Stuff their stockings with fresh finds from unique Toronto markets and boutiques you can only find here.
Get your steps in as you browse these local-fave holiday markets and independently-owned shops. They’re just as popular with locals as visitors, so enjoy the bustling vibe as you gift-shop like a Torontonian.
Holiday markets & pop-ups
THE DISTILLERY WINTER VILLAGE
Set in the Distillery Historic District, this outdoor holiday market (formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market) runs from mid-November right up to New Year’s Eve. Expect wooden stalls featuring handmade goods that in past years ranged from gluten-free butter tarts to fair-trade knitted sweaters to handblown glass ornaments.
The Distillery Winter Village includes brick-and-mortar shops, too, from trendy clothing at Gotstyle to fine chocolate at Soma to curated housewares at Blackbird Vintage Finds. – November 17–December 31, 2022
STACKT HOLIDAY HILLS
North America’s largest shipping container market makes for a distinctive shopping setting. The holiday season brings pop-up weekend vendor markets, creative studio workshops, outdoor winter games and curated photo experiences to stackt.
Shop for Asian-snack stocking stuffers from Auntie’s Supply; fresh kicks from Makeway, a women’s sneaker and streetwear shop; and home decor from COFO Design, which specializes in emerging Canadian designers. – November 18–December 31, 2022.
One of a Kind Winter Show
Based out of downtown’s cavernous Enercare Centre, the expansive One Of A Kind show is the place to shop ’til you drop (600+ artisans!) in aisles upon aisles boasting makers across Canada.
Expect hand-crafted ceramics, fine and fashion jewelry, original artwork (often with the artist on-site), apparel from local designers, and a huge array of specialty foods for every taste. – November 24–December 4, 2022
The Disability Holiday Market
This holiday season, The Disability Collective and Wagner-Green Centre for Access and Inclusion introduce The Disability Holiday Market. The free market, which aims to celebrate the diversity of the holidays, is located at Artscape Wychwood Barns.
Expect feature work created by local disabled artists, community-building events, food and drinks! – December 18, 2022
GLOW CHRISTMAS
Step into a storybook Christmas at Canada's premiere indoor holiday festival. Immerse yourself in Glow Christmas’s dazzling light gardens, sip and savour festive drinks and nibbles, enjoy live music and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at the Merry Maker's Market.
Think: handmade, local and unique, from candles and housewares to jewelry and accessories. Snag customized nursery art from Anne Marie's ABCs and plant-based skincare goodies from DeBesTThing. – November 30–December 30, 2022.
KIND WINTER FAIR
This 19+ holiday market and food festival is the first of its kind. Hosted at RendezViews, the KIND Winter Fair is the dopest spot to holiday shop!
Expect cannabis brand activations, food experiences from Chef Jordan Wagman, local shops, live music performances and festive decor worthy of your Instagram. – December 7-8, 2022
Year-round favourites
ARTS MARKET
Thousands of handmade products from 135+ local vendors are up for grabs at three Arts Market locations in Riverside, The Danforth and The Junction neighbourhoods.
Special finds like kawaii pins and accessories from Tokyo Shojo are available at the Riverside location. In contrast, the Danforth location teases handcrafted pop-culture textile goods from Geek à la Mode. In the Junction, grab something truly unique (for yourself or the slow fashion devotee in your life) from Sweet Tang, specializing in colourful vintage fashion in sizes 12+.
BLACK OWNED TORONTO
Canada’s top destination to shop Black-owned businesses, Black Owned Toronto’s brick-and-mortar store is located in the east end’s Scarborough Town Centre mall.
Load up on skin-pampering stocking stuffers like KA & Riah’s body oils and Brwnsgr handmade soaps. Or share the gift of affirmation with Listen B*tch Affirmation Cards, with 50 uplifting messages for modern times. From art to fashion and housewares, it’s all here!
BLUE BANANA MARKET
Need a Schitt’s Creek greeting card for the Moira in your life? Check. Small-batch, Toronto-made Firecracker Nuclear Bacchanal hot sauce? Check. Freddie Mercury Secular Saint votive candle? Check.
Quirky novelties aside, there’s also an appealing selection of tea and coffee accessories, practical kitchenware, toys and snacks here. Blue Banana Market is located in eclectic-boho Kensington Market, where you can also find clothes and jewelry from nearby Courage My Love, Exile Vintage or Miriam And Micah Vintage.
THE CEDAR BASKET
Shop for original art, handcrafted beaded earrings, basketry, dream catchers and musical instruments from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The Cedar Basket gift shop is located inside the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto in the Annex neighbourhood.
The store also carries a selection of books, traditional medicine and Every Child Matters orange shirts. Store hours vary so check online to plan your visit; there’s also an online store for your shopping convenience.
MADE YOU LOOK
Drop into Made You Look in Toronto’s hip west-end Parkdale neighbourhood for locally made jewelry by 100+ artisans, including finds made with ethical stones and recycled metals.
Proudly 2SLGBTQ+ friendly, this low-key, approachable shop offers lewks at all price ranges, from affordable, adorable croissant stud earrings from Piglet Miniatures to Melanie LeBlanc’s exquisitely rustic gemstone and textured gold rings. Twenty of the jewelry makers operate from the onsite studio itself, enabling one-on-one connections or commissions.
PACHA INDIGENOUS ART COLLECTION
Pacha is a quaint, South American Indigenous-owned shop that operates primarily online but hosts occasional retail pop-ups around town.
Offerings include prints by street artist Chief Lady Bird and other notable artists; trendy beaded mini studs from artisan Little Shiny Wolf; beautiful tapestries from the Kichwa people of Ecuador; copper and uchi jewelry and more, all from Indigenous artists from Turtle Island (North America) and Abya Yala (South America).
SCOUT
With two locations, one in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood and one in Leslieville, Scout is the spot for thoughtful gifts for craft lovers and creative types.
Think cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers kits, fine stationery, astrology and tarot decks, games and puzzles. It’s also a good spot for hyper-local Toronto souvenirs, including handmade soap inspired by High Park and tees repping Roncesvalles Avenue’s beloved rep theatre, the Revue Cinema—both a stone’s throw from Scout’s west side location.
