Despite taking place in the winter, the holidays are the warmest and most cheerful time of year. With all of the bright lights, music in the air, and festivities abound, there’s a lot to do across Toronto and the GTA this holiday season. If you happen to be celebrating in Toronto this year, there’s a lot of wholesome fun in store for the whole family! But if you’re only staying in Toronto temporarily, then you’ll need to figure out your accommodations ahead of time. Short-term housing in Toronto is the convenient and affordable solution to your accommodation needs.
Check out our list of awesome festive, fun-for-the-whole-family activities going on throughout Toronto and the GTA, so that you can plan your trip accordingly and find a great place to spend the holidays!
Toronto Christmas Market
To kick-start this list on the right foot, it’s essential to mention the Toronto Christmas Market. No holiday activity list in Toronto would be complete without it. Located in the historic Distillery District, this popular holiday attraction has amassed a large following and has become a major staple that Torontonians look forward to every year. A vast array of multi-coloured bright lights and Christmas ornaments adorn the cobblestoned walkways of the Distillery District along with a variety of street vendors selling delicious food items, handcrafted knick-knacks, and an assortment of holiday themed products. Plus, there are different events and live shows scheduled throughout the month of December. Visit their website for more information.
Casa Loma: A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle
Is there anything more magical and exciting than Christmas at Casa Loma? We certainly don’t think so! Known as Toronto’s Majestic Castle, Casa Loma is one of the city’s most beloved historical treasures and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Originally constructed in 1914 by a financier named Sir Henry Pellatt, Casa Loma is located in midtown Toronto and is currently owned and maintained by the City of Toronto. From December 1st to January 5th, visitors are invited to experience A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family. For tickets and other event information, visit their website.
The Ward Cabaret
Take a trip throughout Toronto’s rich cultural history to a time when immigrants from all over the world including Italy, China, Ireland, Africa, and Europe were making the harrowing journey to Canada to start a new and better life for themselves and their families. Inspired by the influential piece of literature called The Ward, The Ward Cabaret is a touching and engaging award-winning musical extravaganza that’s orchestrated and produced by the Grammy award-winning musician and producer, David Buchbinder at Toronto’s famous Harbourfront Centre. Accompanied by several other well-known musicians and performers, this is truly a show worth seeing this holiday season.
Aurora Winter Festival
Whether your short-term housing is located on the outskirts of Toronto or directly in the downtown core, it’s definitely worth your while to make your way over to the Aurora Winter Festival! The Aurora Winter Festival takes place every December at Ontario Place and is easily accessible via public transit. Every year, Ontario Place is “transformed into a magical winter wonderland with a beautiful skating rink, a tube park, massive light displays, a Christmas Market, amusement rides, food gardens, magical characters, and plenty of other exciting activities” for the whole family. Get more information on their website.
Conservatory By Candlelight
From December 1st, 2019 to January 12th, 2020, the Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory are adorned with breathtaking winter lights and decorations. Starting with the opening day Winter Flower Show which is organized by the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation Division, this stunning display is an amalgamation of natural and artificial wonders that the whole family can enjoy together. There are a number of fun filled events taking place at both conservatories throughout the month of December, so be sure to check out their website for the complete schedule.
See The Nutcracker
One of the biggest and most treasured annual holiday traditions in Toronto is the National Ballet of Canada’s effervescent rendition of The Nutcracker which is performed at the city’s prestigious Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Running from December 12th, 2019 to January 4th, 2020, The Nutcracker is a truly splendid cultural and artistic experience that’s guaranteed to get you and your family in the Christmas spirit this holiday season.
Whether you’re staying in temporary housing in Toronto or North York over the holidays, getting to the venue is easy as there are several subway stations within walking distance of the event centre. The southeast exit of Osgoode station on line one provides direct stair and elevator access to the building.
Get Crafty for Christmas
Toronto is a city that’s well known for its unique cultural representations and the various craft shows throughout the city are proof of that. This holiday season, take the time to wander the streets with your family and become immersed in the whimsy of all the unique handcrafted creations of local artisans. Various street craft shows and markets throughout the city like the famous City of Craft and the Artisan’s Gift Fair give visitors the opportunity to pick up some truly unique decorative items for their homes.
Are you planning on visiting Toronto for the holidays this year?
Then this is the perfect time to consider renting a fully furnished temporary housing accommodation in Toronto or North York. Our sister company, MAC Furnished Residences Inc., can help you find the perfect temporary housing for you and your family. And if you’re planning on moving or relocating to Toronto in the near future, we can help you buy or sell a house or condo. We also provide an excellent support service to help you settle into your new surroundings through MAC Relocation Solutions. Contact us today for more information.