Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My top five holiday picks in Scarborough for 2026–27 are the Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace (14 and 15 November 2026), Glow in the Wild lantern walks at the zoo (until 3 January 2027), Scarborough Town Centre’s holiday program, Merry Malvern (date to be announced) and local community craft sales. Scarborough has no weeks-long outdoor Christmas market.
This guide is for Scarborough families, renters and buyers who want holiday shopping and Christmas outings close to home this season. You will get my five best bets for 2026–27, with the dates that are confirmed, last year’s dates where this year’s are not out yet, and what each spot says about the part of Scarborough around it.
Where can you find a Christmas market in Scarborough?
Here is the honest answer first: Scarborough does not have a big, weeks-long outdoor Christmas market like the Distillery Winter Village downtown. Its holiday shopping happens in a different way, through a two-day artisan market at the Toronto Zoo, community markets at malls and recreation centres, and one very large indoor shopping centre.
Timing matters more here than downtown. Scarborough’s markets cluster in mid to late November and early December, and most last one or two days. If you wait until the week before Christmas, your main options will be the malls and the zoo’s evening lantern walk.
So my list mixes true markets with market-style holiday outings. I checked every organizer’s page on 10 November 2026. Where a 2026 date was posted, I give it. Where it was not, I say so and give last year’s date as a guide only. The order is my own judgement, not an official ranking.
1. Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace
What it offers
This is Scarborough’s clearest holiday market for 2026. The Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace runs for two days only, Saturday, 14 November and Sunday, 15 November 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last admission is 3:30 p.m.
The market is held in the zoo’s Special Events Centre in the Discovery Zone, close to the front entrance, with vendors both inside and outside. The zoo describes local artisans, processors and producers, plus festive décor, photo spots and food and drink. The vendor list it published includes small-batch bakers, a ceramics maker and a condiment brand.
Practical notes
- Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd.
- Cost: free with regular zoo admission, so you pay the normal gate price to get in.
- Tip: because it is only one weekend and it comes early, it suits people who like to finish gift shopping before December.
What it means for buyers and renters
The zoo sits in the Rouge area at Scarborough’s eastern edge. Families who buy in Malvern, Rouge or Highland Creek tend to use it all year, not just for one market. If that is your target area, my guide to the best Scarborough neighbourhoods for families in 2027 compares them.
2. Glow in the Wild at the Toronto Zoo
What it offers
Glow in the Wild is not a market, but it is my pick for a holiday-season evening out in Scarborough this year. It is an evening walk through the zoo past more than 2,000 handcrafted lantern displays, on a route of about 1.5 kilometres through the Americas, Australasia and Core Woods areas.
It runs until 3 January 2027, mostly Thursday to Sunday, with extra dates over the December holidays. It does not operate on 24 or 25 December. The zoo’s holiday page lists entry times from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and closing time is one hour after the last entry.
Practical notes
- Tickets: separate from daytime zoo admission, sold by date and entry time. The zoo recommends buying ahead, especially in December.
- Parking: not included; regular zoo parking rates apply.
- Dress for it: the whole route is outdoors and on foot.
3. Scarborough Town Centre at the holidays
What it offers
For most Scarborough households, the real holiday shopping trip is Scarborough Town Centre at 300 Borough Dr. It is a mall, not a market, but it runs a full holiday program: Planet Santa, a holiday tree, pet photo nights with Santa and a large hot-air-balloon photo display.
The centre has posted extended holiday hours from 28 November to 23 December 2026: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Planet Santa visits are booked online through the centre’s site, so check prices and time slots there before you go.
What it means for buyers and renters
Scarborough Town Centre sits in Bendale, part of TRREB district E09, at the heart of the Scarborough City Centre condo cluster. For condo buyers there, a major mall within walking distance is a real everyday convenience. It also means busy roads and parking lots in December, so test the drive at peak times before you buy.
