Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like the Toronto Christmas Market. As soon as we hit November and the weather gets colder, the first thought in my mind is: when am I going to find time to go to the Christmas Market? Especially since the snow arrived earlier than anticipated this season, my eagerness to drop by has been overpowering my need to study for exams.
Every year, the Distillery District gets festive from November 14 to December 22 and numerous vendors set up shop, selling handcrafted products and the best winter weather comfort food. I love the holidays and despite the common conception that the Toronto Christmas Market is just a waste of time or a tourist trap, I still quite enjoy it. Yes, the market does give way into the whole concept of commercializing Christmas and materializing the holidays, but still puts on a great annual market that brings Torontonians together.
The Distillery District and its businesses are open daily; however, the market itself is closed on Mondays. It’s also good to note, that the market is free from Tuesday to Thursday, from Friday’s before 6pm and the weekend before 12pm. After that, during busy hours the price for entry is $12.00 at the door and $8.00 in advance.
To get to the Toronto Christmas Market, the quickest way would be to take the King streetcar eastbound and get off at Parliament street or you can also take a 20 minute walk from Union station. Either way, the market isn’t too far from the downtown core and is definitely worth the trip at least once this winter. Me? I’ll be dropping by again a couple of times, just to try as many outdoor food vendors as possible!
Truffle fries, poutine, schnitzel, crepes, waffles, giant pretzels, chimney cones, and more are all featured on outdoor stands. Most of these stands are cashless, so be sure to bring your cards. On my first visit of the season, the weather got cold fast, so we headed indoors for warmth and ate dinner at El Catrin, pictured are the baja tacos ($12.95). After dinner we got smores: melted marshmallow and chocolate cream in a jar, with graham crackers ($8.00).
Even if you’re not a fan of trying new foods, the market is worth going for the insta-worthy photos you’ll get out of it and hey, maybe you’ll even run into an insta-famous dog, while you’re there! Clearly, the Toronto Christmas Market is a fun time for both humans and their furry pals too.
Hours
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday – 12pm to 9pm
Wednesday – 12pm to 9pm
Thursday – 12pm to 9pm
Friday – 12pm to 10pm
Saturday – 12pm to 10pm
Sunday – 12pm to 9pm
Go to their website: http://tochristmasmarket.com/#!/faq for more information.
