Media Resources

Toronto’s World-Famous Christmas Market, Presented by L’Oréal Paris, Now Open for the Holiday Season

TORONTO, November 13, 2025 – On November 13 at Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, thousands of onlookers filled the cobblestone streets to help Santa light the 2025 Christmas Tree, marking the official start of The Distillery Winter Village, presented by L’Oréal Paris — one of the most recognized holiday destinations in the world attracting one million visitors annually.

“This year, we are celebrating our 16th season of The Distillery Winter Village, formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market,” says Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “Our goal is to create moments that become memories – whether it’s a first date under the canopy lights, a family tradition by the tree, or a hot chocolate shared with friends. We hope every visitor leaves with a little more wonder and joy than when they arrived.”

Following tree lighting, guests were treated to a special performance by international, award-winning vocal sensation The Tenors, from their album Christmas with The Tenors (Warner Music Canada). Profits from Opening Night ticket sales support local charitable partners: Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre, Crow’s Theatre and The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.

Canada’s Most Photographed Christmas Tree

This year’s 16.7-metre (55-foot) silver fir — Canada’s most photographed Christmas Tree — shimmers with over 80,000 lights and 750 ornaments, ranging in size from 15 to 50 cm (six to 20 inches). The dazzling display features elegant gold starbursts and Winter Village snowflakes adorned with red finial ornaments, creating a striking contrast against the tree’s lush green branches. 

At its base, a custom-built circular platform now surrounds the tree, featuring a 12-foot performance stage. Built within the base and reminiscent of an enchanting holiday shop window, are handpainted, 3D-printed ornamental vignettes that recreate scenes of a classic nostalgic Christmas — including a whimsical red and green Bachmann Big Haulers G Scale Train that moves around the entire tree and Canadian wildlife like caribou, fawn, moose and bears. Lanterns inspired by those found throughout The Distillery Historic District add a warm glow, tying the installation to its heritage surroundings. In total, more than 1,000 hours were dedicated to fabricating, detailing and decorating this year’s Christmas tree.

Following the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA to be used as mulch and reclaimed wood for 60 new homes being built in 2026.

Key Highlights for 2025

Running November 13, 2025 through January 4, 2026, The Distillery Winter Village transforms Toronto’s 13-acre pedestrian-only heritage district into a glowing winter wonderland, foodie destination and shopping market. Visitors can explore 47 vendor cabins and nine outdoor holiday bars — the most ever — serving sweet and savoury food options from around the world, warm drinks, and handmade creations from local artisans.

This year’s event brings more programming and more holiday magic than ever before:

• Because ‘Tis the season to feel worth it, visit the L’Oréal Paris Cabin - a chic holiday pop-up inspired by the joy of giving. Write a heartfelt note and create a custom greeting card for someone who inspires you. Enter for a chance to win one of three L’Oréal Paris Holiday Essentials prize packs (each worth $220), sample a few beauty favourites, and uncover a few extra surprises along the way.
• Chef’s Lane: An exclusive holiday culinary experience featuring four elevated holiday creations by four top Canadian chefs, including: Bruno Feldeisen, Claudio Aprile, Nuit Regular, and Eric Chong
• Netflix’s Stranger Things 5 Immersive Experience – step inside the Byers’ living room for a supernatural photo op
• A tropical chocolate paradise awaits at The Pura Vida Chocolate Experience presented by Visit Costa Rica
• Enter through the wardrobe at this year’s new Narnia-themed Santa’s Village where the Soulpepper Theatre lobby is transformed into an enchanting winter forest filled with snow-flocked evergreens, twinkling lights, shimmering ice crystals, and whimsical Narnia-inspired animations designed by students from OCAD University
• 40 food cabins – new this year: Rick’s Good Eats, Santa Spuds (spiralized potatoes on a stick), Robata-style meat skewers, Dubai Chocolates, and a Craig’s Cookies pop-up. Plus, some returning favourites: Cluny’s viral torched s’mores hot chocolate, Yorkie Burrito, Santa’s smoker and BBQ, Japanese tacos, poutine, handmade dumplings, empanadas, pierogies, mini donuts, mini pancakes, fresh strawberries with chocolate, and classic Swiss Raclette.
• Two new festive-themed outdoor bars – the Ugly Sweater Patio Bar and Peppermint Patio Bar
• Performances by The McGregor Carollers, the Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and the Myriad Ensemble
• Family-friendly entertainment including daily Storytime with the Elves, A Super Simple Christmas with Caitie & Tobee and holiday puppets from Crane Creations Theatre Company
• Holiday photo ops: Naughty or Nice Bar, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, the Candy Cane Wreath, Santa Mail, the Snowpeople, the Big Heart, and the famous Countdown to Christmas clock, plus hundreds of thousands of holiday lights strung across the site

