Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Vaughan has no big city-run Christmas market, so my top five for 2026 mix shopping and festive outings: the Christmas Village at The Backyard Club (5–6 December), WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (select dates from 21 November), Kortright’s Magical Christmas Forest, the free Santafest Parade on 29 November, and the Village Market in Thornhill.
This guide is for Vaughan families and anyone in Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg or Thornhill looking for festive shopping and outings close to home this season. You get my five picks for 2026–27, each checked against an official page, with dates, costs and what to know before you go.
Does Vaughan have a Christmas market in 2026?
Yes, but Vaughan works differently from Toronto. There is no single large outdoor Christmas market run by the city. Instead, the season is spread across a two-day Christmas Village, two big ticketed holiday attractions, a free parade in Maple and a long-running farmers’ market. Together they cover shopping, lights, food and family time.
I picked these five because each has a 2026 date (or a clearly labelled schedule) on an official page I read on 10 November 2026, and because they are spread across the city. Where a market was too small or had no 2026 details posted, I left it out rather than guess.
| Event | 2026–27 dates | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| WinterFest, Canada’s Wonderland | Select dates, 21 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr | Ticketed; free for 65+ |
| Magical Christmas Forest, Kortright Centre | 27–29 Nov; 3–6, 9–13, 16–23 Dec | 9550 Pine Valley Dr | $39.60 adult, $32.75 child |
| Vaughan Santafest Parade | Sun 29 Nov, 1:30 p.m. | Maple, ending at Vaughan City Hall | Free |
| Christmas Village, The Backyard Club | Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec | 1800 Steeles Ave W | Not posted |
| Village Market, Toronto Waldorf School | Saturdays; 2026 winter dates not posted | 9100 Bathurst St | Free entry |
Source: Canada’s Wonderland, Kortright Centre (TRCA), Child’s Life event guide, Vaughan Economic Development and Village Market pages, checked 10 November 2026. Confirm hours and prices before you go.
1. Christmas Village at The Backyard Club
What it offers
This is the closest thing Vaughan has to a classic holiday market this year. Vaughan Economic Development lists a two-day Christmas Village at The Backyard Club with holiday shopping, music, food and drinks. The venue is a pickleball club, and the listing promises its 21 courts of pickleball alongside the vendor booths.
Practical notes
- Dates and times: Saturday, 5 December 2026, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 6 December, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Address: 1800 Steeles Avenue West, on Vaughan’s southern edge.
- Admission: the city’s listing is a call for vendors and does not give an entry price, so check with the club before you go.
What it means for buyers and renters
The club sits on Steeles Avenue at Vaughan’s southern edge, so for most residents this is a short drive rather than a walk. The late closing time suits working parents and makes an easy evening out after a day of showings.
2. WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
What it offers
WinterFest turns the park into a holiday light show on select nights. The park lists millions of lights, two 50-foot Christmas trees with a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, skating on Snow Flake Lake, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, live shows and more than 20 family rides. Seasonal treats are sold throughout. It is not a craft market, but it is one of the biggest festive nights out in Vaughan.
Because most of the experience is outdoors after dark, dress in layers and bring warm boots, even if you plan to spend time indoors at the shows.
Practical notes
- Dates: select dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check the park calendar, because it is not open every night.
- Admission: tickets are required. The park says guests over 65 get free admission, and its 2027 Silver Passes include 2026 WinterFest.
- Address: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan.
What it means for buyers and renters
For families in nearby communities such as Maple and Vellore, a major attraction this close is a real perk. The other side is event traffic on the roads around the park on busy nights. If you are viewing homes nearby, drive the area on a WinterFest evening too. My guide to buying and selling in Maple covers the housing side.
3. Magical Christmas Forest at Kortright Centre
What it offers
Run by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority at the Kortright Centre, this is an evening outing in the woods. Tickets include crafts, games, horse-drawn wagon rides, a visit with Santa in his cabin, campfires with marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, cookie decorating and holiday lights.
