Canadas Most Iconic Christmas Tree Lights Up The 2025 Distillery Winter Village
14 de novembro de 2025
Toronto, ON, Canada, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On November 13 at Torontos Distillery Historic District, thousands of onlookers filled the cobblestone streets to help Santa light the 2025 Christmas Tree, marking the official start of The Distillery Winter Village, presented by LOréal Paris one of the most recognized holiday destinations in the world attracting one million visitors annually.
This year, we are celebrating our 16th season of The Distillery Winter Village, formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market, says Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. Our goal is to create moments that become memories whether its a first date under the canopy lights, a family tradition by the tree, or a hot chocolate shared with friends. We hope every visitor leaves with a little more wonder and joy than when they arrived.
Following tree lighting, guests were treated to a special performance by international, award-winning vocal sensation The Tenors, from their album Christmas with The Tenors (Warner Music Canada). Profits from Opening Night ticket sales support local charitable partners: Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre, Crows Theatre and The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
Canada’s Most Photographed Christmas Tree
This years 16.7-metre (55-foot) silver fir Canadas most photographed Christmas Tree shimmers with over 80,000 lights and 750 ornaments, ranging in size from 15 to 50 cm (six to 20 inches). The dazzling display features elegant gold starbursts and Winter Village snowflakes adorned with red finial ornaments, creating a striking contrast against the trees lush green branches.
At its base, a custom-built circular platform now surrounds the tree, featuring a 3.6 metre (12-foot) performance stage. Built within the base and reminiscent of an enchanting holiday shop window, are handpainted, 3D-printed ornamental vignettes that recreate scenes of a classic nostalgic Christmas including a whimsical red and green Bachmann Big Haulers G Scale Train that moves around the entire tree and Canadian wildlife like caribou, fawn, moose and bears. Lanterns inspired by those found throughout The Distillery Historic District add a warm glow, tying the installation to its heritage surroundings. In total, more than 1,000 hours were dedicated to fabricating, detailing and decorating this years Christmas tree.
Following the season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA to be used as mulch and reclaimed wood for 60 new homes being built in 2026.
Key Highlights for 2025
Running November 13, 2025 through January 4, 2026, The Distillery Winter Village transforms Torontos 13-acre pedestrian-only heritage district into a glowing winter wonderland, foodie destination and shopping market. Visitors can explore 47 vendor cabins and nine outdoor holiday bars the most ever serving sweet and savoury food options from around the world, warm drinks, and handmade creations from local artisans.
This years event brings more programming and more holiday magic than ever before:
Because Tis the season to feel worth it, visit the LOréal Paris Cabin – a chic holiday pop-up inspired by the joy of giving. Write a heartfelt note and create a custom greeting card for someone who inspires you. Enter for a chance to win one of three LOréal Paris Holiday Essentials prize packs (each worth $220), sample a few beauty favourites, and uncover a few extra surprises along the way.
Chefs Lane: An exclusive holiday culinary experience featuring four elevated holiday creations by four top Canadian chefs, including: Bruno Feldeisen, Claudio Aprile, Nuit Regular, and Eric Chong
Netflixs Stranger Things 5 Immersive Experience step inside the Byers living room for a supernatural photo op
A tropical chocolate paradise awaits at The Pura Vida Chocolate Experience presented by Visit Costa Rica
Enter through the wardrobe at this years new Narnia-themed Santas Village where the Soulpepper Theatre lobby is transformed into an enchanting winter forest filled with snow-flocked evergreens, twinkling lights, shimmering ice crystals, and whimsical Narnia-inspired animations designed by students from OCAD University
40 food cabins new this year: Ricks Good Eats, Santa Spuds (spiralized potatoes on a stick), Robata-style meat skewers, Dubai Chocolates, and a Craigs Cookies pop-up. Plus, some returning favourites: Clunys viral torched smores hot chocolate, Yorkie Burrito, Santas smoker and BBQ, Japanese tacos, poutine, handmade dumplings, empanadas, pierogies, mini donuts, mini pancakes, fresh strawberries with chocolate, and classic Swiss Raclette.
Two new festive-themed outdoor bars the Ugly Sweater Patio Bar and Peppermint Patio Bar
Performances by The McGregor Carollers, the Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and the Myriad Ensemble
Family-friendly entertainment including daily Storytime with the Elves, A Super Simple Christmas with Caitie & Tobee and holiday puppets from Crane Creations Theatre Company
Holiday photo ops: Naughty or Nice Bar, Santas sleigh and reindeer, the Candy Cane Wreath, Santa Mail, the Snowpeople, the Big Heart, and the famous Countdown to Christmas clock, plus hundreds of thousands of holiday lights strung across the site
Tickets and Plan Your Visit
Tickets are required for peak times, including: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and daily after 4:00 p.m. from December 15 – 31; and New Years Eve. Kids aged nine and under are always free. Tickets start at $15 (plus HST and admin fee), and visitors can choose between four different tiers of tickets, including a combo ticket to see Illuminiariums new immersive show, Mythos.
The Distillery Winter Village is Torontos original outdoor Christmas market, set within The Distillery Historic District. Recognized among the best Christmas markets in the world, it welcomes more than one million visitors each year from across Canada and abroad. For seven weeks each winter, the neighbourhood transforms into a festive destination featuring its famous Christmas tree, seasonal vendor cabins, festive performances, and themed food and beverage experiences. The event employs more than 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for local charities. For more information and tickets, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.
Laurie Weir
Next Public Relations Inc.
laurie@nextpublicrelations.com
Will Lamont
Next Public Relations Inc.
will@nextpublicrelations.com
The Distillery Winter Village
The Distillery Historic District
wintervillage@thedistillerydistrict.com
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