It’s time for some ‘cool’ outdoor play! Get into the spirit at a winter festival, and be sure to plan for the holiday season ahead, as many events require advance tickets. This guide includes Holiday Lights festivals as well as Winter carnivals that are typically held in January/February each year (a great way to beat those winter blues!) with fun activities like dog sled racing, participate in traditional winter games, snow shoe, sledding and plenty of other creative winter activities.
2022 Winter Festivals Guide for GTA Families
Celebrate Winter in the GTA and Southern Ontario
FEATURED
Journey into Enchantment
- November 25, 2022 to January 1, 2023
- Two Locations - Mississauga & Richmond Hill
Drive and experience one of the largest Christmas and Holiday Light Show in the GTA! Witness 2 million lights in the comfort of your very own vehicle! Special Annual Appearance by Santa! Journey into Enchantment is an Annual Christmas event for the whole family. Journey offers a fun family-friendly twist to the Christmas holiday season.
FEATURED
Winter Carnival
- December 23, 2022 to January 8, 2023
- Markham Fairgrounds
An unforgettable experience for the whole family with both indoor and outdoor attractions. Features: Ice Sculptures, Mechanical Rides, Bouncy Castles, Games, Magicians, DJs, Food, Shopping and live shows running daily along with our roarrrring animatronic dinosaurs. An immersive experience not to be missed!
2022 Family Friendly Winter Festivals
Holiday Nights of Lights
Nov 25, 2022
to Jan 7, 2023
Assembly Park
Holiday Nights of Lights is an immersive walk-through experience like none other, featuring more than 1.5 million LED lights animated and synchronized to everyone’s favourite Holiday tunes. Back for the third year, the event will be bigger and brighter with ...
Glow Christmas
Nov 30, 2022
to Dec 31, 2022
Toronto Congress Centre
Step out from the cold and into the warmth and magic of Glow Christmas! Like being transported straight into a Christmas storybook, holiday-lovers of all ages can delight in the joys of the season without commuting to the North Pole. ...
Winter Carnival
Dec 23, 2022
to Jan 8, 2023
Markham Fairgrounds
Winter Carnival is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. It is both an indoor and outdoor event featuring Ice Sculptures, Mechanical Rides, Bouncy Castles, Games, Magicians, DJs, Food, Shopping, Animatronic Dinosaurs, and much more. If you’re looking for amazing ...
Jingle Bell Rock
Nov 17, 2023
to Jan 6, 2024
Bingemans
Experience the magic and wonder of the Region’s most spectacular and dazzling light displays this holiday season. Bask in the beauty and wonderment of Gift of Lights; a drive through experience, featuring over 300 animated and static light displays and ...
Journey into Enchantment
Dec 1, 2023
to Jan 7, 2024
Journey into Enchantment Halton Hills Location
Experience a magical Christmas and holiday season like never before! Take a 2km drive through a breathtaking display. See Santa and his reindeer, happy elves, and more. It will fill your heart with joy and wonder. And that’s not all! ...
Maple Syrup Experience at Elliott Tree Farm
Feb 17, 2024
to Apr 7, 2024
Elliott Tree Farm
The Elliott Tree Farm 2024 Maple Syrup Experience kicks off on Saturday February 17 for Family Day Weekend! Join us within an hour of the GTA for our annual Canadian tradition with our famous pancake breakfast at the Horse Barn ...
Cavalcade of Lights
Nov 30, 2024
to Jan 7, 2025
Nathan Phillips Square
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the much-loved Cavalcade of Lights presented by Desjardins Financial Group. With an opening night inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals and winter solstice celebrations, Cavalcade of Lights is a free ...
Holiday Fair In The Square
Dec 6, 2024
to Dec 23, 2024
Mel Lastman Square
Holiday Fair in the Square has moved to the heart of North York! This year, the Fair will once again transform Mel Lastman Square into a magical winter wonderland! Stroll through the stalls of the artisan marketplace, warm up in ...
