This European-Style Christmas Market In Ontario Has Lakeside Fire Pits & Boozy Drinks

If you can't make it to Europe for the holidays, this sparkly Ontario Christmas Market can satisfy your wanderlust as you sip mulled wine by a lakeside fire pit.

Friday Harbour's Christmas Market returned on November 25 and you can listen to carollers sing as you browse chalet-style booths and enjoy treats in one of the warming lounges.

The waterfront holiday market is bigger this year with more vendors to shop from, additional warming lounges, more festive eats and new pieces of decor. On top of the cozy outdoor firepit area there will be family-sized snow globes to warm up in and three spacious domes including a "Santa's Workshop" themed lounge. You can get your photos with the man in red and his elves.

The harbour will be adorned with twinkly lights and festive cheer as well as a giant 40-foot Christmas tree.

Christmas displays and fire pit at the Friday Harbour Christmas Market. Courtesy of Friday Harbour

The Friday Harbour menu is being expanded at some of the chalet cabins and you can find treats from the Smoker Haus and Sugar Shack, along with many others. You can look forward to indulging in holiday treats like maple turkey legs, pretzels, cinnamon donut holes, candy apples, hot chocolate, seasonal cocktails and more.

You can stop by the Christmas market between until December 23. Admission and parking for this magical event are free of charge.

The winter fun won't end in the new year and Friday Harbour has told Narcity that the Skate Escape ice rink will be coming back in January. More information about the skating is planned to be shared soon.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.