10 Things to Do in Toronto in December

December is a lively month, so I recommend planning your trip to Toronto during this special time. Christmas celebrations are the center of attention, plus there are a variety of festivals offering light displays, fireworks shows, skating rinks and more. I recommend you go prepared, as this is the start of things to do in the city in winter, with average temperatures ranging from 3° to -3°.

If you plan to be in Toronto for at least 3 days, I suggest you take advantage of field hockey season and attend a game. You can also escape to the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, enjoy the classic play The Nutcracker, visit the main Christmas markets, and even celebrate New Year's Eve. I bring you a complete list of activities for you to visit the main province of Ontario during December!

In December the city is eclipsed by the Christmas atmosphere, so you can't miss The Distillery Winter Village Christmas Market. Formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market, it is a traditional and joyful stop during this month. It is located in the Distillery District, where you will find 19th century buildings, as well as colonial houses and streets decorated with lights and seasonal elements.

As you walk through this flea market, you'll come across a huge Christmas tree located in Trinity Square. There are also food huts, where you can try traditional dishes and recipes from around the world such as Venezuelan pastries, Italian polpette, Mexican churros, Portuguese pastéis and more. However, the main attraction is the modern bars and open-air stalls, located above what was once the world's largest distillery.

During the walk, I recommend keeping warm with a hot drink. In the area, you'll find cafes offering hot chocolate, coffee or you can even opt for a mulled wine. It's an ideal plan if you're looking for things to do in Toronto in winter. Most places have seasonal tastings, as well as bonfires, karaoke decks and heated patios.

December is the last month of the year, and if you're planning to say goodbye in Toronto, you can take advantage of the New Year celebrations. There are many entertaining plans available, like heading to Downtown for a free, multicultural party with live music, skating rink, street shows, and different things to do with kids in Toronto, in addition to the fireworks countdown.

Another must-see plan is to head to the Lake Ontario waterfront, where fireworks displays are held at the end of the night. You can also drive half an hour to Brampton to enjoy outdoor concerts, skating rinks and dinner at the best restaurants in the area.

You can also fly over the city on New Year's Eve, taking advantage of the best helicopter tours in Toronto. Of course, the most popular plan is the largest free New Year's Eve party in Nathan Phillips Square, with cultural entertainment, DJs and fireworks.

In December there are lights everywhere, which adorn and beautify the streets of the city. I recommend you to take a tour around Toronto and take the opportunity to stop by Yorkville Park, where they install more than 100 decorated trees that add a magical touch to the area. Special activities are usually organized, such as outdoor concerts and lighting of lights between November and December.

If you want to continue strolling in search of Christmas lights, you can go to the annual Markham Festival of Lights. It takes place between November and December and features visits from Santa, colorful light shows, carolers and a huge Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street Markham.

The Esplanade Park also hosts eye-catching light shows and is located fifteen minutes from downtown. This is the site of the Winter Lights event, which offers things to do in Toronto with kids, live music, street food stalls, outdoor theater and more. Note that it runs from Friday to Sunday during the months of November and December, with free admission.

In December it is worth planning a gastronomic tour to try the most popular dishes of the holiday season. Canada is a multicultural country, so you will find a varied gastronomy especially in this month: with French, Indian and English influences, as well as proposals from immigrant communities. You can go to the Christmas markets, which are bustling but with a variety of proposals to taste.

Another option is to sign up for a guided experience on Toronto' s best food tours and discover iconic places to eat in the city. Also, a beer tour in Toronto is a great way to keep warm in December. Must-try dishes include turkey with potatoes, salad and wine, as well as mince pie, donuts, cocoa cookies and more.

Canada offers a variety of entertaining plans, as well as natural beauties such as Niagara Falls: a wonder that is divided between Ontario and New York. It is located one hour away from downtown Toronto by car, but it is completely worth it. In your itinerary you cannot miss the Winter Festival of Lights, an event that takes place from November to January and welcomes winter and the first Christmas lights in the region.

It is a free event that includes art exhibitions, based on sounds and lights. An interactive experience that takes place during the night, plus there are fireworks shows every Friday. You can take advantage of excursions to Niagara Falls from Toronto to experience this fun festival. Another option to get to know a bit of this destination is to buy tickets to Little Canada in the city, where you can see miniature exhibits of the falls.

Every year the National Ballet of Canada presents The Nutcracker, offering several performances to delight the holiday season. It is an ideal plan if you are planning things to do in Toronto with children. This show is completely worth it, as the decorations and costumes of the play are mind-blowing. It is a magical experience that starts from 50 euros per person.

The play is the perfect representation of Christmas, as it revolves around the story of two Russian brothers in the 19th century, who travel in their dreams to live the perfect Christmas Eve. This event usually takes place at the Four Seasons Centre, although other ballet companies also hold their own performances at the Toronto International Ballet Theater.

