Massive new holiday festival taking over Toronto's waterfront this month

A waterfront holiday celebration arrives in Toronto this month as HarbourFrost, formerly known as WinterFest, brings an impressive lineup of attractions to Harbourfront Centre starting this month.

The outdoor festival features everything from a curated vendor market and festive train ride to theatre showcases and live performances at one of the city's most popular landmarks, kicking off with the tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 20.

Light Up the Night: Tree Lighting Ceremony is a free event where guests can watch Harbourfront Centre light up its 33-foot pine tree. Opening night will also feature live performances by Toronto gospel and R&B choir Inkloosiv Voices, stilt entertainers from Hala Circus Arts, and fire and aerial acts by Illuminair Entertainment.

The month-long open-air holiday celebration also brings back The Redpath Express. Guests can hop aboard the classic train for a tour of the winter wonderland and take in the dazzling light displays scattered throughout the attraction.

For those looking to tick loved ones off their Christmas lists, Frostbite Lane is calling your name. The marketplace offers a mix of seasonal finds with a vintage market feel and is open to the public every day.

Visitors can also catch special performances throughout the festival, including The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir, The Caribbean Christmas Mixtape, and acts by Illuminair Entertainment. Specially curated shows include Sleeping Beauty: A Merry Magical Pantomime, along with musical performances by local singers Noah Malcolm and Jade Hilton.

The event will culminate with Under the Winter Sky, a song, dance, and storytelling performance that pays homage to Indigenous culture.

Each show runs on specific dates and times, with a complete list of attractions and details available on Harbourfront Centre’s website.

HarbourFrost runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20, Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. The tree-lighting ceremony takes place on Nov. 20 at 6:45 p.m.