A local guide to shopping & markets in Toronto. Explore trusted picks, practical details and local context from WTFToronto.
Showing 25–41 of 41 experiences.
Toronto's night market scene has exploded — from Japanese-inspired Night It Up! in Richmond Hill (one of North America's largest Asian night markets) to rotating food truck festivals and the Kensington Market summer block parties. Global food, lanterns, live music, and the city at its most festive.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and your appetite.
Canada's largest juried craft and design show — the One of a Kind Show at Exhibition Place brings 600+ Canadian artists, designers, and makers together twice a year (spring and Christmas). Original jewellery, ceramics, fashion, textiles, and art — everything sold directly by the people who made it.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and your shopping speed.
The largest indoor Chinese shopping mall in North America — 450+ stores across two connected buildings. Anime merchandise, imported goods, bubble tea, hand-pulled noodles, and a food court that's a world in itself. A full cultural experience.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds
A 3.5-hour private food tour through two of Toronto's most food-rich destinations — the legendary St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District's artisan food scene. Rated 5.0/5 with 5 reviews, this private-format tour covers the best bites at each stop with a guide who knows the vendors, the stories, and the best timing to visit.
Time needed: 3–4 hours, including short walks between stops.
Toronto's most vibrant shopping corridor. Independent boutiques, vintage stores, record shops, and global brands share the strip with the city's best gallery scene. Just walk west and discover.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on how much you stop (and try stuff on).
Toronto's shipping container market — 120 repurposed shipping containers arranged on a 2.5-acre site near Bathurst and Front Street, housing local small businesses, food vendors, bars, and event spaces. The most creative use of temporary retail space in the city: constantly evolving, endlessly photographable, and genuinely fun.
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours, more if there’s a major event or you linger at the brewery.
Scarborough's own answer to the Markham Night Market — a summer outdoor food and culture event celebrating Scarborough's extraordinary diversity through street food. Dim sum buns, jerk chicken, samosas, sushi burritos, and roti sit side by side as a portrait of Canada's most multicultural suburb.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds
Four days, four of Eastern Canada's greatest cities — Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City — in a small group format from CA$1,085. An expertly organized multi-city journey covering French and English Canada with the intimacy of a small-group experience rather than a large coach tour.
Time needed: 4 full days, with early mornings and late evenings.
Ontario's second-largest mall and the heartbeat of Mississauga's downtown core. Over 360 stores, excellent food court, and an Apple Store that's always three deep. The Absolute World towers next door are equally iconic.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds
St. Lawrence Market brings together food vendors and prepared-food counters in Toronto's Old Town. Check the official market site for current hours, vendor details, and Farmers' Market schedules before you go.
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours depending on crowds and how many stalls you want to sample.
Every Sunday, the St. Lawrence Market North Hall transforms into one of Ontario's best antique fairs — 80+ dealers filling the hall with vintage furniture, art, jewellery, ceramics, vinyl records, and collectibles. It's a treasure hunt with no entry fee.
Time needed: 1–2 hours, longer if you love digging.
The world's best market, according to National Geographic — St. Lawrence Market's South Market operates Tuesday through Sunday, with Monday closed, and has 120 vendors including legendary specialty food producers. The Saturday Farmers' Market in the North Market and Sunday antiques programming add distinct experiences to one address.
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours, longer if you arrive at peak times or explore all three markets.
Toronto's most ambitious mixed-use development — The Well at King and Spadina is a 7.8-acre covered urban hub with retail, restaurants, a food market, offices, and residences under one extraordinary glass-and-steel roof. The architecture alone is worth visiting: a soaring covered atrium that makes it a year-round destination regardless of Toronto's weather.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and how long you linger over lunch.
Ontario's premier outlet shopping centre — 80+ top designer and brand stores with genuine outlet pricing. Ralph Lauren, Polo, Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Saks OFF 5TH, Banana Republic, J.Crew, and dozens more. Located 45 minutes west of downtown Toronto in Halton Hills.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and shopping goals.
The northern GTA's premier shopping destination — 200+ stores, a great selection of restaurants, and the best movie complex in York Region. The seasonal Christmas market in the parking lot is a GTA tradition for families.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and if you catch a movie.
Ontario's largest outlet and shopping mall — 200+ stores in a loop format that takes hours to complete. The Bass Pro Shops alone is a tourist attraction with a 12,000-gallon fish tank. Serious outlet deals on designer brands.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds.
Canada's most profitable mall per square foot, housing the densest concentration of luxury brands in the country. Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Gucci, Bottega Veneta — all under one roof in North York.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and shopping stamina.
First-timers should start with the CN Tower observation deck for city views, then walk the Distillery District and Kensington Market for culture and food. Add Ripley's Aquarium, a Harbourfront walk, and St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday morning. For a full plan, see our 48-hour first-timer itinerary.
Check our Events page for live concerts, sports, and festivals happening this weekend. Regulars include the Distillery District on weekends, Kensington Market, Saturday morning at St. Lawrence Market, and the Toronto Islands by ferry. In summer, look for outdoor festivals along the waterfront.
Toronto is excellent for families. Top picks: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (the shark tunnel alone is worth it), the Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science Centre, High Park, the ferry to Centre Island, and the CN Tower glass floor. The waterfront and Harbourfront Centre also have excellent free kids programming in summer.
Some of the best free activities include exploring the Toronto Islands (ferry costs $9.38 return), walking the Harbourfront, visiting High Park and the Scarborough Bluffs, browsing the Distillery District and Kensington Market, and checking out the Art Gallery of Ontario on the first Wednesday of the month from 6–9pm. Graffiti Alley is always free.
Toronto is famous for the CN Tower, the Distillery District, world-class food markets like St. Lawrence Market, its multicultural neighbourhoods (Kensington Market, Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown), and being a major sports city home to the Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jays.
3–4 days is ideal to see the main highlights including the waterfront, CN Tower, Distillery District, Kensington Market, and a few neighbourhood restaurants. A full week lets you explore more neighbourhoods, do a day trip to Niagara Falls, and enjoy live events or sports.
June to September is peak season with warm weather, patios, festivals like TIFF and Caribbean Carnival, and outdoor events. May and October offer fewer crowds with still-pleasant weather. Winter is great if you love skating, the Christmas Market, and indoor culture.
Downtown Toronto is very walkable — most major attractions, restaurants, and hotels are accessible on foot or via the TTC subway and streetcar. The PATH underground network connects many downtown buildings. The Harbourfront trail is a beautiful flat walk along the lake.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.