11 Unmissable Christmas Events in Canada
There are some amazing places to spend Christmas across Canada, many of which are steeped in local tradition.
Explore the area on the PNE Winter Express, stroll through the winter light displays, and take a ride on the ice bumper cars for a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience. To find your way to Santa, there are puzzles and riddles to solve; kids can create a Christmas craft, write a letter to Santa, and leave the reindeer a holiday treat. Then mark the occasion with a traditional photo with Santa.
At this uniquely Canadian celebration, you will see ice and snow sculptures, which light up at night for an enchanting experience.
For those who love the outdoors, SnowDays offers skating, sleigh rides, skijoring (horse-riding, trick-riding, and ski stunts), dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
At this unique market, there are vendors in outdoor shopping cabins for a Canadian winter shopping experience. The cobblestone streets and canopy lights make this holiday experience nostalgic. Restaurants, cafes, and outdoor bars provide a relaxing place to unwind with family and friends.
One of the most well-known Christmas traditions in Canada is the German Christmas Market in Quebec City. Designed like a European market with colourful lights, wood kiosks, and choirs, it is a unique holiday experience. Visitors can find local gifts and wares, including handmade artisan items, as well as German and European treats and gifts. The market is also alive with family activities like puppet shows, Santa Claus, magic shows, and creative craft projects for little hands. Thousands of lights and displays create a festive spirit at this traditional Christmas market. Over 45 vendors will be selling memorable Christmas gifts and goodies, while shoppers enjoy the sounds of local performers from rock bands to choirs. Santa’s workshop will offer crafts and entertainment for all ages, along with activities for younger visitors such as Santa’s Village, skating, and hockey games. The Evergreen Festival in Halifax celebrates local food, culture, and artisans. The event features a market of 22 wood chalets with vendors offering food, drink, and gifts, as well as a walkable trail of outdoor holiday light displays. There are activities for the whole family, including live musical performances, a winter sports zone, and holiday craft-making. A Christmas tradition, the CPCK Holiday Train is decorated in lights as it makes its way through Canada and the United States. Now in its 25th year, the CPCK Holiday Train brightens cities, while collecting donations for food banks to help those in need. Musical performers entertain those who gather to see the train at its various stops along the journey.
CPCK makes a donation to the local food bank in the cities where it stops. To date, the event has raised $22.5 million and 5 million pounds of food for North American food banks, according to its website.