It’s official: Mariah Carey has thawed, and the holidays — along with the best Christmas bars and markets — are now open for business. Toronto is diving headfirst into the holiday spirit with the city’s top drinking dens and best restaurants snapping into gear and rolling out everything from festive Toronto Christmas bars to magical Christmas markets. If you're not staying home to sip Christmas cocktails fireside this season, head out to these holly jolly haunts for a very merry time.
There’s a Toronto Christmas market or Toronto Christmas bar for everyone — whether you’re craving full-on festive chaos with ugly sweaters and more shimmering lights than the Vegas Strip, or prefer to keep Christmas classy (à la Michael Scott) at one of the city’s sultrier events.
‘Tis also the season for living your own Hallmark moment. Winter is the perfect time to wander through Ontario’s cutest towns, many of which are hosting their own charming holiday pop-ups just outside the city — complete with their own Christmas bars and Christmas markets. But if you're staying in the city, these are all the best Christmas bars and markets to enjoy. Happy holidays!
The best Christmas bars and Christmas markets in Toronto
1. The White Garden at Queen’s Harbour
November 12 – January 31 | 245 Queens Quay West
Queens Harbour stole our hearts with its opulent summer debut, and now it’s transformed Queens Garden — the more intimate space at the rear of the restaurant — into a fairy-tale forest. Dubbed The White Garden, the Christmas bar features over 40 snow-dusted trees dangling from the ceiling, creating a magical, otherworldly winter wonderland.
Alongside Queens Harbour classics, the Christmas bar will serve a limited-edition menu that includes a Ferrero Rocher espresso martini (yum), a candy cane slush and its non-alcoholic counterpart, the White Passion. Butternut squash agnolotti, Australian wagyu skirt steak and a Ferrero Rocher cheesecake amp up the food offerings.
2. Holiday Hills at Stackt Market
November 15 – December 28 | 2928 Bathurst St.
Shipping container wonderland, Stackt Market’s Holiday Hills is one of our favourite festive pop-ups, and this year it’s returning bigger and better than ever with plenty of Christmas market energy. There are enough activities to fill an entire evening, even with the sun setting at 5 p.m. Snap the perfect IG photo in the Tunnel of Lights or by the inflatable Santa, sip an espresso martini in the hidden speakeasy, indulge in vodka cocktails by the fire in the Finnish sauna retreat, sing along with carollers every Friday night, belt ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ at Blue Moon Brewery Karaoke, try free samples and much more.
3. The Winter Terrace at ONE Restaurant
From November 19 to January 11 | 118 Yorkville Ave.
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Get ready for an opulent holiday season in Yorkville at one of the city’s fanciest Christmas bars. This winter, The Hazelton Hotel — recognized with two Michelin Keys in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide — is unveiling an exclusive LOUIS XIII pop-up unlike anything else in the city. Guests can enjoy rare 1 oz or 1.5 oz pours of LOUIS XIII Cognac paired with chef-curated bites like East Coast oysters and a bright grapefruit semifreddo, all within the hotel’s festive outdoor winter wonderland at ONE restaurant. With a 1-ounce LOUIS XIII pour, the experience starts at $334 — with a 1½-ounce pour, it's $500.
4. Naughty Nutcracker at Little Ese
From November 1 | 875 Queen St. W.
Forget everything you know about the classical ballet, which takes place on Christmas Eve: The Naughty Nutcracker is a festive fever dream located inside Little Ese. The pop-up, described as "flirty and a little mischievous," will feature twinkly lights, Christmas magic and a sprinkling of holiday-themed cocktails at this popular spot for pizza opposite Trinity-Bellwoods Park — making it a standout in Toronto’s roster of Christmas bars.
5. Holiday Market at EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace
From November 11 – December 30 | 181 Wellington St. W.
Forget ugly Christmas sweaters: One of Toronto’s top hotels is turning on the ritz this festive season. From Thursday to Saturday, The Ritz-Carlton’s EPOCH terrace will be transformed into a Holiday Market packed with twinkling chalets, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, duck confit tourtière and truffle grilled cheese — blending the charm of Christmas markets with the elegance of Toronto’s most luxurious Christmas bars. Holiday cheer never looked so classy. epochtoronto.com
6. Miracle Toronto Christmas Bar
From November 15 | Multiple locations
Spewing over-the-top cheer, the iconic Miracle Christmas bar is back with two locations this year — solidifying its status as one of Toronto’s most beloved Christmas bars. The OG spot on Bloor will remain the 19-and-over drinking den that we love, serving our yearly favourite cocktails in kitschy cups, like the Jingle Balls Nog, Snowball Old-Fashioned and the adorable Naughty & Nice Shots, along with new libations, non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails. Meanwhile, the new Harbourfront location at Boxcar Social gives the same festive cheer, with cocktails and a food menu, plus programming for the whole family — including fur babies. And Miracle continues its tradition of donating $1 from every drink sold to Nellie’s.
