STACKT launches 6th annual Holiday Hills (Photos)

STACKT market has kicked off its sixth-annual Holiday Hills, featuring over 100 local vendors and transforming two city blocks into a winter wonderland until December 28.

New this year, the festival embraces a nostalgia-driven rebrand, blending classic holiday traditions with modern experiences, all free to the public. Guests can rediscover beloved holiday treats, vintage-inspired cocktails, classic movies, and a refreshed market atmosphere that brings favourite holiday memories to life.

The market is located at 28 Bathurst Street in Toronto.

Key Highlights:

Holiday Market Vendors: Over 100 local vendors, including artisans, small-batch makers, and seasonal pop-ups offering handcrafted gifts, exclusive holiday drops, and rotating creative storefronts.
Brand Pop-Ups & Activations: Seasonal brand activations that complement the market experience, including pop-ups from Pine Sol, Ocean Spray, Arc/teryx and more.
Holiday Installations & Signature Moments: Oversized inflatables, sparkling evergreen décor, storybook window vignettes, a 120-foot immersive light tunnel, a towering Christmas tree, and the scent of chestnuts roasting on-site.
Festive Eats & Mixology Experiences: Seasonal cocktails, new winter patio pop-ups, and the first-ever Speakeasy Espresso Martini Bar. Comfort favourites include Sundays Pasta Lab, Las Muns empanadas, and Mondays Off sliders, plus share-worthy hot chocolate flights.

Emily Farncomb, Director of Marketing at STACKT, said nostalgia plays a powerful role during the holidays, connecting people to moments of warmth, joy, and tradition.

“We wanted to tap into that emotional layer with this year’s Holiday Hills rebrand, while delivering an experience that feels modern yet reflective of STACKT’s creative identity. Visually, we took things in a new direction, drawing inspiration from retro Bauhaus design. The shapes, graphic elements, and clean lines offer a modern twist on traditional holiday motifs. It’s familiar, but elevated, and it reflects the balance we were aiming for across the site: playful, yet design-forward,” she said.

“We also introduced thoughtful, hands-on experiences that reference past traditions, like gingerbread house workshops and carolling performances. These small, but meaningful moments, paired with holiday music, scents, decor and more, help evoke a sense of nostalgia without relying on cliché, and they give guests something personal to connect with.”

Farncomb said curation for Holiday Hills always starts with a simple question: What will make this a fun and memorable experience for our guests, something worth coming back to?

“This year, we’ll see over 100 local makers, artisans, and rotating pop-ups over the course of Holiday Hills. That includes returning favourites like Cracked Knot, which has earned a loyal following, as well as a wide range of new brands offering everything from handcrafted goods to personalized gifts, like photo macarons or custom-printed apparel. We were also excited to welcome Fable to the marketplace this season; their beautifully crafted homeware pairs perfectly with the one-of-a-kind gifts and handmade pieces found across Holiday Hills. Aside from the storefronts, weekly vendor markets play a huge role, keeping the experience feeling dynamic and fresh,” she said.

“The idea was to capture the diversity and creativity of the city while making it easy for guests to discover something unique, whether they’re gift shopping, supporting local, or just wandering through. It’s about more than just shopping, though. Seasonal food vendors and engaging experiences all help to shape the atmosphere and give the market its energy.

“Holiday Hills is designed to feel fun, lively and ever-changing, so guests can visit more than once with the promise of discovering something new each time.”

Farncomb said this year, Holiday Hills is all about contrast – mixing the cozy, familiar feeling of classic holiday traditions with unexpected moments of creativity and engagement for guests

“The nine oversized inflatable installations bring bold, memorable visuals to our site. They’re easy to spot, fun to explore, and encourage visitors to pause and engage. The Tunnel of Lights remains a key feature and has been upgraded this year with even more lights, as well as a new scent activation through our partnership with Pine-Sol, adding a sensory twist to a beloved experience that guests look forward to each year,” she said.

“At the same time, we’ve also added more intimate moments, including carolling performances, roasted chestnuts, and elevated patio settings. These elements create a layered experience that reflects Holiday Hills’s identity and give every guest something different to connect with.”

Farncomb said the expanded food and beverage offerings have played a big role in shaping this year’s Holiday Hills. They’ve added variety and more ways for people to enjoy the festival.

“The Speakeasy Espresso Martini Bar is one of the new highlights – a cozy, tucked-away concept that brings a bit of sophistication and surprise to Holiday Hills. We’ve also added a new outdoor patio called Finlandia Winter Retreat and introduced more fire pits throughout the site, making it easier for guests to gather, relax and stay warm while enjoying the outdoors,” she said.

“Food offerings range from comfort food classics to shareable, festive treats – including vendors like Sundays Pasta Lab, Las Muns (empanadas), and Mondays Off (sliders). We’ve also leaned into social and seasonal offerings, like hot cider and limited-time menu items, perfect for groups, families, or date nights. And of course, Tiny Tom’s Donuts, a nostalgic staple for many, taps into a sense of tradition that’s both familiar and comforting.

“Together, the expanded F&B program rounds out the entire Holiday Hills experience, giving people more reasons to stay, explore, and spend the evening – whether they’re coming for the food, the shopping, the entertainment, or all of it combined.”

Farncomb said brand activations are a key part of bringing Holiday Hills to life. Each partnership creates meaningful, interactive moments that enhance the experience and invite guests to engage in new ways.

“Each partnership is thoughtfully integrated into the fabric of the festival to feel purposeful and connected to the space. For example, Pine-Sol enhanced our signature Tunnel of Lights with a nostalgic scent element, transforming a fan-favourite installation into a fully sensory experience.

One of our most exciting collaborations this year was with The Original Santa Claus Parade. Their involvement added an entirely new layer to our opening weekends, featuring live performances, a marching band, and a visit from Santa himself,” she said.

“Another standout partnership was with Interac, which supported four of the vendor markets with a $10 gift card incentive for guests who spent $30 or more with participating small businesses – a simple but effective way to encourage local shopping and community support.

“We also hosted weekly sampling activations with a range of brands, giving visitors something new to taste or try each weekend and adding an element of discovery to every visit.

“We’re always intentional about creating a space where emerging and established brands can share the same environment in a way that feels seamless. These partnerships create opportunities for guests to engage, discover, and interact with the brands, while fitting naturally into the flow and layered, design-forward feel of STACKT.”