offering a variety of goods and food.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Aurora’s Christmas Market
Port Hope Candlelight Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with candlelight walk and artisans vendor market.
Description:
The Port Hope Candlelight Festival is a community-driven event that transforms downtown Port Hope into a vibrant holiday destination. It features a candlelight walk, live music, holiday shopping, and an artisans vendor market. The event also includes free wagon rides and public art displays, making it a unique and engaging holiday celebration.
Where: Port Hope | More Info: Port Hope Candlelight Festival
St. Marie Among the Hurons – First Light Festival
What to Expect:
Candlelit historical site with live music and artisan market.
Description:
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons’ First Light Festival features live musical performances, blacksmithing demonstrations, and an extensive artisan market amidst the glow of thousands of candles.
Where: Midland | More Info: St. Marie Among the Hurons – First Light Festival
Bala Cranberry Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebration with local artisans and entertainment.
Description:
The Bala Cranberry Festival is a 3-day celebration in Muskoka, featuring exceptional shopping, live entertainment, and culinary delights. It includes an art exhibition, buskers, and street performers, as well as interactive kids' zones and midway rides. The festival is dog-friendly and welcomes well-trained, leashed dogs in outdoor areas.
Where: Bala | More Info: Bala Cranberry Festival
Richmond Hill Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hamilton Winterfest
What to Expect:
Interactive pop culture exhibits and free rooftop events.
Description:
Hamilton Winterfest is a vibrant celebration featuring concerts, crafts, drag performances, theatre, fashion, and art installations, all set in downtown Hamilton.
Where: Hamilton | More Info: Hamilton Winterfest
Vaughan Winterfest
What to Expect:
Exclusive meet-and-greets with popular characters and a Canadian Olympic figure skater.
Description:
Vaughan Winterfest is a family-friendly event featuring stage entertainment, meet-and-greets, and various activities like midway rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, and snowshoeing. Enjoy free activities, including a pancake breakfast, and explore community booths with information and giveaways.
Where: Vaughan | More Info: Vaughan Winterfest
MPP Daisy Wai Community Moon Festival
What to Expect:
Cultural celebration honoring the lunar cycle with community performances.
Description:
The MPP Daisy Wai Community Moon Festival is a celebration that brings together the community to honor the lunar cycle with cultural performances, traditional dances, and storytelling.
Where: Richmond Hill | More Info: MPP Daisy Wai Community Moon Festival
Richmond Hill Other Holiday Activities
Barrie Winterfest
What to Expect:
Unique blend of traditional lumberjack skills and modern circus performances.
Description:
Barrie Winterfest is a community tradition featuring spectacular ice sculptures, lumberjack shows, family entertainment, drop-in activities, and skating. The event includes live entertainment, historical walking tours, and a variety of winter-themed activities.
Where: Barrie | More Info: Barrie Winterfest
Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
What to Expect:
Giant vegetable weigh-offs and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Port Elgin Pumpkinfest is a family-friendly event celebrating the harvest with giant vegetable weigh-offs, live music, and various attractions like pumpkin carving, an artisan craft show, and a midway.
Where: Port Elgin | More Info: Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
Pumpkinferno
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with artificial hand-carved pumpkins and special effects.
Description:
Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbour features over 5,000 artificial hand-carved pumpkins, lights, music, and activities, including Grim Reaper's Grove and the Macabre Mansion. It offers a spooky start to Halloween with family-friendly roving buskers and immersive experiences.
Where: Penetanguishene | More Info: Pumpkinferno
Aurora’s Haunted Forest
What to Expect:
Family-friendly haunted forest with decorated trails and activities for all ages.
Description:
Aurora’s Haunted Forest is a family-friendly event featuring decorated trails, three cabins to explore, and a charitable BBQ. It includes various activities like crafts and games at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex. The event has been acclaimed as one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Aurora’s Haunted Forest
Markham Fair
What to Expect:
Comprehensive agricultural and community celebration with diverse live shows and exhibits.
Description:
Markham Fair is a celebration of 180 years of community and agriculture, featuring livestock shows, equestrian events, family live shows, and a midway with rides and games. Enjoy competitions, concessions, and interactive demonstrations showcasing farm animals and local artisans.
