20 of the Best Ontario Christmas Markets You Have To Visit

Christmas, christmas, christmas. I know, I know, I know. November just started didn’t it? Am I crazy? Perhaps. But the thing with Christmas is that it can honestly be enjoyed for months and months ahead of time. Okay, not like 6 months. But at least a solid 2 months. Meaning, early November is totally the time to start! One of my favourite parts of Christmas are all the Christmas Markets that pop up. Christmas Markets have been around in Austria and Germany since the 13th century. But, if like me, you’re not able to make it out to Austria or Germany this year then don’t despair! The trend of Christmas Markets has made its way over to North America and below you’ll find a list of the best and must see Ontario Christmas Markets. To make things easier I have named them after their respective cities/towns and alphabetized the list so you can find the ones closest to yourself.

Blue Mountain: Southern Georgian Bay Christmas Market

When: November 23–24, 2024. Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm. Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm.
Where: Alpine Ski Club: 17-242 Arrowhead Road, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0S1
Fees: $5 for adults

Blue Mountain is a perfect winter getaway because of how quaint and charming the village is. It doesn’t hurt that you can ski your heart out either. Add a Christmas Market to that and what’s not to love? The Christmas Market has over 100 vendors selling handcrafted items and gifts. Santa will make an appearance and there will be seasonal music playing as well.

Cambridge: Cambridge Christmas Market

When: December 14 and 15, 2024. Between 8 am and 4 pm on the Saturday and between 10 am and 4 pm on the Sunday.
Where: Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge and Cambridge Centre for the Arts (60 Dickson St), Cambridge, Ontario
Fees:  Free admission

The market is spread out on four floors across the City Hall and Centre for the Arts. There are over 100 local vendors selling tons of different products. There will also be food trucks, live entertainment and a fire pit. You can find more information here.

Elora: Elora Christmas Market

When: Thursday November 21st and 28th and every Friday-Sunday until December 29, 2024. Open between 11 am and 7 pm.
Where: Downtown Elora, Ontario
Fees: Free admission

The Elora Christmas market is one of the newest markets in Ontario but it looks pretty spectacular. Elora always dresses itself up quite nicely for the winter and you can visit any day of the week to explore the decorations and take in all the things to do in Elora but if you’re looking for that perfect little stroll among the wooden huts then Friday-Sunday is your best bet for a visit. There will be 88,000 twinkling lights to see across town, dozens of Christmas trees, beautiful wooden huts selling goods from local vendors and fire tables to gather around.

Hamilton: Holiday Cheer on Ottawa Street

When: December 7, 2024 between 11 am and 4 pm
Where: Ottawa Street North, Hamilton, ON
Fees: Free admission

Highlights this year include hot chocolate stations, free wagon carriage ride and a visit with Santa.

Hampton: Pingle’s Red and Green Christmas Whobilation

When: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2024 between 9 am and 3:30 pm
Where: Pingle’s Farm: 1805 Taunton Road, Hampton, ON L0B 1J0
Fees: $15 per person (including children aged 2 or more)

Pingle’s Farm has a lot going on for Christmas. The Red & Green Whobilation Christmas is the main event which includes the Pingles Farm Market, the Mistletoe Market, a fire pit, the Cindy Lou Who Cafe and live entertainment. There is also an animal barn where you can have the chance to feed some of the animals. In the barn is also where you’ll be able to take photos with Santa. There is a donuterie where you can pick up pastries and if you buy a tree then you can get some decor from the Mistletoe Market. The farm market is open year round but is a great place to get some food.

They are also hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on December 6, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2024 with seatings at 6 pm and 8 pm. It’s an all you can eat menu but it is 19+ only. More information and tickets can be found here.

Kingston: Kingston Holiday Market

When: November 30, December 1, 7, 8, 15 and 15, 2024. Open between 11 am and 4 pm.
Where: The Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning:  370 King Street West, Kingston, ON K7L 2X4
Fees: Free Admission

The Kingston Christmas Market has been running since 2017 and takes place over multiple weekends each winter. It’s taking place specifically at the Malting Tower, Rehearsal Hall, Tett Gallery, Activity Room of the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning. There are over 50 vendors selling all kinds of different goods. You can take a look at their Instagram page for some example of the great examples of the products the local vendors will be selling.

