things to do in toronto in winter

50 things to do this winter in Toronto

50 things to do this winter in Toronto

Things to do in Toronto in winter are enough to entice those who believe it's the season to stay indoors to think otherwise. With skate parties, light festivals, highly anticipated events, activities and tons more, there are plenty of reasons tobundle upand explore the city.

New This Year

Skate Under the Gardiner Expressway

A new skate trail called the Bentwayis opening up under the Gardiner that will connect 7 neighbourhoods together. Don't miss theofficial opening January 6与食物,dj和娱乐ment. There will also befree skate partiesevery Friday night.

Get lost in the Infinity Mirrors

Toronto is already in love withYayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Exhibit, and the buzz will only get louder once it opens at the AGO on March 3.

See a winter light show at Ontario Place

Part of Ontario Place’s recent rejuvenation movement includes an impressive and freewinter light exhibitionthat’s coupled with skating fire pits, and food vendors. It's open all winter long.

Celebrate your love of the Blue Jays

Winterfest on January 20is a brand new, one day event giving fans access to the Jays like never before, with player appearances, guest speakers, Sportsnet personalities and more.

winter ontario place

This new skating rink is only one reason to visit Ontario Place this winter. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Winter Favourites

Party on Ice with DJ Skate Nights

Free skate nights at the Harbourfront Centrehappen every Saturday up until Feb 17, and each one features DJs spinning music all night.

Go tobogganing or tubing

Nearlyevery neighbourhood you can think ofhas a solid park or hill where you can relive your childhood throughtobogganingortubing.

Cross country ski in High Park

You’d be surprised at how manyoptions for cross country skiing there are close to the city. The Toronto Islands, Albion Falls, heck, even High Park gives skiing the green light.

Bust out your snowboard or skiis

There’s a fair share ofski hills near Torontofor you to cruise down, but there’s evenAxis’ indoor ski and snowboard parkfor practicing if you can’t get out of the city.

Try curling

From High Park to East York, Toronto is home to a number ofcurling clubsthat’ll let you indulge in the most Canadian pastime ever.

Go for a skate

Skating seems to be Toronto’s favourite winter activity, and fortunately there are plenty ofmagical skate trailsto explore throughout the city along with along list of public skating rinks. Some rinks are evenopen late into the night.

Snowshoe with a view

While there are plenty of places to snowshoe in the city, for the best views you'll want to head just a bit outside and take a gander fromthis suspension bridge.

cheesecake factory yorkdale

Everyone is lining up for a slice at Toronto's new Cheesecake Factory. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Food and Drink

Try new sweets at Yorkdale Mall

Yorkdale seriously upped its game this year in the sweets department with the introduction of both theCheesecake FactoryandLaduree. If you can endure the lines, your taste buds will thank you.

Find your new favourite bar

There’s never a shortage of new watering holes for you and your friends to try out, but this winter in particular there’s a bunch ofnew bars to keep on your radaras well asthose that do cocktails right.

Warm up with the city’s best hot chocolate

Winter is undeniablyhot chocolate season, so get that steamy, creamy, and chocolately fix from favourites likeSweet Jesus,SOMA, andMoRoCo Chocolat.

Indulge your taste buds at Winterlicious

This annual prixe food eventrecently announced its list of restaurants, giving you seven can’t miss culinary experiences starting January 26.

Taste the finest teas in the world

On February 2 prepare to taste some of the finest teas in the world as you meet and share the experience with fellow tea lovers at theToronto Tea Festival.

Drink beer indoors

The third annualWinter Brewfestreturns to the Enercare Centre on March 2 featuring more than 40 breweries, food trucks, games and more.

no pants subway ride

The annual No Pants Subway Ride always draws a crowd. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Marquee Events

Dance at the Solaris Music Festival

Solaris Music Festivalbring electronic powerhouses like Steve Aoki and Zeds Dead to Rebel for three nights of dancing starting December 26.

Attend the cheapest music festival in town

Starting on Boxing Day, the Drake Underground hosts theWhat’sInThe Boxmini-musicfest, with each night’s tickets costing only five bucks from December 26-30.

Stay warm with music during Long Winter

This music and arts celebration hits Toronto for one night each month throughout the winter and is always a great time.The first Long Winter of 2018happens on January 5th.

Ride the subway without any pants on

The 17th annual No Pants Subway Ridehappens in cities across the globe on January 7, encouraging you to, no surprise here, ride the subway with no pants on. We can't stress this enough, but please don't do this on any other day.

Discover local indie talent

Soundtrack of the CityandWavelength Winter Festivalare two indie music festivals that are sure to introduce you to your next favourite Toronto band, happening January 18 and February 16, respectively.

See what's new in the world of design

A number of architecture and design focused events hit Toronto this winter, like theTO DO Festivalstarting January 15, which brings over 100 events to the city,IDS starting January 18andCome Up To My Room, an alternative design gallery hosted at the Gladstone happening January 18-21.