7. The Distillery Winter Village
From November 13 – January 5 | 51 Gristmill Ln
Every year, the Distillery transforms into one of Toronto’s most magical Christmas markets — and even gives the city’s Christmas bars a run for their money. The iconic tree lighting kicks things off, followed by a Narnia-inspired Santa’s Village, 40+ vendor cabins serving festive bites (don’t miss Cluny’s s’mores hot chocolate), plus carolers, live music and the Peppermint Patio. Tickets start at $15, but check their website — there are free hours to visit, too.
thedistillerywintervillage.com
8. Fairmont Royal York
From November 19 | 100 Front St. W.
Visiting the Fairmont Royal York during the holiday season is always magical, even if it’s just for a walk-through (shhh, we won’t tell) to gawk at the towering trees encircled with twinkle lights. This year, Reign restaurant is serving a festive dinner on the 24th and 25th, if you’ve always wanted to celebrate Christmas at a restaurant, and brunch on the days following. In the lobby lounge, Clockwork, Festive Afternoon Tea is a luxurious affair accompanied by live piano. With holiday cocktails being poured across Reign, Clockwork and Library Bar, the hotel doubles as one of the city’s classiest Christmas bars.
9. Java Jingle at Little Sister
November 13 – December 31 | Multiple Locations
One of Toronto’s most reliable sources of festive fun every year, Java Jingle returns to Little Sister’s two locations (102 Portland St. & 2031 Yonge St.) with 12 cute and kitschy holiday cocktails, string lights and more extravagant décor. The theme this year is Winter Wonderland — think more sleek, cozy, charming holiday escape versus Santa’s workshop.
As always, from the kitchen, their full menu of Dutch-Indo small and large plates is available for snacking or a proper meal. Chow down on grilled jumbo black tiger shrimp satay or Indonesian steak frites while you sip the merry night away.
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Read more10. NORDIC by BarChef at The Well
November 12 – December 28 | The Well, 486 Front St. W.
Frankie Solarik and the BarChef team’s luxury pop-up returns for its third year, as part of ‘Holiday at The Well.’ From Wednesday to Sunday, snuggle into the cozy yurt or by the fire pit on the heated Scandi-inspired patio and savour forward-thinking mixologist creations at one of Toronto’s most elevated Christmas bars. The Cedar Eggnog is a show-stopper you won’t want to miss.
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Read more11. Christmas Carol at Compton Ave.
November 12 - December 31 | 1282 Dundas St. W.
With far more charm than kitsch, Compton Ave. by Frankie Solarik transforms into a warm, London-inspired holiday wonderland in November — set to become one of the city’s go-to Christmas bars. These festive riffs on classic cocktails will make the biggest Scrooge croon a carol; plus, a portion of the proceeds from the pop-up is donated to the Salvation Army.
12. Christmas on Queen at Aleria
1070 Queen St. W.
After how popular 2024’s inaugural pop-up was, it’s hard to believe Aleria’s Christmas on Queen is only in its second year. From November to January, the restaurant glows brighter than the Griswold home with countless string lights, glistening rows of baubles and tinsel dangling from the ceiling, cheery animals, nutcrackers and green-gold Christmas trees — the very definition of an over-the-top Christmas bar.
13. Mistletoes and Margarita’s at Papi Chulo’s
121 Ossington St. W.
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Illuminating the Ossington strip with over-the-top decorations, Papi Chulo’s Christmas bar is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. Now celebrating half a decade, Mistletoes and Margaritas is raunchy, kitschy and an absolute blast. Snack on tacos or toss back tequila shots in the restaurant that’s overflowing with baubles, inflatables and tinsel all season long. Sleigh.
14. Frosty’s Fiesta at Papi & Rosita
198 Ossington Ave.
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If the wait is too long for Papi Chulo’s, or you want to try a new pop-up this year, head to Papi & Rosita, just a few blocks away from its sister spot on Ossington. Forgo the Christmas spirit and fight with your friends over the delicious Mexican bites (birria tacos, anyone?), then make up over sips like Santa’s Mule (with cinnamon-infused rum) and the tequila-based Drunk Elf.