Kitchener: Christkindl Market

When: December 5-8, 2024. Thursday to Saturday between 10 am and 9 pm. Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm.
Where: Kitchener City Hall: 200 King Sreett West, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Fees: Free admission

Christkindl Market in Kitchener is one of the original Ontario Christmas Markets. It was founded in 1996 and gets over 35,000 visitors annually from all over North America. It takes place at the City Hall in Kitchener on one of the first weekends of December every year. It’s a completely free event with lots of vendors including food, gifts, caroling, skating and a live Nativity Scene. It’s partially indoors and partially outdoors. I attended a couple of years ago for the first time and absolutely loved it. Can’t wait to go back!

For more information check here.

London: Merry Market

When: November 28-December 15, 2024. Open Thursdays-Sundays. Thursdays and Fridays between 6 and 9 pm. Saturdays between 11 am and 9 pm. Sundays between 11 am and 6 pm.
Where: 100 Kellogg Lane, London, Ontario  N5W 2T5
Fees: Free Admission

The 2024 event is the 5th edition of the Merry Market. The tree lightning ceremony takes place on the first day of the market. There are local vendors selling products with everything from ornaments, to scarves and to edible treats. There will also be live entertainment in addition to lots of beautiful decorations to admire. In the past there’s been a letters to Santa box and there are great opportunities for some fun photographs. The Courtyard will be featuring food vendors who will be serving holiday treats, good food and samples of the alcoholic beverages. Guests will need to be 19+ to get tasting glasses and drink tickets.

Markham: Home for the Holidays

When: November 15-17, 2024. Friday between 10 am and 8 pm, Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm
Where: Markham Fairgrounds: 10801 McCowan Road, Markham, ON L3P 3J3
Fees: $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $3 for youth (under 12 is free). Tickets are paid by cash at the door.

The Home for the Holidays market is a massive one with 120 listed vendors on their website in different categories like clothing, art, candles, ceramics, food, furniture, garden, home decor, jewelry, personal care, pet care, photography, pottery and woodworking. There are food options on sites but this is one of the markets that definitely focuses on shopping and is a great place to pick up some gifts from!

Meaford: Christmas On The Bay

When: November 28-December 1, 2024. Thursday and Friday between 2 and 8 pm. Saturday between 10 am and 8 pm. Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm.
Where: Meaford Market Square (across from 12 Nelson Street East, Meaford, ON N4L 1N6)
Fees: Free Admission

Christmas on the Bay is set up like the traditional outdoor European-style Christmas markets. There are wooden market stalls, light decorations, Christmas trees, fire pits, live music and so much more. There’s 20 different vendors to support and you can see a list of the options here.

Milton: Santa at the Fairgrounds

When: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2024 between 10 am and 4 pm
Where: Milton Fairgrounds: 136 Robert Street, Milton, ON L9T 1G9
Fees: Free admission

The big Milton Christmas Market used to be run by the The Holiday Street Market team but they do move around and it appears for the last couple of years, the event’s been run by somebody else now. Santa at the Fairgrounds is officially in it’s third year and while the big appeal is definitely the picture with Santa (which cost $15), families will also be able to shop from local vendors, enjoy the firepits and wander the grounds taking in the decorations. More information here.

The below pictures were from when the event was being run by the Holiday Street Market.

Mount Albert: Niemi’s Scandinavian Christmas Market & Christmas Land

When: November 15-December 21, 2024 on Fridays and Saturdays between 12 and 8 pm. For the last week (December 18-21) they’ll be open the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Where: 8463 ON-48, Mount Albert, ON L0G 1M0
Fees: Free Admission to the market but Christmas Land costs $19.99 for adults (cheaper for seniors and adults)

Niemi’s Scandinavian Christmas Market is run out of their farm. There are two portions to the event; the Christmas Market and the Christmas Land.

The Christmas Market is free to attend and includes a couple of different café stands, a pizza place, a food truck and some great local vendors to check out. At the back of the farm there is an indoor portion to the market and this is where one of the café stands is located. There is also a great little hut with Scandinavian goods and if you’ve been missing Swedish candy like I have then it’s a great stop. Right by the entrance there is a big tent with all Christmas decorations you could possible ever need to purchase and a little bakery with the best cardamom treats I’ve had outside of Scandinavia. We went back and bought additional pastries twice cause we enjoyed it so much.

The Christmas land includes Santa, a Christmas train, cookie decorating, bonfires, farm animals and lots of beautiful light decorations. You do walk along the decorations going to the indoor portion of the Christmas Market so you can take a few pictures as you go.

