The holiday Season in Ontario

Ottawa

This year, the Ottawa Christmas Market returns to Lansdowne. From Friday to Sunday, starting November 26 until December 22, this is the perfect place to get in the holiday mood. You could choose to go there only to admire the lights and decorations, but might as well tick all the boxes on your gift list and buy presents made by local artisans. While you are there, enjoy a nice hot drink, a sweet snack or a bag of toasted nuts.

If you have a few gifts left to buy, another must-see market in the Ottawa area is Country Christmas at Saunders Farm.

In addition to the Christmas markets, Ottawa likes to adorn itself with thousands of lights. The national capital shines brightly during November and December, to the utter delight of young and old, locals and tourists alike.

From December 1 to January 9, 2022, Ottawa is participating in the Christmas Lights Across Canada event, which features hundreds of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights that illuminate downtown Ottawa from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening.

The Route of Lights includes Confederation Boulevard, Parliament Hill, Wellington, Mackenzie and Elgin Streets as well as Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge. Can’t attend this year? A virtual version of the tour will also be available.

The most festive of all, however, is the Magic of Lights Ottawa event, which takes place from November 19 to January 8, 2022. It is a brightly illuminated, 2km-long road which you discover by car and admire more than a million lights. Tickets are already on sale: don't wait to get yours!

You won't have enough of a day to enjoy all of these activities in Canada's national capital. Stay at the Le Germain Hotel Ottawa or the Alt Hotel Ottawa to get a good night of sleep, then go back on the Christmas road the next day!

TORONTO

The Queen City also likes to celebrate the holiday season brightly and cheerfully!

On the other side of town, The Street Eats Market will take place over three weekends in December. Located in Scarborough Town Center, head over there to discover incredible recipes cooked up by local restaurateurs, including the famous and hugely popular pieces of cheesecake on a stick by Cheesecake in tha 6ix.

Want more lights, more festivities and just more Christmas cheer? Head to Canada’s Wonderland, located 30 minutes from downtown Toronto, to participate in WinterFest. From November 13 to December 31, the amusement park turns into a magical Christmas village. You can ice skate under millions of Christmas lights, attend festive themed shows and admire hundreds (yes, you read that right!) of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

Tickets are already on sale and it is imperative to have yours in hand before arriving on site.

Back in town, head to the Junction district to enjoy the magic of the holiday season in a totally innovative way with Window Wonderland. Simply download the free ARTivive app to discover the Christmas windows in augmented reality. It is breathtaking!

To be in the heart of the festivities, plan a stay at the Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer or the Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square.