The Top Things to do in the Winter in Toronto: How to Find Some Luxury, and Have Tons of Fun
A guide for how to make the most of winter in Toronto, and you’re looking for a first-class experience. Many people avoid Toronto’s winter because its reputation, but if you know where to look and where to go, it’s a season full of unique experiences worth celebrating.
Now, just because I’m from Toronto doesn’t mean I inherently know the top things to do in the winter in Toronto. I say that because getting to know a city takes effort, even if you were born there. Exploring and understanding a city is an active pursuit, and, ultimately, it’s this pursuit which separates people who happen to call this city home, from those who can appreciate what a privilege that is.
What I’ve always loved about winter in Toronto is that, if anything, there seems to be even more events on the docket as compared to other seasons (except perhaps summer, which is festival season). It’s as if mother nature is kindly telling Toronto’s citizens to politely stay indoors until spring, and, in response, Torontonians have figured out every trick in the book to disobey that order.
Whenever I tell people I’m from Toronto when I’m abroad, almost everyone asks, “Wow, wasn’t it freezing?” I simply respond that my childhood would not have been the same without those glorious winter activities in Toronto, and, in those memories, I can barely recall the cold.
Winter in Toronto is special because it isn’t something we put up with, it’s something we embrace. Recently, I teamed up with the amazing folks at Toronto Tourism to prove that not only is there a lot going on during winter in Toronto, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to live it up a little and, as they say in one of my favourite shows, Parks and Recreation, “treat yo self.”
Today, we’re talking how to find that Toronto luxury (and just how to have fun here), while also paying respect to some of the top winter attractions in Toronto. Make no mistake, at this point, Toronto is a four season city and, truthfully, the fun never stops.
NOTE: This post may contain some affiliate links. That means, simply, that I may get commissions from some of my recommendations. That being said, my opinions are fully my own.
The Best Winter Activities in Toronto (With Some Luxury Built In)
In short, I spent the weekend testing out the top things to do in the winter in Toronto so that I could provide some authority here to guide you on your own luxury winter Toronto weekend.
If you’re looking for a more detailed guide on what to do in Toronto all year round, make sure you check out my Ebook!
The Toronto Christmas Market (The Distillery District Christmas Market)
There’s no question about it at this point, The Toronto Christmas Market is one of the top Christmas activities in Toronto. Christmas aside, it’s probably just safe to say that it’s one of the top winter activities in Toronto.
Typically, it runs from mid-November to December 31st.
There’s a reason that the Distillery District served as a movie set before it’s relatively recent reincarnation as one of the most popular tourist areas in the city - it’s because it’s incredibly picturesque. The Toronto Christmas Market, perhaps more than anywhere else, is going to get you that Toronto holiday photo you’re hoping for, especially for all you instagrammers out there.
You can get your best winter attire on and, boom, you’ve got yourself a nice little photo to put on the mantlepiece.
It can be busy, there’s no question, but that’s because it’s worth it. They’ve got mulled wine, cider, a slew of winter treats like giant pretzels, and rides for kids.
The toronto santa claus Parade
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a Canadian tradition that has started the city’s holiday season all the way back to the first parade in 1905.
Returning after a two year break, you’ll watch in wonder all the amazing floats, bands, dancers, marchers, Celebrity Clowns and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus! At this point, it's a part of Toronto folklore, and often considered the can’t miss winter event in the city.
It takes place on November 20th, and tends to be live on the street around noon.
The Aurora Winter Festival
The Aurora Winter Festival, a relatively new arrival as far as winter attractions in Toronto are concerned, runs from runs from the end of November on to December 31st.
It takes place on the old grounds of Ontario Place, and they’ve actually done a fairly nice job turning it into a creative Toronto winter wonderland.
My favourite part of the Aurora Winter Festival, perhaps not surprisingly, was the frozen pond, where our group was able to skate. Skating (and hockey in general) is one of my favourite winter activities in Toronto, so that stars aligned on this one for me.
