Toronto's Lowe's Christmas Market is a delight that everyone should enjoy. The Christmas market is open every year from the beginning of December until the 16th, and runs daily until 9pm. There is live music and dancing with carol singing most days, here is a full schedule. For those who haven't experienced a true European Christmas market, this is as close as you'll probably get, and you should definitely take advantage. Christmas markets in Europe are well known for their high standard of crafts and culinary delights, and Toronto's version is by no means a knock off.

Lights

Toronto is covered in glowing, sparkling, dancing lights in spirit of the holidays. Nathan Phillips Square isn't the only place in town to enjoy the Christmas cheer the lights bring to the city. All along the streets leading up to the distillery district the trees are covered in lights, giving the entrance to the Lowe's Christmas Market an air of magic and wonder as you weave your way through the crowds to the first wooden stall.  

Food

The Christmas market offers an array of culinary delights. You can purchase wrapped chocolates and sweets from the Dutch candy stall, or head to one of the stalls where you can find fresh cooked sauerkraut with hotdogs, Belgian waffles, and hot cider and mulled wine. The food and drink is definitely a huge drawing point for the crowds, and the smells and prospect of warm, tasty food is so enticing, especially on a chilly night. So enticing, that when we came across a stall selling chocolate covered bacon, we couldn't say no.

Mmm chocolate covered bacon?! Actually it was pretty good.

Christmas Decorations!

The whole distillery district is lit up with decorations, a towering silver tree, and lights above all the wooden stalls.

Pretty trees and pretty lights.

Shopping

If you're looking for a unique gift for someone special the Toronto Christmas market is a great place to start looking. You can find beautiful Peruvian scarves and gloves, beeswax candles, Christmas candy, tree decorations and kids toys and books. There are also galleries and craft stores in the area for your shopping needs.

So there you have it, 4 awesome reasons you need to visit the Toronto Christmas Market before it closes.

If you're reading this in the summer, our top recommendation for other festivals to check out in Toronto is the Craft Beer Festival.