Top things to do in Canada for Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and there is no better place to celebrate the magic of Christmas than in Canada. Snow-covered scenery, European-style markets, impressive light displays and winter festivals await.

Read on to discover the best activities Canada has to offer for the Christmas season.

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Winter sports

Canada comes alive in the winter with every snow sport imaginable: ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, dog sledding, etc. The best news is these activities are available all season long, not just for Christmas, giving you plenty of time to find your new favourite sport.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can head north to the Yukon or the Northwest Territories to experience Christmas in truly remote conditions. You might even see the northern lights while you’re out skiing or sledding!

If you want to spend your Christmas on the slopes, the west coast is most famous for its ski resorts. However, there are opportunities to try skiing and other winter sports in every province or territory.

Ontario

• Ottawa: Rideau Canal Skateway
• Toronto: Nathan Phillips Square ice rink
• Killarney Provincial Park (skiing, snowshoeing, winter camping)
• Blue Mountain Resort (Ontario’s main ski resort)

Quebec

• Old Port of Montreal skating rink
• Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
• Mont Royal (skiing, snowshoeing, skating)
• Jacques‑Cartier National Park (winter hiking, sledding, snow tubing, etc.)

B.C.

• Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
• Whistler Olympic Plaza ice rink
• Vancouver: Grouse Mountain (skating, skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, etc.)
• Golden: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (tubing, heli-skiing, snowmobiling, etc.)
• Kamloops: Sun Peaks Resort (second largest ski resort after Whistler Blackcomb)
• Fernie Alpine Resort (near the Alberta border)

Alberta

• Lake Louise Ski Resort
• Banff: Sunshine Village Ski Resort
• Jasper: Marmot Basin Ski Resort
• Dog sledding (Banff, Canmore, Jasper)
• Maligne Canyon ice walk

The Maritimes and Newfoundland

• PEI: Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park
• Nova Scotia: Ski Martok and Ski Wentworth
• Nova Scotia: Cape Smokey (snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding)
• Newfoundland: Marble Mountain Resort
• Newfoundland: Gros Morne National Park (snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing)

Christmas markets

A visit to a Christmas market is essential for getting into the festive spirit. Wander around stalls with a warm drink in hand, taking in the decorations and listening to live carollers. Make sure you stock up on Christmas gifts crafted by local businesses and artisans.

For a true European experience, you can’t go wrong with the province of Quebec, where you can find a German market in Quebec City and a French market in Montreal. Most major towns and cities will have their own Christmas market, starting from mid-November and running either on select weekends or every day up until the big day.

Ontario

• Toronto: Distillery Winter Village
• Ottawa Christmas Market
• Kitchener: Christkindl Market
• Innisfil: The Holiday Market

Quebec

• Quebec City: German Christmas Market
• Village de Noël de Montreal
• The Great Montreal Christmas Market
• Charlevoix: Marché de Noël de Baie-Saint-Paul

B.C.

• Vancouver Christmas Market
• Vancouver: Shipyards Christmas Market
• Victoria: Yuletide Market
• Duncan: Deck the Halls

Alberta

• Banff Christmas Market
• Edmonton Christmas Market
• Calgary: International Christmas Market
• Calgary: Granary Road Christmas Market

The Maritimes and Newfoundland

• Nova Scotia: List of Christmas markets
• PEI: Victorian Christmas Market
• Newfoundland: A Very Merry Market
• Newfoundland: Christmas Carnival
• New Brunswick: European Style Christmas Market

Christmas lights

Canada goes all-out with its Christmas light displays. You’re bound to see decorated homes in your local neighbourhood, and you can also expect extravagant displays in the main streets of each city. As well as street decorations, there are light festivals or drive-thru light trails across the country.

Multiple locations

• Magic of Lights (various cities across Canada, including Ottawa, Edmonton and Barrie)
• Glow Festival (Langley, Edmonton, Halifax, Lethbridge, Saskatoon)

Ontario

• Toronto: Cavalcade of Lights
• Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
• Ottawa: Winter Lights Across Canada
• Windsor: Bright Lights
• Stratford: Lights On
• Burlington: Festival of Lights

Quebec

• Quebec City: Map of Christmas decorations
• Montreal: Luminothérapie
• Montreal: Aura light show at Notre Dame Basilica

B.C.

• Surrey: Noel Holiday Light Festival
• Vancouver: VanDusen Festival of Lights
• Victoria: Lights of Wonder
• Grouse Mountain: Light Walk

Alberta

• Edmonton: Borealis Lights
• Airdrie Festival of Lights
• Calgary: Zoolights
• Red Deer: Winter Night Lights

The Maritimes and Newfoundland

• Nova Scotia: Delightful Downtown Holiday Light Show
• Nova Scotia: Light Up The Park
• PEI: Prince County Hospital Lights for Life
• New Brunswick: Light Up Riverview

Festivals and special events

Christmas is the perfect time to experience some of Canada’s biggest tourist attractions with seasonal overlays and special events. From the Capilano Suspension Bridge in B.C. to Niagara Falls in Ontario, expect extra decor, live entertainment and themed festivals at all your favourite attractions.

Multiple locations

• CPKC Holiday Train (various locations across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary and Kamloops)
• Santa Claus parades in various cities across Canada (including Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg)

Ontario

• WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
• Christmas Fest at Pingle’s
• Holiday Lights at Casa Loma
• Cambridge: Winterfest

Quebec

• Montreal: Christmas in the Park
• Montreal: Santa Claus’ Kingdom at Complexe Desjardins

B.C.

• Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
• Soar with Santa at FlyOver Canada
• PNE Winter Fair
• Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens
• Merry & Bright at Martini Town

Alberta

• Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
• Stettler: The Polar Express
• Banff: In Search of Christmas Spirit
• Zoominescence at Edmonton Zoo

The Maritimes and Newfoundland

• Nova Scotia: Evergreen Festival
• PEI: Charlottetown Christmas Festival
• Newfoundland: St John’s Christmas Parade
• New Brunswick: Christmas by the Sea

Other ideas

If these suggestions weren’t enough, consider adding the following activities to your Christmas to-do list.

• Christmas shopping: Check the schedule of your local mall for extended shopping hours, tree lighting ceremonies, times to meet Santa Claus, and more.
• Shows: Whether it’s a production of The Nutcracker, a candlelight concert or the Cirque du Soleil, keep an eye out for seasonal shows coming to a theatre near you.
• Drinks: Pop-up bars decked out in Christmas decorations and serving themed drinks travel the country; find your nearest location here.
• Christmas dinner: Many restaurants will run a festive set menu, so take a night off from cooking and catch up with friends, family or colleagues over a hearty Christmas dinner.
• Weekend away in the US: Make the most of Canada’s proximity to the US and check out some of the big American celebrations. New York or New England are great options for festivities on the east coast. If you want guaranteed snow, consider a trip to Colorado. If you prefer to escape the cold, head south to California or Florida.