The Toronto Christmas Market has kicked off the holiday season with the annual raising of its iconic 50-foot Christmas tree, along with the announcement of this year's performers, which include well-known York Region favourite, Glenn Marais.
The spruce tree, donated annually by Forests Ontario and Ontario Wood, will be decorated with more than 40,000 lights, 800 ornaments and 1.5 km of gold ribbon for the opening of the market Thursday, Nov. 15. The Christmas tree will stand at the centre of the Distillery Historic District throughout the annual market, which continues till Sunday, Dec. 23.
This year's line-up of performances include more world-renowned performers, award-winning opera and folk singers, brass bands and Juno-nominated Canadian talents like Glenn Marais. The complete program is available at TorontoChristmasMarket.com and includes:
- Traditional Tuesdays, with performances by Lily Frost, Alberta Rose, and Glenn Marais;
- World Wednesdays, with performances by the Canadian Children's Opera Company;
- Classical Thursdays;
- Friday Night Jazz, with performances by Steven Taetz;
- Saturday Variety, with performances by Angelique Frances, Alex Pangman and Heavyweights Brass Band;
- Ensemble Sundays, with performances by Swedish Folk Dancers, and Toronto Beach Chorale;
- The Toronto Christmas Market will also see the likes of classic carols and more modern renditions sung during the 34-day festival.
The market opens officially at 4 p.m., Nov. 15, with opening day festivities starting at 6 p.m.
The Toronto Christmas Market, a not-for-profit organization, charges a $6 admission fee weekends, starting at 5 p.m. Fridays. Children aged under 2 are admitted free. There is no admission charge weekdays until Friday at 5 p.m. Weekend entry is offered in time slots, though you may stay as long as you wish within operating hours. It's recommended you purchase tickets in advance to avoid line-ups, however, same-day tickets are available at the ticket sales tent, just north of the festival grounds on Trinity Street between Mill and Front Street East. Tickets are available for purchase on site until sold out for that day.
Stay updated on this year's festival on social media with #TCM18.
The Toronto Christmas Market, now in its ninth year, recreates the romance and magic of traditional European Christmas markets, which date back to the early 1400s. The market features non-stop entertainment, European food delicacies, unique gift items from around the world, outdoor heated beer and mulled wine gardens.
