There so many magical and memorable Christmas events in York Region, Ontario. From family-friendly lights displays to delightful local markets, prepare to be dazzled and enchanted by these events around the holiday season. York Region is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Ontario and some of the cutest Christmas towns in Ontario. In this blog post, you’ll learn about festive towns, holiday markets, Christmas events and more. Use this guide to plan out your entire season throughout November and December in the Regional Municipality of York. From Vaughan to Markham and Aurora to Newmarket (and beyond!), here are the most magical holiday happenings in York Region. Jump to:
Niemi’s Scandinavian Christmas Market
Where: Niemi Family Farm When: November 14th – December 20th, 2025 (Fridays and Saturdays) Admission: Free market area, $ for other experiences (book online)
Christmas at the Niemi Family Farm is one of the best traditional Christmas markets in Ontario. Take a stroll around the outdoor and indoor Scandinavian holiday market that features up to 60 vendors.
Owners Marjo and Peter Niemi, originally from Finland, opened their own farm and market in East Gwillimbury. Since 2018, they’ve hosted an authentic Scandinavian market that continues to grow every year.
At the market area, there’s food and drink, handmade wares, Christmas ornaments, food trucks, gift baskets, and so much more. You can even pick up your Christmas tree or wreath here. Shop and support local small businesses.
The market area does not have a fee to visit, though there is a fee for the other experiences at the site like Gnome Ville (you can book these in advance on the website).
Festive Nights at The Village at Black Creek
Where: The Village at Black Creek When: December 6th, 13th, and 20th, 2025, 6pm to 9pm Admission: $29.95 – $38.05
The Village at Black Creek is hosting their Festive Nights event for the holidays. It’s a unique opportunity to visit the Village at Black Creek at night, wandering the streets and past historic homes beneath the moonlight.
By the glow of vintage lampposts, go for a stroll and pop into the lantern-lit rooms of old homes and buildings. Discover classic holiday traditions, storytelling, live music, Christmas choirs and tasty treats.
There are folks in traditional clothing, showing us how old tin lanterns, woven blankets, and Christmas cards were once made. Participate in a dance class or sing Christmas carols by the campfire.
It’s a fun and festive holiday event in York Region that the whole family will love.
Magical Christmas Forest
Where: Kortright Centre for Conservation When: November 28th – 30th, December 4th – 7th, 10th – 14th, 17th – 23rd, 2025 (Monday to Saturday: 5pm – 9pm, Sunday: 3pm to 8pm) Admission: $32.10 – $38.30
Magical Christmas Forest at the Kortright Centre for Conservation is like stepping into a true winter wonderland! This is a family-friendly event with dazzling lights, games and activities, and photos with Santa in his cabin.
Gather by the bonfire, drink hot chocolate and roast marshmallows. Decorate Christmas cookies and take a wagon ride through the illuminateed forest.
Go for a walk through the forest surrounded by colourful Christmas decorations and lights. The Kortright Gift Shop is also open with some unique gifts for nature lovers.
A Main Street Christmas
Where: Main Street, Schomberg When: December 6th, 2025 Admission: $5 for adults, children are free A Main Street Christmas in the village of Schomberg is a fun and festive event. The community comes together to ring in the holiday season with roaming performers, Christmas carolers, parades and more. The event starts with the Santa Claus Parade at 4:00pm with marching bands and decorated floats. Then, go for a wander around Main Street to sample delicious food and drink and enjoy entertainment by musicians and jugglers. A Main Street Christmas concludes with a second parade, the Farmers’ Parade of Lights. Farm equipment adorned with twinkling lights and decorations drive down Main Street and it’s quite the spectacle.Frozen Friday in Newmarket
Where: Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket When: December 5th, 2025 Admission: Free Frozen Friday takes place at Riverwalk Commons in Newmarket from 6pm to 8:30pm. This is a family-friendly event with live music, fire performances, free hot chocolate, outdoor ice skating and train rides on the Tim Hortons Express Train. Please bring non-perishable food items to the town’s tent to help less fortunate families this holiday season. Everything will be donated to the Newmarket Food Pantry.WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan When: November 15 – January 3, 2026 (select dates) Admission: $32 If you’re looking to create brand new Canadian Christmas traditions, one of the top theme parks in the country has an exciting new winter event. Canada’s Wonderland, the beloved theme park in Vaughan hosts WinterFest on select nights until the end of December. While many of the rides are closed for the season, Canada’s Wonderland will magically transform into a winter wonderland. You’ll be enchanted by Christmas lights and decorations, magical performances, a skating rink, a nightly tree lighting celebration, and activities like cookie decorating and making crafts. Some family rides for the kiddos will be open for WinterFest. For the adults, you can treat yourself to craft beer and Ontario wine.Aurora Christmas Market
