Cool things to do in Toronto this winter

Where to go skating in Toronto

Head to Toronto’s outdoor skating rinks to enjoy skating a few laps on a crisp winter day.

Nathan Phillips Square.

Skate past the large "Toronto" sign at the rink in Nathan Phillips Square. Located in the heart of downtown, this iconic outdoor rink sits in front of the Toronto City Hall. Rentals are available onsite.

Location: 100 Queen Street West, Toronto

Evergreen Brick Works

Experience the enchantment of skating under twinkling lights and through a partially exposed old brick factory surrounded by evergreen trees at the Evergreen Brick Works.

Location: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

The Bentway 

Skate along the signature 220-metre, figure-eight skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway bridge at The Bentway and past a colourful installation of woven arches inspired by the northern lights. Rentals and skating lessons are available.

Location: 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto

Harbourfront Centre

Admire Toronto’s spectacular waterfront while skating at the Harbourfront’s outdoor community rink. Don’t miss DJ Skate nights when you can skate and groove to the beats from top DJs. Indoor change rooms, skate rentals and sharpening are available.

Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Mel Lastman Square

During the winter months, the outdoor ice rink at Mel Lastman Square is open every day. On-site skate rentals aren’t available, but the Skate Lending Library brings free skates and helmet rentals to the square on select dates—check the schedule before you go.

Location: 5100 Yonge Street, North York

Check out more indoor and outdoor skating rinks in Toronto. Several public skating rinks provide skate rentals, as well as snack bars and washrooms.

Tip: Outdoor rinks are busiest during the weekends, so plan a weekday visit instead.

If you’re interested in more fun things to do in Toronto in winter, visit the Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Centre in Earl Bales Park. This thrilling spot provides hourly and all-day equipment rentals. 

Browse the shops in popular neighbourhoods

Warm up to some retail therapy exploring the boutiques and stores in Toronto neighbourhoods and top shopping districts.

Queen West

Easily one of Canada’s coolest streets, Queen West runs through Toronto’s fashion district and is home to unique and independent shops, boutiques and galleries. The world-renowned Graffiti Alley at Augusta Avenue and Rush Lane is worth visiting.

Location: Queen Street West

CF Toronto Eaton Centre

One of North America’s busiest shopping malls, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre spans several city blocks and boasts three levels of shops, galleries and food courts.

Location: 220 Yonge Street, Toronto

Bloor West Village

A beloved west-end neighbourhood known for its independent boutiques, European bakeries, specialty grocers and family-owned shops, Bloor West Village is a charming area to visit.

Location: Bloor West Village

The Well

With a wide variety of retail stores, restaurants and the famed Wellington Market boasting over 50 vendors, The Well is one of Toronto’s premier shopping and dining destinations.

Location: 486 Front Street West, Toronto

Visit more great places to shop in Toronto.

Relax and get pampered at the spa

Treat your mind and body to calming spa traditions and techniques that will melt your stress away.

AIRE Ancient Baths

Located in Toronto’s Fashion District, the historical AIRE Ancient Baths features a circuit of thermal baths with cold, warm and hot water, surrounded by candlelight and the hypnotic sound of water.

Location: 510A Front Street West, Toronto

Spa myBlend

Using techniques from around the world, Spa myBlend in the Ritz-Carlton brings unique glamour to classic services like personalized skincare, body treatments, massages, facials and more.

Location: 181 Wellington Street West, Toronto

Elmwood Spa

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of relaxation or a full-day retreat, Elmwood Spa is a luxury experience. Select a spa getaway package or choose from an extensive list of à la carte services.

Location: 18 Elm Street, Toronto

Find more spas where you can reset and recharge.

Celebrate arts, culture and the thrill of sports

Toronto's vibrant cultural scene boasts world-class entertainment, theatre productions, museums with fascinating exhibits and exciting sports teams.

Scotiabank Arena

Experience the passion and energy of hockey mania firsthand by catching a Toronto Maple Leafs game at downtown Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

Location: 40 Bay Street, Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of the largest museums in North America and showcases a diverse array of exhibits and collections that span art, culture and natural history.

Location: 100 Queens Park, Toronto

Art Gallery of Ontario

A cultural hub for art enthusiasts, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) boasts an extensive collection of over 120,000 works of art including Indigenous, Canadian, European, African and contemporary pieces.

Location: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto

Mirvish Productions

Canada’s largest commercial theatre production company, Mirvish Productions presents dozens of popular and small-scale plays and musicals. They operate four world-class theatres: the Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, CAA Theatre and CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Location: Various venues across Toronto

Find more places to visit at unique art galleries and museums, and comedy clubs and festivals.

Celebrate the magic of winter festivals

Don’t miss these fun Toronto winter attractions.

