Cadillac Fairview Brings Interactive Holiday Magic and Cherished Traditions to Ontario Shopping Centres

From Canada's Tallest Indoor Christmas Tree with Custom Tree Designs to Holiday Hotline Calls and Visits with Santa, CF Shopping Centres Invite Families and Friends to Celebrate the Season Together

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- Cadillac Fairview (CF) is thrilled to announce its 2026 holiday programming across its retail centres in Ontario, transforming CF Toronto Eaton Centre, CF Sherway Gardens, CF Fairview Mall, CF Markville, CF Shops at Don Mills, CF Masonville Place and CF Rideau Centre into festive destinations. Beginning this month, CF will bring the magic of the season as the holidays really are better in real life where guests come together to enjoy awe-inspiring décor, tree light shows, interactive experiences, Santa visits, and festive shopping.

"The most memorable moments of the season are the ones we share together, the excitement of a child meeting Santa for the first time, finding the perfect gift, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere with family and friends," said Andrea Nickel, Senior Director, Experience, Design & Delivery at Cadillac Fairview. "Our holiday programming reflects our commitment to creating welcoming spaces where Canadians can gather and celebrate in ways that feel meaningful to them."

Festive Highlights at CF Shopping Centres in Ontario

Holiday Tree Lighting & Daily Snow Shows at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Beginning November 12)

On Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m., CF Toronto Eaton Centre invites the community to gather in the atrium for a special celebration marking the 10th year of its iconic holiday tree. The event features an immersive pre-show and tree-lighting experience that spans multiple levels above the stage to illuminate Canada's tallest indoor holiday tree standing at a showstopping 114 feet. Presented in partnership with Capital One Canada, visitors can also experience light and snow shows at the programmable LED tree every hour on the hour from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mondays through Saturdays) and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Sundays) through Sunday, January 3.

Santa Visits: A Cherished Tradition (Beginning November 13)

Santa returns to select CF shopping centres from Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 23. CF Insiders receive early ticket access starting Monday, November 2, with general public online booking opening Tuesday, November 3. This year, guests will step inside Santa's Mailroom, a brand-new North Pole set for their visit and photo with Santa and it also features an exterior holiday themed photo opp area where visitors can take their own photo and kids can write and leave their letters to Santa. Pre-booked five-minute sessions cost $17.50 and include five digital photos, with an option to add a physical 4" x 6" print for $10 at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, CF Sherway Gardens, and CF Fairview Mall.

• Exclusive LEGO® Surprises: The LEGO Group will host weekend takeovers at CF Toronto Eaton Centre featuring "Build and Take Home a LEGO Holiday Ornament" activities for LEGO Insiders members (Friday–Sunday), alongside special LEGO minibuild giveaways at CF Markville, CF Fairview Mall, and CF Sherway Gardens.
• Sweet Treats by Purdys Chocolatier: Guests booking Santa visits at CF Sherway Gardens will enjoy complimentary premium chocolate tastings and weekend giveaway surprises courtesy of Purdys Chocolatier. To make the season even sweeter, Purdys Chocolatier will also be offering a complimentary treat after every Santa visit at other participating properties across Ontario.
• Sensitive Santa: Hosted in partnership with the Autism Alliance of Canada, Sensitive Santa sessions will offer a quieter, lower-sensory environment for children with sensory needs.

Walk-up visits will be available on-site as schedule permits. Reservations can be made at shops.cadillacfairview.com.

Holiday Visits with Santa at CF Rideau Centre & CF Shops at Don Mills (Beginning November 13)

CF Rideau Centre will offer a modified Santa experience featuring a multi-backdrop decor installation for special photo opportunities. Visits with Santa run Thursdays to Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended daily hours from Monday, December 21 to Wednesday, December 23. Tickets are $5 per pre-booked session, with 100% of proceeds donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa. CF Brand Ambassadors will be available during the Santa experience (Thursdays to Sundays) to take guests' photos with their personal devices.

Guests and their pets visiting CF Shops at Don Mills can visit Santa inside a cozy geodome igloo on select dates from December 3 to 23 (weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; weekends from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

Weekend Strolls with Mrs. Claus at CF Sherway Gardens (Beginning November 14)

Mrs. Claus will roam select centres on weekends from Saturday, November 14 to Sunday, December 20, between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Accompanied by CF Brand Ambassadors, she will meet and greet families, hand out candy canes, and share special retailer perks.

