Things to Do in Toronto in December: A Week by Week Guide

December in Toronto has a rhythm: lights up early, plans fill by the second week, and the best nights are the ones you book in advance.

What runs all month?

Two big anchors stay open through the holiday stretch. Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square runs from November 28, 2026 to January 7, 2027, and the lighting, select immersive installations and free public skating to music remain until January 7. The Distillery Winter Village runs through January 3, 2027. Its admission is free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13, and from December 14 to 31 a ticket is required from 4 p.m. daily. Kids aged 9 and under are always free to enter.

Glow in the Wild at the Toronto Zoo runs select evenings from September 3, 2026 through January 3, 2027, primarily Thursday through Sunday, with more dates in the holiday period and no evenings on December 24 or 25.

What is on in the first week, December 1 to 6?

• Tuesday, December 1: St. James Cathedral’s free Tuesday organ recital, “Music for Advent”.
• Thursday, December 3: the One Of A Kind Christmas Show’s Late Night Shopping Party, part of a show that runs through December 6 at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place.
• Saturday, December 5: The National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker opens its run at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, which continues to December 31.
• Sunday, December 6: the Evergreen Winter Market at Evergreen Brick Works, with the Winter Garden’s fire pits, s’mores and hot drinks. Market entry is pay-what-you-can.

What is on in the second week, December 7 to 13?

This is the week of free-entry evenings at the Distillery Winter Village, which is free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13. The Evergreen Winter Market keeps going on Sunday, December 13. The Toronto Biennial of Art is on now through December 20. Harbourfront Centre’s What’s On page lists its exhibitions as free.

What is on in the third week, December 14 to 20?

• Friday, December 18: the Elmer Iseler Singers list a free noon-hour choir and organ concert at Roy Thomson Hall; the hall’s own series page had not posted the date when we looked on October 18, so check it first.
• December 18 to 20: the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Holiday EcoMarket, with free admission. The event page also mentions a bonfire, free marshmallows and free drop-in winter-themed crafting on Saturday and Sunday.
• Sunday, December 20: the last Evergreen Winter Market Sunday, with a public skate planned in Koerner Gardens, weather permitting.

What is on in the fourth week, December 21 to 27?

• Monday, December 21: the 37th annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice parade, as listed by the organiser, with events from December 12 to 21.
• Tuesday, December 22: another free organ recital at St. James Cathedral, with Advent songs by Karg-Elert.
• December 24 and 25: Glow in the Wild does not operate.

What about the last days, December 28 to 31?

The Nutcracker runs through December 31, and Cavalcade of Lights continues to January 7. The City’s New Year’s Eve page says “See you on December 31” and had no 2026 details when we checked, so look there for the plan once it is announced.

What are the easy free anchors on any week?

Some Toronto staples need no calendar. The Bata Shoe Museum says admission is free for everyone on Sundays. The Aga Khan Museum offers free admission to its galleries every Wednesday evening, with tickets available only in person. General admission is free at Fort York National Historic Site. Add one of those to a lights night and you have a December plan.

For more, see our winter in Toronto guide, Cavalcade of Lights, the Distillery Winter Village, Christmas concerts in Toronto and free Christmas events in Toronto.

Send this to the friend you would bring: the one who has never seen the Kensington solstice parade.