Where: Markham | More Info: Markham Fair
Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
What to Expect:
First Ontario Four Horse Hitch Series qualifier of the 2025 season.
Description:
The Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show is a premier agricultural event showcasing livestock, homecraft, photography, and horse competitions. It features over 200 classes, attracting hundreds of participants and offering significant prize money. The event includes live music, local food vendors, carnival rides, and motorsports, making it a vibrant celebration of community and agriculture.
Where: Simcoe | More Info: Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
Kingsville Migration Fall Festival
What to Expect:
Community celebration with art exhibits and outdoor painting competitions.
Description:
The Kingsville Migration Fall Festival is a community celebration of migration, heritage, and nature conservation, featuring art exhibits, outdoor painting competitions, a parade, and various activities at the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Where: Kingsville | More Info: Kingsville Migration Fall Festival
International Plowing Match & Rural Expo
What to Expect:
Unique blend of agricultural competitions and community exhibits.
Description:
The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo is a premier agricultural event featuring plowing competitions, the Ontario Queen of the Furrow Competition, and an education program. It includes vendor exhibits, souvenirs, and cookbooks available for purchase. The event takes place in Lindsay, Ontario, from October 1 to October 5.
Where: Lindsay | More Info: International Plowing Match & Rural Expo
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Vaughan (4 miles)
- Newtonbrook West (6 miles)
- Westminster-Branson (6 miles)
- Steeles (7 miles)
- Bayview Village (7 miles)
- Willowdale East (7 miles)
- Don Valley Village (7 miles)
- Willowdale (7 miles)
- Milliken (8 miles)
- York University Heights (8 miles)
- L'Amoreaux (8 miles)
- Black Creek (8 miles)
- Markham (9 miles)
- Aurora (9 miles)
- Agincourt North (9 miles)
- Glenfield-Jane Heights (9 miles)
- Tam O'Shanter-Sullivan (9 miles)
- Parkwoods-Donalda (10 miles)
- Bedford Park-Nortown (10 miles)
- Downsview-Roding-CFB (10 miles)
- Banbury-Don Mills (10 miles)
- Agincourt South-Malvern West (10 miles)
- Englemount-Lawrence (10 miles)
- Wexford/Maryvale (11 miles)
- Dorset Park (11 miles)
- Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown (11 miles)
- Stouffville (11 miles)
- Malvern (11 miles)
- Toronto (12 miles)
- Bendale (12 miles)
- Mount Pleasant West (12 miles)
- Flemingdon Park (12 miles)
- Thorncliffe Park (12 miles)
- Newmarket (12 miles)
- Woburn (13 miles)
- Oakwood Village (13 miles)
- Kingsview Village-The Westway (13 miles)
- Eglinton East (13 miles)
- Rosedale-Moore Park (13 miles)
- West Humber-Clairville (13 miles)
- Clairlea-Birchmount (13 miles)
- Rockcliffe-Smythe (14 miles)
- Annex (14 miles)
- Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction (14 miles)
- Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview (14 miles)
- Rouge (14 miles)
- East End-Danforth (15 miles)
- West Hill (15 miles)
- Church-Yonge Corridor (15 miles)
- Birchcliffe-Cliffside (15 miles)
- High Park North (15 miles)
- Bay Street Corridor (15 miles)
- Pickering (15 miles)
- Moss Park (15 miles)
- The Beaches (15 miles)
- High Park-Swansea (16 miles)
- Niagara (16 miles)
- East Gwillimbury (16 miles)
- South Riverdale (16 miles)
- South Parkdale (16 miles)
- Stonegate-Queensway (17 miles)
- Waterfront Communities-The Island (17 miles)
- Etobicoke (17 miles)
- Islington-City Centre West (17 miles)
- Mimico (18 miles)
- Ajax (20 miles)
- Brampton (21 miles)
- Uxbridge (22 miles)
- Mississauga (23 miles)
- Keswick (26 miles)
- Caledon (28 miles)
- Oshawa (29 miles)
- Oakville (32 miles)
- Milton (33 miles)
- Orangeville (33 miles)
- Barrie (38 miles)
- Burlington (39 miles)