$25
Classic Distillery District Walking Tour
Fascinating History From Talented Toronto Tour Guides.
Perfect for first-time Winter Village visitors. Our guides have navigated these red-bricked streets since 2005 – before it became the Toronto Christmas Market.
We’ll show you the best photo spots, explain how the world’s former largest distillery became a holiday destination, and show you a few warm spots (plus incredible architecture) during the tour!
Tour Size: 1 Min – 15 Max Participants
Fully accessible route upon request.
$65
The Distillery District Breakfast Tour
Delicious Bites. Rich History. Mouth-watering goodness.
Beat the Christmas market crowds with Toronto’s smartest Winter Village experience. Start your day at the Distillery District as vendors are opening – but before most visitors arrive.
We’ve partnered with local cafes and bakeries to fuel your morning while our expert guides share stories of the neighbourhood’s rich distilling history.
Tour Size: 2 Min – 8 Max per tour
Dietary notes: Vegetarian? Tell us and we’ll let our partners know! Sadly our partners do not offer gluten-free or vegan options on this tour. Food products may have been exposed to nuts, dairy, eggs & gluten.
$53
Toronto Prohibition and Spirits Tour
A spirited history finishing with tastings.
Toast the season with Toronto’s boozy history. While others shop the Christmas market, you’ll discover how the Distillery District survived Canadian and USA prohibition.
End with a guided spirits tasting at one of our partner locations – the perfect way to warm up after exploring the Winter Village on a cold day.
Tour Size: 2 Minimum – 12 Maximum per tour
Participants must be 19 or older w/ valid ID to join the tasting
$95
Holiday Beer & Bites Tour
Distillery Winter Village Premier Beer & Bites Tasting Experience
Our Toronto Holiday Beer & Bites Tour takes you beyond typical tastings, connecting you directly with local Ontario brewers, bakeries and eateries who represent the best of Canadian craft beer & bites culture!
Toronto’s Expert Guides: Discover captivating stories about the Distillery District – while savouring Canadian bites, and handcrafted beer. Create unforgettable memories as you walk through the iconic Toronto Distillery Winter Village with a top-rated Go Tours guide.
Tour Size: 2 Minimum – 12 Maximum per tour
Participants must be 19 or older w/ valid ID to join the tasting
Distillery Winter Village FAQ
Your questions about tours, tickets, timing, and navigating the Distillery Winter Village — answered by the Tour Guide team who have been here since before it was the Christmas Market.
About Go Tours Canada
We've operated in the Distillery District since 2005 - way before it became host to the Toronto Christmas market. We know the warmest routes, best photo spots, and how to navigate 800,000+ annual visitors. We've welcomed 250,000+ guests, have earned a 4.9/5 Google rating - and 20 years of local Distillery District expertise.
Yes, especially for weekends and evenings during the Toronto Christmas Market season. Tours fill up quickly in December. During the Winter Village, group sizes are limited for the best experience. We do welcome walk-ups but can't always guarantee a spot. Do you have a large group? Visit our corporate events and teambuilding page.
While you can explore the Distillery District Winter Village independently, our tours reveal the neighbourhood's transformation from whisky distillery to Christmas market - stories most visitors never hear. Plus, we know the warm spots for cold days - and how to avoid the worst crowds. If you've ever wondered how the Distillery District was once the world's largest distillery - we'll fill you in.
Winter Village Information
November 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (Closed Christmas Day). Hours vary, but generally open daily from late morning through evening. There's a banger New Year's Eve party too!
The Christmas Market is free most times. Tickets are required Thu-Sun after 4pm & daily Dec 16-31 after 4pm. Book your tickets at thedistillerywintervillage.com
Weekday mornings and early afternoons (before 4pm) are least crowded. Weekends after 4pm and the week between Christmas and New Year are busiest. Our 9:30am Breakfast Tour lets you experience the market before crowds arrive. Read our Planning Guide below to figure out which time is best for you to visit.
