Every year we seem to go straight from Halloween and peak fall restaurant season headfirst into the holidays. Whether the opening bars of “All I Want for Christmas” fill you with horror or delight, there’s no denying it — the festive season is right around the corner, and the best Christmas markets, bars and pop-ups are here to get you in the spirit.
Luckily, to combat the cold and gloom, some of Toronto’s best restaurants and hottest bars are getting in on the festive action and adding some sparkle with plenty of Christmas bars, holiday pop-ups and Christmas cocktails to enjoy all season long.
It’s a busy time of year, so we’re all about multiple checks off our to-do list. While you’re out experiencing the best Christmas bars, stop in at one of the many Christmas markets in Toronto. Our ultimate foodie gift guide provides inspiration for every tricky person on your list, with plenty of love for local vendors sprinkled throughout. Once you’ve made a dent in your shopping, sit back and toast with a Christmas cocktail at one of these festive pop-ups.
The best Christmas bars and Christmas markets in Toronto
1. Miracle Toronto Christmas Bar
From November 15 | 875 Bloor St. W. Second Floor
This annual pop-up takes the Christmas cake with its over-the-top, kitschy decor. Award-winning bar Civil Liberties covers their Bloor and Ossington event venue, Third Place in head-to-toe Christmas cheer, from presents and lights adorning the ceiling to life-sized (ethnically diverse) nutcrackers, animatronic characters and a full-on sleigh.
Don your cutest ugly Christmas sweater and bask in the festive atmosphere while you sip expertly crafted cocktails. They're not all sugary either — expect the quality and varied tipples that have earned the Civil Liberties team their many accolades. The bar also donates $1 from every drink sold and a portion of the door fee to Nellie's, which provides shelter, education and advocacy for women and children in the GTA.
2. Ginger’s Cocktail Bar
November 15 – December 24 | 12 Sousa Mendes Street
The team behind culinary cookery school, Le Dolci, has whipped up a festive fiesta this November and December. The upper level of the culinary studio in the Junction has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with festive décor, music, drinks, baked goodies and photo opps for the whole family before 8 p.m.
After that, adults can enjoy holiday-themed cocktails like Christmas Island Cheer, Snow Globe Frosty, Sugar Plum Spritz and Gingerbread Martini. Reservations are available to book online for $25 which includes a $5 donation to The Daily Bread Food Bank as well as $20 towards the bill.
3. The Distillery Winter Village
November 13 – January 5 | 51 Gristmill Ln
It doesn’t get more festive than strolling the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District with an eggnog in hand. This year, The Distillery Winter Village is back to bring more holiday cheer with its one-of-a-kind boutiques and seasonal food cabins touting tasty treats like waffles, poutine and raclette.
Enjoy live entertainment in the shadow of the 55-foot Christmas tree and get some snaps of the twinkly lights in all their splendour. If it gets too chilly, you can always head inside to one of The Distillery’s fab restaurants, like Cluny, Madrina or Pure Spirits. Tickets are required for entry after 4 p.m. every Thursday to Sunday from December 12–31.
thedistillerywintervillage.com
4. House of York at Fairmont Royal York
November 20 – December 21 | 100 Front St. W.
We eagerly anticipate our annual visit to The Thirsty Elf, the Fairmont Royal York’s holiday pop-up, but this year the hotel is mixing things up. Whizz up the escalators to the mezzanine level and you’ll find the House of York, a new cozy cabin concept with Canadiana Christmas charm in spades. Snag a seat between the foliage, fir cones and plaid, and order some seriously crafted cocktails (no candy cane vodka here). House of York is open Wednesday to Saturday evenings, for walk-ins only.
5. Melody’s at Gladstone House
November 20 – December 31 | 1214 Queen St. W.
The Gladstone Hotel is keeping it elegant for the holidays, with romantic twinkly lights decking the halls and festive dishes available inside its ground-floor restaurant. If you’re looking for ugly Christmas sweaters and kitschiness, keep walking. The classy Christmas vibes at Melody’s would make Michael Scott swoon. Think velvet booths, DJs spinning vinyl, and chic Christmas cocktails like the Sugar Cookie Martini and the Ginger Berry Bramble. There’s also a substantial menu of nostalgic comfort food classics including creamy mac and cheese, Venetian pappardelle and a yummy dry-aged burger.
6. Java Jingle at Little Sister
November 15 – December 31 | Multiple Locations
Just when we thought the holidays couldn't get any more exciting, Dutch-Indo food bar Little Sister announced that both its downtown and midtown locations will be decked out in full Christmas splendour this year. Their Java Jingle pop-up takes over the whole space, and doesn't skimp on the decor or the festive cocktails.
