Santa Claus fans, get ready because the man with the bag is back for the Ho-Ho-Holidays with bells on. Whether it’s a farm, festival, parade or market, everyone loves to see Santa! 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 Sightings in Toronto
The Distillery Winter Village
Date: November 13, 2025 — January 4, 2026
Embrace the holiday spirit of a traditional outdoor Christmas market at The Distillery Winter Village, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets of under canopies of Christmas lights, take photos by the huge Christmas tree in Trinity Square, visit Santa at Soulpepper Theatre, and much more.
stackt market: Holiday Hills
Date: November 14 — December 28, 2025
stackt market is back with their free festival Holiday Hills, hosting vendor markets, exclusive retail pop-ups, holiday-themed performances and family-friendly shows, dog-friendly events, special guest appearances from Santa, and lots more.
Leslieville BIA: Wanderlust
Date: November 15, 2025
Leslieville BIA hosts the Leslieville Wanderlust shopping event, taking place on Queen Street East, plus Santa’s Village and a tree lighting ceremony.
Bloor West Village BIA: Meet Santa in the Village
Date: November 22, 2025
Bloor West Village hosts FREE festive family fun with the Meet Santa in the Village event, including marketplace, entertainment and crafts.
The Original Santa Claus Parade
Date: November 23, 2025
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
Date: November 28 — December 23, 2025
This festive 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.
Beaches BIA: Santa in the Beach & Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: November 29, 2025
Surf’s up! Santa is coming to the Beach with the return of the Beach BIA’s annual event “Santa in the Beach” plus their annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Casa Loma: Christmas at the Castle
Date: December 5, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Families can feel the joy of the holiday season at Toronto’s historic castle, Casa Loma! Their 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!
Cabbagetown BIA: Holiday in the Patch
Date: December 6, 2025
Cabbagetown BIA returns with their free and fun Holiday in the Patch holiday festival, welcoming families to spend a festive day in one of Toronto’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. Here, you can find activities for all ages, including treasure hunts, photo opportunities with Santa, ornament-making, decorating the community tree, lawn games, and more!
The Village at Black Creek: Daytime Santa Fun
Date: December 6-23, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to town, so jingle all the way to The Village at Black Creek this Christmas to participate in the festive fun at their holiday events.
The 32nd Annual Riverdale Share Holiday Concert
Date: December 7, 2025
The annual Riverdale Share Holiday Concert returns for its 32nd year, with a fun-filled and diverse holiday celebration, with local musical performers, as well as dancers, a local school choir, and even Mr. Grinch and Jolly old Nick!
Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Festive Lights at Queen’s Park
Date: December 10-23, 2025
Join the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Festive Lights at Queen’s Park, a free celebration of the holidays showcasing Ontario’s Legislative Building adorned with sparkling lights and festive decorations, plus Santa visits!
Variety Village Ontario: Village Wonderland
Date: December 14, 2025
Experience the magic of the season at Variety Village’s Village Wonderland, with live entertainment, family activities, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Santa Sightings in the GTA
Bass Pro Shops: Santa’s Wonderland
Date: Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting: November 8, 2025; Photos with Santa: November 9 — December 24, 2025
Go fishing for Christmas fun when Bass Pro Shops opens Santa’s Wonderland with a tree lighting party, plus family photos all holiday season.
Waterloo Central Railway: Christmas Train Rides
Date: November 13 — December 23, 2025
Have a magical time with your family on a historic passenger train at the Waterloo Central Railway Christmas train trips, at Santa’s Jolly Journey on the weekend days or at Santa’s Candy Crossing in the evening time slots with the train all lit up for the holidays.
Niemi Farm Christmas Land & European Market
Date: November 14 — December 20, 2025
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.
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
Date: November 15, 2025 — January 3, 2026
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.
Drysdale’s Tree Farm
Date: November 15 — December 21, 2025
Drysdale’s Tree Farm hosts their Christmas & Holiday Village, including visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf, plus wagon rides, bonfires, music, and cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees.
Village of Streetsville: Christmas in the Village
Date: November 21-22, 2025
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
Date: November 22-23, 2025
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.
City of Mississauga: Light Up The Square
Date: November 22, 2025
Celebrate the magic of winter in Mississauga with a Christmas tree lighting, photos with Santa, ice skating, live performances and the Holiday Street Market.
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Truck Tour
Date: November 28-30, 2025
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 locations around Toronto and the GTA!
Kortright Centre for Conservation: Magical Christmas Forest
Date: November 28 — December 23, 2025
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!
Angus Glen Golf Club: Angus Glen Winter Events and Fairway of Lights
Date: November 28 — December 31, 2025
Angus Glen Golf Club hosts the Winter At Angus series of holiday events, including dining options and Fairway of Lights, their annual walking light show on the elaborately decorated golf course.
Downey’s Farm Christmas At The Farm
Date: November 29 – December 21, 2025
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, see Elves Square and play reindeer games, decorate cookies, do crafts and much more.
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue: Christmas with Wildlife
Date: November 29 — December 21, 2025
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue presents Christmas with Wildlife where guests explore the wildlife centre, have treats, see light displays, meet Santa on select dates, and more.
Pingle’s Farm Market: Red and Green Christmas Celebration
Date: December 6-21, 2025
Have a holly jolly good time at Pingle’s Farm Market with their Red and Green Christmas Celebration, where families can visit with Santa, enjoy live entertainment and photo ops, build your own stuffy, snack on festive treats around a cozy bonfire, and much more!
Pickering Museum Village: A Storybook Christmas
Date: December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025
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.
Halton County Railway: Christmas on the Rails
Date: December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025
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
Date: December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025
Willowtree Farm hosts a family farm event called Adventures with Santa, where the jolly fellow’s helpers guide you through tasks to see the guy in the big red suit, such as crafts and games, candy cane scavenger hunt, story stroll with Mrs Claus, and more.
Milton Fall Fair: Santa at the Fairgrounds & Holiday Market
Date: December 6-21, 2025
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.
Guide to the Best 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 the Best Santa Breakfasts in Toronto and the GTA
Combining a holiday visit with Santa with the deliciousness of breakfast foods is the stuff Christmas dreams are made of! Create festive memories with your family, enjoy a delicious breakfast spread and have a jolly good time with Santa.
Ho-ho-hold on, there’s more Christmas events on our website here!
