So if you’re climbing aboard a westjet to Toronto this winter or call it your home here are some of our personal highlights to see this season.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair -November 1 – 10, 2013

The Royal Agricultural winter fair is the largest indoor agricultural and indoor equestrian competition in the world.

Now in its 90th year the fair draws over 340,000 visitors ever y year to experience a mixture of horse shows, dog shows and over 300 vendors. Along with a plethora of family fun competitions to see there is also fine wining and dining on offer from luxurious ring-side dining to late night dance parties at The Hitching Ring Bar.

Santa Claus Parade – November 17, 2013

Since 1905 the Santa Claus Parade has been a staple Toronto tradition. Kids and adults alike will be mesmerised by the stream of animated floats, marching bands, and thousands of costumed dancers interacting with the crowd. This is a must see for anyone with children and really lets the Christmas spirit set in.

Cavalcade of Lights – Saturday November 30, 2013

For nearly half a century the cavalcade of lights celebration has dazzled crowds with thousands upon thousands of LED lights and decorations. It is also the celebration of the start of the holiday season by lighting up one of the most beautifully decorated Christmas trees around.

The event also features live music from some of Canada’s top musical talent with soul singer Divine Brown, Grammy award winner CarvinWinans and electro-pop artist Diamond Rings all playing this year’s event. There is also a fantastic fireworks display and an ice skating party in Nathan Phillips Square making this event a true Toronto holiday tradition.

Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market – November 29 to December 15, 2013

A tradition in most cities, a Christmas market captures everything we hold dear about the holiday season and Lowe’s Toronto Christmas market is exception.

This annual free events encapsulates holiday cheer with an array of stalls offering handcrafted goods, mulled wine, craft beer, festive illuminations and decorations and of course plenty of sweets and treats. There is loads of family entertainment on offer from musicians and carol singers to Santa’s workshop where kids can have the chance to meet Santa and his elves.

Winterlicious – January 31 – February 13, 2014

Taking place after the madness of Christmas and New Year’s is Winterlicious, a 2 week long celebration of creative cuisine and gourmet food from around the world.

For any food lover winterlicious is unmissable with every taste and palette catered for with over 100 of Toronto’s top 100 restaurants hosting some culinary treats. It’s the perfect opportunity to try new things and indulge in a few extra naughty winter treats.

We hope you have the chance to visit some or maybe all of this events! Enjoy the winter !

Toronto is well known for its wide range of cultures and cuisines as well as an ever-evolving foodie culture. In fact, Toronto is such a food-lover’s paradise that selecting a restaurant can be a daunting task even without a Winterlicious Festival.

The ten restaurants profiled below have made this list for two reasons: 1) They have received praise for delicious, adventurous and consistent food and drink paired with excellent service and 2) They provide patrons with information of interest and a sense of community through updates online.

Here is a list of restaurants participating in @LiciousTO 2012 with active and engaging Twitter accounts:

Annona Restaurant – @Chef_JMonfaredi

‘Joan Monferedi, executive chef for Park Hyatt Toronto, including Annona Restaurant’

Chef Monferedi tweets regularly about other contemporary chefs, current food events and invitations to the ‘Masters of Food and Wine’ series hosted at Park Hyatt by the executive chef herself.

Auberge du Pommier, Biff’s Bistro, Canoe, Jump, Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill – @Oliver_Bonacini

‘What’s happening with our Chefs and restaurants’

Follow five of the big name players in Winterlicious 2012 in one fell swoop; this account is packed with delectable tidbits, twitpics, haggis races and plenty of compliments to the chef from the twitterati.

Bier Markt – @BierMarkt

‘An atmosphere that balances sociability with sophistication’

Bier Markt’s friendly Twitter approach retweets patrons’ comments and keeps followers in the know about oft-occurring specials and events, and of course, new additions to the best bier list in the city.

Cafe Moroc – @TheSultansTent

‘Admire the charms of belly dancers & enjoy a four-course Feast or create a menu suited to your event’

Twitter followers of Cafe Moroc—one of Toronto’s favourite dinner party locations—are kept aware of changes to menus, last-minute specials, weather updates and, most importantly, belly dancer set times.

The Drake Hotel – @thedrakehotel

‘Hotbed for Culture’

The Drake’s Twitter account, with over 21,000 followers, projects the spirit of Toronto’s lively arts scene with a brilliant personal touch. Take this reply for example: “@CherylKozoriz The menu isn’t vegan but we spoke to Chef Rose though + he said he’d create a vegan Winterlicious option if you’d like!”

earth Bloor West – @globeho

‘Globe Bistro, earth Rosedale & earth Bloor West owner-operator, gourmand and lover of meat, wine and cheese. Think global. Eat local’

Foodies take note: Ed Ho, owner-operator of local and seasonal Toronto establishments Globe Bistro and both the Rosedale and Bloor W. earth locations tweets about burgers, business and gives shout outs to smaller restaurants like Mother’s Dumplings in Chinatown.

Embrujo Flamenco -@embrujotapasbar

‘Enjoy with us the regional cuisines of Spain!’

An extensive wine selection pairs off with authentic Spanish specialties served tapas-style. There is dancing Wednesday through Saturday, and tune in for flamenco nights—they’re complimentary!

Prime – @windsorarms

‘Consecutively voted the #1 hotel in Toronto by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’

Prime’s @LiciousTO offerings include an herbivore’s delight: a 100% vegan prix fixe menu served in Toronto’s premier boutique hotel. This handle communicates updates from the hotel, restaurant and Toronto herself.

Pure Spirits – @spiritspure

‘Oyster House’

Turn your @LiciousTO dinner into a date night in the Distillery District and tune into @spiritspure for specials on seafood ( $1.50 oysters), goings-on @DistilleryTO and mouth-watering meal descriptions.

Scarpetta – @ScarpettaTO

‘Famed Chef Scott Conant oversees Scarpetta – the first international outpost of the acclaimed Scarpetta Italian Restaurant’

Located in the Thompson Hotel, retweeted reactions to Scarpetta’s $35 @LiciousTO dinner menu are flooding the stunning resto’s online feed. Get online and join the conversation—if you can get a reservation, that is!