The Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market has launched a Photo Contest   

This holiday season Toronto will once again celebrate the romance and magic of a traditional Christmas at Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market. Inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New, this free annual event captures all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. Family friendly entertainment includes musicians, carolers and children's choirs, holiday themed stage presentations, Rudolph's Reindeer Zoo and of course … Santa and his roaming elves! There is great shopping, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, sweets and treats, and all the great restaurants of The Distillery Historic District. Come and experience the fun and magic of Toronto's first and only Christmas Market!

What is a Christmas Market?

A Christmas market is a street market which celebrates the traditional sights, sounds and scents of Christmas and is staged during the weeks leading up to Christmas. These markets originated in Germany, beginning in the early 1400's, and are now being held in countries all over the world.

POPULAR EVENT FEATURES AND ACTIVITES:

Massive Christmas Tree donated by Trees Ontario
The 45 foot White Spruce tree featured at this year's Market was donated by Trees Ontario. The Tree is decorated with 18,000 lights and ornaments. Working with its partners, Trees Ontario is the largest not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. Their goal is to support the planting of 10 million trees a year by 2015. For more information, please visit treesontario.ca.

Magical lighting and seasonal décor
Magical lighting and décor displays which create an incredible traditional and romantic Christmas setting for visitors to enjoy. The street and squares of the Historic Distillery are transformed into a paradise of lights and colours, festive sounds and seductive smells.

Musical Entertainment
The stage hosts many activities and musical performances including: Carolers, Bavarian brass band concerts, classical organ concerts, trumpeters, children's choirs and more. An outdoor seating area is created around the stage

Ferris Wheel
The site houses a Ferris Wheel for people of all ages to enjoy. People take rides on the Ferris Wheel to see the Distillery and the Christmas market from an entirely new perspective or to add a little fun and romance to their day.

Variety of beer and mulled wine (Glühwein) gardens
There are many areas for visitors to lounge and enjoy an authentic holiday beverage including many varieties of beer, mulled wine, hot rum beverages, European Christmas cocktails, schnapps and much more. Mulled wine is one of the most popular beverages at European Christmas Markets. click here for more information

Santa's Lane
Features a fairy tale forest maze, Santa's house, Rudolph's reindeer zoo,
children's story telling, Santa's elves workshop presented by Lowe's,
meet and greet opportunities with Grimm's Brother characters, a gingerbread house and Santa Mail
click here for more information

MasterCard Complimentary Gift Wrapping
This year MasterCard will be providing free gift-wrapping to patrons who use their MasterCard to purchase items at the Toronto Christmas Market (proof of purchase required). This offer will be valid on all purchases at Christmas Market vendors and Distillery retailers.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Evening Entertainment
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, official Entertainment Sponsor of the Toronto Christmas Market, will be providing headline performers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7pm.

Official Hotel Partners:
The Westin Harbour Castle and Le Méridien King Edward Hotel
The Official Hotel Partners are conveniently located and offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the Christmas Market and Union Station. Click to learn more about special rates and our downtown Toronto Hotel Christmas Market packages.

See the city, stay overnight, get great deals!

Enjoy the holidays courtesy of Tourism Toronto,
the Official Convention and Visitors Association.

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Participating Charities

 

Star Santa Claus Fund
$5.00 is donated with each purchase of a photo with Santa.

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund was established in 1906 by Toronto Star Founder, Joseph E. Atkinson. In 2008 Toronto Star Santa Claus distributed Christmas gift boxes to 45,000 needy children.

To make a Creditcard or MasterCard donation by phone, please call our hotline at 416-869-4847. Cheques or money orders can be made payable year-round and mailed to The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, One Yonge Street, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E6. Online donations can be made by visiting www.thestar.com/santaclausfund

Daily Bread Food Bank
 Visitors to the Toronto Christmas Market are encouraged to bring a nutritious non-perishable food item to donate.
( most needed items include baby formula & food, beans & lentils, canned fruits & vegetables, canned fish & meat, cans of soup or hearty stew, dried pasta & tomato sauce, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, rice, tetra pak, canned or powdered milk)
Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that is fighting to end hunger in our communities. Every month, Daily Bread provides and distributes 73,000 hamper boxes to individuals and families who are struggling with hunger in our communities. Close to 12 million pounds of food was distributed to those in need last year alone.

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Volunteers

Proud sponsor of the Toronto Christmas Market Volunteer Program
For information on volunteering (for 2011) please click here
For application form please click here