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24+ Interesting Things to Do in Toronto’s Historic Distillery District

Your Guide to Toronto’s Distillery District

The Distillery District is an architectural treasure and a top destination for arts, culture and entertainment. What began as the Gooderham and Worts Distillery is now a National Historic Site of Canada. The area is a unique pocket of Victorian-era industrial architecture surrounded by a city of concrete and glass. It’s the world’s largest preserved collection of it, in fact. As you explore the romantically European cobblestone streets you’ll be transported back in time… But now that the area is populated by artists and their studios, its also been transformed into a hub for forward-thinking art and design – all while preserving its historic character. And the best part: no cars allowed, just like the olden days!

If you love art, specialty stores, and outdoor markets, check out Toronto’s other most pedestrian friendly neighbourhood: Kensington Market ! You might like to see what’s going on over at artsy  Trinity Bellwoods too…

In fact, all of Toronto is buzzing with Incredible Things to Do in Toronto this Summer .

1. Settle in for a delicious meal

The area’s got a few delicious restaurants. They’ll serve you dinner amongst stone walls and steel beams, mixing their historic setting with contemporary cuisine. Out of all of them, these ones are real stand-outs.

Cluny Bistro

When you mention the Distillery District to someone from Toronto they’ll often tell you: make sure you go to Cluny Bistro. This spacious French Bistro with dazzling decor is a destination in itself. Whether you’re there for brunch, lunch or dinner, their seafood options – such as the tuna tartar – are simply mouthwatering. Make sure to book a reservation and skip the line! website

This place brings together fine dining and Mexican cuisine . Plus, El Catrin has a lot to offer: some of the best tacos in the city, a huge heated patio that lets you can eat outdoors year round , 120 types of tequila and mescal, as well as a giant indoor mural painted by some of Mexico’s best artists. website

What has long been a sushi place has now reimagined itself as a noodle bar , and we’re excited! The rebrand just opened on May 31st, 2018, so it’s a fresh new spot with lots of charm. Stop by for some delightful ramen , izakaya bites, and a great selection of creative Japanese-inspired cocktails. website

2. Browse the local art galleries

One thing you’ll notice when you’re in the Distillery District: the place is run by artists. As a result, there’s naturally a wide selection of galleries that showcase both local and international art.

Arta Gallery

Visit Arta Gallery to see a regularly-changing array of contemporary art exhibitions, from both their artists in residence and other international figures. Seeking to bring art closer to the public’s daily life, Arta is a fully functional event space and provides art consultations for those wishing to add to their collections. website

Corkin Gallery

This gallery has a focus on contemporary photography and abstract visual art , and has a vast collection of vintage photographs . Their exhibitions swing between looking to future and back at the past, making the gallery dynamic, unpredictable and worth coming back to time after time. website

Thompson Landry Gallery

The only gallery in Toronto specializing in Quebec artists , ranging from contemporary painters and sculptors to a collection of work by old Quebec masters . Exposed brick and limestone walls make for a striking background to their exhibits. website

3. Sample the fruits of today’s alcohol production

While it’s days as the largest distillery in the British Empire are over, there are a couple spaces in the Distillery District that are still leaders in the game of alcohol production, carrying on its tradition. And lucky for you, these are products you can try on your next visit to the area.

Mill Street Brew Pub + Beer Hall

What is now their Distillery District brewpub began as the headquarters for this brewing big-shot. After starting off in 2002 by making Ontario’s first organic beer , they still make many of their seasonal brews right in the heart of this historic neighbourhood. Come in, sip some pints and have a meal right next to the fermentation action.  website

Another Ontario front runner, this sake brewery brings Japanese methods and recipes to eastern North America for the first time. You can go and sample the locally brewed sake right at their Distillery District factory in the retail store, or pick up some bottles to take home. website

Spirit of York

And naturally, true to its roots, there’s a distillery in the District . Spirit of York make premium spirits using state-of-the-art, hand crafted copper stills. Take a tour of their tasting room , see the production behind a glass wall, smell the botanicals used in their gin and, of course, try the finished products in their cocktail lounge. website

4. If it’s winter, gift shop at the Christmas Market

From mid-November until Christmas the Toronto Christmas Market takes over and transforms the Distillery District into a winter wonderland . And there’s so much to do! The market is packed with vendors and craftsmen selling artisanal goods that make perfect gifts, as well as lots of tasty treats . Pick up anything from soap, to fleece sweaters, to holiday souvenirs. You can also have your photo (or your pet’s!) taken with Santa, sip mulled wine by the fire in an outdoor beer garden or head over to the main stage for musical performances every night of the week. website

5. Check out some specialty stores

The owners of the Distillery District turned it from a collection of derelict buildings into the creatively charged and inspiring destination it is today. To keep this spirit in the streets, they won’t rent space to large corporations and franchises, so you can be sure all the stores are locally owned and operated, or at least have a stand-out ethos.

