Events DeskEvent
The holiday markets that downtown guides skip: Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke events with 2026 dates published by their own organisers.
You do not have to go downtown to find a gift made by hand, a hot chocolate or a tree with a countdown. The outer city has its own markets.
We list a market here only when its organiser has published 2026 dates. Where an organiser has not yet posted a date, we say so at the end and leave the guesswork out.
When: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Where: The Toronto Zoo Special Events Centre, in the Discovery Zone, at 2000 Meadowvale Road.
This two-day indoor and outdoor market brings together artisans, processors and producers from local and surrounding communities. It is free with regular zoo admission, which makes it an easy add-on to a day of animals. The zoo’s own news release counts it among Scarborough’s proud features.
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026.
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St, by the North York Civic Centre.
NeighbourLink North York presents the market. The page lists 50+ artisan vendors, Beavertails, hot chocolate, a tree lighting, live music, a Santa photo op and kids activities. The page says there is no cost to attend, and the festive tree lighting is part of the evening.
When: Two weekends, November 20 to 22 and December 18 to 20, 2026.
Where: The Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, in Edwards Gardens at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Leslie Street.
The garden lists over 100 local vendors, with new vendors each weekend. Admission is free, and there is a new indoor food court, a bonfire and free drop-in winter crafting on Saturday and Sunday.
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Where: Etobicoke School of the Arts, 675 Royal York Road.
A school craft fair is a Saturday-sized outing and a good reason to see a neighbourhood you do not usually visit. That is our opinion, and the school’s page is the place to confirm what is on offer.
The New Toronto Holiday Market, at the Humber Polytechnic Student Welcome and Resource Centre, 2 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, says it is welcoming visitors back in November 2026. Its page listed no 2026 date when we checked. We will add it once the organiser posts one.
Our pick is to treat the outer city as a set of small, friendly trips. Pair the Toronto Zoo market with a day out, put Willowdale on a Saturday evening for the tree lighting, and keep the botanical garden for a quieter weekend. For the downtown calendar, see our list of Toronto Christmas markets with 2026 dates, and for the wider season start with the Christmas in Toronto guide. Explore more of Scarborough and Etobicoke while you are out there.
Send this to the friend you would bring along for the hot chocolate.
Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
“Saving this for a November Saturday: Christmas markets in Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke with dates from each organiser.”
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