Snowmen, golden glitz and glam, and augmented reality are among the festive touches you’ll find in this season’s holiday window displays.

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Displays at Hudson's Bay's flagship location on Queen Street are among the most popular in the city

Checking out holiday window displays has been a family tradition for years. There’s something awe-inspiring about all the whimsey that exudes from the creative displays around the city. 

So, if you’re like me, my family and my loved ones and want to see all the best holiday windows for yourself, here’s how you should get started.
 

Hudson’s Bay

One of my favourite winter holiday activities after skating at Nathan Phillips Square is crossing the street to see what Hudson’s Bay has in store for its holiday window displays. 

They always find a way to capture the spirit of the season wonderfully—from adorable snowmen making snow angels to robotic arms making and moving candy canes and presents off conveyor belts. 

Note: The Hudson’s Bay windows won’t be displayed this year due to construction along Queen Street W.
 

CF Toronto Eaton Centre

New this year, Cadillac Fairview and Ontario Science Centre have partnered together to bring Rowland Emett’s whimsical and kinetic sculptures, Dream Machines, to downtown Toronto this holiday season. Showcased in the holiday display windows of the Eaton Centre (along Yonge Street, just south of Dundas Street), these unique sculptures come to life every half hour from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Fairmont Royal York

The windows at Fairmont Royal York are, by far, my favourite displays in the city. The detail and attention put into each window are hard to beat. Gold dominates as the primary colour of the displays, each window slightly different from the next but still playing well together. If you're into dazzling twinkling displays like I am, you will love what they have in store. 

Holt Renfrew

Head to the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood for all the glitz and glamour of the season. Holt Renfrew really knows how to create displays that dazzle with elegance but still pay homage to the holiday season. A coffee and a stroll down Bloor Street, with all the twinkling lights, is the perfect recipe for a romantic date. 
 

Kate Spade

There’s a lovely whimsical vibe to Kate Spade’s holiday window displays. Located a quick walk from Bloor and Holt Renfrew, and nestled cozily in Yorkville, Kate Spade’s holiday window displays are just as fun as the brand itself. 

Make sure you grab a drink or bubble ice cream at S’cream Ice Cream + Coffee if you want to make the most of your time exploring this charming area.

Junction Window Wonderland

A new type of holiday display that uses technology to enhance the traditional holiday window displays, Window Wonderland exhibition transforms the Junction neighbourhood into a magical and interactive outdoor gallery.

It showcases local artists and animators who have painted storefront windows brought to life by Augmented Reality (AR). It is one of the more unique interpretations of holiday window displays, but so worth checking out.