792. Christmas & Other Bazaars in Multicultural Toronto – November-December, 2017

Many organizations offer annual bazaars this time of year. Most have free entry. Most sell handicrafts, seasonal treats and traditional home-baked goods. Some sell used or new goods at bargain prices. Proceeds usually go to the organizers and charities.

And then there’s the big and very popular Europe-inspired Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District.

Bazaars are frequently advertised on the exterior bulletin boards of religious buildings, in neighbourhood newspapers, and in the newsletters of your Toronto City Councillor. If you find some that you have tried and liked, please let us know. Write us at: ruthlormalloy@gmail.com. I’ll also add others in the Comments section below.

Except for the German school’s, here are a few that I’ve found worthwhile visiting. I haven’t been able to get to the German one yet but it sounds interesting.  

Europe. Toronto Christmas Market. November 16-December 23. Open daily. Closed on Mondays. Free admission Tuesday-Friday (until 5pm).  $10 Express Pass on Fridays (after 5pm), Saturdays and Sundays. http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/. For performances: http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/event-calendar.html

First Nations. Indigenous Artisan Marketplace. Friday, December 1. 10am–4pm. Free entry. Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Road (north of Bloor & Spadina). The Cedar Basket Gift Shop is also on the premises. http://ncct.on.ca/gift-shop/

German. Christmas Bazaar. November 25. 12-4pm. Free. German International School, 980 Dufferin Street. http://www.gistonline.ca/event/christmas-bazaar/

Japan. Japanese Buddhist Church Bazaar. November 11. 12:30-4:30pm. Toronto Buddhist Church, 1011 Sheppard Avenue West, North York. 416-534-4302. http://bit.ly/2lLQFzS

Multicultural. Swansea Craft and Bake Sale. Saturday, November 18. 10am-3pm. Entry $1-$2. Swansea PS and Community Centre, 207 Windermere Ave (enter at 15 Waller Ave). http://files.constantcontact.com/9d78729e001/6a59cf97-2ddf-49c8-923d-609f278535f2.pdf

Muslim. 6^th Edition Muslim Womenpreneurs Expo. November 11. 11am-7pm. Free. Bazaar, speakers, performers, kids entertainment. Syeda Khadiiijah Center, 7150 Edwards Boulevard, Mississauga. This is one of my favourite bazaars because it’s an opportunity to meet enterprising women I would normally not meet. “This event is not limited to the Muslim community! All genders and faiths are welcome!” https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/6th-edition-muslim-womenpreneurs-expo-tickets-37791084150

Sweden. Swedish Christmas Fair. November 25-26. Free. Harbourfront Centre. This is mainly a beautiful festival, but some Swedish goods are on sale too. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/swedishchristmasfair/index.cfm.

Ukraine. Christmas Bazaar. November 24–25. St Demetrius Church, 135 La Rose Avenue. Free. Contact: 416-244-5333. http://toronto.carpediem.cd/events/4720759-christmas-bazaar-at-st-demetrius-the-great-martyr-parish/