These are 20 enchanting Ontario towns with magical Christmas street decorations to visit this winter because they truly know how to create a wonderful Christmas season.
20 Ontario towns with magical Christmas street decorations to visit this winter
As winter approaches and Ontario’s small towns transform into holiday wonderlands, Christmas spirit fills the air with lights, decorations, and festivities. Escape the hustle of big cities and explore Ontario’s charming towns, where historic streets glow with holiday lights, classic decorations, and vibrant, heart-warming displays.
1
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Known for its picturesque streets year-round, Niagara-on-the-Lake takes Christmas decor to the next level. Twinkling lights line Queen Street’s Victorian storefronts, while festive wreaths, garlands, and a stunning central Christmas tree make it a dreamy destination. Pair the sights with a holiday wine tour or visit during their candlelit stroll for a full festive experience.
2
Stratford
Stratford, famous for its theaters, turns its charming downtown into a holiday wonderland. Every lamppost and storefront along Ontario Street is adorned with glittering lights and unique decorations, giving this artistic town a timeless Christmas atmosphere. In Stratford you’ll find all sorts of charming shops and restaurants that will make you feel like you invited here by Santa himself! Don’t miss the town’s annual Christmas Trail event, featuring festive stops and treats at participating local shops.
3
Unionville
At only a 30 minute drive from Toronto, Unionville is the perfect day trip for Christmas cheer. This charming historic village within Markham transforms each holiday season into an idyllic winter setting, straight from a postcard. Main Street Unionville features rows of brightly lit historic buildings, a giant Christmas tree, and a lineup of holiday markets. Horse-drawn carriage rides and Christmas carolers add to the classic holiday magic. Try all imaginable Christmas sweets at the Old Firehall Confectionary. By the way, Unionville also happened to be the shooting spot of some of Gilmore Girls.
4
Creemore
Nestled in Clearview Township, Creemore offers small-town charm with big holiday spirit. The quaint downtown is beautifully decorated with warm lights, festive wreaths, and vintage decorations. Enjoy the local Christmas market or visit for the Santa Claus Parade. Creemore’s cozy pubs and cafes are perfect for a warm treat on a chilly winter evening.
5
Port Hope
Port Hope knows how to bring classic holiday magic to its streets. Walton Street, with its historic 19th-century architecture, lights up each year with dazzling decorations. The annual Candlelight Festival features illuminated storefronts, live music, and candlelight tours, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a Charles Dickens story.
6
Picton
In Prince Edward County, Picton combines Christmas charm with a festive artsy touch. Main Street is adorned with holiday lights and cheerful decorations, inviting visitors to stroll through local shops and cafes. The Festival of Trees at the nearby Isaiah Tubbs Resort adds to the allure, showcasing beautifully decorated trees and wreaths for auction. Take a “Holiday Photo in the Barn” at the Andara’s Gallery beautiful century-old barn that is decked out for the holidays with a festive portrait seating area featuring a stunning 16-foot Christmas tree which is located just a few minutes from Picton downtown
7
Elora
Known for its scenic gorge, Elora brings a cozy holiday charm that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie. The town decorates its quaint downtown with twinkling lights, garlands, and festive displays. Don’t miss the Elora Festival of Lights, which lights up the gorge and adds an extra glow to this enchanting little town.
8
Cobourg
Cobourg offers a picture-perfect holiday season with its historic downtown decked in Christmas lights and decorations. The Christmas Magic event turns Victoria Park and the waterfront into a dazzling display with over 180,000 lights! Bundle up and stroll along the beach boardwalk for a unique holiday experience with stunning lake views.
9
Perth
Set along the Tay river in Eastern Ontario, Perth brings classic Christmas charm to the Ottawa Valley, with Gore Street beautifully lit and decorated. The Crystal Palace, a glass structure by the Tay River, becomes an enchanting display filled with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Visit during the annual Festival of Lights for a cozy, small-town Christmas vibe.
