Holiday-Season Shopping Packages From $89* Per Night

Toronto (November 8, 2007) - This season the magic of the holidays begins in Toronto with Canada’s widest range of shopping experiences to go along with top theatre, winter festivals and classic Toronto holiday moments.

“The holiday experience in Toronto is without parallel in Canada,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “With the glowing illuminations of holiday lights outside to go with fine shopping, dining and theatre inside, the Toronto holiday experience appeals to all types of travellers looking for seasonal magic.”

More information about visiting Toronto for the holidays is available at mytorontoholiday.com. This newly-launched interactive and fun website puts visitors in the middle of four of Toronto’s famous downtown neighbourhoods.

Some holiday highlights include:

Holiday Shopping
  • Inspiring downtown neighbourhoods
    Shopping is a true holiday tradition in Toronto as the streets fill with shoppers and the sidewalks and squares are adorned with decorations and are set aglow with lights. Come explore the stylish boutiques of Yorkville, the bohemian energy of Queen West, the charm of Old Town Toronto and St. Lawrence Market, and the deep pulse of Downtown Yonge Street where signature Toronto shopping experiences come to life for the holidays each year.
  • Shopping beyond downtown
    Great shopping and holiday spirit extends across Greater Toronto from two of Canada’s largest malls, Vaughan Mills and Square One, to the truly unique Pacific Mall and the quaint boutiques of Old Town Markham and Unionville.
  • One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale (November 22 - December 2, 2007)
    More than 800 artisans and designers fill the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place, offering a vast range of creative, handcrafted gifts. It’s Canada’s largest craft show and sale.
On Stage
  • We Will Rock You
    Audiences experience pure bohemian rhapsody at the Canon Theatre in this Canadian premiere of award-winning playwright Ben Elton’s worldwide smash hit based on the music of Queen (Hotel-and-ticket packages available through Tourism Toronto starting at $106* per person per night).
  • Dirty Dancing
    Feel the excitement and passion of the classic story live and in person at the Royal Alexandra Theatre with more than 20 brand new scenes written especially for the stage
  • White Christmas (Starts November 20, 2007)
    Irving Berlin's holiday classic at the Sony Centre is full of dancing, laughter and some of the most iconic holiday songs ever written (Hotel-and-ticket packages available through Tourism Toronto starting at $107* per person per night).
  • The Nutcracker (December 8 – 30, 2007)
    Synonymous with Christmas celebration, the Nutcracker is one of Toronto’s treasured holiday traditions now in its new home at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
In The Crisp Air
  • Santa Claus Parade (November 18, 2007)
    A Toronto tradition since 1905, this year’s Santa Claus Parade will feature elves and costumed kids in tow with more than 20 floats, including Coca-Cola’s Penguins and Polar Bears and Sears’ Hockey Night on a Frosty Pond.  The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. on Bloor Street at Avenue Road and ends at the corner of Church and Front Streets. Arrive early to sit in the temporary grandstands built just for the parade, or find a good spot anywhere along the parade route.
  • Skating at City Hall and Harbourfront
    Toronto’s holiday postcard experience – Skating at these two iconic outdoor rinks is completed with music and rink-side hot chocolate. Both rinks have skate rental on site.
  • Cavalcade of Lights (November 24 – December 30, 2007)
    The 41st annual Cavalcade of Lights sets Toronto aglow with a month-long holiday light show that spans the city. The highlight spans four Saturdays beginning November 24, when thousands pack the square at City Hall for free concerts and the famous fireworks from the top of City Hall.
  • Grey Cup Week (November 22 – 25, 2007)
    The final act of the 2007 Canadian Football League season returns to Toronto with a week of festivities and street parties. Some events and concerts are ticketed, while many others are free including the Pepsi Front Street festival and the CFL KidZone on Bremner Boulevard, behind the Rogers Centre. Tickets for the Grey Cup game are now only available through Tourism Toronto as part of a hotel package, starting at $260* per person.

About Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,100 members established to sell and market the Greater Toronto Region as a remarkable destination for tourists around the globe. For more information please visit http://www.torontotourism.com/.

*Holiday packages and prices do not include taxes and are based on the lowest downtown hotel fare.

For more information contact:
Sousie Tsotskos
Tourism Toronto
416-987-1736
Stsotskos@torcvb.com