There’s no single way to do the holidays in Ontario.
Maybe your perfect December means wandering a twinkling Main Street with something warm in hand, hunting down the perfect Christmas tree and filling the car with locally made gifts. Maybe it’s gathering around the table over something comforting and discovering a new favourite restaurant. Or maybe it’s packing an overnight bag and turning the season into a full holiday getaway.
Whatever your holiday style, there’s something delicious waiting.
Jump ahead:
- Follow the Holiday Spirit Through York Durham Headwaters
- Find Your New Holiday Tradition at The Food District
- Make a Holiday Getaway of It at Blue Mountain Village
Follow the Holiday Spirit Through York Durham Headwaters
Forget the frantic mall parking lots and last-minute gift panic. In York Durham Headwaters, holiday magic comes with historic main streets, Christmas tree farms, festive markets and enough butter tarts, seasonal sips and small-town charm to fill a festive road trip.
Pick a community, embrace the detours and leave a little room in the trunk for your shopping haul. From Newmarket’s European-inspired market to Clarington’s Christmas tree farms and Dufferin County’s cozy countryside escapes, there are plenty of ways to make supporting local part of the holiday fun.
Make Merry in Newmarket
If your ideal Christmas involves twinkling lights, festive treats and a little European market magic, make a beeline for Neimi’s Holiday Market. Browse holiday goods, tuck into baked treats, warm up beside the fire pits with s’mores and even pick up a pre-cut Christmas tree while you’re there.
Next, head to Historic Main Street Newmarket to tackle your gift list. Vintage Peony, Metropolis Mercantile (perfect for grabbing a coffee and a treat while you shop), Conscious Find Newmarket, Life is Good Shop and Neon Flamingo offer plenty of reasons to shop small, while The Maids’ Cottage is the place to investigate if your road trip requires an award-winning butter tart break. (It does.)
Once the shopping bags start multiplying, switch gears with a glass of Ontario wine and a prosciutto and fig flat bread at Wine on Main or a seasonal brew from Market Brewing Company. Its beer advent calendar also makes an excellent gift for the craft beer enthusiast in your life.
Visiting on December 4? Head to Riverwalk Commons for Frozen Friday, featuring live music, outdoor skating, fire performers and hot chocolate. Then check into the Postmark Hotel and turn your day trip into a proper overnight escape. With historic streets, local food and festive events all in the mix, Newmarket makes it remarkably easy to stretch one holiday outing into a full weekend.
Find Your Hallmark Holiday in Clarington
Some destinations do Christmas. Clarington appears to have taken the assignment personally. Between tree farms, heritage stops, holiday markets and small-town festivities, this is the place to embrace your inner festive-film protagonist.
Start with A Country Path Holiday Treasures, where a holiday passport and scavenger hunt add a little adventure to exploring local businesses. Depending on your timing, Holiday in the Hills in Orono brings cookie decorating, toy making, story times, food trucks and a tree lighting to the season beginning November 21.
Next, make Pingle’s Farm Market your stop for seasonal shopping, bakery goodies and its annual Mistletoe Market. Travelling with wee ones? They can make their own arrangements while you sip something festive — Vanilla Bourbon Coffee topped with a gingerbread cookie, anyone? If the Christmas tree situation at home still needs sorting, Hope’s Christmas Tree Farm and Prestonvale Tree Farm offer more opportunities to make tree shopping part of the outing. At Hope’s, you can browse the barn marketplace, sip hot cider or chocolate beside the fire pits and visit the farm animals.
For a little heritage charm, visit Tyrone Mills for seasonal baking ingredients, then pick up some local flavour at Sargent Family Dairy. Round things out with a browse along Main Street Bowmanville, a seasonal beer from Chronicle Brewing or a festive drink from Archibald’s Estate Winery, known for options such as spiced winter apple wine, ginger cider and seasonal mocktails.
Cozy Up in Dufferin County
For a slower-paced holiday escape, point the car towards Dufferin County, where countryside scenery, independent shops and fire-warmed stops make a compelling case for putting your out-of-office message on early.
