Discover the magic of the holidays in Willowdale with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a Willowdale expert or a beginner, this guide unlocks the city's seasonal secrets.
Popular events abound, starting with the enchanting **Toronto Christmas Market**, which transforms the Distillery District into a festive wonderland filled with artisan stalls and twinkling lights. Another highlight is **WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland**, where guests can enjoy festive foods and thrilling rides amidst captivating holiday displays. And the **Cavalcade of Lights** is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring dazzling light shows and live performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Willowdale
- Cavalcade of Lights (Toronto)
- WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan)
- Toronto Christmas Market (Toronto)
- Christmas at Casa Loma (Toronto)
- Santa Claus Parade (Toronto)
- We Love Willowdale Christmas Market (Toronto)
- Weston Winterfest (Toronto)
- Holiday Fair in the Square (Toronto)
- The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada (Toronto)
- Distillery Winter Village (Toronto)
See these and even more events listed below!
Willowdale Holiday Light Displays
Cavalcade of Lights
What to Expect:
Live performances and lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree.
Description:
The Cavalcade of Lights is a glittering winter festival that has brought holiday cheer to Torontonians since 1967. Featuring an unforgettable opening night celebration with live performances and the lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree, the event offers nightly ice skating and festive light installations throughout the holiday season.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Cavalcade of Lights
Willowdale Holiday Markets and Shopping
Toronto Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and live entertainment.
Description:
The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery Historic District offers a unique shopping experience with handcrafted items, sweets, and treats from local artisans. Enjoy ongoing entertainment on the main stage, including carolers, choirs, and brass bands.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Christmas Market
We Love Willowdale Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market with 60+ artisan vendors and live entertainment.
Description:
Join We Love Willowdale Christmas Market at Mel Lastman Square for an afternoon of artisan vendors, live entertainment, and family activities. Enjoy hot chocolate, food trucks, and a festive tree lighting ceremony. The event supports under-resourced neighbors through donations to the local food bank.
Where: Toronto | More Info: We Love Willowdale Christmas Market
Holiday Fair in the Square
What to Expect:
Artisan marketplace with Santa visits and festive drinks.
Description:
Holiday Fair in the Square is an artisan marketplace at Mel Lastman Square, offering a variety of stalls, a warm Fireside Lounge, and opportunities to visit Santa. Enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine, and s'mores while shopping for unique gifts.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Holiday Fair in the Square
Distillery Winter Village
What to Expect:
Holiday festivities with live entertainment and Santa's Tower of Toys.
Description:
The Distillery Winter Village is a festive celebration featuring live entertainment, carolers, and Santa's Tower of Toys. Enjoy shopping and dining in the historic district while experiencing the holiday spirit.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Distillery Winter Village
Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique handmade shopping experience with live artist demonstrations and food vendors.
Description:
The Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market is a free, one-day outdoor event featuring over 180 talented Toronto artists and artisans. Shop for unique handmade items, enjoy live artist demonstrations, and savor food from various vendors while dancing to the beats of DJ Kid Artik.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market
Junction Triangle Craft Show: Holiday Show
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and handmade winter crafts.
Description:
The Junction Triangle Craft Show: Holiday Show is a vibrant event featuring local artisans showcasing handmade crafts, unique gifts, and cozy winter accessories.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Junction Triangle Craft Show: Holiday Show
Toronto Botanical Gardens Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly shopping experience with local vendors.
Description:
The Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market is an eco-minded, nature-inspired shopping event featuring over 60 local vendors showcasing planet-friendly and botanically-themed products. The market includes a Garden Shop with holiday home decor, nature-based gifts, fine chocolates, and fresh seasonal greens. Local eats and live music add to the festive atmosphere, with free family fun activities on Saturdays.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Botanical Gardens Holiday Market
New Toronto Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly shopping with local vendors and live music.
Description:
The Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market is an eco-minded, nature-inspired shopping event featuring over 60 local vendors showcasing planet-friendly and botanically-themed products. The market includes a Garden Shop with holiday home decor, nature-based gifts, fine chocolates, and fresh seasonal greens. Local eats and live music add to the relaxed atmosphere, with free family activities on Saturdays.
Where: Toronto | More Info: New Toronto Holiday Market
A Very Merry Market
What to Expect:
Artisan vendors and festive lighting.
Description:
The Merry Marketplace is a holiday event featuring artisan vendors, hot chocolate, and thousands of twinkling lights at Richmond Green Park. It offers a perfect setting for creating memorable holiday moments with family and friends.
Where: Toronto | More Info: A Very Merry Market
Riverside Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping with local vendors and festive activities.
Description:
The Riverside Holiday Market at Riverside Common Park features holiday shopping from 20 local vendors, a free meet-and-greet with Santa, live music, and holiday-themed kids' crafts and treats.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Riverside Holiday Market
Toronto Vegan Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Sustainable and cruelty-free holiday shopping experience.
