STACKT Market adds 13,000-square-foot playground to Holiday Hills festival

TORONTO · STACKT Market's annual Holiday Hills festival will open a 13,000-square-foot outdoor playground when it returns to Toronto next month. The seventh edition of the free holiday attraction, set in North America's largest shipping container marketplace, will also feature a new Mexican speakeasy cantina. The festival runs from Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, 2027, with hours from 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The new playground, called The Sleigh Ground, is divided into three themed areas. Santa's Landing will feature 12-foot-tall characters from The Original Santa Claus Parade, and Santa Claus will be available to meet visitors on select dates. The Merry Midway will offer festive carnival games and food where guests can win prizes. "It's exactly what it sounds like: a festive collection of carnival games and food, where visitors will have the chance to snag cool prizes if they win!" the event description states. The third area, All Day Play, will be located in the clubhouse and will feature games like darts and pool, offering "another way to enjoy the market beyond its holiday festivities." The festival's traditional vendor market, tunnel of lights and outdoor movie nights will also return.

Another new addition is Casa Abuela, a Mexican speakeasy cantina that will occupy a double-yurt setup on the South Lawn. The venue will serve cocktails in a festive atmosphere where visitors can "cozy up with their favourite cocktail and soak in the festive atmosphere." The festival's return follows other major holiday attractions launching in the city, including the Distillery Winter Village which opens Nov. 12. This year's Holiday Hills gives Toronto residents "plenty of reasons to come for the traditional holiday fixings and stay for the new additions."

With files from blogTO