Christmas Activities and Traditions

by Ana Bastas

Oh, the weather outside is frightful… but that means the holiday season is approaching here in the GTA! As the air gets colder and the snow begins to fall, I am reminded of all the wonderful Christmas memories I made as a child. Now, I have my own family, and I get to share these holiday traditions with my son and create new ones!

The GTA is absolutely magical during Christmas time, and it still gives me that same, childlike wonder that I remember. Here are some of my favorite holiday season activities that I share with my family and friends.

Visiting the GTA Christmas Market, now known as the Distillery Winter Village. The GTA Christmas Market in the Distillery District is the epitome of holiday cheer in our region, as it always makes me feel like I’ve been transported to Santa’s village in the North Pole!

However, it’s going to look a bit different this year! After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the GTA Christmas Market is back with a new name and a new look. It has been rebranded as The Distillery Winter Village, and will be going on until the end of December. According to their website, the festival will be pivoting from the more traditional market to placing an emphasis on shopping and eating at the stores and restaurants in the district.

Attending the GTA Christmas Market has become a tradition for my family and me, so while I am sad to see the name change, we can’t wait to attend the festivities this year at The Distillery Winter Village.

A magical, snow-filled Blue Mountain getaway.

Though not technically in the GTA (just two hours north!), Blue Mountain is an absolute dream! Hitting the slopes any time of year is always a plus for those who like to snowboard or ski, but I always love to visit during their Holiday Magic event. The Blue Mountain village is always charming but is done up to the nines with Christmas cheer. Surrounded by slopes of crisp, fresh snow, the Blue Mountain village is a winter wonderland.

My family and I love to plan a little Blue Mountain getaway every year during their Holiday Magic event, watching fireworks, hitting the slopes, and drinking hot cocoa. It’s a great way to reconnect with loved ones after such a crazy, hectic year!

Making lifelong memories with my son through our family Christmas traditions. Even though I love the holiday season, sometimes it is a bit too chilly for outdoor Christmas cheer… That’s why my family has a plethora of indoor traditions to enjoy a cozy evening together. My favorite traditions involve the whole family, like decorating the house, watching classic Christmas movies like Home Alone or The Grinch, and making orange and clove pomander balls.

Since Christmas was such a wonderful time for me as a child, I always try to keep that magic alive for my son. It is such a blessing to spend one-on-one time with him during the holidays, as he always helps me bake Christmas cookies and other sweets — he’s my designated taste tester. I also love our Elf on a Shelf and seeing the look on my son’s face every morning when he wakes up to find what “mischief” his elf got into the night before.

There are so many things to do in the GTA to spread a little holiday cheer — whether you’re outside enjoying the snow or inside by the fireplace — after this year, we all need it. Merry Christmas!

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