Practical notes
- Dates: 27–29 November and 3–6, 9–13 and 16–23 December 2026.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 5–9 p.m.; Sunday 3–8 p.m. Plan on about 90 minutes.
- Tickets: $39.60 adult or senior, $32.75 child. Book ahead.
- Address: 9550 Pine Valley Drive.
What it means for buyers and renters
Kortright sits in the green, conservation-land side of west Vaughan near Kleinburg. If you value trails and open space over walkable shops, this part of the city deserves a look. My Kleinburg homes guide explains what the area costs.
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4. Vaughan Santafest Parade
What it offers
Santafest is Vaughan’s community Santa Claus parade, with floats from local schools, sports teams, businesses and community groups, marching bands and Santa as the finale. It is free and runs in the daytime, which makes it easy with young children.
Practical notes
- Date and time: Sunday, 29 November 2026, starting at 1:30 p.m.
- Route: from Springside Road and Melville Avenue, north on Melville, then east on Major Mackenzie Drive to Vaughan City Hall.
- Cost: free. Arrive early for a spot along Major Mackenzie.
What it means for buyers and renters
Daytime parades are also the easiest event for grandparents and toddlers, since you can leave as soon as Santa passes. Bring a folding chair, a warm drink and a bag for any candy the floats hand out.
The route runs through the heart of Maple, one of Vaughan’s older communities. Parade day shows you the neighbourhood at its most social, which tells you a lot if you have kids and want a community feel.
5. Village Market at the Toronto Waldorf School
What it offers
Village Market is a farmers’ market that has run for 34 years at the Toronto Waldorf School on Bathurst Street in Vaughan’s Thornhill area. It focuses on organic farmers and local producers, which makes it a good stop for holiday baking supplies and food gifts.
Practical notes
- When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In 2025 the season ran to 20 December. The market had not posted its 2026 schedule when I checked, so confirm the last date before you go.
- Address: 9100 Bathurst Street.
What it means for buyers and renters
A weekly market that has lasted more than three decades says something about the stability of the surrounding community. If you are comparing Thornhill with newer parts of Vaughan, a Saturday morning here is a relaxed way to start.
Are there holiday markets just outside Vaughan?
Yes, and they are worth the short drive east:
- Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show: 14–15 November 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 135 Bay Thorn Drive in Thornhill (Markham side). More than 40 artisans on three floors; $5 at the door, children 12 and under free.
- Markham Home for the Holidays: 20–22 November 2026 at the Markham Fairgrounds, with more than 130 exhibitors in three buildings. Adults pay $14 at the door, cash only.
For families, I would book the Kortright forest for a weeknight in early December, which I expect to be calmer than a weekend, and save WinterFest for a weekend when you have the whole evening. If you are planning a move, use the Santafest parade to see Maple on a busy day, then walk the same streets on a regular weekday before you make an offer.
What do homes cost in Vaughan going into 2027?
If these outings have you thinking about a move to Vaughan, here is the city-wide picture.
| Home type | Median sold price, Jan–Oct 2026 | Same period 2025 | Change | Avg days on market, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,415,000 | $1,490,000 | -5.0% | 30 |
| Semi-detached | $1,040,000 | $1,145,000 | -9.2% | 28 |
| Freehold townhouse | $1,014,500 | $1,118,000 | -9.3% | 29 |
| Condo townhouse | $768,000 | $817,500 | -6.1% | 35 |
| Condo apartment | $530,000 | $595,000 | -10.9% | 42 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. City of Vaughan, all communities combined. Medians, not forecasts.
Prices are lower than a year ago across every type, and condo apartments fell the most. Freehold townhouses are the type I watch most for 2027: at a median just over $1 million, they now sit within about $400,000 of a detached home, so many families are weighing whether the extra land is worth the stretch.
Detached sales rose about 2% even as prices fell, which tells me buyers are active but negotiating hard. For more, see my Vaughan housing market outlook for 2027 and how much a house is worth in Vaughan.
