“The nature of growing up… sometimes you do things you never thought you’d do. Like recently I bought pants from Costco. That’s a big deal. That’s a new chapter in your life. Cuz when we buy pants from Costco, we let go of our egos. We begin our spiritual journey.” That bit from Sheng Wang’s Sweet and Juicy Netflix special is where he first hooked us.

If spotting Santa is on your holiday list this year, there are plenty of places around Toronto to make it happen. From big mall setups to neighbourhood pop ups, the city has no shortage of ways to say hello, take a photo, or just enjoy the moment. Here are some of the most popular options for 2025 including sensory-friendly Santa experiences.

Toronto is glowing this holiday season, and one of the city’s best free ways to enjoy the festivities is the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square. Running now through January 7, 2026, it is open every evening from dusk until 11 p.m. The Square is filled with festive displays, including the city’s official Christmas tree and thousands of twinkling lights. You can stroll through the installations, watch skaters on the outdoor rink, and enjoy live music performances all without spending a cent. Free Skating and Skate Rentals at Nathan Phillips Square…

We have always gone with a Fraser fir when it is time to pick out our Christmas tree. They are reliable and known for lasting through the season, which is why our local Toronto tree lot usually points us in that direction. This year, the owner showed us a Cook fir and asked if we had ever tried one. We had not, so he walked us through why more people are choosing it. The big difference was the price. Our usual Fraser would have been about 200 dollars for the 2025 season (which is quite a bit higher than last year).

This is the last weekend of the One Of A Kind Christmas Show, and it feels like the right moment to highlight one of this year’s biggest additions: the Vintage section. The 2025 edition introduced this new Vintage marketplace to the show, bringing together curated second hand clothing, accessories, home décor, furniture, vinyl records and other unique finds. It adds a different texture to the floor, a mix of nostalgia, craftsmanship and one of a kind pieces for people who love items with history and character. One example that gives you a sense of what is included is Kops Records, Toronto’s oldest independent record store.

Natural Wool Knits is the work of Avi Selvig, who has been knitting since she was a teenager. What started as chunky toques, scarves and blankets made for her own home and family eventually grew into a business. She now works out of her home studio in British Columbia, where she spins, knits and creates each piece by hand. Avi gravitates toward natural fibres because they feel good to wear and live with, and you can sense that the moment you pick something up. Every time we pass her booth, we end up trying on a hat… they’re incredibly soft, warm and so satisfying to touch.

Palettes Wrapping & Wallpaper is a Canadian, female-owned brand creating modern, design-forward paper goods. They offer everything from bold patterned wrapping paper to peel-and-stick wallpaper and home décor accents, all printed in small batches with care. We used their wrapping paper for two special gifts, and it genuinely made the whole wrapping process easier. The sheets fold cleanly, feel substantial without being stiff, and look beautiful once everything is taped up. Their premium 170 gsm satin-finish stock strikes that perfect balance between practical and elevated... SO satisfying to use and soooo pretty.

We’re continuing our vendor highlights from the 2025 Winter One of a Kind Show, and today we’re stopping by something truly special. Ophelie Hats has arrived in Toronto for the season, and their booth is one of the most striking on the floor. Originally based in downtown Montreal, Ophelie Hats quickly stood out for its mix of traditional craftsmanship and quirky, modern design. These are hats that feel both wearable and artistic, blending classic shapes with a bit of edge. It’s the kind of brand that believes in buying beautiful pieces and enjoying them for a long time.

We love discovering flavours that tell a story, and Hanes Hummus was one of the most memorable food stops at the 2025 Winter One of a Kind Show. We sampled several of their flavours and they were delicious, bold and easily some of the most intense hummus we’ve tried- especially Hot Date! Hanes Hummus is the creation of Yohannes Petros. His family immigrated to Canada from East Africa in 1980, and their home quickly became a gathering place for the growing Eritrean community. Food was how everyone connected, and those early memories of sharing meals stayed with him.

We love all manners of gift wrapping, and the reusable fabric gift wrap and bags from Ficelle et Baluchon stopped us in our tracks at the Christmas One Of A Kind show. It’s gorgeous, reusable and feels like the kind of wrapping you want to keep forever. This fabric wrapping looks just like paper: Handcrafted fabric gift box with floral pattern, perfect for special occasions. Ficelle et Baluchon is a high-end, eco-minded Canadian brand creating fabric gift bags, reversible wrapping fabrics, furoshikis and reversible fabric envelopes. Their pieces are vibrant and beautiful like traditional paper wrapping but built to last, which makes them cost-effective over time and perfect for anyone trying to cut down on waste without giving up on something pretty.

There was something really special about kicking off the 50th anniversary of the One Of A Kind Show by getting hands-on with Market Candle Co. Instead of just browsing, we actually had the chance to create something from scratch, which made us appreciate the heart and skill behind the work of more than 800 artisans who fill the show each year. We were set up at our own little station with a lineup of essential oil testers, each one more tempting than the last. Choosing a blend felt a bit like choosing a mood.

Flirty Pineapple is a Toronto-based Canadian hair accessory brand that fits the vibe for the Winter One of a Kind Show. Beautiful, size inclusive and made to last, they make everyday pieces that actually get used and loved. We are kicking off our highlights of the 2025 Winter One of a Kind Show with them because we are forever obsessed with the perfect scrunchie. Their huge glorious burgundy one holds all my hair, doesn’t pull and is sooooo luxe and pretty. I have been wearing it for hours and no headache.

If you are looking for something festive to do this weekend, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train is making its annual Toronto stop this Saturday night at 750 Runnymede Road. The train will pull in at 8:30 p.m. and stay until 9 p.m., bringing its bright lights, live music and community spirit to the neighbourhood once again. The Holiday Train is a cross country tradition that runs from November 19 through December 21, travelling across Canada and the United States to raise money, food and awareness for local food banks.

