Get Into The Holiday Spirit | Christmas Market

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Oh boy, is it ever! Hands-down, this is my favourite season. Our sparsely decorated tree is up by November 1st but the festive music starts in August. Oh yeah– I thoroughly enjoy Christmas.

This will be our first year living in the Distillery during the Christmas Market, and I’m stoked! There’s going to be a lot of shoppers, holiday sing-a-longs (I don’t think they’re actually sing-a-longs but I sing along, so that counts) and to bring it all together, Santa and the giant tree in the middle of the square that just ooze festivity.

What I love most is walking around with an ‘adult hot chocolate’, my feet clacking on the stone, the over-saturation of Christmas lights hanging above, and my ears are tickled with Christmas music. I love this holiday SO much, we’ll be doing a Christmas crawl to check out all the festivities around the city. So stick around for that.

The Distillery District’s annual Christmas Market is exactly that: a market to showcase small local vendors as well as some national brands. You’ll find everything from artisanal Christmas ornaments to Canadiana winter gear; there’s literally a little something for everyone, even for that grumpy uncle. Get him a shot of the district’s namesake rye — that’ll lighten him up right away!

The Distillery District’s annual Christmas Market is exactly that: a market to showcase small local vendors as well as some national brands.

Christmas cheers

As promised, Angie, JM, and myself are going to show you guys around and eat a lot of shit (also drink a lot of shit; sugar coma is a real thing). Check out our video below.

In a Market full of things you must do, eat, or drink, our universal favourite was by far Boku Restaurant’s Whiskey Wonderland winter patio! We loved it! It’s so pretty, and so cozy, and you still feel totally connected to the Market around you. Warm your fingers at a fire pit, and warm your belly with some tasty hot beverages. Perfect!

A heads-up

Due of the size of the Distillery, here are a few things to keep in mind when visiting:

1. There will be a lot of waiting. I mean a lot: waiting to sit on Santa’s lap. Which we did! Also, waiting to go into the restaurants, waiting to go pee (however, that pink tree line tastefully shielding the urinals is super cute!), or even waiting to just get in the Market itself. Be prepared to wait. This leads me to the next point.
2. Stay warm. There are buildings that you can duck into to warm up, but the market is outside, and all the performances are outside, so bring extra mittens and scarves or snuggle up with your loved ones and friends.
3. There’s going to be a lot of people. This is one of the most popular Christmas attractions in Toronto; your personal space will be slightly invaded. Also, for those with strollers — I wish you the best of luck!
4. It’s pricey. It is Christmas after all. Many of these shops are small, local businesses, and things can be pricier than anticipated. They do take a variety of payment options so you don’t have to shuffle around your change purse.
5. It’s the busiest at night, but it’s also the bestest. This is when the Market comes alive. Bright lights with carollers, murmurs of shoppers trying new things…it really does bring out the joy of the season.

Spend an afternoon with a hot cocoa, sniff a few calming candles, and get the holiday cheers kicking into high gear!

The Christmas Market is open until December 23rd. The hours are:

This market is perfect for friends to gather and families to reunite. Spend an afternoon with a hot cocoa, sniff a few calming candles, and get the holiday cheers kicking into high gear!

🎼We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎼

Happy holidays!