Tickets On Sale Now for Toronto's World-Famous Christmas Market

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- The countdown to the holidays is on: tickets are now on sale for The Distillery Winter Village, Toronto's original and world-famous Christmas market. Returning for its 17th year, the 2026 season opens November 12 and runs through January 3, 2027. Visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com to plan your visit.

Set against the backdrop of The Distillery Historic District, the annual holiday tradition transforms 13 acres of pedestrian cobblestone streets and Victorian industrial architecture into a holiday wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights, one of Canada's most photographed Christmas trees, Santa and his merry elves, carollers, festive food and drinks, photo ops and one-of-a-kind shopping from local and Canadian businesses and makers.

More than one million visitors are expected throughout the season, with guests travelling from across Canada and around the world to experience a Christmas market that has grown from a Toronto holiday tradition into an international destination.

Opening Night & Tree Lighting Ceremony

The 2026 Distillery Winter Village kicks off Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. with the highly anticipated tree lighting ceremony. Thousands of visitors will join Santa in counting down from 10 to light up Canada's most iconic Christmas tree, marking the official start of the holiday season.

Opening night is a ticketed event and traditionally sells out quickly, with profits from ticket sales supporting local partner charities: The Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.

What to Expect This Season

The full 2026 programming line-up will be announced in October, including new experiences, performances and a few surprises. For now, visitors can look forward to the traditions and holiday favourites that have made The Distillery Winter Village an annual destination, including:

• The towering centrepiece Christmas Tree, debuting a new look for 2026 to be revealed on opening night
• Santa's Village returns to Soulpepper Theatre with a nostalgic nod to Christmas past, inspired by the vintage European department store setting of its holiday stage performance, Parfumerie. Step into a whimsical world of sparkling lights, mistletoe and festive department store displays, meet Old Saint Nick himself, and stop by the letter-writing station to pen a note to someone special. Then warm up with specialty hot chocolates and sweet holiday treats.
• Thousands of twinkling lights illuminating the pedestrian streets with cozy fireplaces offering a welcoming spot to warm up with a festive drink
• A new immersive digital Nutcracker experience, featuring interactive games for kids and the young at heart and confections from the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy (separate admission ticket required).
• Viral food favourites alongside dozens of seasonal eats and drinks
• Holiday photo ops and festive décor at every turn, including the famous Countdown to Christmas Clock
• Carollers, live music and special performances throughout the season including Mirvish Productions, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Myriad Ensemble and more!
• Vendor cabins filled with gifts and treats from local and Canadian makers and businesses

"Every year, we hear from people earlier and earlier who want to know when they can start planning their visit to The Distillery Winter Village," said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. "With tickets now on sale, people can get Opening Night and their favourite weekends on the calendar. We're bringing back the traditions people love, but we're also working on some new experiences and surprises that we're keeping under wraps for just a little longer."

Tickets & Planning Your Visit

The Distillery Winter Village runs daily from Thursday, November 12, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, and is closed Christmas Day.

Tickets are required during peak periods, including:

• Opening Night;
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.;
• Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and,
• Daily after 4:00 p.m. from December 14-31.

Admission is free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13, 2026.

Tickets start at $16, plus HST and service charge, with General Admission, Flex and Express ticket options available. Kids aged nine and under always enter free and do not require a ticket.

For the complete ticket calendar, ticket options and everything visitors need to plan their trip, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

A Toronto Holiday Tradition with Global Reach and Local Impact

The Distillery Winter Village began in 2010 as a European-style Christmas market in The Distillery Historic District (first known as The Toronto Christmas Market). It has grown into an acclaimed international holiday destination, while remaining an important showcase for Canadian businesses, makers, artists and entrepreneurs.

Nearly 93 per cent of The Distillery District's more than 90 permanent businesses are Canadian-owned, with approximately 30 per cent of products sold in The Distillery made on-site. The Distillery Winter Village brings even more local and Canadian makers to The Distillery District through its seasonal vendor cabins.

It also creates more than 700 seasonal jobs and drives significant economic activity for local businesses and the surrounding community, while revenue generated during the holiday season helps support cultural programming in The Distillery District throughout the year.

"The Distillery Winter Village has become much more than a holiday tradition," said Ocvirk. "Every visit has an impact on our community of Canadian makers, independent businesses, restaurants, artists and performers. At a time when there is so much conversation about supporting Canadian, we're proud to give more than a million visitors the opportunity to discover them right here in The Distillery District."

For event details, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com and follow @distilleryto.

Visit The Distillery Winter Village media resources hub for images, fast facts and more about the history of the event: TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com/media-resources

SOURCE The Distillery Historic District