Start at Maple Grove Farm & Market for baked goods, prepared foods and seasonal events. If your timing works, Breakfast with Santa makes a festive addition to the morning. Then head to Hockley Valley Tree Farm for horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas trees and a barn holiday market. Prefer to skip the tree-hauling logistics? You can still browse the festive finds before heading to Hockley Valley General Store for local gifts and a café stop.
For fresh air between shopping sprees, Mansfield Outdoor Centre offers hiking, heated cabins and a chalet warmed by a fire. Alternatively, check the schedule for the Museum of Dufferin Holiday Treasures Craft Market to discover local makers and handmade gifts. Elsewhere in Dufferin County, browse Granny Taught Us How for locally inspired finds or stop at Mrs. Mitchell’s for a meal with historic character — their famous Reuben sandwich is a can’t-miss!
When you are ready to warm up properly, make your way to Historic Downtown Orangeville for independent shopping and dining. Browse Pear Home, stop for a bite at Bluebird Café or Rustik Local Bistro and check the programme at Theatre Orangeville for a seasonal performance. For something a little more elevated, settle in for a meal at Greystones Restaurant and Lounge. Depending on your visit, you can also look for the indoor winter farmers’ market.
Finally, why rush home when you could make a night of it? Hockley Valley Resort brings together overnight accommodations, spa experiences and snow globe dining for a festive finish. With outdoor adventures, local food and holiday shopping all within reach, Dufferin County proves that sometimes the best Christmas plans involve doing a little less and enjoying a whole lot more.
Find Your New Holiday Tradition at the Food District
Not every holiday tradition has to involve gingerbread and mulled cider. Sometimes, the best way to celebrate the season is simply to gather around the table, try something new and discover an annual favourite along the way. At The Food District at Square One in Mississauga, you can do exactly that, with global flavours that reflect the diverse food cultures shaping the Greater Toronto Area.
Warm Up at The SaiGon Pho & Grill
When the temperatures drop, few things hit the spot quite like a steaming bowl of pho. Newly opened, The SaiGon Pho & Grill offers a delicious reason to gather your favourite people, grab a table and tuck into something comforting. Go classic with the Signature Pho, loaded with rare beef, brisket, beef ball and tendon, or try the House Smoked Beef Short Rib Pho for a heartier take. If you like a little heat, the Satay Pho offers another warming option for a chilly winter day.
Make SaiGon Pho part of your next trip to Square One, whether you are taking a break from ticking gifts off your shopping list or meeting family for a casual meal. After all, not every festive outing needs a rigid itinerary or a reservation weeks in advance. Sometimes, all you need is good company and a satisfying bowl of soup.
Not in the mood for pho? The menu also ranges from bánh mì and grilled vermicelli to Vietnamese coffee and Thai milk tea, giving you plenty of reasons to come back and try something different.
There is also something special about bringing new food traditions into the holiday season. The GTA’s culinary scene reflects cultures and communities from around the world, so why not celebrate that diversity by exploring a cuisine you love or trying something unfamiliar? This year, your new December tradition might just involve chopsticks, a steaming bowl of pho and absolutely no gingerbread in sight.
Another Reason to Come Back
The food scene at The Food District keeps evolving, which means there may be another reason to plan a return visit. Keep an eye out for PAI, the celebrated Thai restaurant known for its Northern Thai flavours. Opening soon, it will be another exciting addition to your next food-focused trip to Square One!
Top Things Off With a Sweet Treat
And naturally, no holiday outing is complete without something sweet. Treat yourself to a chocolatey pick-me-up from The Happy Chocco, fluffy Japanese-style treats from Hattendo, baked ube (that’s a purple yam and trust us, it’s tasty as heck) goodies from The Purple Bakeshop or chewy mochi from Marry Me Mochi. You can also swing by Uncle Tetsu for its famous Japanese cheesecake. Consider dessert your reward for all that holiday shopping. You’ve earned it! With so many options, you might as well try a few (for scientific research purposes, of course).
Make a Holiday Getaway of It at Blue Mountain Village
Dreaming of a European Christmas but not particularly keen on a transatlantic flight? Blue Mountain Village in Ontario’s Blue Mountains offers a little Old World charm without the jet lag. Inspired by European pedestrian villages and considered Ontario’s Mountain Town, this lively destination pairs colourful architecture and festive lights with boutique shopping, memorable dining and plenty of après-ski fun. Moreover, its walkable streets make it easy to trade the car for a leisurely wander, preferably with a warm drink in hand.