The best option is TTC (streetcar), GO Transit, or using Bikeshare/walking. We recommend HOVR (Toronto's home grown rideshare option) or Toronto taxis if you're taking a car down. Street parking is extremely limited during market season - seriously do not drive unless you absolutely have to. The Distillery District is at 55 Mill Street, easily accessible from downtown Toronto hotels.
Mostly outdoors with some covered areas and indoor spaces. Dress warmly! Red-bricked streets, lake-effect winds, and outdoor vendor browsing mean you'll want layers, warm boots, and gloves.
See the Christmas tree, visit Santa's Village at Soulpepper Theatre, visit the light displays, browse 85+ locally owned businesses, enjoy food and drinks from local restaurants and market stalls, and explore the historic distillery buildings.
Ready to Visit the Distillery Winter Village?
Get official market hours, ticket information, and vendor details at the Toronto Christmas Market's website.
Visit Official Winter Village SitePlanning Your Perfect Winter Village Day
The Distillery Winter Village (Toronto Christmas Market) is magical — but with 800,000+ visitors, it pays to have a plan. Here's how to experience the market like a local, not a tourist.
Start Early for the Best Experience
The Winter Village transforms in the morning light. Cabin vendors open at noon, but the neighbourhood's cafes welcome early risers.
Best Morning Moves:
- 9:30am: Join our Breakfast Tour — experience the market before crowds with coffee & treats included
- Alternative: Start at Balzac's Coffee or Arvo Coffee for that perfect latte
- Pro tip: Get photos of the 55ft Dior Christmas tree without the crowds
- Bonus: Most distillery restaurants aren't open yet, so you'll have peaceful cobblestone streets
Cabin vendors open at noon, and the Winter Village energy kicks in. This is the perfect time for a guided experience.
Smart Midday Strategy:
- 11:30am or 1:30pm: Join our Classic Walking Tour to understand the neighbourhood's history
- Alternative: Take a 10am Segway tour, then explore vendors when they open at noon
- Lunch options: Mill Street Brewpub, El Catrin, or grab festive food from market vendors
- Shopping: Browse 85+ artisan vendors for unique gifts while it's not peak crowded yet
After 4pm on Thu-Sun and daily Dec 16-31, you'll need tickets. The crowds peak, but so does the atmosphere.
Evening Experience Tips:
- 3:30pm Walking Tour: See the lights start twinkling as daylight fades
- Expect crowds: Weekends after 4pm are the busiest — but most festive
- Warm-up spots: Duck into Mill Street, Balzac's, or Cluny when you need a break from the cold
- Adult option: 1:30pm Sunday Prohibition Tour ends with spirits tastings — perfect pre-evening warmup
Insider Tips from 20 Years of Guiding Here
- Skip the peak: Come Tuesday-Thursday before 4pm for the full experience without ticket fees or massive crowds
- Photography gold: Early morning (before 11am) or just after opening (6pm) for that Christmas tree shot
- Parking nightmare: Take TTC, HOVR, or walk from nearby hotels — limited street parking during market season
- Dress warmer than you think: Cobblestone streets, outdoor vendor browsing, and lake-effect winds add up
- Budget accordingly: Vendor food $8-$20/item, drinks $10-$18, and those artisan gifts add up quickly
- Hidden gem: Visit Santa's indoor Village at Soulpepper Theatre to warm up
Want the insider experience? Our guides have been navigating these streets since 2005 — before it was even Toronto's Christmas market. Book a tour and experience the Winter Village the smart way.
Locate Us
11 Gristmill Lane Toronto Ontario M5A 3C4
(416) 677-3831
About Go Tours Canada
Launched in 2005, Go Tours Canada is Toronto's award-winning tour company specializing in Distillery District and Old Town Toronto experiences.
Our expert tour guides have led over 250,000 visitors through Toronto's most historic neighborhoods, sharing insider knowledge about the city's best restaurants, coffee shops, and hidden cultural gems.
Choose walking tours featuring prohibition history and local food experiences, or explore the Distillery District on Toronto's ONLY Segway tour.