Check out the historic Code’s Mill, an old factory which now houses many local shops. Have high Tea at Crossroads Tearoom. Enjoy some fresh baked goods from Perth Pie Co. Stop into Fiddleheads for dinner and drinks. Go for a stroll around the beautiful Stewart Park.
The short distance to Almonte makes Perth and Almonte the perfect little road trip getaway to do together during the Christmas season.
10
Almonte
Almonte has been featured in many of our beloved Hallmark Christmas movies, earning its nickname the “Christmas Capital of Ontario”.
Known for its European village charm and as “the friendly town” with most friendly locals, Almonte offers a festive escape just an hour from Ottawa. Its historic downtown, lined with boutiques and cafes, lights up beautifully for Christmas. Almonte’s light displays, paired with the scenic Mississippi River backdrop, create a holiday atmosphere that’s nothing short of magical. It has European charm, many little shops, cafes, and restaurants.
11
Uxbridge
Just an hour drive from Toronto, Uxbridge celebrates the holiday season in a big way. Downtown’s Brock Street is transformed into a festive winter wonderland with cheerful lights, and festive decorations deck the halls of shops and restaurants. The town’s “Trail Capital of Canada” reputation adds extra winter charm, with holiday-themed hikes and snowy trails perfect for outdoor lovers. Discover the “Holiday Trail Comes to Life” with live music, Town Trolley rides, a fire pit, strolling characters, a “Toonie Trail”, and a guest appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
12
Midland
Midland’s holiday celebrations are perfect for a family-friendly outing. King Street is adorned with sparkling lights and amazing seasonal decor, while the town’s holiday parade brings Santa Claus and festive floats to town. Carolling, sing-a-longs, pipes and drums, choirs, drum circle, parade floats, buskers, photos with Santa, firetruck, and free hot chocolate welcome the festive season. With nearby winter activities like skating and snowshoeing, Midland is perfect for a delightful holiday day trip.
13
Goderich
The charming “prettiest town in Canada” dazzles with holiday decor each year, particularly in the downtown Square. Goderich hosts a Festival of Lights, where storefronts and streets are transformed with colorful lights and Christmas decorations. Visit Huron Historic Gaol – a former prison built in the first half of the 19th Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1973, this well-preserved building features a unique panopticon design and is also considered haunted. The magical holiday ambiance, combined with stunning views of Lake Huron, makes it a must-visit.
14
Dundas
A hidden gem in Hamilton, Dundas offers a cozy small-town Christmas feel. It’s a cute town that has a feel-good Christmas vibe like one of those Hallmark movies! A Dickens of a Christmas! That is the name of the Dundas Christmas Festival for local craft markets, carolers, and carriage rides. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Festival is in full swing for the 4 weeks before Christmas every year. The historic streets come alive with seasonal decorations and light displays. The nearby waterfalls make for a beautiful winter hiking experience.
15
Thornbury
Thornbury’s Olde Fashioned Christmas: this small town near Georgian Bay adds a whimsical charm to the season with holiday lights, Christmas decorations, and scenic views along its main street. Live music, arts and craft show, horse drawn wagon rides, tree lighting, visit with Santa, extended holiday shopping hours and more! The Thornbury Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony kicks off the festivities with local choirs and Christmas treats. Visit the nearby Blue Mountains for winter sports to complete your festive day trip.
16
Bracebridge
Nestled in the heart of Muskoka, Bracebridge transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with enchanting Christmas street decorations. The town’s historic downtown, set along the Muskoka River, lights up with dazzling displays, garlands, and festive wreaths adorning every corner. Town Hall, dressed in sparkling lights, and Memorial Park become central attractions, drawing in locals and visitors alike.
One of Bracebridge’s highlights is its giant Christmas tree, which stands proudly at the center of the festivities. Illuminated with hundreds of lights, the tree becomes a beacon of holiday spirit, perfect for cozy holiday photos and family gatherings.
