The chilly air sweeping through the city invites Torontonians to pull their jackets out of storage and bundle up in scarves. At this time of year, it is easy to stay home and avoid venturing into the freezing weather and slushy streets. However, the return of the annual Distillery Winter Village fills many of the city’s residents with much-needed excitement.
The holiday season can get expensive quickly as gift-giving and social outings pile up fast, and the Winter Village is no exception. But with a bit of planning, this festive experience can fit comfortably into any budget, while still offering the cozy atmosphere that people look forward to each year.
The Winter Village sees over one million visitors every year, which can sometimes make the experience feel overcrowded and busy. To address this and provide a safe and fun experience for both staff and visitors, the Village has scheduled select weekdays and weekends to require a fee and reservation. However, many days are still free to enter from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets range from $18–$37 after that time.
For those hoping to keep their outing affordable, some planning in advance can go a long way. Travelling to the market earlier in the day or on dates that don’t require ticketed admission allows you to experience the Winter Village while keeping costs down.
Scattered throughout the Winter Village are several restaurants and pop-up shops offering just about every type of food you could imagine. Unfortunately, the steep prices make it hard for students to enjoy these treats without stretching their budget to its breaking point.
Many of the dishes seem to be built for social media appeal — items like ‘Dubai hot chocolate’ that pander to online trends and items that are deep fried and covered in cheese which prioritize aesthetics. This is reflected in the prices that seem to charge for the likes and views that will come from posting the meal online.
For example, the Aprile Holiday Feast by Chef Claudio Aprile costs $19 for a small portion that disappears as quickly as the money spent on it. Similarly, a booth serving raclette with fried pickles charges $22, while a booth nearby rings up a single soft-shell crab sushi taco at $18. With prices like these, choosing a spot to eat feels more like a gamble on deciding which snack is worth the splurge.
While the pop-up shops that are only present in the Distillery District during the festival seem to have significantly higher prices than the full-time restaurants, I found a delicious alternative tucked away in one of the market’s alleyways.
Sweetie Pie is part of a local chain of bakeries, selling fabulous treats and warm winter drinks. Their Belgian hot chocolate, accompanied by one of their soft cookies, is one of the best deals around the district. The hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles, comes to a total of $6. Their large, thick cookies cost $3 a piece. For comparison, several vendors around the Village sell specialty hot chocolates for $12–$16, making Sweetie Pie’s menu one of the most affordable.
As a popular destination for holiday shopping, the Winter Village is home to the largest Jellycat store in Canada. These adorable stuffed animals come with hefty price tags — the trendy Bartholomew Bear Bag Charm, for instance, costs $38 — but there are still endearing alternatives to the expensive brand names. A Bukowski Bears Bag Charm costs about $16, providing the same sweetness as the Jellycat keychains for less than half the price. Both of these options can be found within Bergo Designs, an eclectic novelty store and staple within the festive Market.
In a season when costs can quickly become overwhelming, the Distillery Winter Village is yet another place where staying within a budget can be challenging. However, anyone can enjoy the unique festive atmosphere, the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree, and local vendors without overspending if they are willing to plan in advance and avoid the temptation of trendy treats.
As the cold settles in and the city transforms into an icy wasteland, the Village offers an escape from winter blues, showing that positivity can still be found in simple, affordable moments. For anyone willing to bundle up and get outside, festive magic is waiting!
