Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village will return this November with its most ambitious season to date, transforming the Distillery Historic District into a world-renowned holiday destination that attracts more than a million visitors each year. Presented by L’Oréal Paris, the 2025 edition will run from November 13, 2025, to January 4, 2026, featuring expanded programming, new culinary attractions, and exclusive partnerships with global brands including Netflix and Visit Costa Rica.
Now in its 16th year, the Distillery Winter Village has become one of Toronto’s signature seasonal celebrations. The event’s combination of European-style charm, culinary diversity, and live entertainment has earned it international recognition among the world’s best Christmas markets.
“This will be one of our most exciting years yet,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President of The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director of Experiences and Events at 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.”
Opening Night to Light Up Toronto
The 2025 festivities begin on Thursday, November 13, when Santa takes the stage to light what it calls Canada’s most iconic Christmas tree. The opening night ceremony, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will feature a live performance by the internationally acclaimed vocal group The Tenors, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.
All ticket proceeds from opening night will benefit local charities, continuing the event’s commitment to community giving. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube at youtube.com/@distillery_to between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The lighting of the tree officially marks the start of the holiday season in Toronto, as the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District glow with thousands of lights and festive décor across 13 acres of heritage architecture.
Expansive Lineup of Performances and Holiday Music
Live entertainment has long been central to the Distillery Winter Village experience, and this year’s program features an expanded roster of Canadian performers and institutions.
Highlights include:
- The Tenors performing on opening night with a special concert of holiday classics.
- The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir appearing November 30 for two evening performances at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.
- The Canadian Opera Company, performing December 5 and 6, with a program that includes a family-oriented musical interpretation of Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day.
- A Very Merry Mirvish Concert on December 7, featuring cast members from & Juliet, The Sound of Music, and We Will Rock You.
- A Super Simple Christmas with Caitie & Tobee!, returning for multiple performances between November 17 and December 17, offering interactive sing-alongs and meet-and-greet sessions for young audiences.
Adding to the atmosphere are the McGregor Carollers, who will perform throughout the village during the holiday season, and the Crane Creations Theatre Company, entertaining families every Sunday with their popular puppet characters Bunny, Squirrel, and Crane.
All performances are included with admission, further establishing the event as one of Toronto’s most accessible and inclusive seasonal attractions.
Netflix’s Stranger Things 5 Immersive Experience
In a major new collaboration, Netflix will bring the world of Stranger Things to life in an exclusive immersive experience at the Distillery Winter Village.
Visitors will step inside a life-sized recreation of the Byers’ living room from the hit series, complete with the haunting alphabet wall and signature string of flickering Christmas lights. The installation offers fans a photo opportunity and a chance to relive one of the show’s most iconic moments.
The activation coincides with the release of Stranger Things 5, the series’ final season, which will premiere in three volumes this winter — November 26, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
The collaboration underscores the Distillery Winter Village’s reputation for merging traditional holiday charm with contemporary cultural experiences.
The Pura Vida Chocolate Experience
Visitors can escape Toronto’s winter chill and step into the tropics through The Pura Vida Chocolate Experience presented by Visit Costa Rica, a new installation at the Archeo patio.
The space will be transformed into a lush, tropical setting complete with rainforest décor, surfboard tables, and a symbolic ceiba tree surrounded by parrots, sloths, and tree frogs. Guests can indulge in hot chocolate served in real coconuts, try the “mochanut” (a mix of coffee and hot chocolate), dip tropical fruit in chocolate fondue, and explore a creative colouring station for children.
This sensory-rich experience invites visitors to embrace the warmth and culture of Costa Rica’s “pura vida” lifestyle, adding a distinctly international flavour to the Toronto event.
Santa’s Village Returns with a New Look
One of the most anticipated attractions each year, Santa’s Village inside Soulpepper Theatre returns with a reimagined design inspired by Narnia, the beloved story by C.S. Lewis.
Guests will enter through a wardrobe into a shimmering blue-and-silver winter wonderland, where children can meet Santa and his elves, take photos, and encounter costumed characters from the world of Narnia.
The updated experience adds new theatrical touches, continuing the Winter Village’s tradition of combining art, performance, and imagination to create family-friendly holiday magic.
Culinary Offerings Reach New Heights
Food and beverage experiences remain a major draw, and 2025 will mark the event’s largest food program ever, featuring 40 food vendors and nine themed outdoor bars.
New additions include Santa Spuds (spiralized potatoes on a stick), Robata-style meat skewers, Dubai Chocolates, and a Craig’s Cookies pop-up. Returning favourites include Cluny Bistro’s viral torched s’mores hot chocolate, Nepalese momos, Swiss raclette, Japanese tacos, and fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate.
The food lineup continues to reflect the event’s growing role as both a cultural and culinary destination in the heart of Toronto.
Chef’s Lane: New this year, Chef’s Lane will transform Pure Spirits Mews into an open-air showcase for Canadian culinary talent. Four leading chefs will create exclusive dishes available only during the Winter Village. The full lineup will be announced in the coming weeks, offering visitors a taste of Canada’s evolving fine-dining scene within a festive street setting.
Themed Bars: The nine outdoor bars each feature a unique atmosphere and seasonal menu. Among the standouts are:
- The Ugly Sweater Patio Bar, located at Cluny Bistro, where guests are encouraged to wear their most festive holiday attire.
- The Peppermint Patio at Madrina Bar y Tapas, a red-and-white installation marked by a 10-foot candy cane wreath and striped arches.
- The Naughty or Nice Bar, illuminated by 80,000 twinkling white lights, one of the village’s most photographed spots.
Holiday Shopping and Artisan Vendors
The Distillery Winter Village 2025 will include 47 vendor cabins and more than 85 permanent retailers, offering everything from handcrafted ornaments and jewelry to gourmet products and home décor.
The mix of local artisans and established boutiques creates an immersive shopping experience that mirrors the charm of traditional European markets. Visitors can also browse seasonal pop-ups and exclusive collaborations throughout the historic district’s brick-lined storefronts.
The event remains one of Toronto’s most photographed holiday destinations. In addition to its centrepiece Christmas tree, visitors will find numerous backdrops for festive photos, including The Heart of Christmas display, Santa’s Sleigh and Reindeer, The Candy Cane Wreath, and the Countdown to Christmas clock.
Professional photos by The Photo Spot will once again be available for purchase, providing families with keepsake memories against the village’s glowing holiday lights and heritage façades.
Ticketing Details
Tickets are required for peak times including opening night, Fridays through Sundays after 4:00 p.m., Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m., and daily from December 15 to 31. Admission for children aged nine and under remains free.
Tickets start at $15 (plus service charge and HST), with four tiers available, including a bundled pass that includes entry to Illuminarium’s Mythos, a new immersive digital experience. Tickets and scheduling details can be found at TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.