DesignTO Festival

This annual event is Canada’s largest design festival and brings thousands of artists and designers to the city every year. Over 100 free exhibitions and interactive workshops showcase Toronto’s lively design scene, ranging from traditional crafts to state-of-the-art technology.

Location: 91 Pelham Avenue, Toronto

KUUMBA Festival

Celebrate the rich tapestry of Afro-Canadian culture at Toronto’s largest Black Futures Month festival. Music, comedy, literature, dance, theatre and more shine the spotlight on the achievements and creative brilliance of Black communities across North America.

Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Toronto Tea Festival

The Toronto Reference Library is the largest library in Toronto and it’s the venue of the Toronto Tea Festival. Guests are invited to sample some of the best teas in the world, learn more about tea culture and hear experts speak on an array of tea-related topics.

Location: 789 Yonge Street, Toronto

Ontario’s winter season comes alive with its mix of outdoor snowy adventures and cozy indoor escapes. Embrace the season at other winter events in Toronto, including festive holiday markets and winter festivals.

Restaurants and food experiences worth trying

Feed your food curiosity when you discover new flavours and textures in markets, charming cafes and curated prix-fix menus such as Winterlicious.

The Distillery District

It’s easy to be captivated by the appeal of the Distillery District. The historic pedestrian-only neighbourhood has the old-world charm of quaint 19th-century buildings with its cobblestone streets, local shops and cozy cafes and busy restaurants.

Location: 55 Mill Street, Toronto

St. Lawrence Market

Visit St. Lawrence Market, Toronto's oldest market. Open Tuesday to Sunday, it's the perfect place to explore in the winter. With lots of coffee shops, restaurants, cafes and boutiques, you’ll want to spend hours wandering around this cozy market.

Location: 92 Front Street East, Toronto

Winterlicious

Bring your appetite for Winterlicious, Toronto’s highly popular, fixed menu, food and drink event during the winter season. Choose from many menu options featuring an appetizer, a main course and a dessert from Toronto’s hottest restaurants.

Location: Various restaurants across Toronto

Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival

Bundle up for the Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival in February. This apres-ski-themed event is an outdoor beer festival where you can taste drinks from Ontario’s top breweries, eat from seven local food vendors, play fun winter games and listen and dance to the beats from a live DJ all day.

Location: 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Experience Toronto’s rich cultural tapestry in MICHELIN-starred restaurants and popular Toronto restaurants by neighbourhood.

Take in the best city views and nightlife

Elevate your dining and make a reservation at one of the hottest restaurants with delicious menu options and great views of the city.

CN Tower

Experience the best panoramic views of the snow-covered city from the top of Toronto's tallest free-standing structure. The CN Tower is open year-round and is one of the best places to visit in Toronto in winter.

At 346 metres above the ground, the Main Observation Level offers spectacular unobstructed floor-to-ceiling views. At the Lower Observation Level, you can walk on the glass floor, uniquely experience the cityscape with Overview, or immerse yourself in the interactive art showcase, Artmosphere. You can also take an elevator 33 storeys higher to The Top (SkyPod), the Tower's highest point, for even more unique perspectives of the city.

Enjoy a meal and the winter views at the Tower's revolving 360 Restaurant, more than 350 metres (1,150 feet) above ground.

Location: 290 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

The Chase 

Located on the fifth floor of the historic Dineen Building, The Chase’s cozy rooftop patio is open year-round. Enjoy the fresh raw bar, one-of-a-kind cocktails, excellent seafood dishes and upscale Italian and French cuisine.

Location: 10 Temperance Street 5th Floor, Toronto

Harriet’s 

Enjoy stunning views of the Toronto skyline while dining on light bites and wellness cocktails at Harriet’s Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. In the winter, the rooftop is enclosed in glass, decorated with string lights and candles and heated to keep you warm.

Location: 550 Wellington Street West Suite C, Toronto

Writers Room Bar

This intimate rooftop lounge is inspired by the city’s literary past. Settle into comfortable seating by the fireplace and savour expertly crafted drinks. During the winter, Writers Room Bar offers a special whiskey experience with Glenfiddich-inspired cocktails and winter bites.

Location: 4 Avenue Road, Toronto

KŌST Restaurant—BISHA Hotel

44 storeys above Toronto’s entertainment district, the KŌST Restaurant transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months. Its apres-ski-inspired experience features plush furnishings, warm lighting, rustic charm and traditional comfort food like cheese fondue, French onion soup and creme brulee.

Location: 80 Blue Jays Way 44th Floor, Toronto

Round out your food and drink checklist with these speakeasies and secret bars in Toronto.

From satisfying meals served in cozy cafes to exciting seasonal attractions, get inspired by all the great things to do and see in Toronto this winter.