New winter festival bringing a giant 200-foot light tunnel to Ontario mall

A new holiday festival is joining Ontario's already extensive lineup of holiday-themed attractions. Hey, I'm not complaining!

WinterFest Hamilton 2026, brought to life by event production company Street Eats Market, is staking claim at Hamilton's Lime Ridge Mall starting later this month.

The winter attraction promises all the classic fixings of a beloved holiday market, including train rides, a 35-foot Yule tree, an artisan holiday market with over 50 vendors, a fire pit station for roasting marshmallows, and live performances.

While the full lineup of seasonal offerings is extensive (and impressive), one attraction that particularly stands out is WinterFest Hamilton's 200-foot light tunnel. Guests can stroll through the twinkling pathway, which also makes for the perfect backdrop for festive holiday photos.

WinterFest Hamilton 2026 is also offering local vendors the opportunity to set up booths for free. A recent vendor call on Instagram invites small businesses and artisans to showcase and sell their goods at the market, with no fee attached to participating.

Street Eats Market is taking a customer-first approach, encouraging vendors to simply collaborate and give "visitors a place to discover something unexpected, meet the person behind their purchase, and shop local this holiday season." 

Vendors can submit their applications directly through Street Eats Market's website.

WinterFest Hamilton 2026 runs on weekends from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20, between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Early bird tickets are $6.99 and are now available for purchase online.