Tickets and Plan Your Visit

Tickets are required for peak times, including: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and daily after 4:00 p.m. from December 15 - 31; and New Year’s Eve. Kids aged nine and under are always free. Tickets start at $15 (plus HST and admin fee), and visitors can choose between four different tiers of tickets, including a combo ticket to see Illuminiarium’s new immersive show, Mythos.
For tickets and event information, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

About The Distillery Winter Village
The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original outdoor Christmas market, set within The Distillery Historic District. Recognized among the best Christmas markets in the world, it welcomes more than one million visitors each year from across Canada and abroad. For seven weeks each winter, the neighbourhood transforms into a festive destination featuring its famous Christmas tree, seasonal vendor cabins, festive performances, and themed food and beverage experiences. The event employs more than 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for local charities. For more information and tickets, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

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Visit The Distillery Winter Village media resources hub for images, fast facts and more about the history of the event: thedistillerywintervillage.com/media-resources

For more information, to schedule an interview or visit, please contact:
Laurie Weir & Will Lamont
Next Public Relations Inc.
laurie@nextpublicrelations.com / will@nextpublicrelations.com

MEDIA ADVISORY / PHOTO OPP

Tree Lighting Ceremony marks Opening Night of 
The Distillery Winter Village
Special performance by The Tenors kicks off Toronto’s holiday season

On Thursday, November 13, Toronto’s most beloved holiday tradition returns as The Distillery Historic District officially lights its iconic 55-foot-tall Christmas tree, marking the start of the 2025 Distillery Winter Village.

WHAT:

• Join Santa and his Elves as he leads the countdown alongside a crowd of more than 3,500 onlookers to light the The Distillery Winter Village Christmas tree, followed by a performance from International award-winning vocal sensation, The Tenors.
• This year’s tree – a 55-foot-tall silver fir presented by L’Oréal Paris and sourced from Drysdale’s Tree Farm in Mono Township – will be revealed in full for the first time on opening night.
• Its theme and design have been kept tightly under wraps, with the grand unveiling promising one of the most photographed moments of the season.
• The tree will be on display until January 4, 2026. Following the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA to be used as mulch and reclaimed wood for 60 new homes being built next year.
• Profits from ticket sales on opening night will go to four local charities (The Anishnawbe Health Foundation (AHF), Soulpepper Theatre, Crow’s Theatre and The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.

WHO:

• Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District
• Santa and his merry Elves
• The Tenors, bring their powerful voices and world-class harmonies for a celebration of holiday classics

WHEN:  Thursday, November 13, 2025

EVENT SCHEDULE:

4:00 - 5:45 p.m.

• Live holiday music by the tree: Mo Guzman, singer, guitarist, and percussionist   

6:00 - 6:30 p.m.

• Welcoming remarks by Rik Ocvirk
• Santa’s First Gift of Christmas
• Santa leads crowd in countdown from 10 and lights the tree
• Photo Opp with Santa and Elves in front of tree
• Performance by The Tenors (three songs from their album, Christmas with The Tenors)

Please note: If you require parking, please let us know. We will have an area with a riser for cameras on a first come first served basis. We recommend cameras/reporters arrive early and set up as the area around the tree will become very crowded.

WHERE:
The Distillery Historic District
55 Mill Street, Toronto

WHY:
Attracting a million visitors annually, the seven-week-long Distillery Winter Village, formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market, has been recognized globally among the best Christmas markets in the world. Now in its 16th season, the event features 47 holiday vendor cabins, shopping, festive performances, holiday photo ops, nine outdoor bars and 40 food options.

Tickets start at $15 + HST and admin fee.

The event runs from November 13 - January 4. For tickets, event details and more information visit: www.thedistillerywintervillage.com.

