New York is frequently cited among the best cities in the world to visit for Christmas, with its holiday markets, iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree, and picture-perfect skating rinks.
If you can't make it to the Big Apple this year, however, don't fret — Toronto has so many holiday experiences and activities that are just like spending Christmas in NYC.
As someone who recently visited New York at Christmas, the 6ix does the holidays just as well. Here are seven things to do in Toronto to check off your Christmas list before the season is over.
Skate at Nathan Phillips Square
Price: Free
Address: 100 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: New York has the Rockefeller Center, but Toronto has Nathan Philips Square. And while the latter can get pretty busy, after seeing the crowds in NYC at Christmas, I'll never take Toronto for granted again.
The free outdoor rink is now open for skating daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here, you can glide across the ice under the glow of twinkling lights and the iconic Toronto sign.
You'll find skate rentals and a changing room here, as well as a food concession and washrooms. If you're not a skater, you can still take in the action from the upper-level roof terrace in the square.
Visit the Toronto Christmas market
Price: 15+ per person
Address: 51 Gristmill Lane, Toronto, ON
When: Until January 7, 2024
Why You Need To Go: Toronto's Christmas market has been called one of the best in the world in 2023, right alongside the Bryant Park Winter Village in New York.
And while at times you may find yourself struggling to get through the crowds at the NYC Christmas market, from my own experience visiting the Distillery Winter Village every year, the Toronto Christmas market is much less crowded.
During the picture-perfect holiday experience, you can stroll the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District under a canopy of twinkling lights, find one-of-a-kind gifts from one of the many vendor cabins, and enjoy holiday treats.
The Winter Village also has a stunning Christmas tree that serves as the centrepiece of the market.
You can enjoy the Winter Village over Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (it's closed on Christmas Day) and into the new year, with the market sticking around until January 7.
Sip festive drinks at a holiday bar
Price: $5 cover fee for entry
When: Until December 30, 2023
Address: 875 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Toronto has so many festive holiday bars where you can sip Christmassy cocktails under twinkling lights and cheery decor.
Miracle Toronto is a pop-up cocktail bar with kitschy holiday decor serving up an array of festive cocktails made by the team at Civil Liberties.
The bar is open at 875 Bloor St. W. this year and operates on a walk-in basis.
With fun mugs and holiday attire encouraged, it's nearly impossible to not get into the holiday spirit here.
The bar is open now until December 30, and $1 of every drink sold is donated to Nellie's Shelter, an organization providing shelter, education and advocacy for women and children in the GTA.
See the Eaton Centre tree
Price: Free
Address: 220 Yonge St, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: While most visit the Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC, one of Toronto's most iconic trees is arguably the Eaton Centre Christmas tree.
The 114-foot-tall Christmas tree can be found in the Centre Court of the shopping mall at 220 Yonge Street and is said to be the tallest in North America.
The mall itself has also been transformed into a winter wonderland, with dazzling daily snowfall displays.
You can see daily tree light and snow shows at the Eaton Centre from now until December 31.
Eaton Centre website
Enjoy winter treats at WinterFest
Price: $24.99+ per person
When: Until January 6, 2024
Address: 1 Canada's Wonderland Dr., Vaughan, ON
Why You Need To Go: Canada's Wonderland has been transformed into a world of winter magic for WinterFest, and there's still time to enjoy it.
Instead of going all the way to NYC, you can enjoy live holiday entertainment, spectacular twinkling lights, hundreds of Christmas trees and festive treats at the amusement park in Vaughan.
There's also ice skating available on Snow Flake Lake in front of the iconic Wonder Mountain surrounded by holiday projections and sparkling lights.
If you haven't experienced WinterFest yet, you can still do so on select nights until January 6.
Cavalcade of lights
Price: Free
When: Until January 7, 2024
Address: 100 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This Toronto light festival is definitely reminiscent of the light shows currently running in New York.
The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square transforms Toronto's City Hall and the square into a dazzling wonderland inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals and winter solstice celebrations.
During the festival, the plaza is filled with over half a million lights and is also home to a dazzling Christmas tree. You can take in the holiday lights or enjoy skating on the Nathan Phillips Square rink.
Visit the Fairmont Royal York
Price: Prices vary
Address: 100 Front St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you've always dreamed of staying at the Plaza Hotel for Christmas like Kevin McCallister in Home Alone 2, you can get a similar experience at the Fairmont Royal York.
The hotel has tons of holiday decorations and experiences, including a gorgeous Christmas tree set up in the main lobby.
Until December 31, you can enjoy Holiday Tea in the Clockwork lobby bar, or take a stroll through a real-life gingerbread lane in the East Lobby made with over 8500 freshly baked gingerbread bricks, real icing and twelve kinds of candy.
Enjoy!