If you are trying to figure out the real Christmas tree price in Toronto, you are not the only one. As the holiday season picks up, people across the city are looking around to see what a fresh tree will cost and where to find the best value. Real Christmas Tree Prices in Toronto for 2025 Recent coverage in Ontario points to higher operating costs for growers, which has pushed prices up. Most buyers in Toronto can expect to pay anywhere from 80 to 300 dollars, depending on the size and type of tree.

Doja Cat brings her Tour Ma Vie World Tour to Toronto tonight at Scotiabank Arena. The tour kicked off on November 18, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand, and it’s her biggest run yet, built around her fifth studio album, Vie, which came out in September 2025. Toronto hasn’t seen her since December 2023 when she played The Scarlet Tour. oronto Fans can expect a full arena production and a setlist that mixes new material with her biggest hits like "Paint The Town Red" (scroll down). Shows on this tour have included tracks like “Cards,” “Kiss Me More,” “Get Into It (Yuh),” “Gorgeous,” “Take Me Dancing,” and “Woman,” along with Vie songs such as “Acts of Service” and “Lipstain.” The tour began in New Zealand and will wrap up on December 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

If you have ever wandered along Dundas Street West near Little Portugal, you may have noticed a calm face looking out from the side of a building. It is a tall and quietly striking mural by Pablo Gomez, The piece is called “Portuguese Fisherman,” and it feels right at home in a neighbourhood shaped by generations of Portuguese families. The mural stretches across the side wall of 1357 Dundas Street West. The fisherman stands in warm tones of red and gold, framed by cool waves that seem to rise around him.

Longo’s has arrived at 1061 The Queensway, officially opening on November 19. It has been a long time since a new grocery store opened in this part of Etobicoke, so having this one now up and running is a welcome addition. The site east of Islington has been under construction for quite a while, and it is nice to finally see the finished result.

It’s almost time for Santa! Toronto is getting ready for one of its most beloved holiday traditions. The Santa Claus Parade returns this Sunday, Nov. 23 at 12:30 p.m., starting at Christie Pits Park at 750 Bloor Street West. If you plan to head out for the festivities, here is a rundown of what to expect on parade day, including the Santa Claus Parade route, where to watch, and the long list of road closures you will want to keep in mind. Toronto’s 121st annual Santa Claus Parade is a huge production and the city gears up for it every year.

If you’ve ever found yourself heading to a holiday gathering and wishing a decent host gift would magically appear in front of you, Farm Boy is one of those places where everyday groceries are actually special enough to gift. High quality, delicious items that make it easy to look prepared even when you’re rushing out the door. The Italian Trio deli pack is an easy place to start. The mildly spicy salami is the perfect complement to the salty, aged prosciutto. To round things out, there’s a delicate provolone with a slightly sweet and sharp finish.

When you work long hours on productions you can't rely on there being an outlet to plug in your smartphone. And when your phone is your book, your TV, your email, your socials, basically your whole life, you want that backup power ready and waiting. The other day on set I noticed a colleague watching a vertical show during a break. Her phone was propped up in the cutest little holder and I thought it was just a stand. Turns out the stand was actually a power bank. Her phone was sitting there charging while she watched TV.

It’s a good week when it ends with ordering a One Up from Revolver, our most beloved pizza place that somehow gets better every time. And if you love their pies as much as the rest of the city does, here’s some great news. Revolver is hiring at all locations, and a brand new spot is headed to Leslieville. They’re bringing on new team members across the board and are looking for pizzaiolos, front of house staff, and prep team members. If you have experience and want to be part of a busy, well loved Toronto pizza shop, they’re asking applicants to DM them with experience and an email address.

From the opening of the hotly anticipated new Costco last year at Islington and the 401 to the new Business Centre in Mississauga to closely watching every tweak to the Costco food court menu, we have a bit of a passionate sidequest going when it comes to all things Costco. So when some new holiday updates rolled in, we were more than happy to share them, especially since the parking lot is already more bananas than usual this time of year. The massive U.S. retailer is rolling out a few changes for the holidays, and here’s what to know.

Heron Restaurant is a quietly upscale spot in the Kingsway with an inviting, comfortable atmosphere and a focus on simplicity. The kitchen works with seasonal Canadian ingredients and regional flavours, creating dishes that balance rustic warmth with a more refined touch. They also offer a monthly tasting menu that shifts with whatever is fresh, so there’s always something new to try. Heron is from the same team behind Bramble Gastropub, and it has that same neighbourhood feel. It’s an easy place to settle into, especially on a chilly night, and the food suits the mood in a really comfortable way.

It’s getting chilly out there, so we’re digging into our summer archives to remind ourselves there are just a few more months until Toronto warms up again. Remember those bright August days when the city felt like an outdoor gallery? Here’s a throwback that might add a bit of colour to your November mood. If you passed by Cowley Abbott Fine Art on Dundas West this summer, you couldn’t miss the bold portrait installed right at the front of the gallery. Nestled across from the AGO, it was a showstopper. It marked the kickoff of their August art auction events and showed how the gallery likes to bring art out onto the street, literally.

We’re always looking for the best samosas in Toronto, and Bombay Frankies ended up being a great stop. The chain focuses on Indian street-style food, and while their frankie rolls get most of the attention, the samosas are genuinely worth trying. They’re crisp on the outside, nicely spiced inside, and just solid overall. We also ordered the pakoras, which were light and well-seasoned without feeling too heavy. And because it seemed fitting, we picked up a Thums Up. If you haven’t had it before, it’s an Indian cola that tastes similar to Coke but with a bit more kick.