14 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.

Blue Mountain: Blue Mountain Christmas Gift Show

When: November 16, 2019 and November 17, 2019 between 10 am and 5 pm on the Saturday and between 10 am and 4 pm on the Sunday
Where: Village Conference Centre, 242 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 3Z2
Fees: $6 on the Saturday and $5 on the Sunday

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? You can find more information here.

Cambridge: Cambridge Christmas Market

When: December 12-December 15, 2019 between 4 pm and 9 pm on the Thursday and Friday, between 8 am and 4 pm on the Saturday and between 11 am and 4 pm on the Sunday
Where: Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge
Fees:  Free admission

Cambridge turns into a Christmas village complete with a candy land, a Christmas market, a holiday train and light displays. There’s something for all ages and with events spread out throughout the month of December there’s definitely lots to do. The highlight is definitely the 4 day Christmas Market though!

For more information check here.

Hamilton: Ottawa Street Christmas Market

When: Every Saturday from November 4 to December 23, 2019 between 7am and 3pm
Where: 204 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton, ON
Fees: Free admission

Similar to the Ottawa one, this ones great because it’s hosted by the farmers market. Come find all your Christmas gifts while shopping for all your fresh produce, meat, cheese, baked goods and flowers.

For more information check here.

Kingston: Kingston Holiday Market

When: Every weekend (Friday included) between November 1, 2019 and December 22, 2019. Open between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Fridays, between 11 am and 5 pm on Saturdays and between 11 am and 3 pm on Sundays.
Where: 145 Princess Street, Kingston Ontario
Fees: Free Admission

For the 3rd year in a row, the Old Scotia Bank in Kingston turns into a Christmas Market featuring 3 floors worth of handmade goods available for purchase.

Kitchener: Christkindl Market

When: December 5, 2019 and December 6, 2019 between 10am and 9pm
December 7, 2019 between 9am and 9pm
December 8, 2019 between 10am and 4pm
Where: Kitchener City Hall: 200 King St W, 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.

Milton: Holiday Street Market

When: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 2019 from noon until 7 pm
Where: Milton Fairgrounds: 136 Robert Street, Milton, ON L9T 1G9
Fees: Free admission

The Holiday Street Market is officially in it’s third year and with everything from Santa to a carousel to food trucks to a fire pit for roasting marshmallows,a light tunnel, mulled wine garden and Santa’s workshop! This year they’ve moved to the Milton Fairgrounds and will be opened a couple of extra days.

Niagara Falls: Winter Marketplace

When: November 16-18, 2019 and November 23-25, 2019 open between 4 pm to 9 every day
Where: Queen Victoria Place and Park, Niagara Falls
Fees: Free Admission

Think all the benefits of a Christmas Market but with the added back drop of the illuminated Niagara Falls! The Niagara Falls Winter Marketplace features food and beverage cabins that sell local food as well as cabins with craft vendors. There will be some family-friendly games in addition to entertainment like carolers and naturally, a ton of stunning decorations.

Orangeville: Orangeville Christmas Market

When: November 23, 2019 between 10 am and 3 pm
Where: Orangeville Fairgrounds: 247090 Side Road 5, Orangeville ON, L0N 1A0
Fees: Free Admission

The Orangeville Christmas Market has 125 vendors with food trucks, Santa visits and a ton more. The event is free admission but they are asking for 1 non-perishable donation to the Orangeville Food Bank.

For more information check here.

Ottawa: Canadian Museum’s Christmas Market

When: November 28-December 1, 2019 between 11 am and 8 pm on the Thursday and Friday, between 8:30 am and 5 pm on the Saturday and Sunday
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, 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 Farmer’s Market

When: November 30th, December 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd 2019 between 9am and 3pm
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Fees: Free admission

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 one that the Ottawa Farmer’s Market puts on. With over 120 vendors for both food and arts and crafts you’re bound to find most things you’re looking for here. This markets got some special fun for the kids too with horse and wagon rides and a kids craft corner.

For more information check here.

Paris: Christmas in Paris

When: November 1, 2, 3, 2019 between 6 pm and 9 pm on the Friday, between 9:30 am and 5 pm on the Saturday and between 9:30 am and 4 pm on the Sunday
Where: 139 Silver St., 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 28th 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.

For more information check here.

Toronto: Swedish Christmas Market

When: December 7 and 8, 2019 between 11 am and 5 pm on the Saturday and 11 am and 4 pm on the Sunday
Where: Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas Street East in Toronto
Fees: Free admission

This event has a certain authenticity to it that not all of the other events do. And this is because it’s actually hosted by a Swedish Organization (Swedish Women’s Educational Association). It’s conveniently located in downtown Toronto too. There’s lots of traditional Swedish Christmas elements at this market which makes it worth checking out! There’s also a Lucia Pageant as well as Swedish food and lots and lots of gifts to be bought.

For more information check here.

Toronto: Fair in the Square Market

When: December 7-23, 2019 with Mondays being closed (except on the 23rd when they’re open 12 pm to 7 pm), Tuesday to Thursday: 4 pm to 9 pm and Friday/Saturday: 12 pm to 10 pm and Sunday: 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Fees: Free admission

This market is great because if you’re in Toronto you don’t really have to travel for it. It’s smack down in the downtown core, right outside of the Eaton Center. There’s a stunning Christmas tree in the square, free skating, lots of food vendors and other shopping opportunities. There’s even rides! This fair also supports Epilepsy Toronto which is a great cause.

For more information check here.

Toronto: Toronto Christmas Market

When: November 14, 2019 to December 22, 2019 (closed on Mondays)
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays between 10 am and 9 pm
Fridays and Saturdays between 10 am and 10pm
Sundays between 10 am and 9 pm
Where: Distillery District in Toronto
Fees: Free on weekdays until 5 pm. $6 on weekends and Friday evenings as of 6 pm

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.

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