A charming boutique for women’s clothing, bags and accessories , Hoi Bo’s products are smart, sustainable, and functional, not to mention stylish. Everything is crafted with care and intention. Plus, their bags and pouches are completely unique ; made of waxed cotton or even washable, treated paper, they’re unlike anything we’ve seen before. website

DECIEM – The Abnormal Beauty Company

Though it’s now a global enterprise, this Toronto-based beauty company is an umbrella for several game changing brands. Their mission is this: transparency and integrity . They’ll tell you exactly what they put in their products, and why, so you’ll know you’re getting something that simply works. website

Antique Stores

A step in another direction: get lost amongst the found treasures of Blackbird Vintage Finds and unearth some souvenirs of the past. The store’s owner has quite the obsession with antiques , which is pretty fitting in an area that’s antique itself.  website

Check out GW General for another adventure in vintage items and curiosities, it’s packed to the brim with just that! From beautiful to plain weird… the variety is endless. Best of all, they have lots of antique furniture , and even do custom designs. This is a stop you won’t want to miss. website

Bergo is another store that you can poke around in for a while, but instead of looking to the past, it’s a journey through contemporary design . They have lots of unconventional home goods , decorations and watches that make perfect gifts for the special people in your life. website

6. Visit the artists at Artscape Distillery Studios

These studios were one of the first tenants as part of the new wave of community-building in the Distillery District. Infusing the area with vibrancy, the building is home to dozens of artists and creatives who work in all kinds of mediums. There, you can check out the studio-galleries of artists like B arbara Wybou , who makes delightful, hand carved woodblock prints, or Susan Card and her ceramics project Dish Gallery + Studio , as well as illustration based  mehoi , which sells charming goods from pins to greeting cards. It also houses the studios of numerous dance and theatre companies who’s performances you can see in venues around the city, or even online in the case of Expect Theatre ‘s podcasting-based project, PlayME , which brings Canadian theatre right to your earbuds. 

7. Savour the day at a cafe

There’s so much to do in the Distillery District, but luckily there’s some cafes around to fuel you up and keep you going. Take a load off your feet and have a pause at one of these delightful coffee shops.

Balzac’s

Part of a small chain of locally owned cafes, Balzac’s Coffee Roasters is a Toronto favourite . Their Distillery District coffee shop brings all the vintage charm you’d expect from a Parisian cafe to the 1895 Pump House, making it the perfect place to get cozy and watch people go by on the cobblestone streets. website

Not only is it a charming multi-roaster cafe with Australian influence, Arvo is also a florist . They sell succulents, floral arrangements and pretty things of the sort. They also source seasonal coffee , among other drinks, from around the globe, and prepare it using espresso, drip or specialty pourover techniques. website

8. Experience Toronto’s performing arts scene

Not just Artscape, but the whole area is a hub for the performing arts. Stop by for some live action excitement, whether its theatre or beyond!

Young Centre for the Performing Arts

The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is home to both the George Brown Theatre School and Toronto’s famed independent , not-for-profit theatre company: Soulpepper . Catch their shows and ones from visiting artists to laugh, cry, feel and be inspired at this energetic venue. website

Ernest Balmer Studio

This studio space is used in collaboration by Nightwood Theater , a feminist theatre company working out of the Distillery District with shows around the city, and  Tapestry Opera , a contemporary opera company. This year they’re partnering with  Luminato Festival for a production of Tables Turned and with Pride Toronto for Tap This! A Queerated Opera Series. shows

Dancemakers

To watch some multidisciplinary and innovative dance performances by local and international artists check out Dancemakers. They’re committed to pushing forward the field of contemporary dance through residencies, performances and workshops, including projects such as the Flowchart performance series. website

9. Interact with the public art installations

At the moment, there are two massive and striking sculptures on display in the Distillery District’s streets.  Dennis Oppenheim’s “Still Dancing” is a twisted and colourful depiction of the area’s past as a distillery (if you want it to be) located at the intersection of Distillery Lane and Trinity Street. Meanwhile, Michael Christian’s “I.T.” looks over the neighbourhood with an alien stare from it’s post on Gristmill Lane. A common theme in the area’s installations is love ; a red heart even acts as a gateway to the district off Parliament Street. There is also a much photographed steel sign spelling out “LOVE” on Tank House Lane is covered in locks left there by lovers visiting from around the world, and maybe you?

If you’re a big fan of public sculpture head over to the neighbouring West Don Lands Area, less than a 5 minute walk away, to see it’s streets saturated in public works  such as Mark di Suvero’s iconic “No Shoes” as well as bouncy and playful yet incisive group work “The Water Guardians.”

10. Nibble on some sweet treats

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re in luck! There’s a fair share of deliciously sweet eats on offer in the area. Savour some as you walk the streets, or maybe bring them back for someone you think is sweet, too.