Muskoka: Muskoka Market Huntsville Holiday Edition

When: November 30, 2024 between 11 am and 8 pm
Where: Main Street, Downtown Huntsville, Ontario
Fees: Free Admission

The charming streets in the downtown area will become a marketplace filled with Christmas decorations and outdoor fire pits. There will performances from carolers and dancers and Santa will be at the market from 1 to 5 pm. The evening portion will feature twinkling lights, buskers and a concert.

There will be a tree lightning ceremony the night before in Kent Park.

Niagara Falls: Deck The Halls

When: November 17, 2024 between 11 am and 5 pm
Where: Niagara Falls Exchange: 5943 Sylvia Place, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 1S9
Fees: Free Admission

Deck the Halls is a brand new Christmas Market for the season. There will be a Polar Express train, kids activities, Santa Clause and a s’more station. There will be over 30 vendors selling handcrafted goods, artisanal products and holiday decorations. A full list of vendors can be found here. there will be food vendors selling seasonal drinks as well as food.

The Polar Express train rides are complimentary and donations are accepted for the “Be a Santa to a Senior” charity for Santa pictures. The Wood Log workshop and crafting stations will be charged. The workshop needs to be pre-registered for here and will cost $55. The workshops making ornaments cost $4 per workshop or you can do all 3 for $10.

The event is being marketed as pet-friendly!

Niagara Falls: The Holiday Handmade Market

When: November 29-December 1, 2024. Friday between 12 and 7 pm. Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm. Sunday between 11 am and 5 pm.
Where: Niagara Falls Convention Centre: 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3Y9
Fees: $10 for those over the age of 16

The Handmade Market is one of the larger artisan markets around. They host multiple events throughout the year but their Holiday Market is one of their biggest. They feature over 200 vendors selling everything from accessories, art, baby/kids items, bags, bath & body products, candles, ceramics, Christmas & seasonal items, clothing, food, glass products, home décor, jewelry, knitted items, leather items, stationery, pet related items and so much more. They’ve got a massive list of their vendors here which you can check out to determine what you want to scoop out once you’re there.

There will be a holiday café and wine bar on-site that you can enjoy and take a little break from shopping at. There will also be different live music performers throughout the weekend.

They’re not selling tickets at the door so you will need to purchase them online ahead of time. You can do so here.

Orangeville: Dufferin Christmas Market

When: November 23, 2024 between 10 am and 4 pm
Where: Orangeville Fairgrounds: 247090 Side Road 5, Orangeville ON, L0N 1A0
Fees: $3 for adults and free for children

The Orangeville Christmas Market has 150 vendors with food trucks, Santa visits and a ton more. It’s a sip and shop event so you can stroll around while enjoying local beer, wine and spirits. Mrs. Clause’s cafe will have non-alcoholic options available as well.

For more information check here.

Ottawa: Canadian Museum’s Christmas Market

When: November 21-24, 2024 between 11 am and 8 pm on the Thursday and Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm on the Saturday and Sunday
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, QC K1A 0M8
Fees:  Free admission

The Grand Hall of the Museum of History hosts more than 80 vendors that sell fantastic Christmas items like decorations, gourmet foods and so much more! Bring a shopping list because you’ll need it!

For more information check here.

Ottawa: Ottawa Christmas Market

When: The market runs Fridays-Sundays between November 22-December 22, 2024. They’ve got additional days for the holiday weekends and are open December 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025 as well. The opening hours vary depending on the day but you can review the schedule here.
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion and Lansdowne Park (1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON, K1S 3W7)
Fees: Free admission but individual parts of the market may cost

Canada’s capital can’t exactly sit out on the fun of Christmas Markets. Ottawa has a couple of markets you can check out but one of the must visit ones is the simply titled Ottawa Christmas Market. Two sides of the Aberdeen Pavilion have a number of wooden huts with vendors selling goods. There’s also a large skating rink and tons of Christmas decorations to enjoy. There are food vendors as well so you can definitely spend plenty of time (and money) here.

The Aberdeen Pavilion is where you’ll find the Farmer’s Market portion of the market.

Paris: Christmas in Paris

When: November 1-3, 2024. Friday between 1 and 8 pm. Saturday between 9:30 am and 5 pm. Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm.
Where: 139 Silver Street, Paris, ON N3L 1V5
Fees:  $2 but all admission fees goes to support arts in Paris and the County of Brant

Christmas in Paris is on for the 33rd annual time and like in the past it’s a great place to get your Christmas shopping done because you’ll have your choice of gifts with everything from artwork to tree decorations to jewelry. They’ll be playing Christmas music and will have food trucks on-site this year. For more information check here.

