This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks.
Issues to Do in Toronto within the Winter
Winter in Toronto is frosty, however that doesn’t imply it’s not enjoyable. Keep heat by visiting a number of the metropolis’s prime points of interest and newest occasions.
That will help you plan your city explorations, listed below are the most effective issues to do in Toronto in winter.
From the good festivals and light-weight reveals to traditional points of interest, listed below are some prime actions from a warm-blooded native’s perspective.
Toronto Winter Temperature
Whereas the temperature in Toronto in winter can dive all the way down to a piercing -20C (-4F) or decrease, don’t fear. The common winter temp is extra like -4C (25F).
So bundle up and get outdoors. Or, certain from artwork gallery to shopping center and discover underground paths with out the guidelines of your ears ever going pink. It’s all good.
Whether or not you’re in Toronto for someday otherwise you reside right here 12 months spherical, these prime Toronto points of interest, winter festivals and actions will assist you uncover the most effective of it.
A Toronto Winter Means Skating
Attributable to my husband’s obsession with hockey and all issues ice, we go skating. Loads.
I’m nonetheless all the time the worst skater on the ice, however on the plus aspect I get to spend time open air and discover totally different areas of Toronto as we try totally different rinks.
Skating at Nathan Phillips Sq. – Toronto’s Reply to the Rockefeller Middle
The preferred rink with leisure skaters is the rink at Nathan Phillips Sq., a bustling skating venue with music and a carnival environment.
It’s nice for guests to Toronto as skate leases can be found, and it has a central location proper at Metropolis Corridor at 100 Queen St. West.
Open Nov 23, 2024, for the Toronto winter season with skate leases beginning November 25.
The Bentway Path – The Coolest Place to Skate
The extra not too long ago constructed Bentway Path, a 1.75 km determine eight skating path beneath the Gardiner Expressway, is the place getting all the excitement lately, and we hesitated earlier than checking it out.
“Who desires to skate beneath an expressway?” requested my husband once I badgered him into going, however this city stylish hotspot (or ought to I say chilly spot?) is definitely actually enjoyable.
Positioned proper by the Fort York Nationwide Historic Web site, the Bentway runs east of the Fort York Customer Centre at 250 Fort York Blvd.
Skating begins December 21, 2024. Test the web site for instances.
Nice Information! Well-liked Harbourfront Rink Returns for 2024/2025
After public outcry after they closed the rink at Harbourfront, an iconic Toronto winter attraction final 12 months, they’ve relented and we’re good for the 2024/2025 winter season.
This well-liked Toronto rink at Harbourfront overlooking Lake Ontario shall be opened this season. It’s projected to open the final week of November and run till mid March 2025.
So get all the way down to the waterfront and put your dancing skates on! Test the web site for particulars. Location: 235 Queens Quay West.
Get Your Santa Repair on the Distillery Winter Village
Concerning the Distillery District
The Distillery District is a cobblestoned assortment of Victorian industrial buildings together with a historic distillery and loads of brick facades.
Lately it’s a pedestrian leisure vacation spot crammed with galleries, artsy boutiques and eating places.
It actually ramps up through the winter with the Christmas Market, however even for those who miss the vacation festivities, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable place to go on a cold day.
Distillery Has Toronto’s Most Well-liked Christmas Market
Whereas the Distillery Winter Village is now not known as a Christmas Market, that’s precisely what it’s.
Don’t miss the Dior-designed tree, a 55-foot silver fir tree from Drysdale Farm; together with roaming elves; festive lights; and tantalizing ‘meals cabins.’ (Is that the delicate time period for meals stall?)
New this 12 months is an indoor Santa’s Village and a North Pole publish workplace, so begin writing your want record now, as a result of the Distillery Winter Village is a becoming place to have fun the vacation season and one of many prime issues to do in Toronto in December.
Sound and Mild Present on the Illuminarium
We love gentle reveals within the winter, and an interactive journey with the Illuminarium on the Distillery is one approach to get your repair.
Whether or not your interactive journey takes you right into a Winterland or a World of Marvel, these larger-than-life reveals are positive to entertain. You may get tickets on the Illuminarium web site right here.
Procuring
In fact vacation buying performs a giant half in a Distillery winter go to.
You’ll discover an array of artisanal items to purchase in your nearest and dearest on the market stalls (sorry, I imply cabins) in addition to within the stylish outlets which are positioned on the Distillery District 12 months spherical.
Is the Distillery Winter Village free?
You possibly can go to this well-liked Toronto Christmas market free of charge typically. However not fairly often.
