Ifailed to be productive last Thursday and instead went downtown to look around.
Depending on where you live, you might find coming to downtown Topronto fun this time of year, too,.

Find the Christmas windows in The Bay (North side of store, south side of Queen, near Bay). Giant tree going to be unveiled in Eaton Centre. Streets packs withhappy shoppers. A million lights on giant ads at Dundas and Yonge. great kids choir in late afternoon in the shopping center.

I'm not downtown as often as in the past, and it struck me that downtown Toronto at Christmas is still a long way from the mall in Oakville, as far as fun andexcitement goes.

Big India-centric art show at the Art Gallery of Ontario, World's Biggest Bookstore with lots of stuff kids love (my friend Scott, who is 16, bought Plato's Republic) and a giant, neat and tidy used book store next door.

Toro0nto's worth a vist .

(Have not been to Yorkville except for short walk from parking lot to Indigo lately, but sure that's bustling now, too. Most street repairs are finished.)

Thanks for this report BAK

I've now been to Toronto on about a half-dozen occasions, but anywhere near the pre-Christmas season. Your descriptions make it sound like a potentially special experience!

Best wishes, Daniel

The city does look great. That giant tree in the Eaton Centre is gorgeous, covered with Swarovski crystals.

Thanks BAK. I was forgetting to plan a trip to Toronto. You've reminded me how beautiful it is.
I love seeing the lights and feeling all the Christmas vibes.
I'll plan on getting there.

YOu do make me want to head to Toronto. Will have to convince hubby though. He is not nearly as into the big city and lights as I am though.

There's a Christmas Market at the Distillery this year http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/. For a few years, there was one at City Hall Square.

There's the CP Christmas train coming through; previous years it went past the Distillery but this year it's south of St. Clair, near the Rona at the old stock yards. http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/Gener...in/default.htm

Bloor Street, west of Yonge and Yorkville have lots of lights and decorations.

Thanks Morningglory. I just heard about the Christmas market and I'm looking forward to going to it this weekend.
I'll also make sure I see the windows at The Bay.

Went shopping at big Oakville Place indoor shopping center last Saturday. Lots of Christmas decor, Santa was there with fairies insted of elves (elves, I believe, were back at NP making toys), but no crowds.

Easy to move around.

Which is not to suggest anyone leave downtown Toronto and come to Oakville to shop.

Holy Trinity Church behind the Eaton Centre has been doing The Christmas Story since 1938 - it starts this Friday night at 7:30. It's been recommended to me by others who go each year.