2017: From, Thursday, November 16th to Saturday, December 23rd!
The Distillery District is always a lovely place to visit but during the Toronto Christmas Market, it is magical. The Victorian vibe of this historic district perfectly suits the event. When it gets dark, the brightly lit indoors contrast beautifully with the austere brick walls of the buildings. You will meet Santa (his house is near the "giant spider". In my visits over the years, I've seen a very jovial Santa teasing everyone (especially his elves) and engaging with all the members of the families visiting him. He comes from the North Pole and therefore seems much more comfortable outdoors than at the mall. There are plenty of vendors selling food but several booths really put Christmas in the Christmas Market. The Christmas on the Beach booth (on Trinity Street) offers a vast assortment of glass ornaments. I didn't know these colourful ornaments were made out of glass until I watched a video in this booth. No wonder they're so fragile! The outdoor patios are equipped with heaters and fireplaces to warm up. Check the large fireplace in the outdoor patio of über cool Mexican restaurant El Catrin in Tank House Lane.
The Salvation Army's brass band walks around the site to spread the joyful sound of Christmas. On the Market's main stage, near Balzac's Coffee, we get to hear top quality a capella singers throughout the event. A Ferris wheel and a lovely carousel offer rides for a fee. For the occasion, they're putting up a series of fun snowmen for photo ops. (Have a look at my photo gallery for Christmas Market 2014)