Barrie WinterFest
Feb 1, 2025
to Feb 2, 2025
Heritage Park and Downtown Barrie
The City of Barrie proudly presents Barrie Winterfest, a community tradition and one of the top winter festivals in Ontario. Enjoy spectacular ice sculptures, lumberjack shows, polar bear dip, family entertainment, drop-in activities, skating & much more winter fun. Barrie ...
Terra Lumina 2022
Nov 4, 2022
to Jan 14, 2023
Toronto Zoo
Terra Lumina is the eleventh unique experience created in Moment Factory’s Lumina night walk series. After nightfall at the Toronto Zoo, you are invited to pursue an immersive experience along a 1.5 km walking path that travels into the future ...
Eclipse – Walk with Light
Nov 11, 2022
to Mar 18, 2023
Muskoka Heritage Place
Eclipse “Walk with Light” is a unique sound to light night walk at Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville, Ontario. Enjoy thousands of interactive lights that respond to the sound of your voice! Visitors will follow a pat of light through ...
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Nov 16, 2024
to Jan 5, 2025
Niagara Falls Ontario
101 Nights of Twinkling Lights The most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays across the ...
Canadian Tire Christmas Trail
Nov 12, 2022
to Dec 23, 2022
Black Creek Pioneer Village
In celebration of Canadian Tire’s 100th birthday, The Canadian Tire Christmas Trail is back to make this the Christmas of the century. The drive-along experience takes guests on an enchanted 1.5-kilometre journey through thousands of twinkling lights, interactive displays, and ...
Holiday Magic Light Trail
Nov 18, 2023
to Jan 7, 2024
Blue Mountain Village
Stroll along the 1km Light Trail and immerse yourself in the holiday magic, where millions of sparkling lights and grand displays illuminate our picturesque pedestrian Village. Take on the role of conductor in a dazzling musical light show with interactive ...
RGB Winter Wonders
Dec 5, 2024
to Jan 5, 2025
Hendrie Park
Experience the magic of the season at Royal Botanical Garden’s Winter Wonders! Hendrie Park transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring dazzling lights, festive installations, and enchanting displays. Stroll through RBG’s scenic winter landscape to the backdrop of festive music while ...
Twinkle After Dark
Nov 24, 2022
to Dec 28, 2022
Country Heritage Park
Celebrate the holiday season at Twinkle After Dark, a fully illuminated Country Walk-Through experience. Set in the beautiful country setting of Country Heritage Park. Brought to you by Ontario’s award-winning Halloween event, Pumpkins After Dark. Featuring historic buildings, holiday projections, ...
Kortright Magical Christmas Forest
Nov 25, 2022
to Dec 23, 2022
Kortright Centre for Conservation
Experience a winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, and treats for the whole family — and enjoy a visit with Santa in his cabin! Please note: This is an outdoor event; come dressed for the weather. ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED. DATES: ...
Fairway of Lights
Nov 25, 2022
to Jan 28, 2023
Angus Glen Golf Club
Angus Glen Golf Club is excited to bring back our annual walking light show experience, Fairway of Lights. The illuminated 1 km walking path takes guests on a magical adventure on our North Course, beginning on Coyote Trail and circling ...
Alight at Night
Nov 29, 2024
to Dec 26, 2024
Upper Canada Village
Experience the Magic of the Holiday Season! Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting! Over one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees, and fences of Upper Canada Village creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its ...
WILD Winter Festival of Lights
Dec 2, 2022
to Dec 23, 2022
Canadian Tire Mosport Park
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue is excited to bring you the 3rd Annual WILD Winter Festival of Lights! Last year’s event was a great success, allowing us to donate over $50,000 to charities in need. Thank you to our guests, and ...
