Toronto in December – Toronto Winter Activities Guide
Toronto is a magical heaven of snow, lights, and festivity in December. We lived in Toronto and that is where we celebrated our first holiday season and winter in Canada. Here is a guide to Toronto in December with weather and packing information, the best activities to do in winter, light fests, and more.
Toronto in December – Toronto Winter Activities Guide
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Why visit Toronto in December? Things to do in Toronto in winter
Toronto in December is an amazing time to visit. The weather although cold, but if you dress well and are mindful of the daily forecasts you can travel and explore the city with ease.
There are so many free things to do in Toronto in December which are worth taking advantage of. Many of these events are seasonal and you won’t see them at other times of the year.
Our transit systems and buildings are all heated, so you can drive the bad cold out and enjoy a warm cocoa and stay toasty, while it snows outside.
Hotels in Toronto in December are reasonably priced. The holiday season is busy with festivities, but it is not a peak season in Toronto. So you can expect to get hotel bookings at a decent price.
Malls and restaurants (except the fast food chains) will be closed for Christmas and they close early on Christmas Eve, so keep that in mind as you plan your holidays around those days.
But come December 26th, the shopping malls and online stores become busy with bargain shoppers!
Toronto also has many fine dining places for celebrating the holiday season with friends, family, or your sweetheart.
Temperature in Toronto in December
Toronto experiences snow in December. Days get shorter and colder. Average temperatures range from a low of – 3 degrees Celsius to a high of 3 degree Celsius (temperatures do not include the wind chill in the city).
There are chances of rain for 9 days of the month in December.
| TORONTO IN DECEMBER | TEMPERATURES |
|---|---|
| High | 3 degree Celsius (37.4 F) |
| Low | – 3 degree Celsius (26.6 F) |
| Rain | 9 days |
| Snow | .20 inches throughout the month of December, probably slightly higher after the 20th |
Toronto in December experiences the majority of the snowfall for the year. Especially from mid-December onwards, expect a lot of snow on the ground, with colder temperatures. The wind from Lake Ontario makes Toronto even colder with the wind chill.
So always wear a warm cap or a scarf to cover your head from the wind chill. Keep your hands warm with gloves.
And always dress for the weather appropriately. We have included a packing list below for visiting Toronto in December.
What to pack for Toronto in December?
We have written a detailed guide on packing for Canada in winter and it holds true for Toronto as well. Keep in mind – expect chilly days in Toronto with snowfall, slippery surfaces, and traffic congestion.
So here are some of the essential items to pack for Toronto in December
- Parka or winter jacket – Toronto gets pretty cold in December and it feels colder with the wind chill, carry and wear a warm parka or winter jacket. Check out this winter jacket from North Face
- Winter boots – Wear winter boots in Toronto in December as you are out and about exploring Christmas markets. Stay warm. Ensure your boots are at-least ankle length, waterproof, and have a good grip. Get these Ugg boots for Banff
- Warm/woolen socks
- Gloves
- Scarf – I LOVE blanket scarves. They will keep you warm and cozy. Check out this warm plaid scarf here.
- Beanie or warm hat – Super important to keep your head and ears warm. Check this warm beanie here
- Thermal pants and tops (or long johns) – Thermal inner top, and pants aka long johns are super handy in Canadian winters. Shop our favorite from Amazon
- 1-3 pretty sweaters (depending on the length of stay)
- Carry moisturizer with up to 24-hour hydration – Shop my favorite Body Shop Vitamin E moisturizer
- Add a nice woolen sweater dress or a black dress for Christmas events or special dinners.
Click on the items below to shop
Toronto hotel for December for all budgets
For celebrating the festive season in Toronto stay in the downtown area, so that commuting and sightseeing attractions are easily accessible. Within the downtown area of Toronto, you can choose a hotel in the harbourfront area.
Other options include the Toronto Eaton centre mall or the entertainment district.
Pretty much, anywhere in downtown Toronto will be easy for light rail transit commute. Hotels in downtown start at $95 CAD per night+
Here are some recommended hotels for your visit
Luxury Options in Downtown Toronto
- Hotel Fairmont Royal York: If you are looking for a luxury stay in Toronto, then look no further. This 4 star hotel in downtown Toronto is calling you for a luxurious stay overlooking the tall buildings.
- Hotel Fairmont Royal York is conveniently located close to CN Tower and other sightseeing attractions.
