Christmas Market: Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Nestled in the heart of Toronto’s distillery district is the Christmas market. The grand opening on November 14th brought in a large crowd, where market regulars and tourists joined together for the seasonal festivities. Some Torontonians may frequent the festival on multiple occasions throughout its month-long run, as it is a staple for any Christmas lover.
Children are often seen running around playing games, riding the Ferris wheel, and frequenting the sweet shops stationed throughout the market. One shop housed a unique “tornado potato”, where the line snaked around the gates and patrons waited more than 30 minutes.
The small boutiques and cobble-stone streets give Toronto’s Christmas market a charming European feel, similar to that of old Montreal, setting it apart from the rest of the city. The Christmas market sits just ten minutes from the permanent and popular St. Lawrence market, making it a go-to shopping destination for unique gifts and delectable goodies.
Though many vendors take up shop in seasonal cabin-like huts, some are rooted in the distillery district year-round. There are many restaurants, such as Madrina Bar y Tapas and Mill Street Beer Hall, offering flavors from around the world. Many of the permanent residents rely on the Christmas season to boost annual income, however, shops flourish with summer tourists as well.
Tourists visiting from Nashville, Tennessee, saw a sign for the Christmas market while roaming Toronto’s downtown and knew they had to investigate.
“We just kind of stumbled on it, we’ve been wandering around the city. We saw a sign that said Christmas market and we were like, ‘we are in, let’s find that’, so it’s really cute […] and we both just love Christmas,” said Tourists from Nashville.
Local artists fill the walkways and alleys with unique installations, some Christmas themed, others simply fun displays made for perfect Instagram-worthy pictures.
Though many vendors offered snacks or toys, there were also exclusive brands to discover, one of which is Rawkoko. The company Rawkoko was founded by two sisters who brought a simple ingredient approach to skincare. They sell bath bombs, lip balms, and face creams all while informing customers of skincare maintenance.
The small company creates all their products from scratch with their workspace located on the Danforth. Co-founder Anita loves selling the products at Christmas as she and her sister have loved the holiday ever since they were little.
“Christmas has always been our thing since we were younger, and just to be part of it now, […] to be a part of something to give back because we do a lot of charities as well. We get contacted a lot during this time of the year. So, it’s a good way to bring in extra income in order to help give back to the community,” said Anita, co-founder of Rawkoko.
The market will close its gates on December 22nd, however, certain restaurants and shops will still be open. Until then, a day full of delectable sweets, fun festivities and an abundance of carolers awaits you.
