Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My top five holiday markets in Oakville and Burlington for 2026 are the SV Christmas Market (5–6 December), The Atelier at Oakville Galleries (5–6 December), the Appleby College Holiday Market (28 November), the Holy Protection Christmas Market (21 November) and the Burlington Christmas Market, whose 2026 dates were not yet announced. Most are free.
This guide is for families and holiday shoppers in Oakville and Burlington, and for anyone in Halton weighing which side of the line to live on. You get my five picks for 2026–27, each checked against Visit Oakville or Discover Burlington, with dates, costs and what each one says about the area around it.
What are the best holiday markets in Oakville and Burlington for 2026?
My five picks are the SV Christmas Market, The Atelier craft fair at Oakville Galleries, the Appleby College Parents’ Association Holiday Market, the Burlington Christmas Market and the Holy Protection Christmas Market. Three are in Oakville and two in Burlington.
I left out the Kerr Village tree lighting and holiday market from the top five because I covered it, along with the Santa Claus parade, in my top events in Oakville guide. It is in the “what else is on” list below. One pick, the Burlington Christmas Market, had not posted its 2026 dates when I checked on 10 November 2026, so I show last year’s dates as a guide and label them clearly.
| Market | Dates | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Protection Christmas Market | Sat 21 Nov 2026 | Ukrainian Hall, 2077 Pine St, Burlington | Free |
| Appleby College Holiday Market | Sat 28 Nov 2026 | 540 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville | Free |
| SV Christmas Market | 5–6 Dec 2026 | 1280 Dundas St W, Oakville | Free |
| The Atelier: Craft Fair | 5–6 Dec 2026 | Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Rd E | Check listing |
| Burlington Christmas Market | 2026 dates to be announced (2025: 11–14 Dec) | 2030 Caroline St, Burlington (2025 site) | Free in 2025 |
Source: Visit Oakville and Discover Burlington (Tourism Burlington) event listings and blogs, checked 10 November 2026. Burlington Christmas Market details are from 2025 and are a guide only.
1. SV Christmas Market, Oakville
What it offers
Visit Oakville lists 80 local and regional vendors selling handmade crafts, art, gourmet treats and festive decor, with food on site at the Fireside Cafe. The first 50 visitors each get an entry into a prize draw.
Practical notes
- Dates and time: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: St. Volodymyr Event Centre, 1280 Dundas Street West.
- Cost: free admission and free on-site parking. The listing says the venue is reachable by Oakville Transit and is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
What it means for buyers and renters
Dundas Street is the main east-west road across north Oakville. A market with easy parking and transit access is the kind of practical amenity families notice once they move in. If you are comparing north and south Oakville, my Oakville home value guide shows how prices differ.
2. The Atelier: Craft Fair at Oakville Galleries
What it offers
Oakville Galleries hosts The Atelier, a holiday market of local and regional crafts, at its home in Gairloch Gardens. If you prefer a smaller, design-minded fair to a big hall full of vendors, this is the one to choose.
Practical notes
- Dates and hours: Saturday 5 December, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 6 December 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East.
- The listing does not give an entry price, so check with the gallery before you go.
What it means for buyers and renters
Gairloch Gardens sits on Lakeshore Road East in southeast Oakville. A walk through the gardens after the fair gives you a feel for the area. My guide to southeast Oakville’s lakefront estates explains what homes there cost.
3. Appleby College Parents’ Association Holiday Market
What it offers
This one-day community market brings vendors with contemporary gifts, sweet and savoury food, seasonal treats and drinks. Students perform holiday music, there are free holiday workshops, and families can go ice skating.
Practical notes
- Date and time: Saturday, 28 November 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Appleby College, 540 Lakeshore Road West.
- Cost: free and open to everyone.
- Skating: bring your own skates and helmets. Hockey sticks are not allowed.
What it means for buyers and renters
Appleby sits on Lakeshore Road West, and a school-run market like this is a relaxed way to see the west side of town. The same day, the Kerr Village tree lighting runs from 1 to 6 p.m., so you can easily combine the two.
