Spend time in Toronto this holiday season for exciting festivals, heartwarming traditions and unique experiences to share with your fam.
Visit Toronto for a big-city winter wonderland that’s jam-packed with holiday excitement. Here’s what’s happening in November, December and January.
1. Walkable winter weather
Toronto is wonderfully walkable year-round. Layer up with a coat, toque and gloves, and you’ll be good to go with temperatures averaging 2°C to 9°C in November, -3°C to 3°C in December and -7°C to 0°C in January.
Want to warm up? Grab a hot chocolate, pop into a niche art gallery or museum or get your steps in at the PATH, Toronto’s underground walking network.
The PATH spans 30 kilometres downtown and is home to 1,200 shops, restaurants and services.
It connects key destinations, including six subway stations, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Eaton Centre shopping mall, Scotiabank Arena (home of Toronto Raptors basketball and Toronto Maple Leafs hockey) and other attractions.
2. Magical festivals with holiday lights
Immerse yourself in the wonder of Toronto winter festivals where you can enjoy spectacular holiday light displays, live entertainment, festive food and drink, and shop for everyone on your list. (And let’s not forget the photo ops!).
Don’t miss the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Distillery Winter Village, Canada’s Wonderland’s WinterFest and the City of Toronto’s official holiday fest, the Cavalcade of Lights.
3. Holiday arts and cultural events
Lose yourself in the artistry of the National Ballet of Canada’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker, the acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil's ‘Twas the Night Before… or the charisma and camp of A Drag Queen Christmas.
Capture the spirit of the season at Handel’s Messiah, as interpreted by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir or Tafelmusik. Tafelmusik also stages a sing-along performance, where you can join 2,000 other enthusiasts in raising the roof at Massey Hall.
4. Toronto holiday traditions
Rediscover the magic of the Original Santa Claus Parade, a Toronto holiday tradition since 1905.
Marvel at Toronto’s biggest and brightest Christmas trees at Nathan Phillips Square, the Distillery Winter Village and Casa Loma’s Christmas At The Castle.
And check out these creative window displays in popular shopping districts for festive inspo while you’re out and about.
5. Epic gift shopping
Toronto’s shopping scene is unparalleled, with options high and low. From Canadian and international designer labels to coveted brands and one-of-a-kind vintage, it’s here!
And not just fashion—you’ll find eco-friendly gifts, foodie presents, indie bookstores, custom beauty and so much more.
Shop local in Ossington, Little Portugal or Leslieville. Discover cool finds at Black-owned businesses and from Indigenous creators, curators and makers,
Check out the shopping centre with the largest collection of luxury brands in Canada. Hit the One of A Kind Winter Show.
Or DIY your own Toronto souvenirs, which make great gifts, BTW!
6. Stellar ice skating
Go ice skating in Toronto. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, there are local ice skating rinks and trails that are just your speed (many with affordable rental services, too).
If you’re a photos-or-it-didn’t-happen kind of traveller, lace up at Nathan Phillips Square (after dark, to include the City Hall lights in all their glory), Evergreen Brick Works (an outdoors-ish rink set within the shell of a reclaimed brick factory) and The Bentway (a unique figure-eight trail under the Gardiner Expressway).
7. Festive feasts and afternoon tea in Toronto
Host a festive feast (minus the prep work and clean-up) in one of Toronto’s most celebration-worthy restaurants. With vegan-friendly, plant-forward restaurants, luxe wheelchair-accessible restaurants and global food perfect for diverse holidays, our culinary scene has a lot to digest.
But don’t wait for dinner. Brunch is one of Toronto’s biggest obsessions, and this time of year so is afternoon tea, hosted at fine hotels and tearooms across the city.
8. Solitary winter pursuits
If your idea of a holiday getaway is to recharge your batteries away from the crowds, try escaping to an afternoon theatre matinee or to a film screening at TIFF Lightbox (the year-round venue of the Toronto International Film Festival, with plenty to eat and drink nearby).
Or go for a hike, ID animal prints and discover zero-Celsius forest bathing at Rouge National Urban Park.
9. Soothing self-care and wellness experiences
Whether you’re capping a year of self-care or kicking off 2025 mindfully, Toronto offers a wealth of wellness experiences.
Try soundbathing or float therapy. Go for a run along the waterfront (it’s beautiful in winter!) and then chase down a muscle-soothing massage and pampering facial at one of Toronto’s best spas.
10. New Year’s celebrations in Toronto
Say farewell to 2024 and celebrate the New Year here! The City of Toronto’s New Year’s Eve event at Nathan Phillips Square attracts crowds with family-friendly live entertainment, DJ sets, festive lights, ice skating and a countdown to midnight.
The Harbourfront area typically hosts another official City of Toronto New Year’s event, an evening of musical performances and—of course!—fireworks to usher in the New Year. The best places to catch the vibe are Sherbourne Common, Toronto Music Garden and Harbourfront Centre.