Soma Chocolatemaker

Think you know chocolate? This factory store in the heart of the Distillery District might teach you a thing or two. They’re sure to spice up your chocolate experience , even if it takes trying the spiced mayan drinking chocolate, hot pink raspberry bar or their citrusy caramels.  website

Greg’s Ice Cream

Torontonians will tell you, Greg’s homemade ice cream is some of the best in the city. Picture yourself sitting on a bench in the Distillery District on a warm summer night… The moment’s not complete without one of their cones in hand! What fun, unique flavour will you pick?  facebook

Brick Street Bakery

Cookies, pastries, tarts and danishes… the smell of warm sugar and organic flour wafts through this bakery . It’s the perfect place to stop by while visiting the Christmas Market for a hot chocolate and Christmas pudding, or for lunch any time of year. They have the best BLTs in the city , served on homemade bread. website

11. Discover the surrounding neighbourhoods

The Distillery District is at the heart of Old Toronto, so if you wander past its perimeter there is so much more to see.

If you walk west from Mill St. and Gristmill Lane along David Crombie Park you’ll reach the St. Lawrence Market , full of fresh local produce, cheese, and artisans selling souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, and much more. While you’re there you have to try Toronto’s signature Peameal bacon sandwich. The market is also not far from the Gooderham Building , which is often referred to as Toronto’s Flatiron Building, but is actually named the son of William Gooderham, the founder of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery… yep that’s the distillery that is now the Distillery District. There are also a couple Performing Arts Centres in the area as well as popular brewpub  C’est What  and the majestic St. James Cathedral , an exemplary piece of Gothic Revival architecture.

In the other direction to the north you’ll discover Corktown, another historic district. There, you’ll find original 19th century British style row housing, the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Museum , commemorating and situated in the first free school in Toronto, and  St. Paul’s Basilica , the first Roman Catholic church in Toronto.

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Toronto, Ontario

Distillery district guided walking tour toronto (upto 8 people).

• Professional guide
• Local taxes

Distillery District Guided Walking Tour Toronto

Discover Toronto's historic Distillery District on a budget-friendly walking tour. Follow a knowledgeable guide as they lead you through the charming Victorian Industrial architecture and share fascinating stories and historical facts.

Tour Highlights:

Learn about the the world's largest distillery and observe the impressive Victorian Industrial architecture while hearing about the origins and evolution of this vibrant neighborhood.

With two departure times to choose from, you can easily select the tour time that best fits your schedule.

Tour Itinerary

Distillery district.

This walking tour of Toronto's Distillery District runs twice daily in the afternoon. Your local guide will provide fun facts and information about amazing Victorian Industrial architecture and its transformation into the modern-day Distillery District.

Distillery Historic District

Tour the Distillery District and learn abou the history of the area.

Pickup Information

Meeting Location: Distillery District , 11 Gristmill Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada

You will meet between the giant heart and Arvo Coffee Shop. Inside the Distillery District. Not on the side with the parking lot.

Dropoff Location: Distillery District , 11 Gristmill Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada

This tour ends at the same address as it begins

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience's start time.
• The amount paid will not be refunded if you cancel within 24 hours of the experience's start time.
• Changes made to the booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the experience will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are determined by the local time of the experience.
• Good weather is required for this experience. If the experience is canceled due to inclement weather, you will have the option to choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Other Information

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Service animals allowed
• Most travelers can participate
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Tour Exclusions

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IMPORTANT UPDATE

As of Oct 25, 2024, proof of COVID-19 vaccination with photo ID is required for restaurants and bars, casinos, concerts, theatres, cinemas, recreation and sporting facilities, festivals and more. Capacity limits for indoor and outdoor activities are based on maintaining a physical distance of 2m/6ft from others. Please follow all public health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Keeping workplaces, staff and guests safe is our destination's primary focus. Key public health measures are in place and we all share a responsibility to stay informed, be prepared, be flexible and follow health and safety guidelines.

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SPIRITS LIKE YOU'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

Spirit of york vodka, spirit of york gin, spirit of york whisky, spirit of york aquavit, a story with a beginning, a middle and no end in sight..

They say the spirit knows no bounds. That’s why the vision for Spirit of York was always a big, bold, aspirational, enduring goal – to craft some of the world’s most premium, best-tasting spirits. Toronto is a world-class city, deserving of world-class spirits. Capable of rivalling those made in any other major market or city. Spirit of York is that spirit. But premium spirits don’t happen by accident. They require a relentless tenacity & commitment to the never-ending process of crafting & refining our methods. It means never being satisfied with anything being less than it can be.

We invite you to experience the Spirit of York Distillery

Our spacious Tasting Lounge has a large centre Bar, surrounded by exposed brick with the original wooden beams and supports. It can accommodate up to 140 people for Black-Tie Gala Events, small relaxed family events, Off-site meetings, Birthday Celebrations, Wedding Receptions, Anniversary Parties, Seminars, or just a good old fashioned party, just for the fun of it.

Detour From The Ordinary

Enjoy a self-guided tour and try our Premium Spirits at the Tasting Bar.

