Santa Claus fans, rejoice! The man with the bag is back for the Ho-Ho-Holidays with bells on. Check out all the different ways you can catch up with the jolly fellow with our Guide to the Best Santa Sightings in Toronto and the GTA.
Santa Claus Parades in the GTA and Southern Ontario
There are Santa parades happening all over the GTA this year. Whether it’s a local neighbourhood parade or a huge extravaganza, the childrens’ eyes always widen with excitement at the sight of the big guy.
Guide to Santa Breakfasts in Toronto and the GTA
Combine a jolly visit with Santa with the deliciousness of breakfast foods with our Guide to Santa Breakfasts in Toronto and the GTA!
Pickering Museum Village
When: November 25 – December 10, 2023
Give your family a fairytale holiday season at the Pickering Museum Village “A Storybook Christmas” event. Teddy takes visitors on a festive adventure to follow along with, plus guests visit with the man in red and discover all the joys of a traditional holiday season. Grab your coat and get into the Christmas spirit!
Casa Loma: Christmas at the Castle
When: December 1, 2023 — January 6, 2024
Families can revel in the magic of the holiday season at Toronto’s historic castle, Casa Loma, with the Christmas at the Castle event showcases the castle’s elegant holiday decorations. Plus, guests can drop in to wish Santa a Merry Christmas in his jolly toy workshop!
Holiday Nights of Lights
When: December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Gather the whole family for all-new displays and interactive activities at Holiday Nights of Lights, now at the Scarborough Town Centre. Be dazzled by the sparkling lights, giant ornaments, and then the spectacular Mistletoe Lane winter fair experience. Plus, Family Fun Toronto readers get a festive treat with 15% off tickets using the promo code FAMFUN.
Black Creek Pioneer Village’s Santa at the Village
When: December 2-23, 2023
Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at Black Creek Pioneer Village at Festive Fun at the Village. In the daytime, enjoy a traditional holiday with Santa At The Village, with an option to have a VIP visit with the jolly fellow!
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Truck Tour
When: November 22-26, 2023
The unmistakably jolly, red and lit-up truck of the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan truck tour is travelling across Canada again this Christmas season, including six locations around Toronto and the GTA!
The Beach BIA: Santa in the Beach
When: November 25, 2023
The Beach BIA’s annual event “Santa in the Beach” and Christmas Tree Lighting includes a full afternoon of holiday festivities.
Bloor West Village BIA: Meet Santa in the Village
When: November 25, 2023
Bloor West Village hosts FREE festive family fun with the Meet Santa in the Village event, including marketplace, entertainment and crafts.
Leslieville BIA: Wanderlust
When: November 25, 2023
Leslieville BIA hosts the Leslieville Wanderlust shopping event, taking place on Queen Street East, plus a holiday party with Santa and his elves at Leslie Grove Park.
The Original Santa Claus Parade
When: November 26, 2023
Since 1905, families have enjoyed The Original Santa Claus Parade in the streets of downtown Toronto with festive floats and plenty of holiday cheer.
Santa’s Storytime
When: December 1-23, 2023
This new experience at Gerrard Square Mall offers families an interactive story time and photo-op experience with Santa, where kids can also send letters to the North Pole.
Variety Village Christmas Party
When: December 3, 2023
Variety Village celebrates the holiday season at their “World’s Greatest Christmas Party”, including a Kids’ Zone with inflatables, food and drink, holiday shopping market and a visit from Santa!
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
When: November 17 – December 31, 2023
The amusement park becomes a winter wonderland, with holiday-themed attractions and shows, festive food and an artisan market. Take photos with Santa and even decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus.
Niemi Farm Christmas Land & European Market
When: November 17 – December 23, 2023
Niemi Farm Christmas Land is an outdoor holiday experience with visits to Santa’s workshop and a Polar Express train to meet their farm animals.
Angus Glen Golf Club: Angus Glen Winter Lights
When: November 17 – December 22, 2023
Angus Glen Golf Club hosts the Winter At Angus series of holiday events, including dining and Winter Lights, their annual walking light show, plus Santa visits.
Village of Streetsville: Christmas in the Village
When: November 17, 2023
The Village of Streetsville in Mississauga returns with their Christmas in the Village event. It includes horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, live music, photo ops, hot cocoa, and much more.
Toronto Christmas Pet Show
When: November 18-19, 2023
Santa loves all of nature’s creatures, including your pets! Shop for your fur baby, check out the shows at the International Centre, and don’t miss out on getting a pet photo-op.
Waterloo Central Railway: Christmas Train Rides
When: November 18 – December 23, 2023
Have a magical time with your family on a historic passenger train at the Waterloo Central Railway Christmas train rides, at Santa’s Countryside Ride on the weekend days or at Santa’s Christmas Caboose in the evening time slots with the train all lit up for the holidays.
Brooks Farm Festive Nights
When: November 24 – December 23, 2023
Enjoy Festive Nights at Brooks Farms this year. There’s wagon rides, light displays, festive treats and even a visit with Santa himself!
Kortright Centre Magical Christmas Forest
When: November 24 – December 23, 2023
Escape into the woods at the Kortright Centre, including a winter wonderland at Santa’s cabin with lights, wagon rides, crafts, children’s activities and treats for the whole family!
Downey’s Farm Christmas At The Farm
When: November 25 – December 17, 2023
Downey’s Farm welcomes Santa and his elves to share outdoor fun with you this festive season. Visit the farm animals, go on a wagon ride scavenger hunt, make your own reindeer food, see Elves Square and play reindeer games, decorate cookies, do crafts and much more.
Halton County Railway: Christmas on the Rails
When: December 2-10, 2023
Halton County Railway gets festive at their Christmas on the Rails train rides, featuring vintage streetcars gliding through the woods with snow on the trees, Christmas carols in the air and Santa at the controls!
Willowtree Farm: Adventures with Santa
When: December 2-17, 2023
Willowtree Farm hosts the family farm adventure Adventures with Santa, including crafts, photos with Santa and roasting marshmallows.
Pingle’s Farm Market Christmas Fest
When: December 2-17, 2023
Enjoy some jolly Christmas activities at Pingle’s Farm Market with crafts, hot chocolate, story time, wagon rides and photos with Santa Claus.
Milton Fall Fair: Santa at the Fairgrounds & Holiday Market
When: December 2-17, 2023
Milton Fall Fair gets festive for Christmas, where families can visit Santa at the Fairgrounds, shop at their Holiday Market, then relax and make s’mores at the outdoor fire pits.
Ho-ho-hold on, there’s more Christmas events on our website here!
