toronto lineups

The 10 worst lineups you'll face in Toronto this holiday season

The worst lineups you'll face in Toronto this holiday season naturally centre around shopping and travel. While the horror of Black Friday is fading, there's still the mad rush on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day to get through. Luckily, most of us are feeling pretty cheery at this time of the year, so why complain if you have to wait a little while?

Here's where I think you'll face the worst lineups in Toronto this holiday season.

Toronto Christmas Market
The Toronto Christmas Market gets so busy that organizers introduced a new fast pass option - you can skip the line at the entrance for $20.

Balzacs (Distillery District)
This is still the most popular coffee shop in the Distillery District and it fills up pretty quickly when the Christmas Market's on. Visitors need their coffee and eggnog-cold brew beverages.

Fashion Santa
Fashion Santa might've been replaced by a different male model, but if last year was any indication, people will still wait around to take a selfie with this year's imposter at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Pearson on the busiest travel day of the year
The check-in and security lines at Pearson are usually jam-packed on the Friday before Christmas - this year, that's December 23.

The LCBO
The LCBO is packed before all major holidays but it's going to be especially busy before Christmas and New Years because no one wants to run out of booze during the festive season.

The skating Rink at Nathan Phillips Square
Most of Toronto's outdoor skating rinks open today, including the one at Nathan Phillips Square. Though you may have to wait if you want to rent skates and go for a spin, especially during winter vacation when school's out.

The parking lot at Yorkdale
Yorkdale was a shopping destination even before its expansion. It now boasts Uniqlo, Nordstrom and a standalone Canada Goose store, which means you'll have to wait in your car and fight for a while before you see a spot. Save yourself the grief and subway in.

Boxing Day outside of Sporting Life
I dare you to try to get into Sporting Life on Yonge Street on Boxing Day. The lineup curls around the block before the crack of dawn and it's pretty intimidating - but if you wait, you might score quite the deal on new winter clothes.

Sweet Jesus
Sure, you might have to wait in line to get into midnight mass, but this house of worship is a tad bit sweeter. While those queuing can still get ice cream, they're probably looking for epic hot chocolate and other hot beverages.

Movie theatres
Those of us who don't spend December 25 unwrapping presents usually head to the movies. There are usually some awesome new releases out as well as lengthy lineups for tickets, seats and snacks.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


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