3-Spirit Flight from $17

Saturday Guided Tours. Bookings open two weeks in advance.

Tour & Taste

Our Tasting Lounge: Savor our premium spirits, just as they should be.

Perfect Ambiance

The Heritage Tasting Room offers the ideal ambiance to savor the experience.

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Jameson Distillery On Tour

From dublin to toronto.

We’re bringing our award-winning distillery tour from Dublin’s Bow St. to Toronto’s Stackt Market!

The distillery pop up is housed inside a series of shipping containers travelling around the world, from NYC to Mumbai. We invite you to reserve our 30-minute three-part distillery tour or swing by for a smooth Jameson cocktail, live music, and sweet merch!

Open May 2nd through May 12th (closed Monday May 6th) at Stackt Market – 28 Bathurst St. Open to guests 19+.

THE BOW ST. EXPERIENCE

Replicating the very place Jameson was first distilled in 1780, the three-part fully immersive experience will take visitors on an unforgettable journey that explores our Irish whiskey’s legendary story, triple-distillation process, and signature smooth taste.

30-min tours run Tuesday to Sunday, but space is limited, so we recommend reserving ahead of time to secure your place. We also hold limited spots for walk-ins.

Reserve Your Free Tour Here

What to expect

Can’t commit to a timeslot? We get it. Limited availability will be held for walk-ins so stop by when you can (we’ll try our best to get you in), but if you miss the Bow St. Tour, you can still explore our other pop up installations – plus you might even catch a surprise performance!

Some of the fun will include:

• Fully immersive three-part distillery tour • Barrel building and charring with Master Cooper, Ger Buckley • Live music performances • Jameson pop up bars • Merch shop

LOCAL SOUNDS

In celebration and support of Toronto’s local music community, we’re giving a platform for musicians – from emerging artists to headlining acts – to perform.

Join us for a special performance and DJ set by Kevin Drew & Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene on opening night, Thursday May 2nd at 8:30 PM!

See Full Schedule Here

Stop By and Visit

The Jameson Distillery on Tour is open May 2nd through May 12th (closed Monday May 6th) at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.), open to guests 19+.

• Open: 12 – 11 PM
• Distillery Tours: 12 – 5 PM
• May 2 nd – 3 rd : 5:30 PM & 8 PM
• May 4 th – 5 th : 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM & 8 PM
• Cocktail Masterclasses: 12 PM ‘til late
• Live Music & Entertainment: See Full Schedule Here

Wondering where to find us next?

Visit a nearby neighbourhood bar, restaurant, or LCBO store to try more Jameson.

Full Schedule

Thursday May 2 nd

Friday May 3 rd

Saturday May 4 th

Sunday May 5 th

Tuesday May 7 th

Wednesday May 8 th

Thursday May 9 th

Friday May 10 th

Saturday May 11 th

Sunday May 12 th

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13 Boozy Distillery Tours In Ontario That Are Worthy Of A Road Trip

Drink your way through the province.🥃

Whiskey barrels at Wolfhead Distillery. Right: Craft cocktail at Dillon's Distillers.

You can sip your way through the province on whiskey, gin, rum, vodka and moonshine, among other liqueurs. Wine and beer tours get all the hype, but what about hopping around Ontario learning about the distilling process of various spirits?

Ontario has some fabulous craft spirits and these distilleries are worthy of a road trip. Add these distillery towns to your summer itinerary so you can enjoy trying a bunch of new drinks while learning something new. Plus, there are so many fun things to explore in these Ontario cities .

• Spirit of York Distillery Co. 

See on Instagram

Price: $10 per tasting flight

Address: 12 Trinity St., Toronto, ON

Why You Need To Go: The spacious tasting room is large enough to host events and is a fun atmosphere for drinks with friends. You can book a guided tour on Saturdays or just hit up the bar for a tasting. Choose from gin, vodka and whiskey options.

• Reid's Distillery 

Price: $45 tour and tasting 

Address: 32 Logan Ave., Toronto, ON

Why You Need To Go: If you're a fan of gin you should add this distillery to your list. Public tours take place Fridays and Saturdays, and each begins with a welcome gin and tonic to enjoy on the tour. You'll learn history and production details then have a sampling of gin and tonic pairing and finish off with a cocktail in the lounge. 

• J.P. Wiser's Distillery 

Price: $15 tastings, $20 distillery tour

Address: 2072 Riverside Dr. E., Windsor, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can transport yourself back to the roots of Canadian Whiskey at a distillery older than the country itself. It is the largest distillery in all of North America and has a picturesque tasting room overlooking the water.

• Kinsip House of Fine Spirits 

Price: $15 tasting experience

Address: 66 Gilead Rd., Bloomfield, ON

Why You Need To Go: This farm-based distillery is located in Prince Edward County , a perfect spot if you need a break from wine. They make quite the selection of dark and white spirits and liqueurs, as well as bitters. The tasting experience includes information about the distilling production along with a tasting and sample cocktail.