In addition to her weekend strolls, Mrs. Claus will host an exclusive, interactive storytime experience at Indigo (2nd Level). During this intimate hour, children can hear enchanting tales about life at the North Pole, ask their favorite holiday questions during a live Q&A, and enjoy a holiday book reading.

Storytime Event Details:

• Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, November 14 to December 13
• Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Indigo (2nd Level), CF Sherway Gardens
• Admission: Free; RSVP required (spaces are limited)

For more information or to reserve a spot for the Indigo storytime experience, visit ticketscene.ca/series/1758/.

New & Interactive Holiday Experiences

Interactive Tree Designer Experience at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Beginning November 12)

From Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, January 3, visitors to CF Toronto Eaton Centre can become part of the display. Located on Level 3 (in front of Sephora), guests can use an innovative CF Tree Designer console daily from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to customize colours and animations, then pull a magic lever to launch their very own, unique light show on the 114-foot tree.

Holiday Hotline at CF Sherway Gardens (Beginning November 13)

From Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 23, families visiting CF Sherway Gardens can step into a retro phone booth with a direct line to the North Pole to receive a special message from Santa, Mrs. Claus, or the Head Elf. The magical installation serves as an interactive way to share their wish list, complete with a special printed photo to take home.

Discover Holiday Gift Inspiration with CF

Shop the Gift Guide (Beginning November 16)

Launching Monday, November 16 ahead of Black Friday, CF's digital Shop the Gift guide curates top holiday picks across seven easy-to-browse categories: Home Décor & Festive Touches, Jewellery & Sparkle, Stocking Stuffers, Fashion & Accessories, Toys for All Ages, Games & Family Fun, and In-Property Experiences. Shoppers can explore their local centre's guide at shops.cadillacfairview.com.

CF SHOP! card® Perks & Promotions (November 19)

The CF SHOP! card offers a convenient gifting option available at Guest Services, online at cfshopcard.ca, or at self-serve kiosks located across major CF properties including CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto-Dominion Centre and CF Rideau Centre.

Ahead of Black Friday on Thursday, November 19, guests who purchase $250 in CF SHOP! cards in person at Guest Services will receive a $25 promotional bonus card (up to a maximum of $200 in bonus cards per person, while supplies last).

Holiday Window Displays & Pop-Up Shop by Walmart Canada (CF Toronto Eaton Centre)

Walmart Canada is bringing festive cheer to the north side of Queen Street with curated holiday window displays along 2 Queen Street West from November 5 to November 27. Guests can admire the winter wonderland windows showcasing seasonal décor and gift inspiration. Additionally, from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily), shoppers can step inside the complimentary Walmart Canada Holiday Shop pop-up to discover the season's top holiday collections and most coveted toys for 2026. The experience is open to all visitors with no reservations required.

A Season of Giving & Community Support

The Salvation Army's Toy Mountain Campaign (Beginning Late November)

Continuing a long-standing tradition of community support, CF Toronto Eaton Centre, CF Fairview Mall, CF Markville and CF Masonville Place are partnering with The Salvation Army for the annual Toy Mountain campaign. Dedicated donation bins will be placed throughout each property starting mid-November, inviting shoppers to drop off new, unwrapped toys to help bring the joy of the holiday season to local children and families in need.

18th Annual Toronto Firefighters Toy Drive at CF Shops at Don Mills (December 10)

On Thursday, December 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., CF Shops at Don Mills will host the 18th Annual Toronto Firefighters Toy Drive. The festive evening features an outdoor market, live entertainment, real firetrucks, and an $8,000 corporate donation from CF to Toronto Firefighters Charities.

Extended Holiday Hours 

To give shoppers extra time to make the most of the season, CF shopping centres are offering extended operational hours, with tailored schedules varying by property to best serve local communities. For complete holiday shopping hours, event schedules, booking details, and centre-specific programming, visit  shops.cadillacfairview.com.

About Cadillac Fairview

Cadillac Fairview (CF) is one of the largest owners, operators, investors and developers of best-in-class office, retail, multi-family residential, industrial and mixed-use properties in Canada. Wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, with assets under management of $26 billion, CF manages a portfolio of landmark properties across Canada.

Driven by its purpose of Transforming Communities for a Vibrant Tomorrow, CF is continually striving to make a positive impact in communities where it operates. Visit cadillacfairview.com for more information.

SOURCE Cadillac Fairview

Media Contact: Alanna Cobb, Manager, External Communications, [email protected]