- The hotel rooms are stunning and it has an indoor pool on site. Free breakfast.
- BOOK YOUR STAY HERE
- Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel: Another upscale 4 star hotel in downtown Toronto.
- Good location. Close to sightseeing spots
- Free breakfast and wifi. Indoor and Outdoor pool
- BOOK YOUR STAY HERE
Mid Range Hotel
- Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto-Harbourfront – This is a 4 star hotel with great views. But in December you can see nightly rates start as low as $101 CAD.
- Beautiful bright rooms with modern amenities
- The hotel has a heated outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant.
- Check prices for Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto-Harbourfront
- Hotel Victoria: A 3 star hotel that seals the deal with an awesome location and vintage room decor. The building dates from 1909.
- It is located a 2-minute (walk) away from the King Station subway stop, a 7-minute walk from St. Lawrence Market, and 2 km (1.2 miles) from the landmark CN Tower.
- Good value for money. Free parking in the downtown hotel. Free breakfast
- (Temporarily closed)
- View hotel deals in Toronto for December
Toronto in December – MAP of Toronto Attractions for December
Amazing things to do in Toronto in December
I got to share this picture of mine from 2009, when I was all of 22 years old and was seeing snow for the first time. Yep, that was me in Toronto from an apartment building.
Snow makes everything magical here in winter. And that is me saying after having experienced heavy snow fall, blizzards, and surviving – 45 degrees Celsius in Saskatchewan, and now in Alberta! See I survived and enjoy winters here.
So let’s look at some of the amazing things to do in Toronto in December.
BONUS READ: For Toronto Itinerary Inspiration read our Toronto travel guide for 7 days
Visit Toronto Christmas Markets in December
Visiting Toronto in December means indulging in tons of festive activities. One of my favorite things to do in December is to head to a Christmas Market.
The Christmas markets in Toronto are inspired by the European Christkindlmarkt aka Christmas markets of German origin, and you know how beautiful the markets are in Europe.
Walking into these Christmas Markets, the candle scents, ornaments, food, and warm drinks will welcome you and dip you into the festive cheer!
- Distillery District Christmas Markets – November 17 to December 31 2022
- Nathan Philips Square Christmas Markets – December 2 to 23 2022
- Kensington Market Winter + Christmas – November 26 to December 3, 2022
Toronto Christmas markets are set up in late November and are open until the end of December.
Distillery District Christmas Markets – November 17 to December 31, 2022
The most popular Christmas market is located in the historic Distillery District of Toronto. The old world charming Christmas markets await you here, with carols, music and entertainment, vendors selling holiday goodies, food, and more.
Nathan Philips Square Christmas Markets – December 2 to 23 2022
There are a few more Christmas markets in the city. The Nathan Philips Square is decked up like a European market in December, as part of the Festive and Holiday Fair. The dates of the event are usually the first week of December until Christmas Eve.
As it is part of the Holiday Fair, you will find tons of other activities to keep you and the kids busy. You can shop and get ready with Christmas gifts, stop for lunch, ice skate, and end the day with dining (and drinks at the Ice bar) at Nathan Philips Square.
Lawrence Market, Kensington Market, and Chinatown also have Christmas markets set up for this time of the year.
Pro-tip: Other than festive culinary delights, do keep some room for the famous peameal bacon sandwich in Toronto!
Ring in the holiday season in a castle in Toronto – Casa Loma’s A Nutcracker Christmas
Casa Loma is a 20th-century castle located in the heart of the city. During the month of December, Casa Loma is decked up with festive lights and charm, and imagine how stunning the Gothic castle looks.
Definitely stop by for photos and experience a memorable Christmas as you tour the castle hallways and underground cellar. Visitors are invited to meet Santa in his castle workshop and participate in festive arts and crafts, enjoying shows by famed entertainers and ice skating performers.
A giant Christmas tree is set up at the Casa Loma to ring in the festive season.
Dates for this event: December month (TBA for 2022)
Entry fee: Included in the general admission is $30 per adult
Celebrate winter in Toronto with the Aurora Winter Festival
Winters are a wonderful time in Toronto and Canada in general. We love exploring our cities in winter and there are many reasons why we recommend experiencing the snowy weather here.
Imagine the world is painted in soft white colors, and sometimes when the sun shines it glitters and makes things so beautiful and pure! Well, that’s Canadian winters for you.
