The Best Holiday Events 2021

  

It's that time of the year again! It's the season for dazzling lights, hot beverages on cold evenings, giving gifts, building memories, and snuggling up by the fire like GO Bear! And what better place to build those memories than at one of the GTHA's fantastic winter events?

Look no further if you're seeking for Christmas activities in Toronto and the surrounding region. From old favorites like the Toronto Christmas Market to brand new winter festivals, our list of the greatest holiday events offers all the lights, excitement, and happiness you'll need till the new year!

All Aboard for Toronto's Holiday Celebrations

We're warmer than a one-horse open sleigh and can get you to all the holiday festivities! There's no need to be concerned about traveling in the snow or dealing with gridlock. You'll be giggling the whole way when you ride with GO!

Take advantage of our Weekend Passes if you're heading to an event on the weekend:

• One-Day Passes cost $10 and provide unrestricted travel on either Saturday or Sunday.
• Weekend Passes are $15 and include unrestricted travel for the whole weekend.
  

Our e-tickets offer a quick, convenient, and touchless method to travel by GO throughout the week:

• Purchase your e-ticket from the comfort of your own home.
• Your ticket will be sent to you.
• 5 minutes before boarding, use your smartphone to activate your e-ticket.
  

Are you planning on attending one of Niagara Falls' Christmas events? The GO + WEGO combination ticket contains the following:

• From Union Station to Niagara Falls, use the GO train for a round journey.
• WEGO, Niagara Falls' hop-on, hop-off bus service, is included for two days.

TO SANTA'S VILLAGE

The Union Station Skywalk is transformed into Santa's Village for an interactive Toronto Christmas experience that includes a storytime with Santa and a picture opportunity from a safe distance. GO Transit is pleased to be a part of this fundraising event for the SickKids Foundation.

• When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, December 3 – 19, 2021
• Where: Skywalk at Union Station
• Price range: $25 to $45
• To get there using GO, take the bus or train to Union Station and look for the Skywalk signage.

Santa Claus Parade in Toronto

Santa Claus is on his way! Instead of the typical downtown live procession, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade will be webcast for the second time in history. But that means you can watch GO Bear's second Santa Claus Parade performance from the comfort of your own home, sipping cocoa and eating candy canes! The procession is expected to return to the streets next year, and GO Transit will be ready to get you there, as we have for many years.

• When: CTV, December 4, 2021, at 7 p.m.
• Where: You may relax in the privacy of your own home.

A Spectacular Display of Lightsg

The Cavalcade of Lights, a long-standing favorite Toronto holiday event, is a must-see for Christmas lights in Toronto. There will be no fireworks this year, but there will be ice skating and a magnificent tree. Glow-in-the-dark ice sculptures and light installations inspired by international cultural events are new for 2021. Your Toronto Christmas will be complete with a visit to the Cavalcade of Lights!

• When: 5 p.m., November 27, 2021 – January 2, 2022 - 1 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Nathan Phillips Square is the location.
• It's completely free!
• To get there by GO bus or rail, take the GO bus or train to Union Station. It's a 14-minute walk north along Bay Street from Union Station, or you can take the TTC to Queen Station or Osgoode Station.

Drive Thru Christmas Lights: A Journey Into Enchantment

Enjoy a 2 kilometer drive through Christmas lights installation while listening to your favorite holiday music on the radio while being warm and comfortable in your car! The venues for these amazing Christmas light shows are provided by GO Transit.

You don't have a car? It's no issue! Only on Wednesday, December 15th, you may go through Journey Into Enchantment. Don't miss out on this one-day-only trek into the night!

• When: 25 November 2021 – 8 January 2022
• Where: You have a choice of two destinations! Mississauga's Meadowvale GO Station or Markham's Mount Joy GO Station
• The price ranges from $29.95 to $39.95 per car (9 passengers max). Purchase your tickets right here!
• To get there via GO, take the Milton GO rail line west from Union Station to Meadowvale GO Station. Alternatively, use the Stouffville GO rail line north from Union Station to Mount Joy GO Station.

Festival de l'hiver polaire

Take a stroll through this wonderful world of lights and Christmas displays in the evening. Ride the Christmas train and the carousel. Take a selfie with Santa or Elsa from Frozen. Everyone will have a good time at the Polar Winter Festival!

• When: November 25 - December 26, 2021, 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday - 1 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Where: Exhibition Place's Bandshell Park
• Admission ranges from $14.99 to $19.99 + HST, with extra prices for rides and photographs with Santa and Elsa.
• Take the Lakeshore West GO rail line to Exhibition GO Station to get there via GO. Then take Manitoba Drive west for 9 minutes.

Winter Village at the Distillery

This year, the Distillery Winter Village has replaced the Toronto Christmas Market, a popular holiday event in the Distillery District. Instead of lining up to see Santa, you'll find him and his elves wandering about to provide a safe encounter.

There are 8 vendor stands and 12 food cabins where you may enjoy various foods. Your shopping and dining experience will be enhanced by buskers and carollers! Vaccination documentation is required for visitors aged 12 and up.

• When: 18 November – 31 December 2021
• Distillery District is where you'll find us.
• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 4 p.m., and December 20-23 after 4 p.m., $8/person for ages 6 and up. All other times are free.
• Travel to Union Station on a GO bus or rail, then walk or take the TTC east to the Distillery District.

Festival of Trees in Mississauga

This brand-new festival is dedicated to all things winter! A winter nature walk, handicraft classes, an artisan market, and other activities are available. Enjoy a nice treat from the gourmet market while seeing the beautiful art and woodpile installations.

Visitors aged 12 and up must provide proof of immunization.

• When: 9-19 December 2021
• 1352 Lakeshore Rd., Small Arms Inspection Building Mississauga, Mississauga, Mississauga, Mississ
• The cost of the seminars varies depending on which ones you choose to attend.
• Take the Lakeshore West GO rail line to Long Branch GO Station to get there via GO. It's a 13-minute walk west on Lakeshore Rd from there. East, or a 5-minute MiWay bus journey.

Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, now in its 39th year, is Canada's largest free outdoor light show. This year, the event will illuminate Niagara Falls for 101 nights, including live music on weekends! From the luxury of your vehicle, see the 3 million lights, or wrap up and wander around the displays.

Visitors aged 12 and up must provide proof of immunization.

• When: November 13th, 2021 until February 21st, 2022
• Where: Along the Niagara Parkway, across Niagara Falls, and on the Dufferin Islands.
• It's completely free!
• Get There With GO: Our GO + WEGO combo ticket includes round-trip rail travel from Union Station to Niagara Falls, as well as WEGO bus transport within the city.

Christmas Market in Niagara Falls

At Niagara's largest Christmas market, you can finish your holiday shopping. Stroll through the illuminated Christmas chalets, where local artisans will sell their handcrafted wares. After you've finished shopping, take some photos for your social media accounts in front of more than 30 Christmas light displays.

Visitors aged 12 and up must provide proof of immunization.

• When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 13 to December 19, 2021
• Where: Niagara Falls, New York (Queen Street)
• It's completely free!
• Get There With GO: Our GO + WEGO combo ticket includes round-trip rail travel from Union Station to Niagara Falls, as well as WEGO bus transport within the city.

This Holiday Season, Travel Safely

GO Transit wishes you and your loved ones a pleasant and healthy holiday season! With our COVID-19 safety measures, we're doing our share to keep you safe so you can rest and enjoy your trip to all the holiday activities.

The blog post "The Best Holiday Events 2021" was appeared first on Go Transit 

 

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