- Usually Mon, Tues and Wed are free, at the least till Dec 12. From Dec 12 to Dec 31 day by day requires a ticket after 4 p.m.
- On weekends after 4 p.m. Thursday to Solar you’ll want a ticket.
- After New 12 months’s it’s free.
- Jan 5, 2025 is the final day.
Test the schedule and purchase a ticket beforehand on the Distillery Winter Village web site.
ONLINE TICKETS ARE NECESSARY. No tickets on the door.
Attending to the Distillery District
Whereas the Distillery District will not be proper downtown, it’s not laborious to get to by public transportation.
I normally take the King Avenue streetcar east from downtown to Parliament, then stroll south to Mill Avenue. Or it’s a twenty minute stroll east alongside the Esplanade from Union Station.
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
Proper, so it’s a smidge outdoors Toronto, however shut sufficient to incorporate in our winter issues to do in Toronto record anyway.
Canada’s Wonderland – which is a hulking massive amusement park in Vaughan – celebrates WinterFest from November 16, 2024 till Jan 4, 2025.
It’s a .. look ahead to it … winter Wonderland certainly.
The place else are you able to skate on Snow Flake Lake, cruise Worldwide Avenue to observe the 2 50-foot Christmas timber get lit up (5:30 pm day by day), and you realize, go on rides and stuff?
Bonus: Even after WinterFest is over, you’ll be able to nonetheless go on rides and stuff.
Flip Up the Warmth in Toronto with a Spicy Scorching Chocolate
Not the entire prime issues to do in Toronto in winter happen outdoors. In a sub zero metropolis like ours, scorching chocolate has been elevated to an artwork, and there are some nice locations to strive it.
Soma Chocolate
Mayan scorching chocolate with cayenne, ginger and orange peel is likely one of the consuming chocolate choices at Soma Chocolate, and a positive approach to hold away the winter chills.
Soma has two areas, at 443 King Avenue West and the Distillery District.
Want a caffeine repair? Go Italian with their Bicerin, a scorching drink layered in darkish chocolate, espresso and semi-whip cream.
And guess what? You possibly can tour Soma’s Cacao Bean Lab – with tastings! – at 77 Brock Ave.
Candy Jesus
One other artisanal scorching chocolate vacation spot in Toronto is the hipster-happy Candy Jesus at 106 John Avenue.
Go for an Oh Hungry Scorching Chocolate if peanut butter and caramel is your sport, or perhaps a Hella Hazelnut?
Searching for the most effective locations to eat? Take a look at my Toronto eating places article.
Test Out the York Ice Path in 2025
When: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd February 2025, from 10:30 a.m.
Step into the guts of York and expertise the magic of York Ice Path 2025, the place town’s historic streets remodel right into a glittering wonderland.
This 12 months’s theme, “Origins”, invitations you to uncover tales of historic legends, legendary beginnings, and York’s fascinating previous.
Marvel at breathtaking ice sculptures, watch reside carving demonstrations, and participate in interactive experiences excellent for all ages.
And by the way in which, I needed to discover ways to ice carve for a TV present as soon as, and it actually is an not possible artwork type – at the least for me.
Craving a spot of thriller?
Comply with the path to unlock hidden secrets and techniques and compete for thrilling prizes as you discover.
Cease by the Customer Info Centre on Parliament Avenue for info.
Benefit from the Vacation Lights in Yorkville
12 months-round, the swanky space of Yorkville is a scorching vacation spot for guests to Toronto.
It’s my ‘hood so I’m biased, nevertheless it actually is a superb place to hang around and folks watch. You’ll discover a lot of la-de-dah artwork galleries, the high-end Hazelton Village Mall and probably the most city of city parks.
Yorkville likes to have fun the winter season proper, so anticipate spectacular lights, strolling Carol singers by means of December.
And, for one thing new, head to Bloor Avenue West between Church Avenue and Avenue Highway the place you’ll discover city benches that gentle up like campfires. Extra lights! And no, I’m not making that up.
See Basic Winter Landscapes on the Artwork Gallery of Ontario
Get a unique perspective on winter in Toronto, and see how Canada’s snowy scenes have impressed artists through the years on the Artwork Gallery of Ontario on Dundas Avenue.
The AGO is likely one of the prime Toronto vacationer points of interest and their Thomson Assortment is a fab assortment of Canadian landscapes.
Seeing a number of the AGO’s winter-themed art work will assist you (at the least it helps me) see winter in a extra optimistic gentle.
And I would like as a lot optimistic gentle on winter in TO as I can get, in any other case I wouldn’t depart my residence till spring.
