10 Things to Do in Toronto in December

December is a lively month, so plan your trip to Toronto during this special time. Christmas celebrations are the centre of attention, plus there are a variety of festivals offering light displays, fireworks shows, skating rinks and more. I recommend you go prepared, as this is the start of things to do in the city in winter, with average temperatures ranging from 3° to -3°.

If you plan to be in Toronto for at least 3 days, I suggest you take advantage of hockey season and catch a game. You can also escape to the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, enjoy the classic Nutcracker play, visit the main Christmas markets, and even celebrate New Year's Eve. I bring you a complete list of activities to do in Ontario's main province during December!

In December the city is eclipsed by the Christmas atmosphere, so you can't miss The Distillery Winter Village Christmas Market. Formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market, it's a traditional and cheerful stop during this month. It's located in the Distillery District, where you'll find 19th century buildings, as well as colonial houses and streets decorated with lights and seasonal elements.

As you walk through the market, you'll come across a huge Christmas tree located in Trinity Square. There are also food huts, where you can sample traditional dishes and recipes from around the world such as Venezuelan pastries, Italian polpette, Mexican churros, Portuguese pastéis and more. However, the main attraction is the modern bars and open-air stalls, located above what was once the world's largest distillery.

During the walk, I recommend keeping warm with a hot drink. In the area, you'll find cafes offering hot chocolate, coffee or you can even opt for a mulled wine. It's a great plan if you're looking for things to do in Toronto in winter. Most places have seasonal tastings, as well as bonfires, karaoke decks and heated patios.

December is the last month of the year, and if you're planning to say goodbye in Toronto, you can take advantage of the New Year celebrations. There are many entertaining plans available, such as heading Downtown for a free, multicultural party with live music, skating rink, street shows, and different things to do with kids in Toronto, as well as a fireworks countdown.

Another must-do is to head to the Lake Ontario waterfront, where fireworks displays are held at the end of the night. You can also drive half an hour to Brampton for outdoor concerts, skating rinks and dinner at the area's best restaurants.

You can also fly over the city on New Year's Eve, taking advantage of Toronto's best helicopter tours. Of course, the most popular plan is the biggest free New Year's Eve party in Nathan Phillips Square, with cultural entertainment, DJs and fireworks.

In December there are lights everywhere, which decorate and embellish the streets of the city. I recommend you take a tour of Toronto and stop by Yorkville Park, where more than 100 decorated trees add a magical touch to the area. There are usually special events such as outdoor concerts and lights switch-ons between November and December.

If you want to continue your Christmas light stroll, you can head to the annual Markham Festival of Lights. It takes place between November and December and features visits from Santa, colourful light shows, carolers and a huge Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street Markham.

The Esplanade Park also hosts eye-catching light shows and is located fifteen minutes from downtown. This is the site of the Winter Lights event, which offers things to do in Toronto with kids, live music, street food stalls, outdoor theatre and more. Note that it runs from Friday to Sunday during November and December, with free admission.

In December, it's worth planning a food tour to sample the most popular dishes of the holiday season. Canada is a multicultural country, so you'll find a varied cuisine, especially in this month, with French, Indian and English influences, as well as offerings from immigrant communities. You can head to the Christmas markets, which are bustling but with a variety of offerings to sample.

Another option is to sign up for a guided experience on Toronto' s best food tours and discover iconic places to eat in the city. Also, a Toronto beer tour is a great way to keep warm in December. Must-try dishes include turkey with potatoes, salad and wine, as well as mince pie, bagels, cocoa biscuits and more.

Canada offers a variety of entertainment and natural beauties such as Niagara Falls: a wonder that is split between Ontario and New York. It's located about an hour's drive from downtown Toronto, but it's totally worth it. Don't miss the Winter Festival of Lights, an event that takes place from November to January and welcomes winter and the region's first Christmas lights.

It's a free event that includes art exhibitions, sounds and lights. An interactive experience that takes place throughout the night, there are fireworks displays every Friday. You can take a trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto to experience this fun festival. Another option to get a taste of Niagara Falls is to buy tickets to Little Canada in the city, where you can see miniature exhibits of the falls.

Every year the National Ballet of Canada presents The Nutcracker, offering several performances to delight the holiday season. It's an ideal plan if you're planning things to do in Toronto with children. This show is completely worth it, as the decorations and costumes are mind-blowing. It's a magical experience that starts at 50 euros per person.

The play is the perfect representation of Christmas as it revolves around the story of two Russian brothers in the 19th century who travel in their dreams to experience the perfect Christmas Eve. This event usually takes place at the Four Seasons Centre, although other ballet companies also hold their own performances at the Toronto International Ballet Theater.

