Ontario holiday market may not return after attendance drastically dips
Now that the holidays are over, popular markets are wrapping up and shoppers will have to wait until next winter to buy sweet treats and gifts from local vendors.
While the return of staples like the Distillery Winter Village and the Elora Christmas Market feels almost guaranteed for 2026, one market’s future appears far less certain. The North Pole Christmas Market, held annually in Oshawa, now faces a rather uncertain future.
The annual event kicked off on Nov. 14 and featured outdoor movie nights, classic vendors like Beavertails, and a unique attraction: the Dome Village Holiday Market. The Dome Village was a curated experience within the larger market, offering a “town” of domes where visitors could shop from local vendors and unwind in cozy rest spaces.
Organizers originally scheduled the event to run from Nov. 14 to Jan. 4, 2026. However, the North Pole Christmas Market did not operate for the full duration, closing its doors early on Jan. 2.
The North Pole Christmas Market announced its early closure on Instagram.
“Due to the high costs of operating a winter event and a recent decline in attendance, we have made the tough decision to close our doors for the season, effective immediately,” read the post.
The statement went on to thank the community for its support, expressing gratitude for the memories created with attendees throughout the season.
“We only closed two days earlier than planned due to weather and post-holiday attendance. Things definitely slowed down after the holidays,” a representative from the North Pole Christmas Market told blogTO. However, a look at the event’s Instagram feed suggests deeper uncertainty.
Organizers have begun selling off some of their equipment, including a limited number of domes, which are now available for purchase by the general public. Interested buyers are encouraged to message the market directly on the photo-sharing app for more details.
This development begs an important question: Will the North Pole Christmas Market return in 2026?
“As a free market, we’re not 100 per cent sure if we will come back next season, but we are happy we could keep it free all season this year,” the representative said.
While the financial burden of operating a free public market is significant, the North Pole Christmas Market demonstrated a clear commitment to creating an enjoyable festive experience for its visitors this past holiday season.
Although the Oshawa-based attraction’s fate remains undetermined, organizers did confirm to blogTO that they will keep the public updated on its potential return on the social media.
By blogTO