We also checked out the Tube Park, which was fun, but I’m not necessarily sure I’d wait if there was a big line. My feeling is that they’ll continue to improve and add to their offerings every year moving forwards.
If you’ll be arriving in Toronto after December 30th, it’s no problem, as Ontario Place will still be hosting the Winter Lights Exhibition until March 19th, and it aways gets rave reviews.
casa loma Christmas at the Castle
Casa Loma is brilliant at outfitting their castle for the occasion or season. During Halloween, they’re famous for their “Legends of Horror” at Casa Loma campaign, then, seemingly right afterwards, they’re gearing up for Christmas in Toronto.
This Casa Loma Christmas, as it were, is particularly kid-friendly, as they offer a variety of shows pretty much non-stop which are geared towards the whole family. I watched one show in that was focused on magic, and kids of all ages were involved. It’s quite a coincidence but one of my brother’s good friend’s fiancee is actually one of the ice skaters in one the other shows here! I didn’t get to see her skate, but know she’s very talented.
I would say that, just in terms of looking at Christmas in Toronto as a whole, or winter attractions in Toronto at large, this is a bit more kid-centric, at least during the day when I went, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed either way. Whatever events are going on can’t change the fact that Casa Loma is one of Toronto’s most picturesque and unique cultural sights. Thus, it cracks the list for one of the top things to do in the winter in Toronto.
Enjoy the Views from Toronto Island
Given the numerous summer activities available, you might overlook Toronto Island as a winter destination - but we’d suggest you don’t count it out.
After a short 15-min ferry ride from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal near downtown to Ward’s Island, you can explore the island on either snowshoes or cross-country skis!
holiday fair in the square (Ice Skating at Nathan Phillips Square)
The Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square is a great addition to the growing number of Toronto Christmas events.
It runs from very early December until the 23rd. It’s a great spot to do a little holiday shopping, or just to feel a part of the holiday season in Toronto. In the past, it’s been closed on Mondays, so do note that if you’re planning on heading here.
Now the Holiday Fair thing is great, but it’s safe to say that skating in Nathan Phillips Square in winter is probably the iconic Toronto winter activity no matter what. You can actually rent skates every day (weather permitting) from November 24th until March 17th.
In my opinion, this is Toronto winter done right. The Toronto sign also makes it one of the most alluring places to get a photo in the city of Toronto.
Enjoy Toronto zoo’s Terralumina
This immersive experience pulls you along a 1.5 km walking path that travels into the luminescent wonders of the year 2099, when humans and nature have learned to live in harmony.
Enjoy the breathtaking lighting, multimedia and video effects in this mesmerizing experience.
Shopping in the Ever Stylish Bloor Yorkville Neighbourhood
There are a ton of neighbourhoods in Toronto that I appreciate for a variety of reasons, but there’s no question that Yorkville (or Bloor Yorkville) is the neighbourhood known for its style and, well, money. If you’re into shopping you’ve just found where you might be spending a fair portion of your time if you’re visiting Toronto.
Yorkville is some of the priciest real estate in Toronto because, much like 5th Avenue, if you’ve got a store here, it’s a statement that you’re a big player in whatever you’re focused on. If you don’t love the cold, then this might be one of the winter activities in Toronto you’ll appreciate most because you’ll be spending much of your time indoors.
I should note that Yorkville is more than just shopping though, there are plenty of adorable cafes and great restaurants in the neighbourhood. It’s also a picturesque neighbourhood in general, and always rises to the challenge when it comes to appreciating Christmas in Toronto, or just the holidays at large. You’ll find ample bright lights and colourful streets here.
We took a tour with Omar from Made in Canada tours and he brought us to Christian Louboutin, Tanya Heath, Archives, and my personal favourite spot, Kandl, a new store where you can make your own candles just the way you want them to smell.
Shopping in Yorkville - yup, you can add that to your top luxury winter activities in Toronto.