• Ogham Craft Spirits

Price: $30 for two people per tour 

Address: 767 Silver Seven Rd. Unit 23, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Made with 100% Ottawa Valley grains, you can try unique spirits including Irish Poitín. You can join them for a 45-minute tour Wednesday through Saturday, which includes a tasting flight. You can also stop by for a cocktail in their tasting room.

• Junction 56 Distillery 

Price: $10 guided tastings

Address: 45 Cambria St., Stratford, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can learn about the distilling process from grain to glass, then have a tasting of a variety of their spirits. In addition to their craft whiskey, gin and vodka they make a black raspberry gin and mint smoothie liqueur. Groups should call or email for a reservation.

• Dillon's Small Batch Distillers

Price: $10 tastings, $30 guided tour

Address: 4833 Tufford Rd., Beamsville, ON

Why You Need To Go: Gin, whiskey, vodka, bitters, they've got it all and you learn about the production of these spirits while touring the facility and finish off with a tasting of four liquor options. Enjoy a cocktail on tour and wander the garden when you're done. It's best to book ahead of time online.

• Dixon's Distilled Spirits

Price: $10 per tasting, $20 for tour with tasting

Address: 355 Elmira Rd. N. Unit 106, Guelph, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can walk through the distillery and learn the process of making gin, vodka and whiskey. They have over 15 spirits to choose from! Make sure to book ahead for a full tour which takes place on Saturdays.

• Wolfhead Distillery 

Price: $10 tastings, $15 distillery tours

Address: 7781 Howard Ave., Amherstburg, ON

Why You Need To Go: This craft distillery offers weekend tours but is also a full-service restaurant so you can enjoy a tasting flight of 4 to 8 spirits anytime the restaurant is open. Guided tours included a tasting of 5 spirits, both whiskey and vodka. They have a bunch of easy-drinking flavours and a spacious outdoor patio to enjoy.

• Limited Distilling

Price: $14.99+ per tour

Address: 14 Henegan Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Why You Need To Go: Sure you'll find classic gin and vodka, but there are so many fun liquors like jalapeno moonshine and lavender elderberry vodka, to choose from. They offer guided tours that include a tasting, and you can choose to sip on a cocktail in their cocktail bar or out on the patio. 

• North of 7 Distillery 

Price: Complimentary tastings

Address: 1733 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This Ottawa-based distillery creates a number of different whiskeys as well as rum, gin and vodka. While tours and classes are currently canceled you can always stop by during opening hours for a sample in their tasting room and shop the retail store.

• Top Shelf Distillers

Price: Free samples

Address: 14 Warren Cres., Perth, ON

Why You Need To Go: Anytime the storefront is open you can pop by for a tasting of any of the spirits, bitters, moonshines and dessert liquors. Feel free to ask the staff any questions about the drinks. While they do not offer their own tours, the odd Brew Donkey tour includes this distillery.

• Polonée Dstillery Inc.

Price: $10 for tour with tasting (currently postponed)

Address: 380 Vansickle Rd. Unit 450, St. Catharines, ON

Why You Need To Go: This Canadian distillery has Polish roots and makes spirits you won't often find made in Canada, such as Krupnik and Wiśniówka, as well as Limoncello. You'll find vodka and gin too. Tours and tastings are currently postponed but will eventually return.

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• Megan Johnson Ottawa Staff Writer Megan Johnson was an Ottawa Staff Writer for Narcity Canada. Prior to joining the Narcity team she founded Ottawa River Lifestyle, a blog to promote the Capital Region and small towns along the Ottawa River. In addition to writing about Canadian businesses, local events and outdoor adventures, Megan has created content for Canadian brands and tourism boards. She has her B.Sc. in Honours Biochemistry and has always enjoyed various forms of writing and travel.

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The 2024 Distillery Winter Village set to light up Toronto's holiday season Wednesday, November 13

Tickets now on sale

TORONTO , Oct. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - The Distillery Historic District is excited to announce the return of Toronto's favourite winter wonderland, The Distillery Winter Village presented by Christian Dior Parfums.

Running daily from Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025 , this internationally celebrated event invites visitors to embrace the timeless romance of the holidays, stroll the historic cobblestone streets under a canopy of lights, meet Santa and his Elves, and enjoy the glow of the breathtaking 55-foot-tall silver fir Christmas tree.

"The Distillery Winter Village has become a cherished part of Toronto's holiday season, attracting over 800,000 visitors annually," said Rik Ocvirk , Vice President of The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. "This year, we're especially proud to unveil a stunning 55-foot silver fir Christmas tree designed by Christian Dior Parfums, alongside new immersive experiences and festive photo ops, dozens of delicious food options and shopping vendors, and holiday décor as far as the eye can see. We're eager to welcome everyone to share in the joy this annual event brings to our city and visitors from around the world!"

The official grand opening of The 2024 Distillery Winter Village will take place on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m. when Santa flips the switch on the towering Christmas tree. All profits from ticket sales on opening night will go to three charity partners - The Anishnawbe Health Foundation , Soulpepper Theatre , and The Toronto Sta r Santa Claus Fund .