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4. Burlington Christmas Market
What it offers
Discover Burlington describes the Burlington Christmas Market as a European-style market in the downtown core, with handmade gifts, seasonal food, live entertainment and string lights over the vendor stalls. It placed fourth on the tourism agency’s list of top December events in 2025.
Practical notes
- 2026 dates: to be announced. The organizer had not posted 2026 details when I checked.
- Last year as a guide: 11 to 14 December 2025, noon to 8 p.m. daily, at 2030 Caroline Street. Entry was free.
- Watch the organizer’s social media and Discover Burlington’s events calendar for this year’s dates.
What it means for buyers and renters
Downtown Burlington sits right on the lake, with Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier close by. For condo buyers, a market a short walk from home adds real lifestyle value. My guide to Burlington lakefront condos from Brant Street to Spencer Smith Park covers the buildings.
5. Holy Protection Christmas Market, Burlington
What it offers
Hosted at Burlington’s Ukrainian Hall, this one-day market features local vendors, holiday items and Ukrainian food. It is the earliest of my five and a good choice for a relaxed Saturday morning.
Practical notes
- Date and time: Saturday, 21 November 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: 2077 Pine Street, Burlington.
- Cost: free.
What it means for buyers and renters
Smaller markets run by community groups are a good way to meet neighbours, and the food is often the highlight. If you are new to Burlington, it is worth an hour, and the Discover Burlington listing links to the downtown business association’s event page, so it is easy to pair with a walk along the waterfront.
Can you get to these holiday markets without a car?
Partly. Discover Burlington points visitors to GO Transit for holiday trips into Burlington, notes that children 12 and under ride GO for free, and mentions the One Day Weekend pass as a way to save. From there, the downtown events, the waterfront and the Festival of Lights are within walking distance of each other.
In Oakville, the SV Christmas Market listing says the venue is reachable by Oakville Transit. For the other Oakville picks, check the transit trip planner before you go, because some sit on Lakeshore Road away from the GO line. Parking is free at the SV market; for the others, check parking details on each listing before you leave.
What else is on in Oakville and Burlington?
- Kerr Village Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market: Saturday, 28 November 2026, 1 to 6 p.m. in Westwood Park, 173 Kerr Street, Oakville, with the tree lit at 5:40 p.m.
- Aldershot Village Tree Lighting: Sunday, 22 November 2026, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 355 Plains Road East, Burlington, with live music, treats and local vendors. The tree is lit at 6 p.m.
- Burlington Festival of Lights: a free light display in Spencer Smith Park from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Winter Wonders at Royal Botanical Gardens: select evenings from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with timed tickets and entry from 5:30 p.m.
For one great Oakville Saturday, go to the Appleby market in the morning and the Kerr Village tree lighting in the afternoon on 28 November. In Burlington, pair the Christmas Market with an evening walk through the Festival of Lights. If you are deciding between the two towns, these outings show you each downtown at its liveliest, so go back on a quiet weekday as well.
What do homes cost in Oakville and Burlington going into 2027?
Many buyers in Halton weigh these two towns against each other, so here are the city-wide medians side by side.
| Home type | Oakville median, Jan–Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Burlington median, Jan–Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,625,000 | -3.0% | $1,249,750 | 0.0% |
| Semi-detached | $985,000 | -13.2% | $885,000 | -3.3% |
| Freehold townhouse | $1,005,000 | -7.8% | $860,000 | -6.7% |
| Condo townhouse | $712,500 | -4.3% | $691,000 | -7.1% |
| Condo apartment | $528,000 | -6.0% | $529,950 | -4.9% |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Town of Oakville and City of Burlington, all communities combined. Medians, not forecasts.
Burlington’s detached median held flat while Oakville’s dipped slightly, and a typical detached home in Burlington still costs about $375,000 less. Condo apartments cost about the same in both. Burlington condo apartments took 52 days on average to sell, so buyers there have time to negotiate. My Oakville vs Burlington comparison for 2027 goes deeper.