Take a look at classics reminiscent of Paul Kane’s Scene within the Northwest – A Portrait from 1845, or one of many glacial mountainous scenes by celebrity Lawren Harris.
Celeb Alert: Lawren Harris is a part of the Group of Seven, Canada’s most well-known group of panorama painters. His work is a giant favorite with actor Steve Martin, which places Harris firmly on the celeb artist scorching record.
Test Out the Dinosaurs on the Royal Ontario Museum
Ah, again earlier than the glaciers coated the earth, tropical forests coated a lot of the land we now name Canada and dinosaurs roamed.
Harken again to these hotter eons with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, one of the well-liked Toronto factors of curiosity.
The ROM has one of the complete collections of dinosaur skulls on this planet, together with a triceratops and a helmet-crested Corythosaurus.
And who doesn’t need to see a helmet-crested Corythosaurus?
For those who’re in search of issues to do in winter in Toronto with youngsters, that is your house.
The large draw, (I imply, actually massive), is Gordo, a large Barosaurus skeleton, one among solely three full Barosaurus skeletons on show on this planet.
Different dino highlights to provide the Jurassic shivers are duck-billed dinosaurs, a flying Quetzalcoatlus and the museum’s most well-known fossil skeleton, the tube-crested Parasaurolophus walkeri.
Bonus factors for those who can spell any a type of.
Tramp Out To Some High Toronto Nature Spots
Getting out in nature is when the great thing about a Toronto winter actually shines. Listed here are a few prime locations to wander by means of.
Toronto Islands
Whereas the Toronto Islands are a much-loved vacation spot in summer season, they’re nice for winter excursions, too. Frozen lagoons, waterfront walks and skyline views – what extra do you want? The ferries go 12 months spherical.
Excessive Park
Excessive Park is one among my fundamental go-to nature locations when the temperature drops.
Take a stroll alongside Grenadier Pond. If the ice is frozen you’ll be able to watch the skaters, or stroll the paths alongside the pond to marvel on the plucky duck households in some way staying heat.
Steam Up At a Spa
When the bitter winds get an excessive amount of, typically it’s good to soak out the shivers. A superb place for that is at one among Toronto’s prime spas that has facilities reminiscent of a steam room, scorching tub or pool.
For those who’re going together with your vital different, the co-ed lounge on the oddly-named Spa My Mix by Clarins spa on the Ritz-Carlton Toronto is a tranquil approach to cozy up.
It’s as ritzy because the Ritz can get, with (segregated) facilities reminiscent of an aroma-infused scorching tub, sauna and eucalyptus steam room.
There are many different choices for Toronto spas with jacuzzis and saunas, together with the extra inexpensive Elmwood Spa, a protracted working spa that’s been a fixture on Elm Avenue simply off Yonge Avenue endlessly.
12 months-round, the swanky space of Yorkville is a scorching vacation spot for guests to Toronto.
It’s my ‘hood so I’m biased, nevertheless it actually is a superb place to hang around and folks watch. You’ll discover a lot of la-de-dah artwork galleries, the high-end Hazelton Village Mall and probably the most city of city parks.
Relating to issues to do in Toronto in winter, nonetheless, the time to go to Yorkville is in February when the free two-day Bloor-Yorkville Icefest takes place.
Winterlicious – Eat Effectively For Much less
When: January 31 to February 13, 2025
Some of the satisfying issues to do in Toronto in winter is to eat. In any case, with out fats shops in our physique how would we keep heat?
The answer? Winterlicious.
What’s it? Winterlicious is a long-running meals fest that provides hungry patrons an opportunity to gas up at a number of the metropolis’s greatest eating places at an inexpensive worth.
Meals are prix fixe, that means you pay a set worth for a set menu, and lots of eating places supply each lunch and dinner.
The highest eating places refill quick, so ebook as early as you’ll be able to. However with some 200 eating places collaborating you’re positive to search out one thing.
Wish to go hyper native? Dive into Canadian delicacies with eating places that concentrate on native elements like Bosk on the Shangri-La Resort or Luma within the TIFF Bell Lightbox constructing.
As soon as reserving opens you’ll have the ability to reserve your Winterlicious desk right here.
Cheer On the Maple Leafs At a Hockey Recreation
My husband says I’ve to incorporate this so I’m. For a very iconic winter in Toronto expertise you’ll be able to try a Maple Leafs sport on the Scotiabank Enviornment at 40 Bay Avenue.