Several Vaughan holiday events are ticketed and sell timed entries, and some run only on select dates. Book ahead and check the official calendar the day you go. For the Christmas Village, the city’s listing does not give an entry price, so confirm with the venue first.
What to do next
- Choose one ticketed event (WinterFest or the Kortright forest) and book a date now.
- Mark 29 November for Santafest and 5–6 December for the Christmas Village.
- Add one craft show in Thornhill or Markham if you want handmade gifts.
- If you are thinking of moving, read my top neighbourhoods in Vaughan for 2027 and drive each one at different times of day.
- Use the estimator on this page to see what your current home could sell for.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Christmas market in Vaughan in 2026?
Yes. The main one is a two-day Christmas Village at The Backyard Club, 1800 Steeles Avenue West, on 5 and 6 December 2026, listed by Vaughan Economic Development. Vaughan has no large city-run outdoor Christmas market, so most residents pair it with WinterFest, the Kortright Magical Christmas Forest or craft shows in nearby Thornhill and Markham.
When is WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland in 2026?
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan runs on select dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is not open every night, so check the park calendar before you go. The park lists millions of lights, two 50-foot trees, skating on Snow Flake Lake and more than 20 family rides. Guests over 65 get free admission.
How much are tickets for Magical Christmas Forest at Kortright in 2026?
Tickets for the Magical Christmas Forest at the Kortright Centre in Vaughan cost $39.60 for adults and seniors and $32.75 for children in 2026. The event runs 27 to 29 November and on set dates from 3 to 23 December. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
When is the Vaughan Santafest Parade in 2026?
The Vaughan Santafest Parade is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, starting at 1:30 p.m. It begins at Springside Road and Melville Avenue in Maple, heads north on Melville, then east on Major Mackenzie Drive and finishes at Vaughan City Hall. The parade is free, and it is best to arrive early for a good spot.
What are the best things to do for Christmas in Vaughan?
The best Christmas outings in Vaughan for 2026 are WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland, the Magical Christmas Forest at the Kortright Centre, the Santafest Parade on 29 November and the Christmas Village at The Backyard Club on 5 and 6 December. For handmade gifts, add the Heintzman House craft show in Thornhill or Markham Home for the Holidays.
Where is the Christmas Village at The Backyard Club in Vaughan?
The Christmas Village is at The Backyard Club, 1800 Steeles Avenue West, Vaughan. In 2026 it runs Saturday, 5 December, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 6 December, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with holiday shopping, music, food and drinks. The city’s listing does not give an entry price, so check with the venue.
Are there craft shows near Vaughan for Christmas 2026?
Yes. The Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show runs 14 and 15 November 2026 at 135 Bay Thorn Drive in Thornhill, with more than 40 artisans and a $5 entry. Markham Home for the Holidays runs 20 to 22 November at the Markham Fairgrounds, with more than 130 exhibitors and $14 adult admission at the door.
Is the Village Market in Thornhill open in December?
It usually is, but confirm the 2026 dates first. Village Market runs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Toronto Waldorf School, 9100 Bathurst Street. Its 2025 season ran until 20 December, but the market had not posted a 2026 schedule when I checked on 10 November 2026.
How much does a house cost in Vaughan going into 2027?
The median detached house in Vaughan sold for $1,415,000 from January to October 2026, down 5.0% from the same months of 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. The median condo apartment sold for $530,000, down 10.9%. These are city-wide medians, so individual streets in Kleinburg, Maple or Woodbridge can differ widely.
Sources
- Vaughan Economic Development: Market opportunities (Christmas Village listing)
- Canada’s Wonderland: WinterFest
- Kortright Centre for Conservation: Magical Christmas Forest
- Child’s Life: Vaughan Santafest Parade 2026
- Village Market at the Toronto Waldorf School
- City of Markham: The Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show
- Markham Home for the Holidays: Tickets
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.