Appreciate the crisp and cold weather in Toronto in December by visiting the Aurora Winter Festival. This festival will transport you from Toronto to the North Pole. The festival is delightful with many colorful light displays, amusement rides, and many winter activities.
The festival site is located at Ontario Place, which also holds Winter Light Exhibition.
Dates and entry fee for the event: Check out tickets here
Explore Winter Villages in Toronto in December
Winter villages’ concept in Toronto is similar to the Christmas Markets, but you can expect tons of comfort aka winter food here.
Distillery Winter Village
The Distillery Winter Village is a beautiful spot to spend festive winters in Toronto. There is food, Christmas lights, entertainment, and more! On most days, entry is free. But Fridays and weekends there is a fee and tickets have to be purchased online.
Dates for this event: November 17 to December 31, 2022. Buy tickets here
Entry fee: Free + paid on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Evergreen Brick Works’ Winter Village
The Evergreen Brick Works’ Winter Village is foodie heaven with street food vendors selling treats, mulled wine, craft beer, and eggnog. They actually have a Sipping container where you can sip some winter and festive drinks and relax by the fire.
Dates for this event: Usually every weekend in December, the week between Christmas to New Years – 10:00 am to 05:00 pm (no dates announced for 2022 yet. Check here)
Entry fee: Free
There is also a Venus Winter Market set up during the month of December. This market showcases and sells arts and crafts items from local vendors.
Watch the festive lights at Toronto Zoo – Terra Lumina Enchanted Lights Walk
Toronto Zoo is expected to get a 1.5-km (.9 miles) light show, called the Terra Lumina Night Walk in December. It will be held on Fridays through Sundays, starting on November 11, 2022, and ending on December 31, 2022.
Toronto Zoo also organizes a Winter Marketplace, and the dates are November 19 – 20 2022. All details here
(Edmonton hosts a similar event at the Devonian Botanical Gardens called the ‘Luminaria’, and it is a wonderful experience, and tickets get sold out fast).
Enjoy a holiday meal at the CN Tower – 360 the restaurant and the LookOut
Toronto’s iconic landmark CN Tower lights up and welcomes guests for holiday dining and drinks at the LookOut. (Note: Closed on Christmas Day)
Take photos with Santa Claus at the biggest mall in Toronto
Head to the Yorkdale mall in Toronto for holiday shopping and stop by to say hello and snap a photo with good ol’ Santa Claus.
There are Santa Photo booths and stations in all of the malls in Toronto. My favorites are Eaton Center, Fairview Mall, and the Scarborough Town Center.
Celebrate Winter Solstice at the Kensington Market
December 21st is the longest (and most times the coldest) day of the year. Celebrate Winter Solstice in style in the heart of Kensington market. The entire market is transformed into a winter wonderland of sorts with glitter and Hanukkah candles.
Dress warmly for the Winter Solstice Parade on December 21st. Explore Kensington Market in a walking tour here
Go Ice skating at the Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink
Fancy ice skating in Toronto? Head to the Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink, the most popular outdoor skating rink in Toronto.
They are open from 09:00 am to 10:00 pm, with equipment rental available on-site. (Note: They will be closed temporarily for the 2022 season. Check for updates).
There are many outdoor ice rinks in the city. A majority of them will open on or after November 30th. Do check this year’s hours as many were closed for the 2021/22 Toronto winter season.
Get some retail therapy on Boxing Day in Toronto
December 26th is a crazy-fun day for shoppers. Shopping malls open early and they are filled with discount offers and holiday gifts that go on sale (right after Christmas). Get up early and line up to stock on your favorite items.
For Boxing Day shopping, use Toronto Transit services rather than driving down to the mall as parking is a hassle. Public transportation is efficient and easy to use in Toronto.
The following shopping malls have transit centers located in their vicinity/underground complex – Yorkdale, Eaton Center, Fairview, and Scarborough Town Center.
Learn about Toronto’s history at the Fort York National Historic Site
Fort York Historic Site contains many hidden secrets about Toronto’s past. This site was the primary defensive position of early York (Toronto) once upon a time.
Today it is filled with historical remnants including the seven buildings built between 1813 and 1815 which are examples of British military architecture in Canada.
During the month of December, the Fort York National Historic Site organizes many seasonal events.
Take a day trip to Niagara Falls and watch the evening lights show
Niagara Falls is located 1.50 hours away from Toronto. Embark on a day trip to Niagara Falls or take a tour to explore the frozen falls and experience the evening light show on the Niagara.