For those who can’t get tickets you’ll be able to stand round and freeze amidst the vigorous communal sports activities spirit at Maple Leaf Sq., the outside public sq. the place video games are broadcast reside on the 80 by 50 foot display.
My husband says I’ve to incorporate this, too: For a less-crowded extra inexpensive expertise you’ll be able to try a AHL sport with the Toronto Marlies.
He began telling me about different leagues as properly, however I received bored with writing about hockey.
See the Stanley Cup on the Hockey Corridor of Fame
Okay, since we’re on a roll, right here’s yet another hockey-themed factor to do in Toronto.
Why not head all the way down to the Hockey Corridor of Fame on Entrance Avenue, the place you’ll be able to study every little thing you ever wished to find out about Canada’s most beloved sport, and see the place the Stanley Cup lives when it’s not on tour.
See the Winter Views From the High of the CN Tower
Generally I feel winter is greatest considered from a distance.
(My desire can be from a Bahamas-style distance however hey, that is an article about nice Toronto winter actions, so let’s ignore the determined visions of palm timber in my head.)
In any case, a Toronto-sized distance will be enjoyable, too. Hovering up the 1,815-foot (553-metre) CN Tower, the ninth tallest constructing on this planet, provides you with a brand new perspective on all this chilly climate.
Issues To Do on the CN Tower
There are a number of methods to expertise winter at its greatest up right here within the clouds.
You possibly can journey up a glass-fronted elevator, stand on a glass flooring, look out panoramic glass home windows and go glassy eyed searching over our icy Ontario panorama.
CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant
You can too dine in fashion. Canadian delicacies is on the menu on the revolving 360 Restaurant. The winter menu consists of a lot of Canadian’s most interesting merchandise and dishes reminiscent of Ontario Half Rack of Lamb, East Coast Poached Lobster and Arctic Char Crudo.
Edge Stroll
If a Toronto outside journey is extra your fashion you’ll be able to increase the nippiness issue by tackling the CN Tower’s Edge Stroll, a hands-free stroll on the ledge that encircles the tower at a mere 116 tales up.
The Edge Stroll is likely one of the most adrenalin-inducing issues to do in Toronto throughout winter I can consider. However I nonetheless actually need to do it. The concern alone is assured to warmth up your blood.
Toronto Indoor Actions – Get Misplaced Within the Path
I do know I must be all stalwart and proud to embrace winter however I actually hate being chilly. This can be one of the unsung locations to go to in Toronto in winter, however once I want train and may’t face wind, snow or sleet, I head to the Path.
What’s the Path?
The Path is a pedestrian walkway that snakes beneath downtown and the Monetary District.
Masking some 30 km of underground passageways, it’s a labyrinth of outlets, eating places and connects to workplace buildings, resorts (the Sheraton, for one), subway stations and Maple Leaf Sq..
With 125 entry and exit factors, you’ll be able to all the time pop up an escalator to see the place you’re, which might be nowhere close to the place you suppose.
Greatest Route for the Path
I normally begin at Union Station subway station and amuse myself by looking for my approach to the Eaton’s Centre by means of the intensive underground paths that burrow beneath the monetary district.
It took me a 12 months to determine learn how to make it efficiently from Union Station to the Eaton’s Centre, a toasty heat downtown mall, however now I’ve forgotten, so I’ve that thrilling problem dealing with me once more this 12 months.
Do I understand how to have enjoyable throughout winter or what?
Winter in Toronto Wrap Up
That is solely the tip of the city-berg. There are new eating places, intriguing museums, and world-class occasions to discover.
Hopefully the favored winter actions in Toronto listed right here will kickstart your enjoyment of the season and assist your have fun, fairly than slog by means of, the snowy season.
If You Miss the Christmas Market on the Distillery
For those who missed the vacation occasions, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a cold winter, head for the Distillery anyway as there’s a lot to do.
The place To Eat on the Distillery
For those who crave some French aptitude (to not point out French fare), cease in at Cluny Bistro on Tank Home Lane, one among my favorite Distillery eating places, for some small plate sharing like Asparagus Fondu and Baked Brie Brûlée.
Drink
For those who’re thirsting for liquid, go for a Scorching Date Latte at Arvo or a weekend sake tasting on the tasting bar for the Ontario Spring Water Sake Firm at 51 Gristmill Lane. (Reservations required.)
Store
Take a look at the newest modern images at Jane Corkin Gallery then get artful with a scented candle workshop at YUMMI Candles.
You can too refill on heat winter clothes and baggage at Hoi Bo – a sustainable vogue firm that made the Distillery its first dwelling.