New 13,000-square-foot outdoor winter playground opens in Toronto this month

STACKT Market's annual Holiday Hills is returning this November with a playful twist: a 13,000-square-foot, seasonally themed playground that will anchor the attraction's seventh edition in Toronto.

While Holiday Hills traditionally brings a vendor market, tunnel of lights, and outdoor movie nights to North America's largest shipping container marketplace, this year's new offerings mark a significant upgrade to the beloved festive experience.

Officially named The Sleigh Ground, the playground will feature three distinct areas: Santa's Landing, The Merry Midway, and All Day Play.

Santa's Landing lets guests get up close and personal with larger-than-life — 12-foot-tall, to be exact — characters from The Original Santa Claus Parade, and even meet Santa Claus on select dates.

And The Merry Midway? It's exactly what it sounds like: a festive collection of carnival games and food, where visitors will have the chance to snag cool prizes if they win! Adding to the fun is All Day Play, an attraction at the clubhouse where visitors can challenge friends to darts, pool, and other activities, offering another way to enjoy the market beyond its holiday festivities.

The 2026 Holiday Hills experience also brings back its famed yurt, but with a bit of a facelift. A double-yurt experience is taking over the South Lawn, transforming into Casa Abuela, a Mexican speakeasy cantina where visitors can cozy up with their favourite cocktail and soak in the festive atmosphere.

This year, Holiday Hills gives Toronto residents plenty of reasons to come for the traditional holiday fixings and stay for the new additions.

STACKT Market's Holiday Hills returns from Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, 2027. The event is free to attend, with festival hours running Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 11 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.