What's New for 2024

The Christian Dior Parfums Christmas Tree While the details won't be revealed until opening night, visitors can expect a dazzling display featuring Dior's signature style, evoking the spirit of the season. Last year's tree was inspired by the iconic Tuileries Gardens in Paris .

The Distillery's Aurora Borealis Step into a winter wonderland inspired by our iconic Northern Canadian vistas, featuring light projections over snow-capped mountains, trees, and a real two-person sleigh for the ultimate wintery photo op.

Indoor Santa's Village Located inside the Soulpepper Theatre Atrium, kids can meet Santa, warm up with hot chocolate, and grab a keepsake photo.

North Pole Post Children can write their letters to Santa and post them to the North Pole in a five-foot-tall British-style mailbox located beside Santa's Village.

A Taylor-Made Christmas With Taylor Swift's Toronto leg of the Eras Tour coinciding with the return of The Distillery Winter Village, visitors can participate in a 'Swiftie Holiday Hunt' to win specially-crafted friendship bracelets. For more festive cheer and Taylor-inspired fun, Taylor Swift -themed cookies and friendship bracelets will be available for purchase as well. This exclusive experience will only be available while Taylor is in town, running until November 24th .

Naughty or Nice Bar Keeping everyone warm and cozy this year, the 40'x45' Naughty or Nice Bar will be covered by a heated tent and offer festive cocktails like mulled wine and hot sangria and food vendors under holiday-themed décor. Come out to make "the list."

Holiday Photo Ops: Giant 10' family wreath, ice arches, vintage Santa's sleigh with reindeer, and so much more!

Festive Performances Join The McGregor Carollers as they perform traditional holiday favourites. Lyrics will be projected on the Spirit of York so everyone can sing along. And don't miss The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir (a singing sheep quartet performing in English and French) as they prance around the site Sunday afternoons bringing smiles to everyone's face.

Holiday Pet & Family Photography Visit the Pawpin' Clicks booth near Santa's Village to get professional photos of your beloved pet and family this holiday season. Advanced bookings and walk-ins available.

Please see the complete program guide to The 2024 Distillery Winter Village for more information, including details about the outdoor New Year's Eve bash.

Ticketing Information

Visitors can choose from four ticket tiers to best suit their needs, ranging from $15 - $39.50 (no increase from last year).

General Admission, Flex, Express and a Combo Ticket with Illuminarium.

Tickets are required Thursday to Sunday after 4:00 p.m. and daily from December 16 - 31 after 4:00 p.m. Any other time, entrance is free. Kids aged nine and under always enter for free.

Tickets are now on sale. Please see the ticketing page to learn more about the four tiers, when you require a ticket (and when you don't), and hours of operation at www.TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com .

Images and video from last year can be found in this Google Drive folder .

SOURCE The Distillery Historic District

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2024/21/c5182.html

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LVMH established Kendo to build and develop beauty brands into global powerhouses. Kendo’s portfolio includes Fenty Beauty by Rihanna , Fenty Skin, KVD Beauty, OLEHENRIKSEN, and Lip Lab. The name Kendo is a playful adaptation of the phrase “can do,” which speaks to its innovation, dedication to quality, and authentic storytelling. The brand has established its products in over 35 countries worldwide and continues to expand its presence in the beauty industry. Headquartered in San Francisco, Kendo is part of the world’s largest luxury group.

In an interview with Diana Peinado , General Manager and Vice President of Lip Lab, she highlighted the importance of location in Lip Lab’s expansion. “Our Queen Street West store has always had a strong following, and we saw the Distillery District as the next step in bringing our custom lipstick experience to a wider audience. It’s a place where people come to discover something new and spend time with friends.”

Lip Lab’s Distillery District location is the 13th store in its growing North American footprint. Toronto is the only city in Canada to have Lip Lab stores. The Queen Street store, originally ‘Bite Beauty’, was the first for the Toronto-founded brand when it opened in 2016.

A Growing Trend in Customized Beauty

Lip Lab is part of a growing trend in the beauty industry that prioritizes personalized products and experiences. Consumers today are looking for more than just convenience—they want experiences that feel unique to them, Peinado said. Lip Lab’s customizable offerings tap into this demand by providing a highly engaging and social shopping experience.

“Lip Lab is about creating memories as much as it is about creating lipstick,” said Peinado. “We focus on making the experience fun and collaborative. Our stores are designed to be welcoming spaces where groups of friends can come together to design their perfect shades.”

The new Distillery District store, located at 18 Gristmill Lane, offers all of Lip Lab’s signature services. Customers can choose from a wide range of pigments, finishes, and flavours, and have their products engraved for a personal touch. The boutique also features a ‘ready-to-wear’ collection, including lip primers, liners, and scrubs, allowing customers to build a complete lip care routine.