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For more information and to confirm attendance at the tree lighting ceremony, please contact:

Laurie Weir / Will Lamont
Next Public Relations Inc.
laurie@nextpublicrelations.com / will@nextpublicrelations.com
416-735-6919 / 647-382-7882

TORONTO – October 23, 2025 – Today, The Distillery Winter Village presented by L’Oréal Paris, announced its 2025 programming line-up as it prepares to transform Toronto’s Distillery Historic District into an enchanting holiday destination recognized around the world – attracting a million visitors annually.

Now in its 16th season, this proudly Canadian celebration brings more programming and more holiday magic than ever. From Netflix’s Stranger Things 5 immersive experience and The Pura Vida Chocolate Experience presented by Visit Costa Rica to Chef’s Lane featuring exclusive dishes from top Canadian chefs and performances by beloved Canadian institutions like The Tenors, the Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, this year’s lineup promises to deliver cherished holiday memories.

Visitors will find 47 vendor cabins and nine outdoor holiday bars – the most ever – under a canopy of festive lights offering everything from winter comfort food to must-try treats and seasonal gifts. Highlights include Cluny Bistro’s viral torched s’mores hot chocolate, a Craig’s Cookies pop-up, spiralized potato on a stick, Dubai chocolate, Japanese tacos, fresh strawberries in melted chocolate, and themed outdoor bars like the Ugly Sweater Patio, Peppermint Patio, and the Naughty or Nice Bar.

Recognized among the best Christmas markets globally, The Distillery Winter Village blends the nostalgia of a traditional European market in the heart of downtown Toronto, and runs from November 13, 2025 to January 4, 2026. This year, L’Oréal Paris joins as presenting sponsor to help bring the holiday spirit to life across 13 acres of cobblestone streets and historic architecture.

“This will be one of our most exciting years yet,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “Our programming combines culinary creativity, family-friendly entertainment, and charming design in a way that captures what makes The Distillery Winter Village so special during the holidays. And we’re proud to partner with L’Oréal Paris, a brand that shares our belief in making beauty, joy and memorable experiences accessible to everyone.”

The tree lighting ceremony on opening night, Thursday, November 13, 2025 will be live streamed for people around the world to enjoy. Catch the show at youtube.com/@distillery_to from 5:30 p.m - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Distillery Winter Village 2025 Program Guide

OPENING NIGHT & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m., Santa flips the switch and lights up Canada’s most iconic Christmas tree. The evening will feature a special performance by The Tenors, immediately following the lighting. All ticket profits from opening night support local charity partners. Tickets are required.

SHOW-STOPPING LINE-UP OF PERFORMANCES AND HOLIDAY MUSIC From choirs and carollers to musical theatre stars and family sing-alongs, this year’s schedule offers something special for every kind of visitor. Performances are free with admission.

Performance Highlights

• The Tenors - November 13, Opening Night, 6:00 p.m.
  International Award-winning vocal sensation, The Tenors, return home and bring their powerful voices and world-class harmonies to Opening Night of The Distillery Winter Village.  Join us for a celebration of holiday classics in a performance that will set the stage for The Distillery Winter Village's 2025 season.
  
  
• Toronto Mendelssohn Choir – November 30, 7:00 & 8:00 p.m.
  JUNO-winning, GRAMMY-nominated Toronto Mendelssohn Choir brings their cherished Festival of Carols tradition, with two performances, featuring carols and festive works performed by members of Canada's largest, oldest, and most celebrated choral ensemble.
  

• Canadian Opera Company – December 5, 7:00 pm; & family-oriented show December 6, 3:30 p.m.
  Past Canadian Opera Company (COC) Ensemble Studio artists, COC Teaching Artists, and close opera friends of the COC present a beautiful holiday evening performance; alongside a reimagined musical exploration of Ezra Jack Keats’ timeless classic, "The Snowy Day".

• A Very Merry Mirvish Concert – December 7, 7:00 p.m.
  A Very Merry Mirvish Concert features cast members from three musicals playing on Mirvish stages this holiday season - the smash-hit Broadway musical & Juliet, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved The Sound of Music, and We Will Rock You featuring the songs of Queen.