Description:
The Vegan Christmas Market in Montreal offers a unique shopping experience featuring vegan products, gourmet food, and sustainable fashion. This event brings together local vendors and artisans to celebrate the holiday season with eco-friendly and cruelty-free items.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Vegan Holiday Market
Willowdale Holiday Shows and Entertainment
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with ice-skating and live entertainment.
Description:
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland features ice-skating, live shows, exciting rides, and millions of spectacular lights, along with hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park.
Where: Vaughan | More Info: WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
Christmas at Casa Loma
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live performances and festive decorations.
Description:
Casa Loma transforms into a holiday wonderland with a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall, eight signature trees, and various live performances. Kids can visit Santa, participate in arts and crafts, and meet holiday mascots. The event includes a toy drop off for the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Christmas at Casa Loma
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with over 1,700 participants and 26 colorful floats.
Description:
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a historic event that brings people together to celebrate the holiday season. Since 1905, it has featured colorful floats, marching bands, celebrity clowns, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The parade is a cherished part of the city's fabric, lighting up the streets and hearts of Torontonians every year.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Santa Claus Parade
The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada is a spectacular family production set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous score. It follows the adventures of siblings Marie and Misha as they journey to the glittering palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy, encountering magical creatures and savoury treats along the way. Featuring magnificent sets and costumes, this beloved production is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination.
Where: Toronto | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
What to Expect:
Live performances by Canadian artists and festive lighting display.
Description:
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic is a free outdoor event featuring live performances by Canadian artists, including Matt Dusk, and a festive lighting ceremony in Village of Yorkville Park and along Bloor Street. The event also includes traditional carolers and a "Flick the Switch" lighting countdown.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
Willowdale Other Holiday Activities
Weston Winterfest
What to Expect:
Inclusive holiday celebration with illuminated ice sculptures and live music.
Description:
Weston Winterfest is a free, inclusive holiday event featuring an indoor silent auction, holiday market, kids activities, and live musical performances. Enjoy illuminated ice sculptures, free hot chocolate, and vendors selling hot cider, soup, and treats.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Weston Winterfest
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Willowdale East (0 miles)
- Bayview Village (1 miles)
- Newtonbrook West (2 miles)
- Don Valley Village (3 miles)
- Bedford Park-Nortown (3 miles)
- Westminster-Branson (3 miles)
- Banbury-Don Mills (3 miles)
- Parkwoods-Donalda (4 miles)
- Englemount-Lawrence (4 miles)
- Toronto (4 miles)
- Mount Pleasant West (4 miles)
- York University Heights (4 miles)
- Steeles (5 miles)
- L'Amoreaux (5 miles)
- Flemingdon Park (5 miles)
- Thorncliffe Park (5 miles)
- Downsview-Roding-CFB (5 miles)
- Wexford/Maryvale (5 miles)
- Tam O'Shanter-Sullivan (5 miles)
- Rosedale-Moore Park (6 miles)
- Glenfield-Jane Heights (6 miles)
- Dorset Park (6 miles)
- Oakwood Village (6 miles)
- Black Creek (6 miles)
- Milliken (6 miles)
- Annex (7 miles)
- Agincourt North (7 miles)
- Agincourt South-Malvern West (7 miles)
- Vaughan (7 miles)
- Clairlea-Birchmount (7 miles)
- Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction (7 miles)
- Bendale (7 miles)
- Richmond Hill (7 miles)
- Church-Yonge Corridor (7 miles)
- East End-Danforth (8 miles)
- Bay Street Corridor (8 miles)
- Moss Park (8 miles)
- Eglinton East (8 miles)
- Rockcliffe-Smythe (8 miles)
- The Beaches (8 miles)
- Birchcliffe-Cliffside (8 miles)
- Niagara (8 miles)
- High Park North (9 miles)
- Woburn (9 miles)
- South Riverdale (9 miles)
- Kingsview Village-The Westway (9 miles)
- High Park-Swansea (9 miles)
- South Parkdale (9 miles)
- Waterfront Communities-The Island (9 miles)
- Malvern (9 miles)
- Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown (9 miles)
- Markham (10 miles)
- Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview (10 miles)
- Stonegate-Queensway (10 miles)
- West Humber-Clairville (10 miles)
- West Hill (11 miles)
- Islington-City Centre West (12 miles)
- Mimico (12 miles)
- Rouge (12 miles)
- Etobicoke (12 miles)
- Stouffville (16 miles)
- Pickering (16 miles)
- Aurora (16 miles)
- Mississauga (18 miles)
- Ajax (19 miles)
- Brampton (19 miles)
- Newmarket (20 miles)
- East Gwillimbury (23 miles)
- Oakville (26 miles)
- Uxbridge (27 miles)
- Oshawa (29 miles)
- Milton (30 miles)
- Caledon (30 miles)
- Keswick (34 miles)
- Burlington (34 miles)
- Orangeville (36 miles)
- Grimsby (40 miles)
- St. Catharines (42 miles)
- Hamilton (42 miles)