Winterlit
Dec 28, 2023
to Feb 19, 2024
Mountsberg Conservation Area
The wooded trails at Mountsberg are always beautiful in the wintertime but now we have made them more magical than ever! The Winterlit Trail features a unique and stunning lighting experience with inspirational art installations along the trail. Also, the ...
illumi by Cavalia
Jan 1, 2023
to Apr 9, 2023
illumi Mississauga
Illumi – A Dazzling World of Lights is Cavalia’s latest creation: a magical and captivating nocturnal journey created with thousands of monumental light sculptures. An epic multimedia journey around the world – As darkness falls, illumi ignites the night with ...
Blumination Light Trail
Jan 9, 2023
to Feb 28, 2023
Blue Mountain Village
The Blumination Light Trail is a one-kilometer, illuminated winter stroll through the Village, around the Mill Pond and straight through your imagination. Dine, shop and celebrate Blue by Light. Every evening at dusk. Check out all there is to do ...
Winter Magic at Celebration Square
Jan 28, 2023
to Jan 28, 2023
Mississauga Celebration Square
Bring your skates to enjoy a fun-filled day at Celebration Square and meet Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Members of Council! This frosty day is packed with some of Canada’s winter favourites: live ice carving, a mouth-watering selection of food trucks, ...
CelUPbrate Winter - Uptown Yonge BIA's Winter Fest
Feb 11, 2023
to Feb 12, 2023
St. Clements Parkette
Winter might be chilly, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it! Join us for our FREE celebration on February 11 & 12 (Saturday & Sunday), noon to 5pm both days. With games, music, and hot chocolate to keep warm, ...
DUKE on Ice Family Winterfest
Feb 19, 2023
to Feb 19, 2023
Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club
DUKE on Ice is a one-of-a-kind family fun event in North York with free ice skating, food, music, raffle prizes, and giveaways happening on the eve of this Family Day. Come with family and friends for free treats, games, music, ...
Safari Lights
Nov 21, 2024
to Dec 13, 2024
Safari Niagara
Make this holiday season a special one by driving through our dazzling holiday lights drive-thru adventure! There is snow-much to see! Immersive light tunnels, luminous motion lights, whimsical animal light displays you won’t see anywhere else! A bigger, better and ...
Brampton Winter Lights
Nov 17, 2023
to Nov 18, 2023
Downtown Brampton
Kick off the holiday season with the City of Brampton at its annual Winter Lights Festival, presented by Fieldgate Developments, on November 17 and 18. Join the City for a weekend of free, family-friendly activities including stage performances, the annual ...
Magical Christmas Forest
Nov 24, 2023
to Dec 23, 2023
Kortright Centre for Conservation
Escape into the Magical Christmas Forest at Kortright Centre for Conservation! Experience a winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, wagon rides, and treats for the whole family — and enjoy a visit with Santa in his cabin! Advance tickets ...
Winter Blooms Festival
Nov 24, 2023
to Dec 17, 2023
Toronto Botanical Garden
Enjoy a wonderful indoor/outdoor holiday experience that combines the magic of the season with the wonders of nature – featuring shopping, food, workshops, Elf School for Kids and plant-focused experiences that will engage visitors of all ages. Immerse yourself in ...
Burlington Festival of Lights
Nov 29, 2024
to Jan 8, 2025
Spencer Smith Park
Celebrating 29 Years of Holiday Magic The Festival of Lights illuminates Burlington’s waterfront through December to early January each year. Thousands of local residents and visitors from across the region, and beyond, have made it a seasonal tradition to wander ...
17th Annual Wanderlust
Nov 25, 2023
to Nov 25, 2023
Lesliegrove Park
Get outside and enjoy the local festive cheer this season! Join us on Saturday, November 25th from 12-8pm for a host of FREE Leslieville Wanderlust activities to help cheer in our 17th year of making spirits bright! On the roster ...
Light Up the Square 2023
Nov 25, 2023
to Nov 25, 2023
Mississauga Celebration Square
Join the fun as we light the Christmas tree for the first time this season. There will be ice skating, live performances, and the Holiday Street Market will be offering tasty treats and artisanal goods all night long. The magic ...