• A Super Simple Christmas with Caitie & Tobee! – November 17-20, 3:00 p.m.; December 10-12, 3:00 p.m.; and December 15-17, 3:00 p.m.
  A joyful sing-along featuring favourites from Caitie’s Countdown to Christmas and classic carols like Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Plus, meet Caitie & Tobee on November 17 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and December 17 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and visit the Super Simple Pop-Up Shop for exclusive holiday gifts on select days.

• The McGregor Carollers
  A Toronto tradition - a quartet of carollers will fill the site with holiday cheer. Their appearance schedule is found here.
  
  
• Crane Creations Theatre Company - Every Sunday from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  Holiday puppets, Bunny, Squirrel and Crane will spread cheer and spark imagination in kids of all ages.

STRANGER THINGS 5 IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Netflix is thrilled to bring Canadian fans an exclusive Stranger Things immersive experience at The Distillery Winter Village. To celebrate the highly anticipated final season, Netflix invites visitors to step inside the supernatural heart of Hawkins, Indiana for a photo op straight out of the show. Get ready to relive one of the series’ most iconic, spine-tingling moments as you stand in the legendary recreation of the Byers’ living room, complete with the haunting alphabet wall and the show’s signature string of Christmas lights. This is a pop-culture pilgrimage that puts you directly inside the scene that started it all.

Stranger Things 5 will debut in three volumes this fall: four episodes on Nov. 26, three episodes
on Christmas Day, and the finale episode
on New Year’s Eve. Each volume releases at 5:00 p.m. PST.

THE PURA VIDA CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY VISIT COSTA RICA
Escape to the land of pura vida - “the good life” - and the warmth of Costa Rica. The Archeo patio transforms into a tropical chocolate paradise, where guests can sip hot chocolate served in fresh coconuts topped with whipped cream, try the decadent “mochanut” (a blend of coffee and hot chocolate, also served in a real coconut), dip into tropical fruit fondue, and sample premium chocolate. Enjoy your drink at vibrant surfboard tables, then unwind in bird-nest loungers beneath a symbolic ceiba tree, surrounded by rainforest scenery where sloths, parrots, and tree frogs make an appearance. For kids, there's a creative colouring station inspired by Costa Rica’s iconic hand-painted oxcarts.

SANTA’S VILLAGE
This year, Santa’s Village inside Soulpepper Theatre has a magical new look inspired by Bad Hats’ Narnia (an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved story about the mystical land of Narnia). Children and families can enter through the wardrobe into a blue and silvery winter wonderland, take a photo with Santa and his elves, and even encounter Narnia characters. 

FESTIVE FOOD AND DRINK
With 40 food vendors and nine themed outdoor bars, there’s something to delight every taste bud.

• New This Year: Santa Spuds (spiralized potato on a stick), Robata-style meat skewers, Dubai Chocolates, and a Craig’s Cookies pop-up.
• Plus, some returning favourites: Cluny’s viral torched s’mores hot chocolate, Santa’s smoker and BBQ, Japanese tacos, poutine, Nepalese momos (dumplings), empanadas, pierogies, mini donuts, mini pancakes, fresh strawberries with chocolate, and classic Swiss Raclette.

Three new foodie experiences:

• Chef’s Lane
  Pure Spirits Mews transforms into a mouth-watering culinary destination, featuring elevated holiday creations by four top Canadian chefs. Participating chefs will be announced at a later date. Exclusive to The Distillery Winter Village. 
  
  
• Ugly Sweater Patio Bar
  This Cluny Bistro patio invites you to flaunt your best (or worst) holiday sweater. An 8-foot ball of yarn sets the stage for a quirky, can’t-miss holiday hangout.
  
  
• Peppermint Patio
  FFollow the 10’ Candy Cane Wreath into a red-and-white striped wonderland. From arches to columns, this Madrina Bar y Tapas patio is sugar-cane sweet and brimming with holiday cheer. Order a candy-cane inspired cocktail and raise a glass to the season.

SHOPPING & HOLIDAY GIFTS
Visitors can explore 85-plus year-round retailers, plus  vendor cabins offering handmade holiday gifts and one-of-a-kind finds.

HOLIDAY PHOTO OPS 
Pose in front of the centrepiece Christmas Tree and capture these can’t-miss holiday displays: the 80,000 dangling white lights at the Naughty or Nice Bar, the Heart of Christmas display, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, the Candy Cane Wreath, and the famous Countdown to Christmas clock - plus hundreds of thousands of holiday lights strung across the site.

