December Bucket List

Happy December! There are so many festive things to do around Toronto this month and I thought it would be fun to make a December bucket list. At this point, some of the things on my list are traditions that Jordan and I do every Christmas season, and some are things I can't wait to do!

1. Toronto Christmas Market: The Toronto Christmas Market is a definite staple on my December bucket list. It's become a tradition for the past 4 years now. The Christmas Market is in The Distillery District and is full of festive decorations, music, and food vendors (and prime Instagram locations).

2. Nathan Phillips Square:

Another new tradition, Nathan Phillips Square is decorated with so many twinkling lights during the holidays, as well as the big Toronto sign. The stars and arches that they hang from both light up at night. As well as skating, theres also a holiday fair with a carousel and vendors, and a Christmas Tree. Like a lot of locations, it’s always super busy on weekends, so check the busiest times on google if you want to try and avoid the crowd!

3. Aurora Winter Festival: This festival is new to Toronto this year. Ever since I read about this on Narcity, I’ve never needed to go somewhere more. It looks like the most magical place in the world. The Aurora Winter Festival is at Ontario Place and offers lots of different things. You can tube down the 180' slide (which is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays - and is regularly $7). You can walk through the light displays in the mystical worlds, visit Santa's workshop, skate on the frozen pond, and go on amusement rides! Theres also a food garden, and a main street market. The festival is open from 4pm to 10pm on Wednesdays to Sundays.

4. Blue Mountain: Blue Mountain Village is one of the cutest places to go in the winter. You can make it a day trip, or stay for the weekend. Obviously you can ski and snowboard at the resort, but they also have a skating trail through the forest that lights up at night. Besides the village, skiing and skating, there's the Scandinavian Spa. The spa has the prettiest outdoor hot baths open all year round. You can go shopping there as well and there's also lots of bars that have great live music and a fun atmosphere for lunch, dinner, or drinks!

5. Christmas Light Map One thing I've always wanted to do during the holiday season is go look at all the amazing Christmas lights around the city. BlogTO has a list that shows you where all the best places in Toronto that have the best Christmas lights are.

6. Christmas Bar "Miracle"

This Christmas themed pop up bar on Queen Street is perfect for a festive night out. The bar is on the top floor of an event space building, and is decorated top to bottom with Christmas lights, wrapping paper walls, and a twerking Santa. It has Christmas themed drinks, Christmas cookies, and a part of the proceeds go to a charity in Toronto. The bar is open from 5pm-2am on Weekdays and 12pm-2am on weekends. We tried to go this weekend, but the wait was 2 hours and 45 minutes. So make sure you get there early or put your name on the list!

7. The Window Display at The Eaton Centre's Hudson's Bay

My family used to go and look at the Christmas window displays that the Bay at the Eaton Centre would have up every December. Now that I'm older Jordan and I try to keep the tradition alive and go see them every Christmas season. The displays are so cute, and since they're at the Eaton Centre you can go see the huge Christmas tree and decorations inside the mall and get your picture with Santa!