With this day tour to Niagara Falls via bus from Toronto, you can sit back, warm and toasty, and watch evening lights aglow on the falls. Check out this day tour here, departing at 01:00 pm from Toronto.
Enjoy the big city night lights at Yonge and Dundas Toronto
This is like our favorite place in Toronto – the Yonge and Dundas Square. This is a perfect place to wine and dine and go on a relaxed stroll after a satisfied belly meal!
The square is surrounded by live street performers, cafes and restaurants, and larger than life screens to keep the big city lights on!
New Year’s Eve on Nathan Phillips Square
Bid adieu to 2022 in style at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on December 31st. This is a free event featuring tons of shows including DJ, dance, and entertainment and SCINTILLATING FIREWORKS over the city of Toronto.
Toronto Light Festival
At the Distillery District, enjoy the Toronto Light Festival – an event filled with lights and an amazing show in the dark – this fest will definitely get you to enjoy the winters!
This event takes place in mid-January and is free to attend. More information here!
| DATES | EVENTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 11 – Dec 31 2022 | Terra Lumina Night Walk | Website |
| Nov 20 2022 | Toronto Santa Claus Parade | |
| Nov 17 – Dec 31 2022 | Distillery Winter Village | Tickets |
| Nov 19 – 20 2022 | Toronto Zoo Marketplace | |
| Nov 26 – Dec 3 2022 | Kensington Market Winter + Christmas | |
| Dec 2 – 23, 2022 | Nathan Philips Square Christmas Markets | |
| TBA | Aurora winter festival | |
| December | Evergreen Brick Works’ Winter Village | |
| Dec 21, 2022 | Kensington Market winter solstice fest | |
| January (TBA) | Toronto Light Festival |
Indoor things to do in Toronto in Winter (December to February)
Here are some of the popular things to do in Toronto all year round, and are perfect to escape the cold in winter!
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum of natural history and world cultures. With six million items in its collections, there’s plenty to see and learn about at the ROM.
The Museum is internationally recognized for its collection of dinosaurs and other fossils, as well as for its collections of Asian art and textiles. The museum also has an extensive Canadian art collection. In addition to its 40 galleries, the ROM also has a research centre, library, and Archives
They are open all year round, including the holidays in December (except December 25 and 26). Tickets start at $23 per adult.
The Royal Ontario Museum is one of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, and it’s right here in Toronto! With a collection spanning from 100 AD to the present day, there’s something for everyone at the AGO.
Tickets start at $25 per adult.
Ontario Science Museum
The Ontario Science Museum has everything you need for a fully immersive and educational vacation experience. With interactive exhibits on everything from space exploration to animal behavior, there’s something for everyone at the Science Museum (not just kids).
The Ontario Science Centre is one of the first interactive science museums in the world.
Tickets start at $22 (adult), $17 (youth), and $13 (kids).
Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum is a unique museum in Toronto. And a cool stop for anyone who loves shoes!
The museum opened in 1995, and it houses over 15,000 shoe exhibits and thousands of years of footwear history from ancient Egyptian sandals to 20th-century sneakers.
There are Temporary Exhibits on display as well, which change over time. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s sure to be an exhibit that will pique your interest!
Tickets are $14 per person.
CN Tower
No Toronto in winter list is complete without a stop at the CN Tower. Standing at a whopping 553.3 meters (1,815.4 feet) tall, it’s hard to miss!
But did you know that the CN Tower is more than just a pretty face? It is one of the unique engineering marvels and feats that make this tower one of the most Badass structures in the world.
It is currently the 9th tallest free-standing structure in the world and the tallest in North America. The tower gets its name from Canadian National—the railway company that commissioned its construction.
There are observation decks, restaurants, and retail space inside! Ride the elevator to an indoor/outdoorSkyPod observation deck, and soak in the views of the harbourfront and nearby areas.
It is believed that the tower is struck 70-85 times every year…and counting!
We hope you enjoyed this list of activities to do in Toronto in December. Remember to wear warm clothes, and you will be all ready to embrace the winter with love!
For more updated events listing, check the Tourism Toronto website
Read other posts on travel in Canada and Toronto
- Get day trip itinerary ideas to explore more of Toronto Ontario
- Get Canada winter guides
Pin: Guide to Toronto Toronto in December Travel Guide and Travel tips for visiting