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4. Merry Malvern at Malvern Town Centre
What it offers
Merry Malvern is a community holiday event at Malvern Town Centre in northeast Scarborough. Last year it ran on Saturday, 6 December 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a Scarborough Farmers’ Market holiday market of local vendors and a toy drive for the Toronto Auxiliary Police.
A 2026 date had not been posted when I checked. Treat last year’s date as a guide only and watch the local ward office’s community updates for this year’s details.
What it means for buyers and renters
Events like this show you a neighbourhood’s community side, which listing photos never do. Malvern sits in district E11, where detached homes had a lower median price than in most of Scarborough this year. For first-time buyers who want a freehold home in Toronto, it is worth a serious look.
5. Community craft sales and bazaars
What they offer
Much of Scarborough’s handmade holiday shopping happens at small, volunteer-run sales. These are one-day or two-day events, often in November, and they rarely post dates far ahead.
- West Rouge Holiday Artisan Market: the West Rouge Sports and Recreation Association held its 2026 market on Sunday, 8 November, so this one has already passed. Look for it again next November.
- Art Guild of Scarborough fall show and sale: last year it ran on 8 and 9 November 2025 at Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
- Birkdale Seniors Christmas Bazaar: last year it ran on Saturday, 22 November 2025 at 1299 Ellesmere Rd. A 2026 date was not posted when I checked.
What they mean for buyers and renters
These sales are small, but they tell you something useful: active seniors’ clubs, art guilds and community associations. If you are buying a home to stay in for years, that local fabric matters as much as a big-name event.
Scarborough’s holiday picks at a glance
| Pick | Where | 2026–27 date | Cost | Market or outing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace | 2000 Meadowvale Rd. | 14 and 15 Nov 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free with zoo admission | Market |
| Glow in the Wild | Toronto Zoo | Until 3 Jan 2027, mostly Thu to Sun | Separate ticket | Evening outing |
| Scarborough Town Centre | 300 Borough Dr. | Holiday hours 28 Nov to 23 Dec | Free to visit; Santa photos extra | Shopping |
| Merry Malvern | Malvern Town Centre | To be announced (6 Dec in 2025) | Check organizer | Market |
| Community craft sales | Ellesmere Rd. and West Rouge | Mostly November; check each | Varies | Market |
Source: Toronto Zoo, Scarborough Town Centre, WRSRA and organizer pages, checked 10 November 2026; 2025 dates from the organizers’ 2025 notices and listings.
What do homes cost near Scarborough’s holiday spots?
Here is how Scarborough’s eight TRREB districts compare this year. These are district-wide medians, not prices for any one street.
| District | Example communities | Detached median | Condo apartment median |
|---|---|---|---|
| E04 | Wexford-Maryvale, Dorset Park | $870,000 (−8.9%) | $415,786 (−15.0%) |
| E05 | L’Amoreaux, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan | $1,148,250 (−4.2%) | $510,000 (−7.1%) |
| E06 | Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Oakridge | $955,000 (−10.7%) | $569,500 (−0.3%) |
| E07 | Agincourt, Milliken | $1,003,000 (−8.8%) | $450,000 (−13.8%) |
| E08 | Guildwood, Cliffcrest | $938,750 (−12.7%) | $440,000 (−17.0%) |
| E09 | Bendale, Woburn | $866,500 (−7.8%) | $450,000 (−11.8%) |
| E10 | Highland Creek, West Hill | $1,025,000 (−6.2%) | $380,000 (−13.9%) |
| E11 | Malvern, Rouge | $910,000 (−13.9%) | $461,250 (−4.4%) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Median sold prices; change vs 2025 in brackets. Condo apartment sales were thin in some districts (E06 had 36, E10 had 21), so treat those medians with care.
Detached medians are lower than a year ago in every Scarborough district, and condo apartments fell further in most of them. For district-by-district detail, read my Scarborough housing market outlook for 2027, or see how much your Scarborough house is worth.
Do not judge Scarborough by its lack of one giant Christmas market. Its holiday life is spread across the zoo, the malls and dozens of community rooms, and that suits families who would rather drive ten minutes than fight downtown crowds. If you are deciding between Scarborough and a pricier area, spend a December weekend here first. Lower prices plus real community life is a good combination, and right now buyers have more room to negotiate than they did two years ago.
