Soaking up the Christmas Spirit on the Last Evening of the Toronto's Christmas Market

Last Night of  the Toronto Christmas Market, 2016

A visit to the Toronto Christmas Market is becoming a part of our Christmas tradition in Toronto.

Various crafts and homemade stuff were on sale at the market

However, with all the busy preparations we have to do and a few dinners we have been invited, we did not have time to visit the market until last night - the very last day of the market.

A Merry- go- round for the kids

We were hoping that E. would come and join us at this event. Unfortunately, he has so much to do that he could not make it. I really don't understand the American way of holiday for their employees.

Visitors enjoyed free performance throughout the day

E. told us that he would be home for the holiday, yet when he is home, the company still expects him to be working from home.

With the cell phone, internet and email technology, companies can reach their employees and executives 24/7 any day of the year. From what I have observed, when can a senior employee/ executive have a real quiet and relaxing time free from their daily task in our modern society when they can be reached any time of the day.


It was too bad that E. couldn't join us but we drove down to the Distillery District  by ourselves.

It was a 40 minute wait for us to get inside

It was not too bad finding a parking spot. Wow! There was a huge lineup with people waiting to get into the market, all the way around the block!

We were here before and we never saw such a line up in the previous years.


We joined the crowd, lined up patiently and waited in the cold for more than 40 minutes before we reached the gate. We found out the reason for this long wait - security!

Security was beefed up at the entrance

Instead of having the entrance wide open like it was before, this year, the front entrance gates were closed to the public with security cruisers parked in front of the gates to deter/ prevent any possible violent attacks against the visitors inside the market.







There was only the one side gate opened with the market staff allowing only two or three visitors going in at a time. Security precaution was the reason for holding up the line.

It was sad to see the recent attack in Berlin's Christmas Market having a direct impact on the security procedures in our Toronto Christmas market. But this is the reality of life in our current situation.

Torontonians came out in droves to the market

We are a global village interconnected to each others in the world whether we like it or not. Whatever happens in one country has a ripple effect on the other.

We were glad to see that our Toronto Christmas spirit has not been dampened by other world tragic events.

Torontonians were out in droves on this last night of the Toronto's Christmas Market, strolling around on the cobbled stone covered streets, visiting the various stalls, enjoying the food and activities, and themselves.






There were many photo ops places set up for pictures and selfies.

One of the many photo ops spots at the 2016 Toronto Christmas Market

Visitors to the market also loved the numerous stalls selling different new creative and delicious food enticing them to try their creations.

People were willing to wait for new creative food served at the market

There were long line ups everywhere for these creative food!

At one particular food stall, customers placed their orders, paid in full and were told to come back an hour later to get their food!














Surprisingly, many were willing to do just that!

We ordered our herbal tea, relaxed, and soaked  up the festive atmosphere.

We sang along with the carolers

We, along with many others, sang along with the carolers.

Who could resist freshly home made style bake goods?

We could not resist the aroma coming out from the bakery, and lined up for the delicious home bake goods and pastries.

A great evening out at the market during this festive season.

 It was a fantastic night out to enjoy the Christmas season!
















We will be back again for the 2017 Toronto Christmas Market,
 if God's willing!

R.T.
Toronto Christmas Market
Distillery District