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.
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
Combine a jolly visit with Santa with the deliciousness of breakfast foods with our Guide to Santa Breakfasts in Toronto and the GTA!
Casa Loma: Christmas at the Castle
When: December 5, 2024 — January 4, 2025
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!
The Village at Black Creek: Santa at The Village
When: December 7-23, 2024
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 the Santa at The Village event. Over three weekends in December, plus the day before Christmas Eve, don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a special visit with Santa and his elves.
Santa Sightings in Toronto
stackt market: Holiday Hills
When: November 15 — December 31, 2024
stackt market is back with their free festival Holiday Hills, hosting vendor markets, exclusive retail pop-ups, a 100-foot Tunnel of Lights, holiday-themed performances and family-friendly shows, dog-friendly events, special guest appearances from Santa, and lots more.
The Distillery Winter Village
When: November 13, 2024 — January 5, 2025
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.
Bloor West Village BIA: Meet Santa in the Village
When: November 23, 2024
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 23, 2024
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 24, 2024
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: November 29 — December 23, 2024
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.
The Beach BIA: Santa in the Beach & Christmas Tree Lighting
When: November 30, 2024
The Beach BIA’s annual event “Santa in the Beach” and Christmas Tree Lighting includes a full afternoon of holiday festivities, plus photos with the jolly old man.
Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Festive Lights at Queen’s Park
When: December 2-14, 2024
Join the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Festive Lights at Queen’s Park, a free celebration with family-friendly seasonal activities, including musical performances, roaming festive characters, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Santa Sightings in the GTA
Waterloo Central Railway: Christmas Train Rides
When: November 14 — December 22, 2024
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
When: November 15 — December 21, 2024
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.
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Truck Tour
When: November 15 — December 9, 2024
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 many locations around Toronto and the GTA!
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
When: November 16, 2024 — January 4, 2025
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
When: November 16 — December 22, 2024
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
When: November 22-23, 2024
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 23-24, 2024
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
When: November 23, 2024
Celebrate the magic of winter in Mississauga with a Christmas tree lighting, photos with Santa, ice skating, live performances and the Holiday Street Market.
Brooks Farm Festive Nights
When: November 29 — December 23, 2024
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 for Conservation: Magical Christmas Forest
When: November 29 — December 23, 2024
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 30 — December 22, 2024
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.
Angus Glen Golf Club: Angus Glen Winter Events and Fairway of Lights
When: November 29, 2024 — January 4, 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.
Pickering Museum Village: A Storybook Christmas
When: December 7-8 & 14-15, 2024
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!
Halton County Railway: Christmas on the Rails
When: December 7-15, 2024
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!
Pingle’s Farm Market: Red and Green Christmas Whobilation
When: December 7-22, 2024
Have a holly jolly good time this Christmas at Pingle’s Farm Market with their Red and Green Christmas Whobilation event, including visits with Santa and the Grinch, live entertainment, cozy bonfires, a brand-new animal farm and more.
Willowtree Farm: Adventures with Santa
When: December 7-22, 2024
Willowtree Farm hosts the family farm adventure Adventures with Santa, including crafts, photos with Santa and roasting marshmallows.
Milton Fall Fair: Santa at the Fairgrounds & Holiday Market
When: December 7-22, 2024
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!
