See lovely window art and murals while Christmas shopping or going for a stroll in Toronto’s west end. (Photo courtesy of Junction BIA)
Visitors to Canada’s largest city love all the countless festivals, restaurants, shows, and attractions that they can choose from, especially during the holiday season.
With so many fun things going on in Toronto there are activities for all tastes. But for this list, we are going to focus on activities that cater to those who appreciate art. Here are a few holiday activities in Toronto that are great for the entire family, will inspire creativity, and awaken your inner artist.
Ready to get your creative juices flowing? There is still time to enjoy these three great ideas during the holiday break.
Window Wonderland at the Junction
The Junction is known for being Toronto’s Patio Lover’s Paradise in the summer. It’s also recognized for hosting the annual Window Wonderland in the winter, an interactive outdoor gallery featuring unique augmented reality installations by local and international artists.
“We’re excited to welcome back Window Wonderland for its fifth year, an event that continues to illuminate the Junction with art and creativity while bringing accessible and innovative art to our community,” said Carol Jolly, Executive Director of The Junction BIA. “This year, our featured artists hail from a diverse array of cultures, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, England, France, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Mauritius, the USA, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam — providing a truly global perspective on contemporary artistry.”
The award-winning outdoor exhibition is an extraordinary urban art walk that allows visitors to immerse themselves in 20 captivating augmented reality (AR) window installations and ten wall murals. This year’s event will launch the newest AR murals, including Flora and Fauna, a piece created in partnership with the City of Toronto Outdoor Mural, Street Art Program, and the Junction Business Improvement Area.
Now in its fifth year, Window Wonderland has returned to The Junction, a thriving community in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Junction BIA)
Some of the participating businesses include A&W Restaurant, Bank of Montreal, Bhutila Karpoche MPP, BOOM Breakfast, Caribou Gifts, Coolearth, and Carmelitas.
Website: torontojunction.ca/window-wonderland-2024
Details: The free event runs until January 31, 2025.
Address: The Junction, in the west side of Toronto, is bordered by Annette Street, St. Clair Avenue West, and Runnymede Road.
More Ideas: Other places to see cool holiday window displays and decorations are at the south end of the CF Toronto Eaton Centre (which also features amazing holiday light shows), Fairmont Royal York Toronto, and the Bloor-Yorkville area.
Christmas at the Castle and Holiday Lights Tour
A lovely series of events takes place at Toronto’s fabled Casa Loma.
Completed in 1914, Casa Loma is an almost 200,000-square-foot castle that took 300 men nearly three years to complete. Situated on five acres with 98 rooms, secret passageways, and elaborately decorated rooms with authentic period furnishings, Casa Loma was once the largest private residence in Canada.
Casa Loma is a historic landmark that has several activities happening throughout the holidays. (Photo courtesy of Casa Loma)
Theatrical and musical performances run throughout the event, including: “Knight Before Christmas”, which features swordplay and archery; and the celebrated Canadian “Majinx” illusion show, where a live aerialist soars through the Great Hall ceiling, mime artists and mascots roam the property, and a wandering and interactive magician entertains. Guests will love the stunning holiday decor including a 20-foot tree in the Great Hall, and eight signature trees created by talented Canadian designers.
While the building’s interior is impressive it’s the architecture that will really grab your attention — especially when everything is lit up for the holidays. Visitors can wander outdoors through a dazzling light display in the gardens while inside the famous underground tunnels are adorned for the season.
Children can visit Santa Claus, Mrs. Santa, and the elves in their castle workshop, while penning letters to the North Pole for their holiday wishes.
Website: casaloma.ca
Details: Event runs until January 4, 2025. Holiday Lights runs from 5:30-10 p.m. (last admission is 9 p.m.).
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
More Ideas: The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square runs until January 7, 2025. The annual festivities feature fireworks, live entertainment, and ice skating.
Put on a coat at Casa Loma and take a walk outside to see the beautiful lights. No worries — the fire breathers will help keep you warm. (Photo courtesy of Casa Loma)
Try to Contain Your Excitement at STACKT
Christmas markets are not unique, but STACKT is the largest shipping container market in North America and every year it has an event called Holiday Hills. The layout of the site will surely get your creative juices going and visitors will love the unique gifts and holiday excitement. Visitors can buy gifts and see amazing art. Not a bad stop for visitors hoping for a different experience.
One of Toronto’s more unique artistic public spaces truly comes to life during the holidays. (Photo courtesy of STACKT)
Made entirely of shipping containers, STACKT public spaces shift alongside the brands, people, and experiences within it. Featuring more than 3,000 brands in residence since launch, there’s always something new to discover.
Website: stacktmarket.com/event/holiday-hills
Details: The free event runs until December 29, 2024, daily from noon until 11 p.m. daily.
Address: 28 Bathurst Street, Toronto
More Ideas: Looking for something a little quirkier than shipping containers? Feeling brave? Consider celebrating the New Year with a polar dip on January 1, 2025. If that doesn’t get your creative juices flowing (or frozen), nothing will.
