TORONTO, Nov 13 – Toronto has officially welcomed the festive season with the opening of the 2026 Distillery Winter Village, featuring a spectacular 55-foot Christmas tree decorated with more than 80,000 white lights.
Thousands of visitors gathered at the Distillery Historic District on November 12 to witness the annual tree-lighting ceremony. The event marked the beginning of one of Canada’s most popular Christmas celebrations.
The towering silver fir, standing 16.8 metres tall, features hundreds of specially designed ornaments inspired by Christmas decorations, gingerbread and cashmere.
Santa Claus joined the crowd for the countdown before the tree was illuminated. The celebration also included a special performance by JUNO Award-winning Canadian singer Holly Cole.
Now celebrating its 17th season, the Distillery Winter Village will run until January 3, 2027. Visitors can enjoy seven weeks of festive entertainment, seasonal food, shopping and holiday activities.
New Attractions Bring More Festive Experiences
This year’s event introduces several new attractions for visitors.
One of them is The Canuck Tavern, an outdoor bar celebrating Canadian culture. Visitors can enjoy drinks, outdoor seating around fire pits, hockey screenings and themed photo opportunities.
Another new attraction is Silent Nite Disco at the Cluny Tunnel. The venue features colourful lighting, giant disco decorations and silent DJ sessions where visitors can dance using headphones.
For those looking for holiday shopping, the village offers seasonal vendor cabins and more than 90 permanent businesses. Visitors can explore handmade jewellery, artwork, home decorations, gourmet treats and other unique gifts.
The organisers also introduced new shopping experiences, including The Cooperage Marketplace and Maplee Market, which showcase independent Canadian businesses and local makers.
Special Displays and Holiday Activities
Visitors can also explore several festive photo attractions throughout the village.
These include Santa’s Sleigh, the Christmas Countdown Clock, giant snowpeople and illuminated holiday displays.
The Quince Gingerbread Family installation is another highlight, adding a special Christmas-themed attraction for families and visitors.
Meanwhile, the event continues its support for local communities. All profits from opening-night ticket sales will benefit three charity partners: The Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
Visitor Information and Opening Dates
The Distillery Winter Village will operate daily until January 3, 2027, except on Christmas Day.
Visitors should note that tickets are required during selected peak periods. These include Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings after 4pm, Thursday evenings in December and daily after 4pm from December 14 to 31.
Admission is free on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the day until December 13, 2026, as well as during other non-ticketed periods.
With its spectacular Christmas tree, new attractions and festive atmosphere, the Distillery Winter Village continues to attract visitors from Canada and around the world.
Source : PR Newswire | Rewritten By Minutesmy