Snowshoe In High Park
Are you really Canadian if you haven’t tried snowshoeing?
Toronto's High Park is a great place for beginners to the sport - if you need a little extra help, the High Park Ski Club offers members snowshoe lessons and tours through the winter season.
Miracle on Queen Street Pop-Up Bar
Miracle on Queen St. might be the most fun spot that I’ve indulged in some holiday themed beverages when it comes to Toronto. The only problem is that the rest of Toronto knows that as well.
As such, it’s not uncommon for there to be a several hour wait. That being said, they have a system where you can add your name to the list go off to another place, and they’ll let you know when you can come on back.
Typically it operated from mid-November all the way up to December 31st.
If you’re looking for something that a group of friends can get excited about, and can really tether themselves to to embrace the holiday cheer in this city, well this might be it!
Go Skating at the Harbourfront Centre
Nestled along the stunning shoreline of Lake Ontario, Habourfront Centre’s skating rink is a fun place to skate.
Bring your skates or rent them - this spacious urban rink is rarely crowded and has stunning views of the waterfront and the CN Tower.
If you’re up for a little party (or at least something a little more upbeat), it’s worth noting that on Saturday nights you can also enjoy live music and stunning light displays.
Eat at Some of the Best Restaurants in Toronto in Winter
Naturally, the Toronto restaurants which you think are the best are going to be a reflection of your tastes, but I want to highlight some restaurants which are in the areas of some of the places that I’ve described above.
Basically, I want to highlight some great restaurants in Toronto that will nicely coincide with your Toronto winter activities if you use my recommendations to create your own Toronto itinerary.
Sap - Sap, just a short walk from Nathan Phillips Square, is Canadian comfort food at its finest. In truth, it’s hard to even know what “Canadian food” is, which is why places like Bannock are important. It’s a fun place with a creative menu that you won’t find elsewhere.
Bar Reyna - After you’re done your Yorkville shopping, go ahead and add Bar Reyna to your list of places to visit in Toronto this winter. As in, if you’re already there, don’t miss the chance to go. The heated back patio makes you feel like you’re cheating winter in Toronto, and the Mediterranean inspired food is scrumptious. The cocktails are also excellent! I can firmly stand behind this choice and let you know that you aren’t going to be disappointed.
El Catrin Destileria - With their heated patio, the Distillery District’s El Catrin is a hot ticket among Torontonians and tourists during winter, but you should know that the food is worth the wait. It’s a trendy spot, and, in my opinion, it’s best to get a bunch of small dishes for the table and share. I also wouldn’t pass on the chance to get some quality tequila. You may want to check to make sure the line isn’t several hours long, but if it lacks a huge line, then you’ve got no excuse.
360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower - They run a holiday brunch and dinner as a nod to Christmas in Toronto, but you can go anytime. I’ve heard that recently they’ve really upped their food game there, so if you’ve got a little extra cash in the wallet, you may want to take in views of Toronto from over a thousand feet in the air. Aren’t restaurants in the sky what luxury is all about?
What Are Some Other Things to Do in Toronto in Winter?
Needless to say, we had a great group to explore what winter in Toronto is all about. You can find all their Instagram handles in my section on the Toronto Christmas Market.
The Bentway Skate Trail - Forget about luxury for second because for just ten dollars, you can rent skates for two hours and skate the trail which is located in the heart of Toronto. Personally, it’s at the top of my to do list for winter activities in Toronto this coming year. It’ll be running from December 21st to February 18th, weather permitting.
Breakfast with Santa at Ripley’s Aquarium - An underwater breakfast with Santa taking place between 7:30-8:45 on the morning of December 22nd and 23rd (and more dates prior to this post for reference next year.) They’ll also host a NYE party. Beyond all this, a main reason I want to include it on the list of the top things to do in the winter in Toronto is because it’s arguably our top indoor attraction. Even if it’s a snowstorm, you’ll be good to visit.