Professional photos by the Christmas Tree will be offered for purchase by The Photo Spot. 

TICKETS AND PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Tickets are required for peak times, including: Opening Night; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and daily from December 15 - 31; and for New Years Eve. Kids aged nine and under are always free. For ticket details, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com. Tickets start at $15 (plus service charge and HST), and visitors can choose between four different tiers of tickets, including a combo ticket to see Illuminiarium’s new immersive show, Mythos.

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY WINTER VILLAGE
The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original outdoor Christmas market, set within The Distillery Historic District. Recognized among the best Christmas markets in the world, it welcomes more than one million visitors each year from across Canada and abroad. For seven weeks each winter, the neighbourhood transforms into a festive destination featuring its famous Christmas tree, seasonal vendor cabins, festive performances, and themed food and beverage experiences. The event employs more than 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for local charities. For more information and tickets, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

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Visit The Distillery Winter Village media resources hub for images, fast facts and more about the history of the event: thedistillerywintervillage.com/media-resources

For more information, to schedule an interview or visit, please contact:
Laurie Weir & Will Lamont
Next Public Relations Inc.
laurie@nextpublicrelations.com / will@nextpublicrelations.com 

TORONTO, September 17, 2025 – Christmas may still be months away, but Toronto’s original and world-famous Christmas Market is already counting down to opening night. The Distillery Winter Village returns November 13, 2025 - January 4, 2026, and tickets are officially on sale today at www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

 Set against the backdrop of Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, The Distillery Winter Village transforms 13 acres of cobblestone streets and Victorian industrial architecture into a magical wonderland filled with holiday lights, carollers, photo ops, festive food and drinks, and one-of-a-kind shopping from local artisans. One million visitors from around the world are expected this season, making The Distillery Winter Village one of the most popular holiday destinations of its kind.

Opening Night & Tree Lighting Ceremony

The 2025 season kicks off Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m. with the most anticipated holiday tradition in the country - the lighting of Canada’s most iconic Christmas tree. A crowd of thousands will join Santa in counting down before he flips the switch and officially opens Toronto’s world-famous Christmas Market. Opening Night is a ticketed event and profits support local charities. At the end of the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to be used as mulch for 60 homes being built in 2026.

What to Expect This Season

Highlights include a new Santa’s Village (with a Narnia-inspired theme), Santa and his elves, roaming carollers, themed outdoor cocktail bars, the famed countdown clock, and vendor cabins filled with gifts and festive treats including the return of viral favourites like the Cluny s’mores hot chocolate. The full line-up of entertainment, holiday photo ops, and surprise performances, including Boxing Week and New Year’s Eve celebrations, will be announced in October.

“We know it’s early to be talking about the holidays, but we wanted to give Toronto an early Christmas present by launching tickets today so everyone can start planning their visit,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “Many of The Distillery Winter Village favourites are back this year - from Santa’s Village to the Naughty or Nice Bar to our famous photo ops; but we’ve also got some exciting new experiences in store that we can’t wait to share when we announce the full line-up next month.” 

Tickets & Planning Your Visit

Tickets are required for peak times, including: Opening Night; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and daily from December 15 - 31. Kids aged nine and under are always free. For ticket details, visitors should check the calendar at www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

Tickets start at $15 (plus service charge and HST).

About The Distillery Winter Village

The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original and world-famous outdoor Christmas Market, set in the historic backdrop of The Distillery Historic District in Toronto, Ontario. It has ranked among the Best Christmas Markets globally and attracts one million visitors annually from around the world. For over seven weeks from mid November to early January each year, The Distillery Winter Village transforms The Distillery Historic District into a magical winter wonderland filled with its famous centrepiece Christmas tree, Santa and his Elves, thousands of holiday lights, dozens of vendor cabins, festive fare, and themed bars. It employs over 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for community charities. For more information, visit www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

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Visit The Distillery Winter Village media resources hub for images, fast facts and more about the history of the event: https://www.thedistillerywintervillage.com/media-resources

Media contact:
Laurie Weir / Will Lamont
Next Public Relations Inc.
laurie@nextpublicrelations.com / will@nextpublicrelations.com