After the holidays were all but cancelled last year, Ontario’s stimulation-filled – and incredibly photo-worthy – Christmas markets are bringing back the magic for 2021.
Offering a chance to wander through a festive world of sparkling lights, mulled wine, carollers, holiday music, and vendors of all kinds, Ontario’s enchanting Christmas markets are reason enough for a merry little road trip this season. Here are some of our favourites…
7 Magical Christmas Markets in Ontario
1. Merry Market
Located at Canada’s largest entertainment complex, London’s Merry Market offers a festive indoor/outdoor market that shines in the variety department. The market features an assortment of vendors that change weekly, postcard-worthy holiday cabins, cozy fire pits, and ample photo ops. Adding to the joy are quality food and drink options, like the boozy White Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Vodka at Paradigm Spirits on-site distillery. Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for an all-access weekend pass.
When: Weekends until December 19
Location: 100 Kellog Lane, London
2. Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market
The stunning, Scandinavian-style Niemi Family Farm Christmas Market in Mount Albert, Ontario transports visitors to a storybook-like world of everything holiday-related. Things like a trail of lights and towering pine trees add to the visual appeal of the picture-perfect market. Meanwhile, a blazing bonfire invites guests to stay awhile and get cozy with a hot chocolate. A variety of ticket types and booking times can be found online.
When: November 12 to December 22
Location: 18463 Highway 48, Mount Albert
3. Ottawa Christmas Market
The nation’s capital shines particularly brightly during the holidays, with the arguable star of the show being the Ottawa Christmas Market. The beloved annual event transforms Casino Lac-Leamy at Lansdowne Park into a traditional Christmas wonderland, complete with stunning holiday lights, a variety of delicious food (arrive hungry), pop-up shops in charming cabins, and hot cocoa stands. Reservations aren’t needed; some events can be booked online.
When: November 26 to December 22
Location: Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza at Lansdowne Marché Way, Ottawa
4. Christkindl Market
A road trip to Kitchener offers the next best thing to a trip to Germany this holiday season, thanks to the return of the annual Christkindl Market. The bustling affair turns Kitchener City Hall into a high-energy medieval German Christmas market, featuring over 100 vendors, a variety of entertainment, and traditional German fare. This is a free and ticketless event.
When: Thursday, December 2 toSunday, December 5
Location: 200 King Street West, Kitchener
5. The Distillery Winter Village
Toronto’s storied Distillery District has once again become a photo op-filled winter wonderland this year thanks to the festivity-packed Distillery Winter Village. Here, a massive Christmas tree and eye-popping photo walls offer double tap-worthy photo backdrops, festive food cabins serve up comforting snacks and boozy holiday drinks, and Santa roams the storied cobblestone streets. Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 pm, and between December 20th – December 23rd after 4:00 pm. Tickets are $8 each (age 6 years and up). At all other times, access is free of charge and tickets are not required.
When: November 18 to December 31
Location: 55 Mill Street, Toronto
6. Burlington Holiday Market
Downtown Burlington is bustling like never before this season. The Burlington Holiday Market is the latest addition on Ontario’s holiday market scene. The three-day affair transforms downtown through a series of events, with holiday-themed exhibits, live music, food stalls, a Christmas tree forest, and a variety of vendors that take over the charming cobblestone streets. This event is free and ticketless.
When: December 9 to 12
Location: Downtown Burlington
7. Niagara Falls Christmas Market
Offering yet another reason to visit the Niagara region this season, the string light-filled Niagara Falls Christmas Market features over 50 vendors and no shortage of festive entertainment, from nightly shows and old-fashioned carollers to interactive art displays. Here, you can either kick back by the fire, shop for everyone on your list, or take as many shameless selfies as your festive-feeling heart desires. This is a free and ticketless event.
When: November 13 to December 19
Location: 4284 Queen Street, Niagara Falls
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