Lip Lab’s Unique Retail Strategy

As part of Kendo, Lip Lab is distinct in that it is the only physical retail concept within Kendo’s portfolio. Most of Kendo’s other products, including Fenty Beauty and Ole Henriksen, are distributed through other retailers like Sephora. However, Lip Lab stands out as a fully immersive, brick-and-mortar experience.

Peinado emphasized the importance of choosing the right locations for Lip Lab’s expansion. “We’re a small, handcrafted brand that doesn’t fit into every type of retail space,” she explained. “Our focus is on areas where people are looking for entertainment and memorable experiences, which is why lifestyle centres like the Distillery District are ideal for us.”

She emphasized that Lip Lab’s success is driven by its carefully curated store locations. “Our focus is on lifestyle centres and entertainment-driven locations. We’re not a traditional beauty retailer where customers come for replenishment. They come for the experience, to create something unique.” 

The Toronto market has proven to be a strong one for Lip Lab, with Peinado noting that both Toronto stores are performing well. “Our new store is getting great feedback, and customers are really enjoying the space and the experience,” she said. “It’s a beautiful store, and we’ve seen strong sales and customer satisfaction since opening.”

In Expansion Mode

Lip Lab’s expansion strategy is ambitious, with plans to open 15 new stores in 2025 across North America. By the end of next year, Lip Lab expects to operate 30 locations, doubling its current presence. The company is actively exploring opportunities for further growth, including potential expansion to other Canadian cities, though Peinado was unable to provide specific details about those plans at this time.

Lip Lab currently operates a growing network of stores across North America, offering its unique custom lipstick experience in several key cities. In addition to its two Toronto locations, Lip Lab has expanded to several major U.S. cities, including New York City (Soho and Upper East Side), Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville, Chicago, Scottsdale, Austin, Dallas (Knox Henderson), Washington, D.C. (The Wharf), Boston (Seaport), and Irvine. Additionally, Lip Lab also has a boutique in Napa, California, known for its wine and luxury tourism.

These locations, many situated in high-profile urban areas or lifestyle centres, reflect Lip Lab’s strategy of targeting social, interactive environments where customers seek more personalized, memorable experiences.

Sustainability and Customization

In addition to offering a unique beauty experience, Lip Lab is committed to sustainability. The company’s products are made with clean, vegan ingredients, and its lipsticks come in refillable packaging. Customers can bring their components back to the store to be refilled, reducing waste and promoting long-term use.

“Our custom lipstick service is inherently sustainable because it’s designed specifically for the customer, which means they’re less likely to waste products,” said Peinado. “We also make sure our packaging is eco-friendly, with refillable and recyclable components.”

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• Toronto’s Distillery District Attracts International Attention as a Model of Urban Regeneration and Retail Excellence [Interview]
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• Retail Photo Tour: Retail at The Distillery Historic District in Toronto and What’s to Come
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Add the Distillery District to Your Toronto Bus Tour Itinerary

For 2 decades the distillery district has been one of toronto’s most visited neighbourhoods. once neglected, this area now glistens with unique boutiques, quaint coffee spots, and a selection of the city’s finest culinary offerings..

Discover the timeless charm of Toronto’s Distillery District with our expert Tour Guides.  Our Distillery District events are curated for those who appreciate history, culture – and a little bit of shopping. Captivate your Toronto bus tour passengers with fascinating tales woven through the brick pathways and Victorian architecture of Toronto’s most storied neighborhoods.

Walking Tour Availability: 7 days a week ( click here to learn more about our tours ) Tastings Availability: Most Days depending on Distillery District event schedule Tour Price : starts at $21 + HST per person | Tastings start at $19 + HST per person

A Step Back in History

Our expert guides will lead your group through the heart of the distillery district., we’ll share stories of the world’s former largest distillery, the ingenuity of the district’s founders, and the spirited tales that echo off the aged brickwork., each corner of this historic area is a testament to the neighbourhood’s industrial heritage and its transformation into a vibrant cultural hub..

Seamless Group Experience

We understand the nuances of managing group tours. Our experiences are tailored to ensure comfort, engagement, and easy logistics for your guests. We prioritize easy accessibility, leisurely-paced walks, and point out some of the best spots to visit after the tour.

Connect with the Community

Our tours go beyond history; they’re an immersive experience that invites interaction with local artisans, glimpses into boutique galleries, and the opportunity to indulge in the culinary delights that pepper this neighborhood.

Elevate Your Toronto Bus Tour Itinerary

Join us and add an enriching historical chapter to your Toronto bus tour. Contact us now to schedule your Distillery District event and treat your guests to an unforgettable stroll through the bricks and businesses of Toronto’s iconic neighbourhood.

Learn about the food & drinks of the Distillery District

Read our blog post and get the full list of Distillery District restaurants & cafes!