Do not rely on older articles for the Burlington Christmas Market: its 2026 dates were not announced when I checked. For the Atelier fair, the listing gives no entry price. Check the official page the day before you go, and dress warmly for the outdoor events.
What to do next
- Mark 21 November (Holy Protection), 28 November (Appleby and Kerr Village) and 5–6 December (SV and The Atelier) in your calendar.
- Check Discover Burlington in late November for the Burlington Christmas Market dates.
- Book Winter Wonders timed tickets early if you want a weekend evening.
- If you are thinking about a move, drive both downtowns on a weekday evening, not only on event days.
- 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 Oakville in 2026?
Yes, several. The SV Christmas Market runs 5 and 6 December 2026 at 1280 Dundas Street West with 80 vendors and free entry. The Appleby College Holiday Market is on 28 November, the Kerr Village tree lighting and holiday market is also on 28 November, and The Atelier craft fair at Oakville Galleries runs 5 and 6 December.
When is the Burlington Christmas Market in 2026?
The Burlington Christmas Market had not announced its 2026 dates as of 10 November 2026. As a guide, the 2025 market ran 11 to 14 December, from noon to 8 p.m. daily, at 2030 Caroline Street in downtown Burlington, with free entry, according to Discover Burlington. Check its official channels for this year’s dates.
Is the SV Christmas Market in Oakville free?
Yes. The SV Christmas Market at the St. Volodymyr Event Centre, 1280 Dundas Street West, Oakville, has free admission and free on-site parking. It runs Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 80 vendors and food at the Fireside Cafe, according to Visit Oakville.
When is the Burlington Festival of Lights in 2026?
The Burlington Festival of Lights runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in Spencer Smith Park on the downtown waterfront, according to Discover Burlington. It is a free outdoor light display with illuminated pathways and festive installations, and it pairs well with dinner downtown and a waterfront walk.
When is the Kerr Village Christmas tree lighting in 2026?
The Kerr Village Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market is on Saturday, 28 November 2026, from 1 to 6 p.m. in Westwood Park, 173 Kerr Street, Oakville. The tree is lit at 5:40 p.m., according to Visit Oakville. The same morning, the Appleby College Holiday Market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are there free holiday markets in Burlington in 2026?
Yes. The Holy Protection Christmas Market at 2077 Pine Street is free on Saturday, 21 November 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Aldershot Village Tree Lighting on 22 November includes local vendors, and the Burlington Festival of Lights in Spencer Smith Park is free from 27 November to 3 January.
What is The Atelier craft fair at Oakville Galleries?
The Atelier is a holiday craft fair run by Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville. In 2026 it runs Saturday, 5 December, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 6 December, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring local and regional crafts. The Visit Oakville listing does not give an entry price.
What are the best things to do for Christmas in Oakville and Burlington?
For 2026, my picks are the Appleby College market and Kerr Village tree lighting on 28 November, the SV Christmas Market and The Atelier fair on 5 and 6 December, the Burlington Festival of Lights from 27 November, and Winter Wonders at Royal Botanical Gardens on select evenings from 26 November to 3 January.
How much does a house cost in Oakville vs Burlington going into 2027?
From January to October 2026, the median detached house sold for $1,625,000 in Oakville and $1,249,750 in Burlington, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Oakville’s median was down 3.0% from 2025, while Burlington’s was flat. Median condo apartments were close: $528,000 in Oakville and $529,950 in Burlington.
Sources
- Visit Oakville: SV Christmas Market 2026
- Visit Oakville: The Atelier, Craft Fair
- Visit Oakville: Appleby College Parents’ Association Holiday Market
- Visit Oakville: 2026 Kerr Village Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
- Discover Burlington: Holy Protection Christmas Market
- Discover Burlington: What’s up in December, top Burlington events (2025)
- Discover Burlington: Stay for the Sparkle, your 2026 holiday weekend in Burlington
- Discover Burlington: 2026 Aldershot Village 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.