This 55-foot Christmas tree will make you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland, Canada Reviews

We’re about two months away from Christmas, but it’s never too early to plan for the holiday season, and one particularly beloved winter village. The Distillery District is bringing back Toronto’s favourite winter wonderland — The Distillery Winter Village. The village will run daily from Nov. 13, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, allowing visitors to embrace the magic of the holidays, stroll the historic cobblestone streets under a canopy of lights, meet Santa and his elves, and revel in the glow of a super festive 55-foot-tall silver fir Christmas tree! Seriously, if you can only attend once this season, then attend the enchanting tree lighting ceremony on opening evening — you’ll literally feel like you’re in a Christmas movie as Santa flips the switch on the towering tree, lighting up the night sky.

There will also be tons of new events and activities to look out for this year, like the Distillery’s own ‘Aurora Borealis’— wander through a dazzling winter wonderland inspired by iconic Northern Canadian vistas, featuring light projections over snow-capped mountains, trees, and a two-person sleigh (perfect for festive photo ops).

If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), check out Santa’s Village, nestled inside the Soulpepper Theatre Atrium. Kids can meet Santa, warm up with delicious hot chocolate, and of course, grab a keepsake photo with the man in red. Children can write their letters to Santa and ‘mail’ them at the North Pole Post — a five-foot-tall British-style mailbox located beside Santa’s Village.

For Taylor Swift fans, it appears that her influence affects holiday celebrations, too! With the singer’s Toronto leg of the Eras Tour coinciding with the return of The Distillery Winter Village, visitors can participate in a ‘Swiftie Holiday Hunt’ to win specially crafted friendship bracelets. Swift-themed cookies and friendship bracelets will also be available for purchase (although the Swift experience will only be available while Taylor is in town, until Nov. 24).

Adults can get cozy at the Naughty or Nice Bar. The 40’x45′ bar will be covered by a heated tent and offer festive cocktails like mulled wine and hot sangria.

Entertainment will include The McGregor Carollers as they perform traditional holiday favs, with lyrics projected on the Spirit of York so everyone can sing along. On Sunday afternoons, a French–English singing sheep quartet,  The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir, will prance around the village singing tender and whimsical Christmas classics (inevitably bringing smiles to everyone’s faces)! And you can bring your pets too — visit the Pawpin’ Clicks booth near Santa’s Village to get professional holiday photos of your beloved pet and family!

Food vendors will also be decked out in holiday-themed décor! To memorialize your whole experience, take dazzling Insta pics by the giant 10′ family wreath, ice arches, vintage Santa sleigh (with reindeer), and more!

The Distillery Winter Village is located at The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St. The village will be open from Nov. 13, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, with the tree lighting ceremony taking place on Nov. 13 at 6 pm. Tickets range from $15 – $39.50 and are required from Thursdays to Sundays after 4:00 p.m. and daily from Dec. 16 – 31 after 4:00 p.m. Any other time, entrance is free. Kids aged nine and under always enter for free.

Tickets must be purchased online.