Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My top five holiday markets in Markham and Richmond Hill for 2026 are Markham Home for the Holidays (20–22 November), Richmond Hill’s free Merry Marketplace (five Saturdays from 14 November), the Heintzman House craft show (14–15 November), Barkham (28–29 November) and Olde Tyme Christmas in Unionville (12 December).
This guide is for families in Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill who want local holiday shopping and festive outings this season. You get my five picks for 2026–27, each checked against the organizer’s or city’s own page, with dates, prices and tips, plus what each one tells you about the area around it.
What are the best holiday markets in Markham and Richmond Hill for 2026?
My five picks are Markham Home for the Holidays, Richmond Hill’s Merry Marketplace, the Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show, Barkham: The Holiday Experience and Olde Tyme Christmas in Unionville. Each has a 2026 date on an official page I read on 10 November 2026. Together they cover a big ticketed fair, a free weekly outdoor market, a small heritage craft show, a dog-friendly vendor weekend and an evening on a historic main street.
| Market | 2026 dates | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show | 14–15 Nov | 135 Bay Thorn Dr, Thornhill (Markham) | $5; 12 and under free |
| Merry Marketplace | Saturdays 14, 21, 28 Nov and 5, 12 Dec | Richmond Green Park, Richmond Hill | Free |
| Markham Home for the Holidays | 20–22 Nov | Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Rd | $14 adult at the door |
| Barkham: The Holiday Experience | 28–29 Nov | Markham Fairgrounds | Ticketed |
| Olde Tyme Christmas, Unionville | Sat 12 Dec | Main Street Unionville | Free |
Source: Markham Home for the Holidays, City of Richmond Hill, City of Markham and Unionville BIA pages, plus the Child’s Life event guide, checked 10 November 2026. Confirm hours before you go.
1. Markham Home for the Holidays
What it offers
This is the big one. Now in its 39th year, Markham Home for the Holidays fills three exhibition buildings at the Markham Fairgrounds with more than 130 exhibitors. Exhibitor categories on the show’s site include apparel, art, candles, ceramics, food, furniture, home decor, jewellery, pottery and woodworking, and the show’s Victorian carollers add to the old-fashioned feel.
Practical notes
- Dates and hours: Friday 20 November, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday 21 November, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 22 November, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Admission at the door (cash only): adults $14, seniors $12, youth $3, children 12 and under free.
- Advance early-shopping tickets (adult $12.50, senior $10.50) let you in up to an hour before general admission.
- Address: 10801 McCowan Road, about 7 km north of Highway 407.
What it means for buyers and renters
The fairgrounds sit about 7 km north of Highway 407, on the city’s northern edge. The drive is a reminder that Markham still has open land at its edges, which matters if you are weighing a newer subdivision on the north side against an established neighbourhood further south.
2. Merry Marketplace, Richmond Hill
What it offers
Run by the City of Richmond Hill, the Merry Marketplace turns Richmond Green Park into an outdoor holiday village with lights, local artisans, seasonal food, a fire pit and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each Saturday has a theme, starting with Grinchmas on 14 November. The Artists’ Co-op Richmond Hill runs a holiday art gallery and shop inside the historic Boynton House, with live artist demonstrations.
Practical notes
- Dates: Saturdays 14, 21 and 28 November and 5 and 12 December 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Cost: free admission; vendors charge for purchases. There is no ATM on site.
- Pets are welcome on the park grounds but not in the food and drink area. The event runs rain, snow or shine.
- Workshops take place in Agricultural Building #2, and spots are limited.
Which Saturday should you pick?
Each week has its own family contest, so choose the one your kids will enjoy most: an ugliest Christmas sweater contest on 14 November, a hunt for giant snowflakes on 21 November, a search for Pengi the penguin on 28 November, a fastest gingerbread house race on 5 December and a hunt for Santa’s nine reindeer on 12 December. Letters to Santa are collected until 8 p.m. on 5 December.
What it means for buyers and renters
A free, weekly city-run event is a good sign of how a municipality invests in community life. If you are weighing a move to Richmond Hill, my guide to the best Richmond Hill neighbourhoods for 2027 covers the main areas and what they cost.
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3. Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show
What it offers
The 54th annual Heintzman House show brings more than 40 artisans across all three floors of a historic house in Thornhill. The City of Markham listing mentions ceramics, jewellery, knits, holiday decor, children’s items, woodwork, natural body care and honey, plus a café.
Practical notes
- Dates and hours: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Admission: $5 at the door, children 12 and under free. Cash and card accepted.
- Address: 135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill.
What it means for buyers and renters
Thornhill is split between Markham and Vaughan, which affects your property tax bill and city services. If you are shopping for a home there, check which side of the line a listing sits on before you compare prices.
4. Barkham: The Holiday Experience
What it offers
Barkham is a holiday weekend built for dog owners and their families. The City of Markham listing promises more than 60 holiday vendors, photos with Santa, live music, a holiday costume contest, gift wrapping, a family fun zone, art classes and adoptable dogs with the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre, which receives 10% of ticket sales.
Practical notes
- Dates and hours: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road.
- Tickets are sold by the organizer, the Markham Dog Alliance.
What it means for buyers and renters
If you have a dog, events like this show you which communities are pet friendly. When you view condos or townhouses, ask about pet rules, nearby parks and off-leash areas, because these vary a lot from building to building.
5. Olde Tyme Christmas in Unionville
What it offers
This one is a main-street evening rather than a vendor market. The Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade returns to Main Street Unionville in 2026 after a pause in 2025 during the street’s restoration. Visitors can browse the village shops before the parade, and the Varley Art Gallery offers a free drop-in holiday art activity from 5 to 8 p.m.
