Holiday Hills Returns to STACKT market With The Sleigh Ground, a New 13,000-Square-Foot Winter Playground
Toronto's free winter festival brings holiday nostalgia to life with festive games, family adventures, seasonal flavours and small business shopping.
TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2026 /CNW/ -- Holiday Hills returns to STACKT market for its seventh season, November 13 through January 3, with free admission and more than 300,000 visitors expected. Anchoring this year's festival is The Sleigh Ground, a 13,000-square-foot winter playground on the market's west side. Bringing together the Merry Midway, clubhouse and Santa's Landing, it celebrates play and nostalgia through carnival-inspired games, family adventures and festive food and drink, all with the charm of a holiday movie set.
Across the site, visitors can discover pop-up treasures from The Original Santa Claus Parade and a newly expanded yurt bar, reimagined as a Mexican-inspired speakeasy cantina.
Holiday Hills celebrates local culture and traditions while connecting shoppers with over 250 makers, entrepreneurs and small businesses across storefronts, pop-ups and vendor markets. At the heart of the marketplace, the Fireside Courtyard – A Shop Small® Experience by Amex Canada invites visitors to gather, unwind and celebrate the season, with weekly community celebration days featuring live acoustic music and complimentary hot chocolate.
New This Season:
The Sleigh Ground - A Holiday-Movie Playground, Brought to Life
STACKT's west side becomes 13,000 square feet of festive play, bringing together larger-than-life characters, carnival classics and places to gather:
- Santa's Landing: Get up close to 12-foot-tall characters from The Original Santa Claus Parade, bringing a beloved city tradition into a brand new setting. Always-on games, weekend Santa visits and children's programming make this a destination for family adventures.
- The Merry Midway: Try your luck at festive twists on classic carnival games, win prizes and discover seasonal food and drink including a personalized boutique hot chocolate bar.
- All Day Play in the clubhouse: Head inside for darts, pool and themed game nights, with opportunities to meet fellow players over cult classic games.
Free live entertainment every week, festive workshops and community programming keep the experience changing throughout the season. A new All You Can Play Pass brings play across the zone together for one price with special experiences every week.
Casa Abuela: A Speakeasy With Cantina Spirit
The famous Holiday Hills yurt returns, twice the size. For the first time in the festival's seven-year history, a double yurt experience on the South Lawn becomes a Mexican-inspired speakeasy cantina. Step into Casa Abuela, by El Jimador, for neighbourhood warmth, Mexico City-inspired atmosphere and creatively crafted cocktails celebrating Mexican holiday traditions.
More Reasons to Make Holiday Hills a Tradition:
- Meet Under the Mistletoe: Find someone special beneath one of the world's largest ornamental mistletoe at the main gates for a festive kiss and a holiday photo.
- Follow the Lights: Walk through the Tunnel of Lights, framing the CN Tower, then explore The Wonder Woods, where art installations meet giant Holiday characters.
- Discover a Gift With a Story: Shop more than 250 small businesses throughout the season, with rotating pop-ups, marketplace favourites and curated weekend vendor markets hosted by Kreate Market and Barkada Market.
- Gather in the Fireside Courtyard – A Shop Small® Experience sponsored by Amex Canada: Warm up in a heated gathering space at the heart of the marketplace. Weekly community celebration days on Wednesdays bring live local entertainment, plus complimentary hot chocolate.
- Come Back for Something New: Plan a date night, catch a movie, join a game night or make Sunday a family tradition with children's activities and performances. New experiences arrive weekly, including exclusive activations from brands like Kahlúa and Blue Mountain. The full programming calendar will be announced on November 5.
"We wanted to create the kind of holiday place you come back to, with your family, your friends or someone special," said Jessica Lynch, Vice President at STACKT. "A place to play, discover a small business and make a tradition of your own. That's how we bring the season to life while supporting the people and businesses that give our city its character."
Key Festival Details:
- Where: STACKT market, 28 Bathurst Street, Toronto
- When: Friday, November 13 to Sunday, January 3 (closed Mondays)
- Admission: FREE
- Full Festival Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 4PM-11PM. Saturdays and Sundays from 12PM-11PM.
For more information, visit https://stacktmarket.com/holiday-hills/, or follow on Instagram @stacktmarket. Subscribe to STACKT's newsletter for exclusive prizes and drops.
ABOUT STACKT
STACKT creates award-winning and innovative ecosystems that drive a new way of thinking. From large-scale public spaces to satellite pop-ups, STACKT designs concepts that provide inspiration, opportunity and connection. The community is made up of innovators, entrepreneurs, creators, collaborators, and consumers alike. STACKT's award-winning Toronto flagship, STACKT market, animates 102,000 square feet with art, retail, events and public space. The dynamic space shifts alongside the brands and experiences within it. More than a market, STACKT is a SPACE FOR US.
SOURCE STACKT
For media inquiries, please contact: Megan Virkar | Marketing Manager, STACKT | [email protected] | 416-689-2905
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