In Canada sports are very important, so they are a must on your itinerary to feel like a real Canadian. Specifically, in December the field hockey season is at its most exciting and there are games almost every day. In general, the games span fall, winter and spring, as they take place from October to April. This experience will allow you to enjoy the Toronto Maple Leafs, the local team that has become known as the best in the world field hockey league.

Please note that in December it is easier to access tickets, as most people concentrate on holiday activities. In addition, there are more games at the home arena, i.e. the Air Canada Centre.

Additionally, at the facility you can take guided tours, purchase memorabilia and jerseys, enjoy children's game nights and the chance to enter the ice arena. Ticket prices start at 100 euros per person, although this may vary depending on the season and how far in advance you purchase your tickets.

To get out of the ordinary, I recommend a fun plan ideal for the whole family. It's the Canada's Wonderland Winter Wonderland Festival held at Canada's Wonderland theme park located in Vaughan, a mini Ontario town forty minutes from Downtown. Especially, it is a great option if you are looking for things to do in Toronto with kids.

It's a unique experience with guaranteed fun starring the winter vacations with Christmas trees, light shows, ice skating rinks on SnowFlake Lake, food booths of different types and more. I recommend you book tickets in advance, as the tourist influx is usually high. The entrance fee starts at 24 euros per person, although there are also group passes.

In December you have to take the Christmas tour of Toronto's Casa Loma, where a Christmas at the Castle is offered. It's a magical and unique experience that takes place during the Christmas season, and is available until early January. The gardens are decorated with colorful lights, a huge tree is installed in the Great Hall and a Santa toy factory. The show is available from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Charity events are held during the month of December, plus there are caroling shows, magic shows and hot chocolate stations. Casa Loma is a neo-Gothic hilltop castle located in a prestigious Canadian neighborhood. It is one of the top tourist attractions you can't miss if you are looking for things to do in Toronto at Christmas.

This castle belonged to Sir Henry Pellatt and Lady Pellatt, who offered the best parties in the region around 1914 and owned major energy companies. As such, I recommend you plan a guided tour of the castle grounds and explore all the floors:

First Floor

• The terrace and gardens: which resemble Tudor castles and feature water fountains, sculptures and other elements that are embellished during the Christmas season.
• The library: it is a room with an impressive decoration, preserved over the years.
• The conservatory: it stands out for its Italian marble floor, fused with marble produced in Ontario. It was formerly used as a source of steam to keep the castle warm in winter.
• Sir Henry's Study: you can take advantage of the tours in Toronto to enter this impressive corner of the city and discover secret passages.
• The Great Hall: the ceiling stands out for the engraved figures, it is also the most beautiful part of the castle where different Christmas activities take place.

Second floor

• Lady Pellatt's Suite: worth a look if you like history, art and architecture.
• Guest Suite: it is an elegant room, where visitors were received.
• Sir Henry Pellatt's suite: it is a room with a secret area, which you should take a look at.

Third floor and stables

• Queen's Own Rifles Museum: probably one of the best museums in Toronto, in terms of history. It collects collections in a small hallway and is worth stopping for a while.
• Shed: this is the area used to store gardening materials.
• Stables: you can tour them and learn a bit about history, as they were formerly home to the Pellett family horses.
• Automobile Museum: it is a room that houses collections of antique cars, most of them dating from the beginning of the 21st century.

This month you can't miss Canada's tallest Christmas tree, which is installed at Eaton Centre and is a free family activity. It is approximately 30 meters high, which is about three stories tall. Note that the tree lighting is one of the best things to do in Toronto in November. On some days the city's main choirs sing Christmas carols, enlivening the shopping atmosphere.

Another must-see stop is the CN Tower, an iconic Toronto landmark. In December it is surrounded by skating rinks and is the perfect place to watch fireworks shows and enjoy the best local views.

It also has a revolving restaurant from where you can see the whole city and only closes on December 25. If you like a challenge, you can hop on the EdgeWalk platform and spend a couple of minutes walking on clouds.

• Slide on inflatable snow slides at Chicopee Tube Park in Kitchener, about an hour from downtown Toronto.
• Skate at Nathan Phillips Square and feel like you're at the rinks in New York, or escape to the Ice Skating Trail to skate in the woods and enjoy the wildlife.
• Enjoy the holiday musical Elf playing at major local theaters.
• Head to the Holiday Fair in the Square, a market that takes place in December and is ideal for shopping, sampling local dishes or enjoying holiday fun with the family.

• Avoid the rinks on weekends, as they tend to be more crowded.
• If you plan to attend a field hockey game, buy tickets in advance as they sell out as the game gets closer.
• Wear warm clothes, it's usually a pretty cold month.
• Beware of ice patches, they can hide holes and are mostly found on the outskirts of the city.
• In case of a storm or extreme cold I suggest you move through the corridors of the Underground City (the PATH), which connects downtown Toronto.