Nearby shops and cafes offer hot cocoa and seasonal treats, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. This annual holiday transformation makes Bracebridge a must-visit Ontario destination during the Christmas season, offering a heart-warming holiday experience in the scenic beauty of Muskoka.
17
Huntsville
During the holiday season, Huntsville, Ontario, lights up with festive cheer, transforming its historic downtown into a magical Christmas setting. Known for its charming small-town ambiance, Huntsville brings holiday warmth to the Muskoka region with delightful street decorations that captivate locals and visitors alike.
The town’s iconic Christmas tree stands proudly in River Mill Park, beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments that bring a vibrant glow to the night. Explore the local shops, grab a hot cocoa, and enjoy the festive window displays crafted by local businesses.
Arrive to the Rotary Village Station to enjoy “Portage Flyer Christmas Train Ride” and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies and join in on a carol or two. The train coaches have literally a thousand lights and of course Santa is waiting at the end of the line. The combination of a train, lights and Santa is almost too much for the adults, let alone the kids. Huntsville is the perfect holiday getaway to enjoy Muskoka’s natural beauty wrapped in a blanket of holiday cheer.
18
Blue Mountain Village
Each Christmas season, Blue Mountain Village, Ontario, transforms into a holiday haven with decorations that bring winter magic to this scenic resort. Known for its European village charm, Blue Mountain’s cobblestone pathways come alive with twinkling lights, festive wreaths, and holiday decor that captures the essence of a cozy alpine village. Every corner, from shop facades to lamp posts, is adorned with glittering lights, while towering Christmas trees in the village square become glowing focal points for holiday gatherings.
Offering a stunning evening walk through dazzling light displays, the village’s “Blumination Dream Trail” is a major highlight, a visual feast with lots of perfect spots for memorable holiday photos. Blue Mountain Village’s holiday decorations, framed by the snowy mountainside, create an unforgettable Christmas experience filled with joy and seasonal wonder for all ages.
19
Brockville
located in the 1000 Islands along the Saint Lawrence river, Brockville is another magical Ontario Christmas town you have to visit this winter. In Brockville you can find all sorts of beautiful heritage architecture including lots of stunning old churches and heritage homes that will truly make you feel like you stepped right into a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Drive or walk through the River of Lights – a free light display in Brockville which features thousands of twinkling lights that are set to dance to the beat of popular Christmas music. There are so many incredible little cafes, restaurants, and boutiques where you can shop till you drop.
Clow’s Christmas Trail – a festive event that takes the theme of Winter Wonderland to a whole new level! Walk through a 1.5 km decorated trail through the snowy forest to get to the hidden Christmas village. An absolute Christmas must!
20
St. Jacobs
Located just an hour and a half from Toronto, St. Jacobs is the perfect day trip to do during the winter holidays. Experience the Village Biergarten – a bit of Bavaria in the heart of St. Jacobs. It features all sorts of cute heritage one-of-a-kind shops, bakeries and restaurants to explore. Here you can try authentic German and Swiss dishes, grab some baked goods at Stone Crock Bakery and even dine in an igloo! Don’t forget to check out the famous St. Jacob’s Farmer’s market (it’s huge!)
Another super cute and ultra Instagrammable place to check out while visiting St. Jacobs is the West Montrose covered bridge, which is only 12 minutes away from St. Jacobs.
The close proximity to Elora, only 25km, makes St. Jacob and Elora the perfect road trip getaway to do together during the Christmas season.
Don’t delay, plan your festive escape!
Each of these 20 Ontario towns offers a unique Christmas experience, blending small-town charm with festive lights, magical displays, and holiday cheer. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing or a cozy couple’s getaway, these towns promise to add a little sparkle to your holiday season. So pack your winter gear, sip some hot cocoa, and explore the magical streets of Ontario’s most festive small towns this Christmas.