Small community markets often change dates, move rooms or sell out free tickets. Before you drive across Scarborough, check the organizer’s own page or social channel on the day. For Glow in the Wild, buy tickets only through the Toronto Zoo’s official site.
What to do next
- Put the Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace (14 and 15 November) in your calendar now, since it is the earliest pick on this list.
- Book Glow in the Wild for a weeknight in early December to avoid the busiest holiday dates.
- Check for the 2026 Merry Malvern date in late November.
- If you rent in Scarborough and are thinking of buying, compare your rent with my Scarborough rent guide for 2027 and the price table above.
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 Scarborough in 2026?
Yes. The Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace runs on Saturday, 14 November and Sunday, 15 November 2026 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2000 Meadowvale Rd. in Scarborough. It is free with regular zoo admission. Scarborough does not have a weeks-long outdoor Christmas market like the Distillery Winter Village downtown.
When is the Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace 2026?
The Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace is on Saturday, 14 November and Sunday, 15 November 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3:30 p.m. It is held in the Special Events Centre in the zoo’s Discovery Zone, near the front entrance, with vendors indoors and outdoors. Entry is included with regular zoo admission.
How long does Glow in the Wild at the Toronto Zoo run?
Glow in the Wild at the Toronto Zoo runs until 3 January 2027, mostly Thursday to Sunday, with extra dates during the December holidays. It is closed on 24 and 25 December. The evening walk passes more than 2,000 lantern displays on a route of about 1.5 kilometres, and it needs its own ticket.
What are things to do for Christmas in Scarborough?
Top Christmas things to do in Scarborough for 2026 include the Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace (14 and 15 November), Glow in the Wild lantern walks at the zoo until 3 January 2027, Planet Santa at Scarborough Town Centre, and community events such as Merry Malvern, which ran on 6 December last year.
What are Scarborough Town Centre’s holiday hours in 2026?
Scarborough Town Centre’s extended holiday hours run from 28 November to 23 December 2026. The mall is open 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Its holiday program includes Planet Santa, a holiday tree and pet photo nights with Santa. Check the centre’s site for Christmas Eve hours.
When is Merry Malvern 2026?
A 2026 date for Merry Malvern had not been posted as of 10 November 2026. Last year the community holiday event ran on Saturday, 6 December 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Malvern Town Centre in Scarborough, with local vendors and a toy drive. Watch the local ward office’s updates for this year’s date.
Are there free holiday events in Scarborough?
Yes, a few. Visiting Scarborough Town Centre’s holiday tree and displays in 2026 costs nothing, although Planet Santa photos are extra. The Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace on 14 and 15 November 2026 has no extra charge once you have paid regular zoo admission. For community bazaars, check each organizer’s page for entry details.
Where is the closest big Christmas market to Scarborough?
The closest large, weeks-long Christmas market to Scarborough is the Distillery Winter Village in downtown Toronto, which runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 at 55 Mill St. Entry is free before 4 p.m. daily and ticketed on busy evenings, from $16 plus HST. Inside Scarborough, the biggest market this season is the two-day Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace.
Is Scarborough a good place to buy a house in 2027?
For many buyers, yes. Scarborough’s detached median prices for January to October 2026 ranged from about $866,500 in E09 to $1,148,250 in E05, all lower than a year earlier, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. That gives buyers more choice and negotiating room, but check commute times and the specific street before you commit.
Sources
- Toronto Zoo: Holiday Marketplace 2026
- Toronto Zoo: Glow in the Wild
- Toronto Zoo: Holiday events and hours
- Scarborough Town Centre: Holidays at STC
- Merry Malvern 2025: vendor lineup and event details
- West Rouge Sports and Recreation Association: Holiday Artisan Market
- To Do Canada: Christmas markets and craft fairs in Toronto (2025 listings)
- The Distillery Winter Village: 2026 dates and ticket rules
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.