There are some fun inclusions of marshmallows and kitschy cups, but the cocktails are delicious first and foremost. From the kitchen, their full menu of small and large plates is available for snacking or a proper meal. Chow down on grilled jumbo black tiger shrimp satay or Javanese spiced braised beef short ribs while you sip the night away.
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Read more7. NORDIC by BarChef
November 13 – December 22 | The Well, 486 Front St. W.
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BarChef’s Nordic pop-up is back for a second year at The Well. Snuggle up inside the cozy yurt and enjoy hot or cold mixologist creations from the genius brains behind one of Toronto’s best cocktail bars. Sip cocktails like Nordic Spritz, with Malfy Gin con Arancia and prosecco, and Cedar Eggnog with Havana Club 7 Year Rum and cedar bitters, inside the tent or from the warmth of the fire pit lounge outside.
8. KŌST Chalet
November 18 – February 2025 | Bisha Hotel, 80 Blue Jays Way, 44th Floor
It’s time to do your best House of Gucci impression at KŌST’s annual ski lodge pop-up extravaganza. Instead of taking the ski lift to the top of the mountain, hop into Bisha Hotel’s elevator and head to the 44th floor where the restaurant has been transformed into a chalet in the sky. The pop-up was created by Caspar Haydar Design and is in partnership with Grey Goose, which means that guests can indulge in a selection of high-altitude Christmas cocktails like spiced hot cocktails and winter-inspired mules. There’s also enough comfort food, like cheese fondue, short rib poutine and French onion soup, to keep the après going.
9. Gay Lea Shortbread Village
December 5–22 | The Well, 410 Front St. W.
Community building projects have never looked so delicious. This year, Gay Lea is creating Canada’s largest shortbread village at The Well for the 2024 holiday season.
Immerse yourself in the cookie-themed pop-up, filled with miniature and life-size shortbread, embellished with frosting icicles, glitter, sprinkles and sugary confections. Guests can create whimsical shortbread cookie characters to take home and add to the collaborative decor.
For every social share posted using the tag #GayLeaShareJoy, Gay Lea will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity Canada, with the goal of raising $10,000.
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Read more10. Holiday Hills at Stackt Market
November 15 – December | 2928 Bathurst St.
North America's largest shipping container market is hosting a winter festival unlike any other. Holiday Hills at stackt market is completely free to enter, and the list of attractions is long.
Get lost in the 100-foot-long Tunnel of Lights (with the CN Tower as a backdrop), peruse vendor markets, have a blast with exciting winter games, vibe out to live music and swing by the Speakeasy Whiskey Bar for a cocktail or two. Check out their site for up-to-date event programming for comedy acts, pet-friendly shows and DIY workshops.
11. Christmas Lounge at Ricky + Olivia
996 Queen St. E.
Leslieville wine bar Ricky + Olivia just launched an adorable cocktail lounge centred around everyone’s favourite holiday movie, A Christmas Story. With Christmas cocktails named after movie quotes like "Only I Didn’t Say Fudge," and "Fra-Gee-Lay Spagliato, Must be Italian," you’re guaranteed a giggle, but with Ricky Casipe and Olivia Simpson at the helm, you’re also in for a delicious time. If vino gets you more in the festive spirit, the all-Ontario wine bar also has flights and tastings on offer, plus some seriously lust-worthy gift boxes in their bottle shop.
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Read more12. Earls’ Winter Wonder Lounge
November 14 – January 8 | 601 King St. W.
Even the Grinch’s cynicism couldn't fail to be thawed by the Winter Wonder Lounge pop-up. Head to the King West location of Earls Restaurant + Bar for twinkling lights, cozy blankets, charming winter decor and plenty of Christmas cocktails. Choose from seasonally inspired tipples like Winter Spritz, Yuletide Mule and Peppermint Mocha.
13. Bar Humbug at Walrus Pub & Beer Hall
December 3–31 | 187 Bay St.
This seasonal pop-up is bringing nostalgic holiday-themed high spirits to the Financial District. The Walrus Pub & Beer Hall will be serving up a Santa sack's worth of festive fun courtesy of cocktails like the No Coffee After Eight with Jameson whisky, coffee, peppermint and salted vanilla cold foam, and the Sleigh Ride in Central Park with Skrewball peanut butter whisky sweet vermouth and raspberry. Those on the good list can tuck into treats like Spiced Turkey Sliders with chutney, stuffing and gravy and Dunkaroos with chocolate chunk cookies and butterscotch pudding. Bar Humbug, indeed.