Check out giant art by the water

From January 19 to February 25,Ice Breakersturns the waterfront into a stretching art exhibit.

toronto light festival

The Toronto Light Festival is coming back to the Distillery District for its second iteration. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Revisit the Distillery District for more lights

Miss the dazzling lights of the Christmas Market already?The Toronto Light Festivalis back starting January 19 to remedy that, transforming the Distillery District back into a magical exhibit of light and art.

Join in on the Women’s March

On January 20th thousands ofwomen and allies will uniteoutside Nathan Phillips Square to march in the name of women everywhere.

Up your fashion game with Fashion Week

The latest instalment ofToronto Fashion Weeklands on February 5-7, and includes a newly added speaker series in addition to the annual runway affairs.

Fight off the winter blues with some winter blues

...and jazz!The Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festivalreturns February 16-18, transforming the Danforth into a mecca for blues, rock, jazz, and country music.

See the hottest new vehicles

The Canadian International Auto Showwill let you look at shiny new things starting February 16. Then,The Toronto Motorcycle Showrolls into town on February 16, with theToronto International Bike Showfollowing on March 2. But before all that, there’s even aboat showgoing down on January 12.

winter stations toronto

WinterStations returns to the Beaches this winter. Photo by Jesse Milns.

See giant art take over the Beaches

On Feb 18,WinterStationsbrings stunning art designs to the shores of the Beaches.

Cheers at the Winter Craft Beer Fest

Craft beer, food trucks, campfires and DJs await at the Roundhouse’s cheapwinter beer festivalon February 10. Tokens sell for $1, then drinks are only 1 for a half or 2 for a full pint!

Check out giant ice sculptures

Bloor-Yorkville’s Icefestshowcases impressive ice sculptures scattered across Yorkville Park on the weekend of February 24.

Grab selfies with your favourite superhero

Toronto ComiConmakes its annual return later this winter to let you indulge your nerdy side on March 16.

Party at a museum

Friday Night Live at the ROMandFirst Thursdays at the AGO是首选目的地对于那些想要聚会吗with style and class. Both return in January for encore events.

the artists project

The Artists Project is a great opportunity to scope out the latest in contemporary art. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Indoor Activities

Find out which VR gaming centre is the best

Virtual reality is booming in Toronto, replacing escape rooms as the unconventional hangout option.

Race along Toronto’s new Go Kart track

Unlike the four-storey go kart complex coming to Niagara Falls,Toronto’s new K1 Speedis less like Mario Kart and more like miniature Formula 1.

Cheer on the local team

March 3rd marks the2018 home opener for Toronto FCas they host Colombus Crew SC. But before that, the Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Raptors 905 will need you cheering them on all season long.

Warm up at a spa or steam room

You can travel the world without ever getting on a plane thanks to Toronto’sarray of saunas and steam rooms.

Check out a winter film festival

Cineplex will screen some of cinema’s all time classics as part of February 2-8'sFlashback Film Festival. On March 20, theCanadian Film Festivalwill spotlight short and feature films. There’s alsoDoc Soupon January 10,TIFF Top 10starting January 12 andThe Next Wave Film Festivalwhich focuses on the creators of tomorrow on February 16.

toronto fc

Although it seems the season just ended, Toronto FC will soon be back for their home opener in March. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Hear from a Canadian astronaut

Canadian astronautChris Hadfield brings a curated group of presentersfrom around the world to Toronto on January 11 for a series of talks that’ll give TED a run for its money.

Go bowling

They might be an endangered species but there are stilla number of 5 and ten pin bowling alleyswhere you an try to throw a strike.

看到一个最终梅西的大厅显示之前shutdown

Massey Hall is closing its doorsfor a little over a year come the spring. Enjoy the pre-renovation theatre one last time with shows fromRobert Planton February 17,the Sheepdogson March 2, andOur Lady Peaceon March 15.

Discover new artists

250 of the top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad grace Toronto with their work forthe Artist Projecton February 22 to 25. You can even buy pieces directly from the artists who stand out to you.

Laugh so hard it hurts

Netflix specials are great and all, but nothing beats a live comedy show. Big names likeSebastian ManiscalcoandMiranda Singsare putting on shows here this winter.

Catch a glimpse of the future of theatre

An assortment of cheap but quality indie shows arrive via the Next Stage Theatre Festival from Jan 3-14, including comedies like哈罗德的经验andJONNO. Then on February 14,Rhubarb Festivaltransforms the city into a hotbed of theatrical experimentation.

Celebrate Black History Month in a new way

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Black History Month in Toronto, with some noteworthy events being theBlack Film Festivalstarting on Febuary 14 and theAga Khan’s African Jazz Ensembleon Febuary 24.

Experience world famous art exhibits

Yoko Ono brings her three part Riverbed installationto the Gardiner Museum starting on February 22.

Celebrate Toronto

A four day long birthday partyto celebrate Toronto’s 184th anniversary is on its way. The festival will take place at Nathan Phillips Square and include vendors, food trucks, a photography contest, and a DJ skate party. It all goes down March 3-6.


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