Toronto’s Christmas Market, Distilled.

You haven’t had too much Christmas yet, have you? I hope not, because I couldn’t let this time of year go by without at least a nod to what Fodor has described as one of the ‘10 best Christmas markets in the world” – Toronto’s Christmas Market at the Distillery.

So in the ‘spirit’ of the season, here are a few photos ‘distilled’ from a previous visit. So grab a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate, put your feet up, and enjoy a little magic in anticipation of the celebrations to come.

The  Distillery District dates from 1859 when Gooderham & Worts established their operations here.

The history of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery goes back more than 153 years, during which time it achieved the status as the largest distillery in the world, even surviving the war, and Prohibition. But when it closed its operation officially in the early 1990s, its cobblestone streets and stone buildings found a new claim to fame as the number one film location in Canada. Then in the early 2000s, an ambitious project to restore the old factories into a pedestrian-only village began, and millions were spent to transform the utilitarian buildings into a centre for arts, culture, and entertainment.

A few relics from the Distillery’s storied past still remain.

Compared to the history of the Distillery itself, the Christmas Market is a relatively new addition, having first set up its seasonal stalls in 2010. But its European charm and unique setting made the market an immediate success, and each year has seen it draw more and more visitors, until today it has become one of Fodor’s (and my) favourite places to get into the Christmas spirit.

Old World ornaments and cards are sold in the chalet-style kiosks that line the cobbled streets.

Blown-glass ornaments are only one of many unique treasures to be found in the stalls.

There’s even a carousel and ferris wheel for the kid in all of us.

Or you can indulge in some ‘nostalgic’ candy, if you aren’t into chocolate dipped bacon.

And if you’re tired of shopping, you can always go to a cafe for a hot tea to warm you up.

Dusk heralds the most magical time to visit the market.

Gas street lamps illuminate the streets, in sharp contrast to the condos rising stories above.

The twinkle of overhead Christmas lights is reflected in giant bells in the window boxes.

And of course, the massive tree takes centre stage.

For more adult-time, enjoy a mulled wine or hot cider on the outdoor patios, this one at El Catrin.

At the Distillery Christmas Market, there’s magic all around, even above.

TIP:  The Distillery Christmas Market opens at the end of November and is a very popular destination, so tickets are required to manage the crowds on weekends and at peak times, especially as it gets closer to Christmas. They can be purchased on the website.

Jane Canapini

Jane is an award-winning travel writer and photographer and an accredited member of the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC). In their annual awards competition, TMAC named GrownupTravels.com as the Best Self-Published Travel Blog in 2025 .
She is also a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association, and a freelance travel writer contributing to both print and online publications.