Bring out the Ol’ Toboggan - Toronto is one of the best cities in the world to go tobogganing, and my childhood can attest to that. See if you can get hands on a snow craft and blaze down some of Toronto’s hills.
Experience Winterlicious - This might be my favourite food event all year in Toronto. Basically, nearly two hundred restaurants offer three course lunches and dinners for a fixed price. It’s a wonderful way to explore Toronto’s culinary scene. Often times you’ve got top tier restaurants taking part, and it might be your only chance to try to many excellent restaurants in such a short period of time. It runs, usually from the end of January until the somewhere around February 9th.
ROMKids Holiday Camp - From December 27th to December 30th, the ROM will be putting some epic, kid friendly programming for the holiday season. Besides that, the ROM is a great spot to visit when you’re in Toronto, especially if you’ve got kids.
Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame - I mean, it only makes sense to appreciate winter’s game during the winter season, right?
Go to a Maple Leafs Game - If you’re a hockey fan, the Maple Leafs are one of the teams you need to see in their hometown. We Torontonians are made about our Maple Leafs, which explains our ticket prices, but hey, this list about about luxury, right?. In the theme of winter in Toronto, you might just want to take a peak at just how passionate we really are about this game.
Find the Winter Event That’s Right For You - The city of Toronto does an excellent job of keeping track of and posting winter exhibits and events to ensure that winter in Toronto is anything but boring. I can only imagine they’ll be something you’ll like considering the list of things to do in winter in Toronto.
Even More Toronto Winter activities to consider
If the weather is a little too intense, get your culture on at the Royal Ontario Museum, or The Art Gallery of Ontario.
Grab at peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery in the St. Lawrence Market
Pop into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Peruse the Toronto Eaton Centre (which quietly attracts more visitors than any other Toronto attraction)
Have a science lover in the family? Escape the cold at the Ontario Science Centre
Spend some time at the ever epic Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
If the sun is out and it’s lovely walking weather, don’t miss the chance to head on down to Kensington Market (my personal favourite site in the city).
Get some classic winter views in the Glen Stewart Ravine
Where to Stay in Toronto to Have the Full Luxury Experience
The Lobby of Hotel X
Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection
For my money, Hotel X Toronto, a part of the Library Hotel Collection, is one of the top hotels in Toronto. They’ve covered all their bases in the creation of this property and, I’d like to think, they thought about any complaint somebody might have, then addressed that in their building plans.
This is luxury done right, as it’s first class and elegant, but not arrogant. They’ve got a sports centre that includes 4 tennis courts, a rooftop swimming pool, excellent food, a library, and even a 250 seat cinema. We were given a media tour of premises and while hotel tours have the potential to be dull, this was far from it. Hotel X Toronto is something else.
My personal favourite part of the hotel, perhaps other than my gorgeous room, was the Kandy Gallery by Neil Dankoff. The Kandy Gallery at Hotel X Toronto features some of Neil’s finest travel photography and fits in with theme of the hotel, travel. Each floor, in fact, features travel photography of a different region, so, of course, you can imagine I was rather pleased. My floor was Iceland, and if you follow my blog, you know my feelings about Iceland.
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So, in a Nutshell, That’s Winter in Toronto
Winter in Toronto is something special, and that’s mostly because there’s something always going on. I started off this article trying to focus more on luxury, and while I think I did highlight some of the more luxurious experiences, I also couldn’t help but make sure this was an itinerary which can serve anybody and everybody. Toronto, after all, is all about inclusivity, and I’m proud of that.
This winter, if you do make it to my hometown, may your hot chocolate be hot, your gloves warm, and your smiles wide.
I want to humbly thank Toronto Tourism for hosting me as media. All opinions are my own. I want to hear from you guys. Have you been to Toronto before? Is there anything you’d want to add to the list? How do you feel about winter in general? Any and all comments are welcomed below, and, as you’ll know, I respond to each and every one personally.
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