Toronto is always a fun city—but there’s something extra special about the winter season in Canada, where there are more chances than ever to eat, drink and be merry at a range an excellent range of food and drink events. From gingerbread afternoon tea to festive farmer’s markets, here are just a few events to include on your winter calendar.
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Breakfast with Santa at Ripley’s Aquarium
Sat, 7 Dec – Sat, 21 Dec, 07:30-08:45
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, 288 Bremner Blvd
Kicking off the festive season in Toronto, the first event on our list is one for the kids. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa this December at one of the city’s top attractions—Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Take your pick from tasty breakfast items including French toast sticks, waffles, home fries, as well as eggs, bacon, sausage and continental options. A complimentary family photo with Santa is also included.
- Adult tickets: $50CAD
- Child (3-5) and youth (6-13) tickets: $35CAD
- Child 2 and under: $10CAD
Gingerbread Afternoon Tea
Sat, 14 Dec, 12:00 and 14:30
Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St
Afternoon tea may be a typically British tradition, but Toronto are offering something aptly unique for the Christmas season. Each treat is inspired by festive flavours and winter spice and is served by costumed interpreters in the historic surroundings of the Gibson House Museum. Once you’ve finished your tea, tour the beautifully decorated Victorian farmhouse.
- Tickets: $30
Vegan Christmas Market
Sat, 14 Dec, 11:00-18:00
8 Adelaide Street East
Whether you’re vegan or not, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastebuds at Toronto’s Vegan Christmas Market. Vendors will be selling a range of pastries and chocolate treats as well as cosmetic products, artisanal soaps and clothing. You can also catch this event in the cities of Montréal and New York.
- General admission: FREE
- VIP tickets: $9CAD (plus Eventbrite and processing fees) and include a vegan beanie ethically made in Canada, as well as access to full-day and one hour of advance shopping time from 10:00, automatic enrolment into VIP prize draws, and exclusive promotions and discounts by selected vendors
Withrow’s Winter Market
Sat, 21 Dec, 10:00 – Sun, 22 Dec, 16:00
Crow’s Theatre, Toronto
Pick yourself up unique gifts and yummy holiday treats at the third annual Withrow’s Winter Market. Hosted by Withrow Farmers’ Market, vendors sell locally handcrafted goods, artisanal food and delicious holiday treats. You can also visit the lobby bar on Friday nights, where you can grab some food and drink and mix with the locals.
Winterlicious
Fri, 31 Jan – Thu, 13 Feb
Various venues
One of Toronto’s biggest and best food events is Winterlicious—a mouth-watering two weeks of culinary events and a great opportunity to try a range of international cuisines. Over 200 restaurants take part in this event, where chefs create special prix fixe menus, which guests can enjoy at a special price. There are also other activities such as interactive cooking classes, tours and themed dinners. And if you can’t make it for winter, a similar event, Summerlicious, takes place annually in July.
Winter Craft Beer Festival
Sat, 1 Feb, 11:00-17:00
Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd
This next event takes place in the heart of downtown Toronto. Hosted by Steam Whistle Brewing in Roundhouse Park, the event welcomes over 40 breweries and gives beer lovers the chance to sample some of Ontario’s best beers and street food. There is also a photo station, games, retro ski gear, and even campfires and marshmallows.
- Advance tickets: $25CAD
- Gate tickets: $30CAD
Bellavita Expo Toronto
Sun, 1 Mar – Tue, 5 Mar
Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd
Love Italian food? The Bellavita Expo Toronto brings the best in Italian cuisine to the city as part of the Restaurant Canada Show—the largest food-service trade show in Canada. Here, you’ll find over 20,000 professionals within the food industry, including Michelin-starred chefs. As well as enjoying tasty food, you can take part in everything from masterclasses to debates.
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