The Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in Canada
Winter in Canada offers fantastic experiences such as ice skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, enjoying the stunning scenery at Lake Louise, unwinding at a Nordic Spa in Collingwood, or staying in an ice hotel in Québec. The Canadian winter lasts from mid-December to mid-March, with the holiday season (December 20 to January 3) being particularly busy due to Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Here is what you need to know for the Canadian holiday season.
Best Christmas Markets in Canada
Planning to visit between November and January? Canada boasts numerous Christmas markets nationwide, open from mid-November until just before Christmas and some even into January. At these markets, you can enjoy Canadian winter treats like maple taffy on snow, browse unique Christmas and winter crafts, and stroll through charming villages decorated for the season. Here are the best Christmas markets in Canada.
The Distillery Winter Village
Location: The Distillery Historic District, Toronto, Ontario
2025 Dates: November 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Quick Info:
- Set in a pedestrian-only village of Victorian-era industrial buildings and cobblestone streets.
- Famous for its “Naughty or Nice” Bar—a heated outdoor bar.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Location: Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver, British Columbia
Dates: November 13, 2025 – December 24, 2025
Quick Info:
- This authentic German market mixes holiday cheer with stunning ocean and mountain views.
- Features a vintage carousel that is free to ride once you enter the market.
Québec City German Christmas Market
Location: Old Québec City, Quebec (5 different sites, including Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville)
Dates: November 20, 2025 – December 23, 2025 (Open Thursdays to Sundays)
Quick Info:
- This market feels exactly like a traditional European village thanks to its wooden kiosks and 17th-century architecture.
- A unique highlight is the “Giant Puppet Parade,” featuring massive puppets of St. Nicholas and Krampus that roam the streets.
Banff Christmas Market
Location: Banff Train Station & Warner Stables, Banff, Alberta
Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 14, 2025 (Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays)
Quick Info:
- Nestled in the Canadian Rockies at the Warner Stables, this market combines artisan shopping with a rugged outdoor ranch experience.
- You can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride with views of the mountains.
Halifax Evergreen Festival
Location: Halifax Waterfront & Downtown, Nova Scotia
Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 14, 2025
Quick Info:
- This waterfront festival transforms the boardwalk into a winter wonderland of light displays, cozy “warming pods,” and local Atlantic vendors.
- Visitors can also follow the “Evergreen Cocoa Trail,” collecting stamps in a passport for trying different hot chocolates at local cafes.
Ottawa Christmas Market
Location: Aberdeen Square and Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 21, 2025 (Weekends)
Quick Info:
- Located at Lansdowne Park, this modern urban market features a canopy of lights and sits adjacent to the historic Aberdeen Pavilion and a skating court.
- It hosts outdoor “Holiday Movie Nights” on Fridays where you can watch classics on a big screen.
Le Grand Marché de Noël de Montréal
Location: Quartier des Spectacles , Montreal, Quebec
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Quick Info:
- It is famous for its dazzling light displays that sync with the artistic vibe of Montreal’s entertainment district.
- It features over 150 free musical and theatrical performances, including its signature “Noël à Montréal” show.
Kitchener Christkindl Market
Location: Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, Ontario
Dates: December 4, 2025 – December 7, 2025
Quick Info:
- This is Canada’s original “German” market and has been running for nearly 30 years.
- It features a live nativity scene with real animals and traditional folklore characters like the “Christkindl” (Christmas Angel) who walks the grounds.
Making a List, Checking It Twice: Your Pre-Travel Checklist
1. Confirm Passport and Travel Documents
Without the correct and valid documents, your trip could end before it even begins.
2. Get Visitors to Canada Insurance
Medical care in Canada can be costly for visitors. For the price of a daily coffee or tea, you can safeguard your health and avoid tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt. Additionally, depending on your visa requirements, you may be obligated to have specific coverage.
Visitors to Canada Insurance Covers:
Emergency Medical
Unexpected medical expenses related to sickness or accidents.
Coverage includes hospital stays, physician services, diagnostics, prescription drugs, and dental.
Medical Transportation and Evacuation
The expenses for medical transportation or the cost of returning home for treatment.
Coverage includes ground ambulance to the nearest hospital, air transport for home treatment, or repatriation of remains.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Coverage may include medical expenses related to complications arising from a pre-existing condition, provided the stability requirements are met.
Stability periods typically range from 7 to 365 days, depending on the policy.
3. Packing for Winter in Canada
Canada is a vast country with diverse climates that can change unpredictably. What you need for a trip to Vancouver is different from what you would need for a trip to Montreal. Winter in most of Canada is characterized by snow, ice, and temperatures that often fall below freezing (0°C) and can dip lower than -20°C. The exception is the Pacific coast of British Columbia, including Vancouver, where winters are milder, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 7°C, and precipitation falls primarily as rain rather than snow. The key to packing for the Canadian winter is to bring multiple layers.
Key items to pack:
- Insulated and water-resistant winter coat
- Warm long pants and shirts, socks and sweaters
- Insulated, waterproof boots
- Warm hat
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
4. Navigating the Border
If you arrive around the holidays, expect longer wait times at the border. You can check the wait times using the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Directory. Usually, the early morning is the best time to cross the border to avoid delays.
Travel Tip: If you’re flying to Canada, use the Advance CBSA Declaration in the ArriveCAN app up to 72 hours before arriving at a participating Canadian airport to save time at the border.
Winter Wonderland Awaits
Experience the magic of the holidays in Canada. There’s truly no place like the Great White North for the festive season. Start checking off your pre-travel essentials by purchasing Visitors to Canada medical insurance for as low as the cost of a hot cocoa, so you can focus on the magic of your Canadian winter getaway. Whether you’re exploring Christmas markets in Quebec or watching the snow fall over the Rockies, spending the holidays in Canada promises memories filled with warmth and wonder. So, bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and get ready to celebrate the season, Canadian style!
Happy holidays, everyone! Wishing you a season filled with warmth, laughter and joy!
