The holiday season has officially arrived in Toronto with the Eaton Centre's annual lighting of its massive 108 feet tall Christmas tree.

Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule to light up the tree in the mall. Photo by Fareen Karim.

This year, there was no public tree lighting event due to concerns abour crowding. Instead, media got to capture the tree lighting on Thursday evening before it's unveiled to the public.

The Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre is all lit up for the holidays 🎄 - 📹 @FareenKarim #Toronto #EatonCentre #Christmas #ChristmasTree pic.twitter.com/57yxZqq3zZ

— blogTO (@blogTO) November 19, 2021

Without the giant crowds the event was a bit underwhelming with just Santa present being hyped for the special moment.

The Eaton Centre Christmas tree is shining bright. Photo by Fareen Karim.

However, the tree is still a magnificent sight to see and a true sign that the holidays have arrived.

The Distillery District is looking as festive as ever for the holidays. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

The Eaton Centre wasn't the only tree lightning ceremony on Thursday evening. 

Catching the tree lighting ceremony at the Distillery Winter Village 🎄 - 📹 @hectoravasquez #Toronto #DistilleryDistrict #DistilleryWinterVillage #Christmas pic.twitter.com/iXMR8eJ0bq

— blogTO (@blogTO) November 19, 2021

The Distillery Winter Village opened to the public and huge crowds gathered to watch John Tory countdown and light up their equally as spectacular tree. 

The holiday season in Toronto is in full force. Photo by Fareen Karim.

The Distillery Winter Village and the Eaton Centre Christmas tree are a true sign that the holiday season has arrived and are must-visits this Christmas time.