Practical notes
- Date and time: Saturday, 12 December 2026, parade from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Cost: free.
- Arrive early to shop and find parking; check the Unionville BIA page for directions and closures.
What it means for buyers and renters
In my view, historic Unionville is one of the most sought-after addresses in Markham, and the newly restored Main Street adds to that appeal. My guide to buying and selling in Unionville explains what to check there.
What else is on in Markham and Richmond Hill?
- Markham Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, 28 November 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., along Main Street Markham between Highway 7 East and 16th Avenue. This is the 52nd annual parade. My Markham Village guide covers homes along this stretch.
- Cornell Tree Lighting: Friday, 4 December 2026, 6:30 p.m., in The Mews Park, Cornell. Free.
- Winter Extravaganza: Saturday, 28 November 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ebenezer United Church, 5000 Steeles Ave East, with vendor tables and a tea room. Free.
Shop Heintzman House and Home for the Holidays in mid-November for handmade gifts, then save a December Saturday for the Merry Marketplace when the lights are at their best. If you are thinking about a move, Markham Village on parade day and Unionville on candlelight night show you both main streets at their busiest, so go back on an ordinary weekday too.
What do homes cost in Markham and Richmond Hill going into 2027?
The two cities sit side by side, and their prices are close. Here are the city-wide medians for the first ten months of 2026.
| Home type | Markham median, Jan–Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Richmond Hill median, Jan–Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,420,000 | -6.5% | $1,485,000 | -8.9% |
| Semi-detached | $1,025,000 | -12.2% | $1,051,000 | -7.7% |
| Freehold townhouse | $999,990 | -10.9% | $1,040,000 | -9.4% |
| Condo townhouse | $750,000 | -9.1% | $690,000 | -15.6% |
| Condo apartment | $558,000 | -13.2% | $529,250 | -8.8% |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. City of Markham and City of Richmond Hill, all communities combined. Medians, not forecasts.
Detached sales rose more than 10% in both cities even as prices fell, which tells me buyers have come back but are negotiating. My Markham and Richmond Hill housing market outlook and how much a house is worth in Markham go deeper.
Markham Home for the Holidays takes cash only at the door, and the Merry Marketplace has no ATM on site, so bring cash. Most of the Merry Marketplace is outdoors in the evening, so dress for the cold and check the city page for weather updates.
What to do next
- Put 14–15 November (Heintzman House) and 20–22 November (Home for the Holidays) in your calendar now.
- Pick one Merry Marketplace Saturday based on the weekly theme that suits your family.
- Buy advance tickets for Home for the Holidays if you want the early shopping hour.
- If you are planning a move, compare Markham and Richmond Hill side by side and drive both at rush hour.
- 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
When is Markham Home for the Holidays in 2026?
Markham Home for the Holidays runs Friday, 20 November to Sunday, 22 November 2026 at the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It is the show’s 39th year, with more than 130 exhibitors in three buildings.
How much is admission to Markham Home for the Holidays 2026?
Admission at the door for Markham Home for the Holidays 2026 is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $3 for youth, and children 12 and under get in free. The door is cash only. Advance early-shopping tickets cost $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for seniors and let you in up to an hour before general admission.
When is the Richmond Hill Merry Marketplace in 2026?
The Richmond Hill Merry Marketplace runs on five Saturdays in 2026: 14, 21 and 28 November and 5 and 12 December, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Richmond Green Park. Each week has a theme, starting with Grinchmas on 14 November. Santa visits every Saturday, and the event runs rain, snow or shine.
Is the Richmond Hill Merry Marketplace free?
Yes. Admission to the Richmond Hill Merry Marketplace at Richmond Green Park is free in 2026, according to the City of Richmond Hill. You pay only for what you buy from vendors. There is no ATM on site, so bring cash or cards, and the city collects non-perishable food donations at the information booth.
Is there a Christmas market in Unionville in 2026?
Unionville’s main holiday event in 2026 is the Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade on Saturday, 12 December, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street Unionville. It returns after a pause in 2025 during the Main Street restoration. It is a parade and shopping evening rather than a vendor market, and it is free.
When is the Markham Santa Claus Parade in 2026?
The 52nd Markham Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, 28 November 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It runs along Main Street Markham between Highway 7 East and 16th Avenue, starting at Highway 7, according to the City of Markham. The parade is free; arrive early for a good viewing spot.
Is there a dog-friendly holiday market in Markham?
Yes. Barkham: The Holiday Experience runs 28 and 29 November 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Markham Fairgrounds. It welcomes dogs and families and lists more than 60 holiday vendors, photos with Santa and adoptable dogs. Ten percent of ticket sales go to the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre.
What are the best things to do for Christmas in Markham in 2026?
The best Christmas outings in Markham for 2026 are Markham Home for the Holidays (20 to 22 November), the Markham Santa Claus Parade (28 November), Barkham (28 and 29 November), the Cornell Tree Lighting (4 December) and Olde Tyme Christmas in Unionville (12 December). The Heintzman House craft show in Thornhill runs 14 and 15 November.
How much does a house cost in Markham and Richmond Hill going into 2027?
From January to October 2026, the median detached house sold for $1,420,000 in Markham and $1,485,000 in Richmond Hill, down 6.5% and 8.9% from the same period of 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Median condo apartments sold for $558,000 in Markham and $529,250 in Richmond Hill.
Sources
- Markham Home for the Holidays: Tickets and hours
- City of Richmond Hill: Merry Marketplace
- City of Markham: The Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show
- City of Markham: Barkham, The Holiday Experience
- Unionville BIA: Events
- Child’s Life: Olde Tyme Christmas, Unionville Candle Light Parade
- City of Markham: Markham Santa Claus Parade
- City of Markham: Cornell Tree Lighting
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.