Holiday Fair In The Square 2023
Dec 1, 2023
to Dec 23, 2023
Mel Lastman Square
Holiday Fair In The Square is back, and it’s better than ever before! Get ready for a magical winter wonderland in the heart of North York’s Mel Lastman Square. Featuring unique artisan and food vendors, an outdoor Polar Point Bar, ...
Cooksville's Magical Holiday Season Celebration
Dec 2, 2023
to Dec 2, 2023
67 Hillcrest Ave, Mississauga
Back by popular demand is Heart Comonos’ annual Holiday Magic Season Celebration. Join hundreds of your neighbours for music, food, conversation, and gathering around fire pits in Cooksville’s biggest FREE holiday event. There will be: Candlelights Live music Carols Fire ...
Santa Claus Christmas Playland Party - Argentia Location
Dec 2, 2023
to Dec 2, 2023
Amazing Adventures Playland (Argentia Location)
Welcome to our annual exciting Santa Claus Christmas Party!! at Amazing Adventures Playland Our event is designed for the entire family to enjoy. No need to worry about the cold unpredictable weather as our venues are indoors. Catch Santa Claus ...
Santa Claus Christmas Playland Party - Argentia Location
Dec 3, 2023
to Dec 3, 2023
Amazing Adventures Playland (Argentia Location)
Welcome to our annual exciting Santa Claus Christmas Party!! at Amazing Adventures Playland Our event is designed for the entire family to enjoy. No need to worry about the cold unpredictable weather as our venues are indoors. Catch Santa Claus ...
Old Fashioned Christmas
Dec 3, 2023
to Dec 3, 2023
Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum
Join us for our annual Old Fashioned Christmas event on Sunday, December 3rd! Enjoy an artisan vendors market, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot beverages, and don’t forget to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! This is a free event ...
Santa Claus Christmas Playland Party - Argentia Location
Dec 3, 2023
to Dec 3, 2023
Amazing Adventures Playland (Argentia Location)
Welcome to our annual exciting Santa Claus Christmas Party!! at Amazing Adventures Playland Our event is designed for the entire family to enjoy. No need to worry about the cold unpredictable weather as our venues are indoors. Catch Santa Claus ...
Mississauga Festival of Trees
Dec 6, 2024
to Dec 8, 2024
Small Arms Inspection Building
Experience the magic of the Festival of Trees! The fourth-annual Mississauga Festival of Trees is a celebration of the winter season, art, food, and community. With twinkling canopies of seasonal lights, commissioned artist-created trees, artisan and culinary markets with local, ...
Ignite the Night
Jan 6, 2024
to Feb 24, 2024
Terra Cotta Conservation Area
Explore a brightly lit 2-kilometre winter trail at Ignite the Night. Visitors can experience the beauty of Terra Cotta CA’s forest after dark on Saturday nights from January 6 until February 24. Ignite the Night lights up different parts of ...
Port Union Winterfest
Jan 27, 2024
to Jan 27, 2024
Port Union Community Centre
On Saturday January 27th Port Union Winterfest will be celebrating their 25th Festival. at Port Union Community Centre starting at 11:00 am until 3:00 PM. The festival features a market place, live entertainment, games and activities for kids, cloting swap, ...
Hello Winter
Feb 1, 2024
to Mar 15, 2024
Heritage Park and Downtown Barrie
Grab your mittens! Barrie Winterfest officially kicks off Hello Winter! Enjoy the many outdoor, arts, culture and community events taking place in February & March. Hello Winter features activities and events for everyone to enjoy, including Barrie Winterfest, Barrie Skating ...
Lunar Nights: Year of the Dragon Festival
Feb 8, 2024
to Feb 25, 2024
Markham Museum
The Lunar Nights: Year of the Dragon Festival at the Markham Museum illuminates the city with a mesmerizing display of a lantern trail filled with scenes featuring 250+ colourful lanterns, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the lunar new year. ...
1 thought on “Winter Carnivals and Festivals”
February is going to be very cold. Don’t forget to make sure your kids are warm. Love the list guys, thank you so much!