From skating under the stars to attending family-friendly events, the City of Toronto has arranged something to keep everyone busy this holiday season.
Here are some highlights from the city's guide on what to do, as well as what’s open and closed, during the Christmas break.
Check out the festive lights
The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square continues until Jan. 7. The event features light installations, cultural performances and family-friendly festivities under this year’s theme, "Shine." More information is available on the Cavalcade of Lights event page.
New Year's Eve fireworks
One of Canada's largest fireworks displays will light up Toronto’s central waterfront with a 10-minute, high-altitude show beginning at midnight — though general New Year's festivities start in the area around 10 p.m. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube. There are no fireworks at City Hall or Nathan Phillips Square.
Hiking, tobogganing and more
The city’s parks and trails offer tobogganing and cross-country skiing. Winter birdwatching is also a common pastime for nature loving locals in the city's sceneic areas. Toronto's parks, trails and roads are often cleared of snow within 24 hours if there is more than 8 centimetres of snowfall. Visit the Welcome TO Winter webpage to learn more.
Skating in the 6ix
The city’s outdoor rinks and skating trails offer free activities including leisure, figure skating, shinny and ringette. Skaters should check the status of their local rink before heading out, as the weather can impact ice conditions. The city’s drop-in skating program runs across Toronto, with skate and gear rentals available at certain locations. More about the program and lending locations is available online.
Make some animal friends
The High Park Animal Display will be open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Visitors should note roads in the park will be closed to vehicles on weekends, as well as on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Visit a farm
Riverdale Farm will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including during the holidays. Admission is free, though dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the premises. A resting and warming area is also available in the Simpson House for guests who visit during frigid weather.
Go roller skating
The Union Station Indoor Roller Express Rink will be available to the public throughout the holidays, with the exception of Dec. 24 to Dec. 26. Roller skates are free to rent at the TD sponsored event. Free roller-skating lessons and activities such as DJ skate nights, roller dance performances and 19+ events are also scheduled. The rink will remain open until Feb. 2.
A trip to the market
The St. Lawrence Market's South Market will be open on Dec. 24 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, as well as on Dec. 30. The Saturday Farmer’s Market will operate as usual, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will maintain regular hours throughout the holidays.
Go to the zoo
The Toronto Zoo is open every day over the holidays, including Dec. 25, when the public can take in animal feedings and talks by expert staff. Find out more here.
What will be closed?
Civic centres
Toronto City Hall, the city’s civic centres, tax and utility counters and the Toronto Archives are closed on the three statutory holidays on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.
Waste depots
On Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, drop-off depots and transfer stations will be closed to the public for drop-off of garbage, yard waste, recyclables, household hazardous waste and electronics.
Toronto history museums
All of Toronto's history museum sites will be closed on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, as well as regular closures on Mondays and Tuesdays. The city's historical museums include Colborne Lodge, Fort York, Mackenzie House and Spadina Museum.
Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches will close early at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24 and on Dec. 31. All branches will be closed on Dec. 25, Dec. 26, Dec. 29, and Jan. 1. A complete list of TPL branch locations and hours of operation is available on the TPL website. Residents can still download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music anytime by visiting the library's content webpage.