Where: Aurora Town Square (50 Victoria Street) When: November 28th-30th, December 5th-7th Admission: Free The Aurora Christmas Market is one of the top 100 festivals and events in Ontario. It’s one of the best Christmas markets in Ontario that you need to check out this year, and a must for celebrating Christmas in York Region. Taking place at the Aurora Town Square in Aurora, Ontario, there are loads of seasonal vendors, hands-on workshops and activities, and holiday cheer. Take photos with Santa, enjoy live music, and attend the annual tree lighting ceremony on opening night.Stouffville Holiday Market
Where: Main Street, Stouffville When: November 21st-22nd, 2025 Admission: Free It’s Stouffville’s largest holiday event of the season, the Stouffville Holiday Market. The event features live music, an artisan vendor marketplace, brilliant lights, food and beverage, Santa Claus, and more. Go shopping from local vendors for delightful gifts and enjoy free live music on the main stage all weekend long.Vaughan Holiday Market
Where: Bellvue Manor When: December 7th, 2025 Admission: Free Bellvue Manor is the site of the Vaughan Holiday Market, a luxury holiday pop-up market with over 100 curated vendors. Shop handmade gifts, artisan wares, gourmet delicacies and more. Get your photo with Santa, sip coffee, decorate Christmas ornaments, and taste yummy food by the vendors. It’s one of the best York Region Christmas eveents to get your holiday shopping done. The event also features a toy drive for York Regional Police’s Holiday Heroes Campaign.Christmas Towns in York Region
Celebrating Christmas in York Region? Here are two more small towns and villages that are incredibly picturesque around the holidays. Kleinburg is situated in Vaughan and Unionville is located in Markham.
Kleinburg
Kleinburg is a beautiful community with historic buildings and unique attractions, like the renowned McMichael Art Gallery.
McMichael Art Gallery is surrounded by scenic hiking trails that look so magical with a light dusting of snow. Go for a walk around the Humber River Trails and through the forest while keeping an eye out for birds and wildlife.
Kleinburg has its own Christmas tree lighting ceremony, too. It takes place on the first Sunday of December. Experience the warmth of this community in a winter wonderland with music, carolers, local vendors, sweet treats and Santa.
Speaking of sweet treats, you don’t want to miss tasting one of the famous hot chocolates at Old Firehall Confectionary. These are rich and creamy, prepared with authentic Belgian chocolate. These can be made vegan with oat milk or almond milk.
Unionville
Unionville is a postcard-perfect town to visit during the holidays. It’s the real life Stars Hollow. After all, the pilot episode of Gilmour Girls was filmed here (yes, you can see the location of Luke’s Diner with your own eyes!).
Main Street is all decked out with twinkling lights and seasonal decor. There are Christmas lights and decorations lining the streets, inside the gazebo, and surrounding the storefronts.
On the first Saturday of December, attend the Christmas Celebration on Main Street Unionville. There are Christmas carolers on Main Street, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and appearances by Santa.
It’s one of the best York Region Christmas events for those seeking cute little towns and local celebrations.
Christmas Tree Farms in York Region
Looking for a fresh cut Christmas tree? There are quite a few Christmas tree farms in York Region that offer cut-your-own and pre-harvested Christmas trees.
Many of these farms have scenic trails to wander, whether you’re chopping down a tree or you’re simply looking to savour the fresh winter air.
Vivian Plantation has complimentary hot mulled apple cider and hot chocolate on the weekends. In addition, there are bonfires to stay warm and cozy or roast marshmallows.
Macpherson Tree Farm also has weekend festivities for the whole family. There are wagon rides, scavenger hunts, free hot chocolate, and food/baked goods for purchase.
Tufford’s Tree Farm offers a traditional tree cutting experience in a rural setting. This farm doesn’t offer as many activities as others, but they will always have a roaring bonfire. Plus, if there’s enough snow on the ground, you can go tobogganing on their hill.
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