A hair-raising walk in haunted Toronto

A National Historic Site and a completely intact Victorian industrial property with cobblestone streets, cupolaed buildings, nooks and alleyways, the Distillery District feels more like a Dickensian village. Dave LeBlanc/The Globe and Mail

An incredible fireball lit up the pre-dawn skies on Dec. 24, 1863. So forceful was the blast of the exploding boiler at the Gooderham and Worts distillery in Toronto’s east end, The Globe reported that not only were chunks of metal “thrown 50 yards away,” but also “stones, weighing from 50 to 100 pounds, were hurled high in the air.” Stones, it should be added, that had previously made up the building’s castle-like walls.

One “unfortunate man,” John Kingston, found “lying amidst the debris” was “so mangled, spattered and disfigured” that he was “scarcely recognizable.” When his wife and sister took their first look at the remains, “their wild shrieks of horror and grief, and their looks of agony and despair, were enough to make strong men weep.”

I am standing close to the spot in which Mr. Kingston met his end. Thankfully, I am comforted by many things: the lack of boilers that can explode, since Toronto’s Distillery District has not produced alcohol since 1990; unlike in 1863 there is an abundance of electric lighting; my much braver wife, Shauntelle, is at my side along with our fearless, ghost-sniffing half-Chihuahua Bella; and even if Mr. Kingston’s icy finger was to tickle the back of a living neck, there are 10 other people on The Haunted Walk that he can choose.

I will say that earlier, when our tour began, I had not been thinking of icy fingers reaching up from beyond the grave. Meeting at the Distillery’s main gates (55 Mill St.) on an abnormally warm October evening, the air ringing with the laughter of patio-diners and Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack , it was hard to get in the mood. Add to that the part of Sarah’s speech (our guide) about logistics, traffic and uneven pavement, and I was preparing for an absence of eidolism.

But the Distillery’s architecture has powers of its own.

A National Historic Site and a completely intact Victorian industrial property with cobblestone streets, cupolaed buildings, nooks and alleyways, it feels more like a Dickensian village – a village Jack the Ripper would have felt quite at home in. Built before the automobile, it has a human scale and an intimacy that, I believe, touches one’s soul in a different way than, say, a 1920s street, such as the Danforth (where I live), ever could. At night, and with ghost stories, it all combines to activate the reptilian part of the brain.

Especially when Sarah tells us about the swinging chandelier in the building that is now home to Balzac’s Coffee.

Dave LeBlanc's tour of Toronto's spooky Distillery District. Dave LeBlanc/The Globe and Mail

Dave LeBlanc's tour of Toronto's spooky Distillery District. Tour guide in cape. Dave LeBlanc/The Globe and Mail

Here, and in many of the other businesses, such as Brick Street Bakery, employees often feel they are being watched. Some have even reported witnessing a man in “old fashioned clothing” peering through the windows – especially in the early morning as they are preparing for their business day – as if he were supervising them. Many believe this to be the distraught spirit of James Worts (born 1792), the brother-in-law and business partner of William Gooderham, who died by suicide on the property in 1834 just weeks after his wife died during childbirth.

The chandelier, which Sarah tells us was seen by employees “violently swinging, Phantom of the Opera style” for more than 10 minutes may, however, have been pushed by a ghostly, still-unidentified woman who is sometimes seen on the staircase (or she helped Mr. Worts push it).

In Tank House Lane – so named because of the low-rise warehouse buildings where whisky was aged in tanks – our little group learns of the district’s resident poltergeist. Early tenant Mill Street Brewery, which arrived in 2002, would set up tents for private events (before the condominium towers arrived). During one such event, staff returned after a break to find all of the rented chairs stacked on top of one another. Further down the lane at Pure Spirits Oyster House, a staff member similarly found a tower of plates; thinking it was a practical joke, she reset them, properly, only to find a few minutes later that “the ghost” had stacked them vertically again.

There is also haunted furniture. Tenants, when they move in, are encouraged to select historical items – whether an old pump or a piece of cabinetry – from the collection of odds and ends that were left behind in 1990. At Wildly Delicious (11 Tank House Lane), the owners chose a display cabinet to place in their store, only to find that it enjoys playing knock-knock jokes on them. Staff have reported hearing three knocks coming from the cabinet’s left side and, on a few occasions, when a staff member has knocked back, they’ve gotten more knocks in response. Although the shop was closed, we were able to see the haunted cabinet through the window (my wife, a vintage furniture retailer, really enjoyed this one).

At DECIEM, the Abnormal Beauty Company (18 Distillery Lane), Bella’s ears spring up (and the ears of the other dog on the walk, Circe) as Sarah tells us of staff stories about one-foot-high, grey, white, or black streaks moving across the floor and the sounds of meowing. “Yes, ghost cats are a thing,” she says as she posits that this building might have been used for grain storage and, where there is grain, there is vermin, and, in the 1800s, the best pest control method was a phalanx of tabbies.

The Haunted Walk of the Distillery District is good, clean fun. It’s informative both architecturally and supernaturally, and a great way to, er, kill 75 minutes … while giving the hairs on the back of one’s neck a good workout, right before Hallowe’en.

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