Sports are a big deal in Canada, so it's a must on your itinerary if you want to feel like a real Canadian. Specifically, in December the hockey season is at its most exciting and there are games almost every day. In general, games span fall, winter and spring, as they take place from October to April. This experience will allow you to enjoy the Toronto Maple Leafs, the local team that has become known as the best in the world hockey league.

Please note that in December it is easier to get tickets as most people concentrate on holiday activities. In addition, there are more games at the home arena, i.e. the Air Canada Centre.

Additionally, at the facility you can take guided tours, purchase memorabilia and jerseys, enjoy children's game nights and the possibility to enter the ice arena. Ticket prices start at 100 euros per person, although this may vary depending on the season and how far in advance you buy your tickets.

To get out of the ordinary, I recommend a fun plan ideal for the whole family. It's the Canada's Wonderland Winter Wonderland Festival held at Canada's Wonderland theme park located in Vaughan, a mini Ontario town forty minutes from Downtown. Especially, it is a great option if you are looking for things to do in Toronto with kids.

It's a unique and fun-filled winter holiday experience with Christmas trees, light shows, ice skating rinks on SnowFlake Lake, food stalls of all kinds and more. I recommend booking tickets in advance, as the crowds are usually high. Tickets start at 24 euros per person, although group passes are also available.

In December you must take the Christmas tour of Toronto's Casa Loma, which offers a Christmas at the Castle. It's a magical and unique experience that takes place during the Christmas season, and is available until early January. The gardens are decorated with colourful lights, a huge tree is set up in the Great Hall and a Santa toy factory is installed. The show is available from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Charity events are held during the month of December, as well as caroling shows, magic shows and hot chocolate stations. Casa Loma is a neo-Gothic hilltop castle in a prestigious Canadian neighbourhood. It is one of the top tourist attractions not to be missed if you are looking for things to do in Toronto at Christmas.

This castle belonged to Sir Henry Pellatt and Lady Pellatt, who hosted the best parties in the region around 1914 and owned major energy companies. Therefore, I recommend you plan a guided tour of the castle grounds and explore all the floors:

First floor

• The terrace and gardens: which resemble Tudor castles and feature water fountains, sculptures and other elements that are embellished during the Christmas season.
• The library: an impressively decorated room, preserved over the years.
• The conservatory: The conservatory is notable for its Italian marble floor, fused with marble produced in Ontario. It was formerly used as a source of steam to keep the castle warm in winter.
• Sir Henry's Study: you can take advantage of Toronto tours to enter this impressive corner of the city and discover secret passages.
• The Great Hall: the ceiling stands out for its engraved figures and it is the most beautiful part of the castle where different Christmas activities take place.

First floor

• Lady Pellatt's Suite: worth a look if you like history, art and architecture.
• Guest Suite: an elegant room where visitors were received.
• Sir Henry Pellatt's suite: this is a room with a secret area, which you should take a look at.

Third floor and stables

• Queen's Own Rifles Museum: probably one of the best museums in Toronto in terms of history. It collects collections in a small hallway and is worth a stop.
• Shed: this is the area used to store gardening materials.
• Stables: you can wander around and learn a bit about history, as they were formerly home to the Pellett family horses.
• Automobile Museum: is a room that houses collections of antique cars, most of them dating back to the beginning of the 21st century.

This month you can't miss Canada's tallest Christmas tree, which is installed at the Eaton Centre and is a free family activity. It's approximately 30 metres tall, which is about three storeys high in the mall. Note that the tree lighting is one of the best things to do in Toronto in November. On some days the city's main choirs sing carols, livening up the shopping atmosphere.

Another must-see is the CN Tower, an iconic Toronto landmark. In December, it's surrounded by skating rinks and is the perfect place to watch fireworks displays and enjoy the best local views.

It also has a revolving restaurant that overlooks the entire city and is only closed on 25 December. If you like a challenge, you can hop on the EdgeWalk platform and spend a couple of minutes walking on clouds.

• Go tobogganing on inflatable snow slides at Chicopee Tube Park in Kitchener, an hour from downtown Toronto.
• Skate at Nathan Phillips Square and feel like you're at the rinks in New York, or escape to the Ice Skating Trail to skate in the woods and enjoy the wildlife.
• Enjoy the holiday musical Elf playing at major local theatres.
• Head to the Holiday Fair in the Square, a market that takes place in December and is ideal for shopping, sampling local dishes or enjoying holiday fun with the family.

• Avoid the rinks on weekends, as they tend to be more crowded.
• If you plan to attend a hockey game, buy tickets in advance as they sell out as the game gets closer.
• Wear warm clothes, it's usually a cold month.
• Beware of ice patches, they can hide holes and are mostly found on the outskirts of the city.
• In the event of a storm or extreme cold, I suggest moving through the corridors of the Underground City (the PATH), which connects downtown Toronto.