Stratford: Makers Christmas Market

When: November 22, 2024 between 4 and 9 pm and November 23, 2024 between 9 am and 5 pm
Where: Stratford Rotary Complex: 353 McCarthy Road, Stratford, ON N5A 7S7
Fees:  Cash donation at the door (seems to be give what you can)

The Stratford Christmas Market is hosted by the Makers Market. There isn’t a ton of information listed ahead of the market but they will have 120+ vendors for you to shop from and browse through.

Temiskaming Shores: Village Noël

When: November 21-23, 2024. Thursday between 5 and 8 pm. Friday between 9 am and 8 pm. Saturday between 9 am and 6 pm.
Where: 10 May Street South, Temiskaming Shores, ON P0J 1P0
Fees:  Free Admission

Village Noël is a grand affair with tons of things happening like live performances, fireworks (on the Friday night), a Santa Claus Parade, chainsaw sculptures, fire pits, photo booths and so much more. There will be vendors selling their food in addition to food vendors and the farmer market vendors. For a full guide and map you can check here.

Toronto: Toronto Christmas Market

When: November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Sunday-Thursday between 10 am and 9 pm and Friday/Saturdays between 10 am and 10 pm. The hours are reduced on the holidays (Christmas Eve and Boxing Day). On New Year’s Eve they’ll be running a special event and will be open until midnight.
Where: Distillery District in Toronto
Fees: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays the market is free. On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays it’s free until 4 pm but you’ll have to pay admission after that. Tickets start at $15.

This is arguably one of my favourite events in Toronto (right up there with the CNE). The Distillery District is already a really gorgeous part of Toronto and very old timey with it’s bricks and cobbled streets so a Christmas Market fits in perfectly here. With a giant Christmas trees, tons of performers, proper little wooden huts and amazing food it’s hard to argue with the popularity of this event. It runs for over a month so I’d suggest checking it out on a weekday if you can, it’s definitely less busy. I went during a snow storm last year (yes I’m that dedicated to Christmas) and there were still lots of people there! Plan ahead for sure folks.

For more information check here.

Toronto: Other Markets

Here’s the thing, I could write a really, really long list of all the Christmas markets in Toronto but I’ve got a whole post dedicated to how to celebrate Christmas in Toronto. Instead since this post is highlighting the best markets in Ontario I will highlight a few below.

The Distillery Christmas Market (listed above) is obviously the go to market and if you haven’t been it’s worth braving the crowds to check it out.

The Winter Market at Evergreen Brickworks is taking place on December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 2024 between 11 am and 5 pm. The market operates on a pay as you can basis but when we visited they didn’t really give you an option but to donate. The biggest part is the indoor market with tons of different vendors and a few food options. The line-ups for the food vendors were pretty long so we skipped but the crepes in particular looked really yummy. In the back building there’s a hot chocolate stand and some carolers in addition to some craft workshops.

The SWEA Swedish Christmas Market is a long-running market hosted by the Swedish Women’s Association in Toronto. It usually takes place at the Harbour and is now at the George Brown Waterfront Campus. The 2024 market takes place on November 23rd (11 am-5 pm) and 24th (11 am-4 pm). As the name suggests, this market is dedicated to Swedish goods and food and as somebody who grew up in Sweden this is definitely one of my favourite Toronto Christmas markets!

The Fair in the Square used to take place at Nathan Phillips Square and now takes place at Mel Lastman Square. The 2024 event runs between December 6 and 23. There’s some vendors to shop from and some decor to walk around but it’s a free event and usually has a great vibe!

Uxbridge: Farmer’s Market Holiday Markets

When: November 3-December 8, 2024 on Sundays between 10 am and 3 pm
Where: Uxbridge Arena Hall: 291 Brock Street West, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1G1
Fees: Free Admission

The Uxbridge Farmer’s Market is a long standing market in Uxbridge and they have seasonal markets to highlight specific events and this time it’s the Holiday Market. There will be 35+ local vendors like farmers, artisans and bakers. They’ll be selling local produce, artisanal food and drinks, handcrafted arts and more.

Have you visited any of Ontario’s Christmas Markets? Let me know in the comments and pin this post for your upcoming holiday plans!