The Distillery Winter Village opened its gates for its sixth annual holiday market, and for vendor Nicolle Thow, it is her third year of what she describes as an “incredible” experience.
“It’s a great market, very well organized, well attended, it’s my third year here, definitely worth coming, the people who run it are great, and as you can see, big crowds that come out,” said Thow, owner of Sugar & Iced cookie shop.
Thow said she makes up to 1,000 cookies a day.
“Come here and check out everything," she said. "I wouldn’t even know where to begin. There are so many food options, and the restaurants are great as well. The different markets are incredible,” Thow said.
It’s Vincent Salaris’ first visit to the Winter Village, an annual event at the district which comprises 40 Victorian buildings and 10 streets in the Parliament and Front Streets area.
“It definitely brought the Christmas season out of me, that's for sure. It's awesome over here. They put tons of work into it all. I’m happy to be here,” Salaris said.
Hannah Kim, who is from South Korea, stopped by Toronto’s winter village during her last days in Canada.
“In my country, we also have a kind of Christmas market, very similar. It’s my first time here, though, and I love it. It is so nice.” Kim said.
Punnisa Chueajard, working for Japan Tacos, is a vendor for the first time.
“It's fusion food, serving Mexican and Japanese food. We make tacos that have deep-fried seaweed, with panko breadcrumbs and flour,” said Chueajard, who is also a second-year Early Childhood Education student at Humber Polytechnic.
“We normally do vendor pops out throughout the summer across Ontario. I would recommend to people to come try different foods, we make everything with our heart and want you guys to be happy,” Chueajard said.
Peter Van, a manager at multiple locations of the artisanal ice cream café Demetres, said it is his third year at the winter village.
“We want people to come and experience the cabins," he said. "We have three new cabins here at Demetres, (selling) Monkey Bread, Dubai Chocolate and Brûléed Crepes. We are doing something new where people can experience all three. It’s really cool to expand ourselves."
Van said he enjoys the holiday feeling of the market.
“It has been really nice to see everyone come by and be in the festive spirit, and the tree lighting ceremony was so nice, as well as seeing people’s faces light up watching the tree,” Van said.
Song Park said she has been feeling rather jolly this holiday season and has been awaiting the market to open.
“I was really excited for this market. I really wanted to do this, this Christmas, it’s my first time here, but I have been to the Distillery District,” Park said.
Park came here with her best friend and can’t wait to explore the village.
“Today I got a hot chocolate, and we went to some of the stores here as well,” Park said.
Luwam Yonas, with Dacasto Gran Pasticceria, said they are selling panettone and cannolis, with everything made fresh and all ingredients imported from Italy.
“This is our first time at Dacasto doing the Winter Village. I love coming here every year with my family. This year I am working it, so it’s really nice,” Yonas said.
“The tree lighting ceremony was beautiful, people were taking photos, videos, it was so pretty," Yonas said.
Birvah Shah, assistant manager at Skin Treats, said this is her third year at the winter market.
“I have been working here as an assistant manager for the last couple of years. This year is my third year in the Christmas market. We are selling skin care products such as soaps, scrubs and more,” Shah said.
Shah said they are placed in the perfect spot, facing the market’s almost 17-metre (55-foot) Christmas tree.
“It's everyone's dream place to work here, because you can see the big Christmas tree, you can see everything from left and right. Upstairs, we also started a photo booth, like a photo station area,” Shah said.
The McGregor Carollers sang and strolled throughout the market and will be performing for the duration of the Winter Market from Nov. 13 to Jan. 4, 2026.
The distillery is located at 55 Mill St. in Toronto. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30, depending on the type of ticket. Check for ticket pricing here. TTC provide service to the pedestrian-friendly attraction with the 504 King streetcar from the King subway station to the Distillery loop, the 65 Parliament bus from the Castle Frank station and the 121 Esplanade-River bus from Front and Bay Streets.
“All I can say to people is come for yourself, walk around, there’s a lot of stuff to see, eat, try new things,” Yonas said.