While you might not find a traditional Christmas market around every corner, Blue Mountain Village delivers something equally appealing: a European-inspired holiday atmosphere with a distinctly Canadian mountain twist. Think snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights, shops worth popping into and restaurants that make you want to cancel your dinner reservations elsewhere. Add the surrounding Niagara Escarpment to the picture and you have a winter getaway that makes staying close to home feel like a rather excellent idea.
See the Village Light Up
From November 20 to January 3, Holiday Magic transforms Blue Mountain Village into a festive winter escape, complete with the Holiday Light Trail. As daylight fades, the village takes on a whole new glow, making an evening stroll a must-do for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit. After all, twinkling lights have a way of making even a casual walk feel a little more magical.
Make the trail the anchor of your visit by arriving before dusk, browsing the village shops and then heading out to admire the lights after dark. Better yet, leave yourself plenty of time to wander without rushing from one photo opportunity to the next. Whether you are planning a romantic evening, a family outing or a festive date with friends, the illuminated village offers a lovely excuse to slow down and enjoy the season.
Moreover, the pedestrian-friendly layout means you can build the rest of your evening around the experience. Stop for dinner, grab a drink or pick up a holiday treat before heading back out for another stroll. No complicated itinerary required!
Eat, Sip and Warm Up
Of course, a festive evening calls for something delicious. Fortunately, Blue Mountain Village makes it easy to pair the Holiday Light Trail with a little culinary exploring. Start with a warming lamb rogan josh curry at Oliver & Bonacini or an fun cocktail and tomato gnocchi at Twist Kitchen + Cocktail, then venture back outside to enjoy the lights. Alternatively, make a few stops along the way and turn your evening into a progressive feast. Who says you have to commit to just one menu?
For something a little more spirited, 1858 Caesar Bar is worth adding to the itinerary. Sip a Caesar, Canada’s beloved savoury cocktail, before or after your stroll through the illuminated village. They really kick thing sup a notch, offering all sorts of twists on the classic from classic dilly bean caesars to ones topped with chicken wings and more!
Meanwhile, if your sweet tooth has been patiently waiting for its moment, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory offers a tempting excuse to stop for a chocolatey treat. Consider it a reward for all that holiday shopping and festive wandering.
The best part? You can mix and match to suit your plans, whether that means a proper sit-down dinner followed by drinks or a more casual evening of grazing. Moreover, the variety makes it easy to keep everyone happy, from the friend who plans every meal to the one who is mostly here for dessert.
Find a Few Gifts Along the Way
Holiday shopping does not have to mean battling crowded malls with a growing sense of seasonal dread nor does it have to mean scrolling with endless blue light in your face! In Blue Mountain Village, you can browse for gifts between meals and light displays, making the hunt for presents feel like part of the getaway rather than another item on your to-do list.
Pop into Brights Gallery to discover art and distinctive finds, or browse Jack & Maddy for the perfect kids’ gift. Looking for a gift that will not spend the next year collecting dust? Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory offers edible treats that are ideal for stocking stuffers, hostess gifts or a little something to enjoy on the drive home. No judgement if that last option involves buying an extra box for yourself.
Furthermore, shopping locally adds another layer to the experience. Rather than rushing through a checklist, take your time exploring the village and seeing what catches your eye. With dining, shopping and the Holiday Light Trail all woven into one walkable destination, you can accomplish a surprising amount of holiday prep without making it feel like work.
Stay a Little Longer
Why head home just as the evening gets good? Turn your visit into a proper holiday escape by pairing an afternoon of shopping with dinner, a stroll along the Holiday Light Trail and an overnight stay. Moreover, make time for Scandinave Spa or iwa Spa to squeeze in a little well-deserved pampering. After all, the holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not simply organized!
How Will You Holiday?
Christmas tree farm or city dinner?
Local market or weekend getaway?
There’s no wrong way to celebrate the season and there’s certainly no shortage of ways to make it delicious.
Whether you spend the day following holiday traditions through York Durham Headwaters, gather around the table for something new at The Food District or turn the season into a getaway at Blue Mountain Village, make a little room on your calendar for an Ontario holiday adventure.
