Canada does Christmas well — historic cities decked in lights, European-style markets, ski resorts with snow guaranteed, and cozy cabin getaways. Whether you want a city break with markets or a snowy lodge Christmas, this guide covers the best Christmas destinations in Canada, with where to stay and what to do.
When to Plan a Christmas Trip
Christmas travel runs from mid-December through early January. Markets open from mid-November in the big cities; hotel rates peak over the Christmas and New Year weeks. For the broader December picture, see Canada in December and best places to visit in Canada in December.
Best Christmas Destinations
Quebec City
Quebec City is Canada's most European Christmas — Old Quebec's cobblestones, a German-style market, and the Château Frontenac lit up. See our Quebec City hotel recommendations and Canadian Christmas market destinations.
Montreal
Montreal pairs Christmas markets with French-Canadian food and Old Montreal lights. See Montreal hotel recommendations.
Toronto
Toronto has the Distillery District Christmas market and Cavalcade of Lights. See Toronto hotel recommendations.
Banff and the Rockies
Banff offers a guaranteed-white Christmas with skiing, the Banff Springs hotel and mountain lights. See Banff hotel recommendations.
Vancouver
Vancouver is the mild option — a city Christmas with a chance of snow in the mountains nearby. See Vancouver hotel recommendations.
The North
Yellowknife and Whitehorse offer a true northern Christmas with northern lights — see best places to see northern lights in winter.
Find hotels, vacation rentals, activities and car rentals for Canada.
Christmas Trips by Type
- Markets and lights: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto — see Canadian Christmas market destinations.
- White Christmas and skiing: Banff, Whistler, Mont-Tremblant — see best ski resorts in Canada and our Mont-Tremblant vacations guide.
- Cabins and lodges: See best winter cabins and lodges and best cabins in Quebec.
- Romance: See romantic winter getaways.
- Family: See best family winter vacations in Canada.
Where to Stay
Christmas is peak season, so book early. For destination picks, see our hotel guides for Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Banff and Vancouver, and the best Christmas getaways in Canada guide.
How to Choose
Choose Quebec City for the most European Christmas, Toronto and Montreal for big-city markets, Banff for a snowy mountain Christmas, Vancouver for a mild city break, and the North for northern lights. For the full winter picture, see our winter getaways in Canada planner, and for the rest of the year, our spring vacations, summer lake holidays and fall foliage trips planners.
