Updated for the 2026 season
Distillery Winter Village Tours and Christmas Market Guide
Twinkling lights, red brick lanes and over a million visitors a season. Sip, taste and wander the Distillery Winter Village with a local guide, or plan your own day with our free Market Guide.
- Market dates12 Nov to 3 Jan
- Tours from$25 per guest
- Rated 4.9
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Choose a Winter Village tour
Good stories, warm stops, small groups. Since the first Christmas market here in 2010, our charming and expert tour guides continue to captivate visitors. Join us for big history and tastings showcase the neighbourhood's culinary delights.
- Small groups
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours
- Market entry included during your tour
Warm-up pickToronto Prohibition & Spirits Tour
- 75 min
- Daily
- 1:30pm
Sip your way through Canada's rebellious prohibition history, ending with a sit-down tasting of Canadian spirits. One of our most reserved tours. Available for group bookings.
19+ for the spirits tasting
Tour details+
What you'll experience
Prohibition-era secrets and smuggling stories while exploring historic buildings, then a guided tasting of Canadian spirits. Tales of bootleggers, political intrigue, and how this neighbourhood survived and thrived.
What to expect
Small groups of up to 12, 75 minutes of storytelling and tasting. Walking tour history plus a beginner-level, sit-down spirits tasting with a local guide.
During the Winter Village
Runs daily at 1:30pm. You finish before the evening crowds arrive.
Guests must be 19 or older with valid ID to join the tasting.
Distillery District Discovery Tour
- 60 min
- Tuesday to Sunday
- 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm
Victorian architecture, red brick lanes, and the rise and fall of the Gooderham and Worts empire. Orient yourself in the Distillery District and the Winter Village with this pop-history style Toronto tour.
Tour details+
What you'll experience
Explore courtyards and laneways, taste local specialties from our partner vendors, and hear the stories behind Trinity Street's Victorian architecture, up to the district's modern life as one of North America's most coveted filming locations.
What to expect
Small groups of up to 15, 60 minutes at a comfortable pace, about 6 blocks in total. In winter we spend more time indoors to keep you warm.
During the Winter Village
An extra 3:30pm departure runs for the season. It finishes close to sunset.
Fully accessible route on request.
Distillery District Breakfast Tour
- 75 min
- Friday to Sunday
- 9:30am
Coffee, pastries and the Distillery District story, while the market is still waking up. Start your day in the Winter Village with a hearty tasting tour before the crowds show up.
Tour details+
What you'll experience
Artisanal coffee at a neighbourhood favourite cafe, locally made pastries and breakfast treats.
What to expect
Small groups of up to 8, 75 minutes of cafe culture and history. The savvy traveller's way to start a Winter Village day without the crowds.
Dietary notes
Vegetarian options available. Our partners can't offer gluten-free or vegan options on this tour.
Food may have been exposed to nuts, dairy, eggs and gluten.
Winter onlyHoliday Beer & Bites Tour
- Up to 2 hours
- Friday to Sunday
- 1:30pm
Two local breweries, Ontario bites, and how an industrial giant became one of Toronto's food destinations in the city. Exclusive to the Winter Village.
19+ for the beer tastings
Tour details+
What you'll experience
Tastings at two local breweries, Ontario artisanal bites from local eateries, and a short history of the Distillery District and its food culture, all in the Winter Village's holiday setting.
What to expect
Small groups of up to 10. All tastings are included in the price. Private groups and other times can be arranged.
During the Winter Village
Runs in place of our Beer & Cheese Tour for the season.
Guests must be 19 or older with valid ID to join the tastings.
Know before you go
Christmas Market Guide
Where to eat, get coffee, and support local businesses that operate here year-round.
Make a day of it
When it's open
12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. For hours and tickets, see most asked questions.
Getting here
55 Mill Street. The 504 King streetcar ends at Distillery Loop. Driving? Parking is tight in season, so leave extra time.
Dress for it
Dress warmer than you think. It's mostly outdoors, on brick, with wind off the lake. Boots with grip beat cute shoes.
Beat the crowds
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Weekend evenings and the week between Christmas and New Year are the busiest.
Most asked questions
About visiting the Winter Village. The market sets its tickets and hours each season.
Tickets and hours come from the Winter Village. Check your date on the official site before you go.
Check dates and ticketsIs the Distillery Winter Village free?
Some of the time. Entry is free at some times and ticketed at others, mostly in the evening.
When do I need a ticket, and where do I buy one?
It depends on your date. The market sets its ticketed days and times each season, and sells tickets on the official Winter Village site.
What are the hours?
Check the official site. The market publishes its daily hours for the season.
Is it open on Christmas Day?
Not announced yet. The market hasn't published its 2026 holiday hours. Last season it was closed on Christmas Day.
What about the tree lighting and New Year's Eve?
Both are ticketed. The tree lighting is Thursday 12 November at 6pm, and tickets are on sale now. New Year's Eve needs a ticket from 7pm to midnight, $30 per person, rain or shine, no refunds.
What is there to do besides shopping?
Plenty. See the tree and the lights, hear the carollers, eat and drink at the seasonal food cabins and bars, and explore more than 85 year-round shops, galleries and restaurants.
Plan your Winter Village day
From first coffee to closing time. Find the best time to visit with our Day in the Distillery District guide.
Morning
10:00am
The market is waking up and the crowds are usually thin. Grab a coffee and take a photo by the tree - without a line. Local shops start to open around now. Read our Distillery coffee guide to find your morning brew.
Try our Breakfast Tour 9:30am, Friday to Sunday
Midday
12:00pm
Grab lunch or do some shopping before the crowds fill in. Explore one-of-a-kind local businesses and art galleries. Want a sip or a bite? Book a Prohibition or Beer & Bites tour with us.
Prohibition Tour 1:30pm
Late afternoon
3:30pm
Last call for easy shopping. Hit the cabins and year-round stores before the evening rush. Wear warm clothes - it gets cold when the sun goes down.
Discovery Tour ends near sunset
Evening
Lights on
The lights come on, and the crowds arrive. Check whether your date is ticketed, and book dinner in advance. Visit Monday to Wednesday for the easiest evening under the lights.
Where to eat our restaurant guide
Winter Village Walking Tours FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our tours, holiday parties and getting to the Distillery District.
Walking Tours
01Should I book in advance?+
For weekends, yesGroups are small, from 8 to 15 guests depending on the tour, and weekend tours fill first. We welcome walk-ups when there is space.
02What does a tour add to my visit?+
The story behind the lightsThis was once the world's largest distillery, and our guides tell the story of how it became a Christmas market, and show you the warm spots along the way.
03Are the tours accessible?+
Mostly, and we can adjustMost of the route is accessible, but some historic brick areas can be hard for wheelchair users. Tell us and we'll change the route. Call (416) 677-3831 before booking.
04Can you host a private group or office party?+
Yes, happilyPrivate tours for families, friends and office holiday parties are some of our favourite bookings. See corporate events and team building or call (416) 677-3831.
Visiting the market
05What is there to do besides shopping?+
PlentySee the tree and the lights, hear the carollers, eat and drink at the seasonal food cabins and bars, and explore more than 85 year-round shops, galleries and restaurants in the district's Victorian buildings.
Getting here
06Where do tours start?+
11 Gristmill LaneMost tours start at Go Tours Canada, 11 Gristmill Lane, in the Distillery District. Your confirmation email has the exact meeting point. Parking nearby is paid and fills up during the market, so the 504 King streetcar to Distillery Loop is faster. See our parking map and directions.
See the Winter Village with a local
Small groups, warm stops and the stories behind the lights.
See you soon,
The Go Tours Canada team