Tis’ the season in Toronto as the Distillery District has reopened their Winter Village for the 2023/2024 season!
Marking their 15th year, the city’s most beloved Christmas market is back with lots of new shops, activities, food, photo-ops (including some for your dogs), and decor for holiday lovers. If this festive season is one of your favourites, like mine, these attractions are sure to fill you with some holiday cheer!
Here’s what’s going on at the Winter Village this year:
- Candy Cane Forest
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The Candy Cane Forest is one of the new photo attractions this holiday season for visitors, and it’s so cute!
Unfortunately, I did not snap a photo when I visited, but I wish I had, so you could witness the magic I felt. The forest features tall candy canes that sparkle throughout your walk through the holiday woodlands and even has a giant snowman as well!
It’s definitely worth making a stop for some cute pictures if you’re planning your visit.
- Winter wonderland spectacular
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This event is probably the most exciting of them all, as it features an immersive holiday experience in the heart of downtown. The Distillery District’s new exhibit, Winter Wonderland Spectacular, includes a fantasy simulation of Santa’s winter palace, the Northern Lights, nutcrackers, Christmas bells, and more!
This joyous experience inspires the young and old to feel the joy of the season and feed your wildest holiday imaginations. The exhibit also features visits with Santa, free hot cocoa, and your own “elfie-selfie” with the roaming elves throughout the district.
Those looking to visit this exciting activity can buy tickets in advance online or at the Illuminarium booth outside of the exhibit. The attraction can be found at 28 Gristmill Lane.
- live entertainment
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The Winter Village has brought back many of its entertainment staff from last year, including jolly old Saint Nick himself! The Candy Cane Carolers can be found performing every night by the beautiful Dior Christmas tree in the heart of the village.
The District is even featuring a “singing wall,” where lyrics to these carols will be broadcast onto buildings for everyone to sing along. For Santa, you can find the man of the hour roaming around the village and snapping photos with visitors or onstage every day by Santa’s Tower of Toys at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
To find the rest of the performance times, click here!
- new vendors
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The Winter Village has a history of finding some of the best food and shopping vendors in the area, and that certainly isn’t changing this year.
The Distillery District food cabins feature delicious dishes like jerk chicken, empanadas, mini doughnuts, raclette, and schnitzel. Shopping in the village is also an activity to look forward to, as new pop-up booths have great options for clothing, decor, and even sweet treats for your pets. It’s a great place to get your Christmas shopping done!
Check out the Distillery Winter Village website for lists of food vendors and retail shops.
There are so many other great activities and attractions besides what I’ve mentioned to see at the Winter Village. If you are in the mood to start celebrating and have a chance to go this season, I would highly recommend attending. It’s sure to bring you some holiday cheer this Christmas!
To get your tickets in advance, visit their website or click here.