Tis the season for dazzle! Something about twinkling, coloured lights just gets you into the holiday (and romantic) spirit and with a hot drink in hand, this is the perfect date night for winter.
We’ve rounded up some awesome trails, festivals, and events that are open all throughout December and January that you can enjoy with the whole family, with a group of your best friends, or the person you love the most.
You have until the end of January to finish this holiday lights bucket list!
Magical Christmas Forest
at Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge until December 23, 2023
Experience a winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, wagon rides, and treats for the whole family — and enjoy a visit with Santa in his cabin!
There will also be a menu of festive food and beverages to choose from to complete the experience.
North Pole Experience & Train Ride
on the York-Durham Heritage Railway until December 21, 2023
Join The York-Durham Heritage Railway to experience the magic of the North Pole! You and your date, or the whole family can enjoy unique treasures and gifts during this magical train ride handcrafted ornaments to cozy winter accessories.
During the journey to the North Pole, meet Santa Claus and his Conductor Elves will share stories, dances, and songs!
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
until December 31, 2023
The holiday season is here and Bloor-Yorkville kicked it off by illuminating the neighbourhood with a one-of-a-kind display of festive lighting. Continuing with annual traditions, visitors and residents of Bloor-Yorkville can look forward to shopping, dining and taking in the neighbourhood’s art and cultural attractions surrounded by the holiday lighting along tree-lined streets.
The Junction Annual Window Wonderland
around Junction Neighbourhood until January 31, 2024
Toronto’s magical Window Wonderland, a free immersive urban art walk, is returning to the Junction for its fourth consecutive year.
The award-winning Window Wonderland exhibition will transform the Junction into an interactive, outdoor gallery featuring unique augmented reality (AR) installations by local and international artists.
Journey into Enchantment Drive Thru
at 13959 3 Line, Halton Hills or 50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax until January 7, 2024
Christmas Light Show Journey into Enchantment will be featuring over 2 million lights on a 2KM route of your favourite Holiday and Christmas characters, Sparkling drive thru tunnel, from 2D to 3D displays, music lights and much more this Christmas and Holiday Season!
Holiday Nights of Lights
at Scarborough Town Centre until January 7, 2024
Holiday Nights of Lights is an immersive walk-through experience like none other, featuring more than 1.5 million LED lights animated and synchronized to everyone’s favourite Holiday tunes! Back for the fourth year, the event will be bigger and brighter with new displays and interactive activities!
You and your date can walk through giant ornaments, animated tunnels, and much more. Upon exiting the light show, enter Mistletoe Market – a winter fair and a nighttime hotspot all rolled into one distinct holiday tradition.
Cavalcade of Lights
at Nathan Phillips Square until January 7, 2024
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the much-loved Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square. Inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals, this year’s festivities will transform City Hall and its surrounds into a dazzling wonderland each night until 11 p.m.
Enjoy the glittering tree, participate in public skating and bask in the glow of thousands of energy-efficient bulbs as they adorn the heart of downtown Toronto.
Lakeside Festival of Lights
at Spencer Smith Park until January 8, 2024
The Festival of Lights illuminates Burlington’s waterfront through and thousands of local residents and visitors from across the region and beyond, make it a seasonal tradition to wander through the park with family and friends to view the themed displays.
Winter Wonders
at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington until January 7, 2024
This unique outdoor experience guides you along Hendrie Park’s picturesque pathways adorned with charming festive lights, new interactive light to sound installations, and magical displays that celebrate the magic of the winter season. Stroll through the breathtaking gardens to the rhythm of festive music while indulging in the warm tastes and fragrances of the holiday season.
After your walk cozy up indoors with the Botanical Train display, explore Mediterranean plants in the warmly lit greenhouse, and pick up unique gifts from Shop at the Gardens.
Embrace the Glow
at Angus Glen Golf Club from November 24, 2023 onwards
Explore the magical light displays at Angus Glen’s Winter Lights with a self-guided walk around the clubhouse and South 18th hole. Perfect for the whole family all season!
Admission is FREE!
Holiday Lights Tour
at Casa Loma until January 6th, 2024
Wander through Casa Loma’s spectacular Holiday Light Tour for a dazzling lighting display in the gardens and tunnels, all decorated for the festive season. Designed as a self-guided walk, you can stroll through while enjoying the festive decorations, outdoor lighting displays and live performances. Kids are also invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop.
WinterFest
at Canada’s Wonderland until January 6th, 2024
Watch Canada’s Wonderland transform into a magical, winter wonderland for WinterFest – an immersive holiday experience. This event features ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, more than a dozen live shows and holiday entertainment, exciting rides, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park, including two 50-foot Christmas trees on International Street.
Skate Under the Magic of the Northern Lights This Winter
at the Bentway until February 19th, 2024
The Bentway welcomes back skaters to their rink for the 6th year of winter programming! Skate the 220m figure-eight skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway and experience a special, soaring art installation inspired by the glowing hues of the northern lights. As always, there will be free skate rental nights, free hot chocolate nights, and beginner skate lessons! Inspired by the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, Canadian artistic duo Yi Zhou and Carlos Portillo’s installation The Gateway highlights the monumental architecture of the Gardiner with vibrant hues of green, blue, violet, and magenta.
TIS THE SZN.
at The Welcome Market, select dates: December 9-10, 16-17, 22-23
With 2 floors of fun, TIS THE SZN is back this year with weekend pop-ups that will be your ultimate go-to place to shop for your local holiday gifts in the West end! Shop small and support your local BIPOC, Woman and Queer-owned businesses this holiday season! It is free to attend and there will be over 30 local vendors to shop from.
Friday Harbour Holiday Market
at Friday Harbour Resort from 4:00pm to 8:00pm until December 30th, 2023
Styled after the traditional European markets, The Promenade on the shores of Lake Simcoe has transformed to a Christmas Market! Find a 40’ Christmas tree, chalet cabins with holiday items and gifts sold from local and community retailers. You can also shop and dine from their Restaurants and Retail on the Promenade.
Free admission and free parking.
Mill St Brewpub Winter Huts
at Mill St Brewpub in the Distillery Winter Village until January 7th, 2024
Have a winter date at Mill St Brewpub’s winter huts! It’s that time of the year again with the holiday season around the corner and Mill St Brewpub is participating in the Distillery Winter Village Market this year with an entire setup of 4 winter huts total, offering lots of delicious snacks! The huts are beautifully decorated with festive decor surrounding the restaurant outdoors where you can find snacks such as fondue, chicken fingers & fries, bao buns, sweet treats and more!
Ready for a unique date idea to pump up the adrenaline after a relaxing walk? Check out this holidate available in Toronto and Mississauga! Not done shopping? Check out our gift guide here.
