Capture the holiday spirit at this year’s Distillery Winter Village as we count down the days until Christmas.

Distillery Winter Village Christmas Tree
The 55-ft-tall Christmas Tree at the Distillery Winter Village is decorated with 70,000 lights and 1,000 chic gold ornaments

Even the biggest Scrooges amongst us will become festive converts at the Distillery Winter Village. 

The picturesque Distillery Historic District—with its cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets and beautiful 19th-century buildings—is absolutely stunning during the holiday season, dressed up with twinkling lights that create a joyous atmosphere. 

Plan a few hours for your visit and soak up the magic by checking out all the sights, sounds and flavours at this year’s event.
 

Take a photo with a gorgeous, artist-decorated Christmas tree

This year’s 55-foot-tall silver fir tree from Drysdale Tree Farm is an impressive 25 feet wide and was glamorously trimmed by Italian artist Pietro Ruffo, with more than 70,000 lights and 1,000 chic gold ornaments. 

Don’t miss your chance to snap an iconic Christmas tree photo with the majestic centrepiece, which took over 4,000 hours of craftsmanship. Located in Trinity Square, the tree’s splendour will warm even the Grinchiest of hearts.

Treat yourself to delicious eats from charming food cabins

The Distillery District is a foodie fave year-round, but it’s a can’t-miss this time of year.

At Spirit of York Distillery, Chef David Adjey has recreated a viral UK food trend: the Yorkie burrito. Think braised beef pot roast, succulent gravy, roasted potatoes and onions, butter-poached carrots, English peas and cauliflower, cheese sauce and creamy horseradish, all in an oversized Yorkshire pudding that’s then wrapped up burrito-style. 

Floridian flavours are on the patio menu at Archeo. Think: crab bites with cuban mojo aioli, blackened shrimp tacos, churros drizzled with chocolate or caramel and a “Snowbird” cinnamon whiskey cocktail. 

Arrive hungry at this year’s Winter Village because you’ll find tempting treat after treat, including festive cookies at Sugar & Iced, fully loaded squares at the Whimsical Crispie Co. (ie. Rice Krispie treats taken up a notch with sprinkles, peppermint bark, cookies and more) and adorable cotton candy in the shape of Santa, the Grinch or Pikachu at Dreamland Cotton Candy Art.

Sip on festive beverages

When you feel the winter chill, grab a mulled wine or hot cocoa at one of the heated patios or by a fire pit, or pop into one of the bars for a cocktail to warm up. 

The Village’s official Naughty or Nice Bar is covered by a heated tent this year and sparkles with hundreds of twinkling lights. It’s a cozy and photogenic spot to warm up with a glass of hot sangria!
 

Ace your holiday shopping 

Between local vendors set up in cabins and the Distillery District’s retail tenants, you can cross everyone off of your shopping list. 

Gemlet has delicate jewelry pieces for the girly girl on your list. For the beer or beverage lover in your life, check out the cabin, which sells hand-painted ceramic beer steins. 

Spoil your favourite four-legged creatures at Sniffany & Co., where you can find bags of Northern Dog Biscuit Bakery Poutine and Bocce’s Peppermint Bark treats.

Visit Gotstyle to shop for foodies and fashion hounds. The first level has been transformed into an Eataly outpost where you can grab gourmet goods like balsamic vinegar from Modena or organic butternut squash sauce, with Gotstyle’s always on-point menswear on the upper level. 

Finally, check out decor- and gift-centric Bergo Designs or practical and stylish FloorPlay Socks for host gifts and stocking stuffers.
 

Sing along to your favourite Christmas carols

Karaoke lovers, this is your moment. The McGregor Carollers will be singing classic holiday songs outside Spirit of York Distillery, and singing along will be a breeze with lyrics projected onto an exterior wall. (Will you make like Mariah and belt out “All I Want For Christmas Is You”?)

And new this year, on Sunday afternoons, you’ll also find the Alpine Merry Sheep Choir—a quartet of singing “sheep”—crooning as they prance around the Winter Village.

Deck your Instagram with holiday moments

Finally: the Distillery Winter Village is a jackpot for those wanting to capture festive content. 

Besides the tree, lights and festive decor throughout, you’ll find a stunning red vintage sleigh with eight reindeer, plus the Distillery’s Aurora Borealis, a light projection display that’ll make it look like you’ve escaped to a Northern Canadian winter wonderland!

For a traditional photo opp for the little ones, grab a photo with Santa at Santa’s Village, located at the Soulpepper Theatre atrium. Kids can also pen a letter to Santa and drop it in the North Pole Post—a five-foot-tall British-style mailbox—by December 6 to receive a response from St. Nick himself. 

Also, if you prefer to leave the photo-taking to the professionals, this season, you can get a professional keepsake picture with your pet or loved ones at Pawpin’ Clicks (book ahead or be spontaneous and just walk in).

Give your Distillery Winter Village visit a Taylor Swift twist

Visiting before November 24? If you drop by during Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, you can take part in this year’s “Holiday Easter Egg Hunt (The Distillery’s Version).” Complete this QR-code scavenger hunt to score a sweet friendship bracelet. 

Pro tip: Start your hunt at “Taylor’s Guitar,” which you’ll find by the Mill Street entrance.
 

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