Things to Do in Toronto in Winter: 2024 Guide
Looking for things to do in Toronto in winter? You’re in the right place. Toronto, although chilly in the winter, has a lot of unique things to do year-round, as well as solely in the winter.
Having lived near Toronto my whole life, I have spent lots of time in Toronto between the months of December and March (when it’s most prone to the ‘wintery’ weather) and can advise on:
- best things to do in the city to enjoy winter
- how to make the most of Toronto (if you’re not the biggest fan of the cold)
It may be chilly outside in Toronto in winter, but there is no shortage of unique things to do and ways to enjoy the cold season as much as one possibly can.
There are activities year-round for people of all ages in Toronto, and the winter months are no different.
I’m going to go over the special, unique things that you can only do in winter in Toronto, and hopefully give you some good ideas of how you can spend your winter in Toronto.
So, let’s jump – things to do in Toronto in winter!
What You Need to Know about Toronto in Winter
The truth about winter in Toronto is that it has very mild winters, lately. Yes, there could be the odd snowstorm – but mostly, the weather is just pretty chilly, slushy and gray.
The first snowfall in Toronto usually comes in December, and there’s said to be at least 1cm of snow on the ground for 65 days out of the year.
Honestly, if you’re hoping to see snow in Toronto, you may be disappointed – it’s just not the best Canadian city to experience snow. But, your best chances of seeing a snowy Toronto would be in January and February.
| Toronto in Winter by Month | Average Temperature (High vs Low) |
| December | High: 3°C (37.4°F) Low: -3°C (26.6°F) |
| January | High: 0°C (32°F) Low: -7°C (19.4°F) |
| February | High: 0°C (32°F) Low: -7°C(19.4°F) |
| March | High: 5°C (41°F) Low: -2°C (28.4°F) |
There are many other places to visit in Ontario where your chances of experiencing winter may be higher.
A snowstorm may happen once or twice during a winter in Toronto. During a snowstorm, it may not be safe to drive and everyone may stay indoors. While snowstorms are possible do happen, the majority of the winter in Toronto will be cold with minimal snow.
What to Bring to Toronto in Winter
Here’s what you should bring to be prepared for the cold weather in Toronto, as well as Ontario
- A good winter hat that can cover the ears. The wind can be painful on your face when it;s cold. Fun fact: Canadians tend to call it a ‘touque.’
- Scarf or neck warmer. I always regret not having a neck warmer like this one on me when its cold. I highly recommend one, especially when it is below 0°C
- Mitts. I prefer convertible ones like these, so you can wear them both ways depending on the task
- Warm, waterproof footwear. I can’t stress the waterproof part enough. You want boots suitable for several inches of snow, but can sustain slush and puddles too. I use Sorel boots, which you can find here. They make men’s, women’s, and kids boots.
- A warm winter coat
- Snowpants if you want to be doing some winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing or snowshoeing
- Sunglasses or snow goggles (if you plan to do skiing or snowboarding.) The glare from the snow can be intense in winter, especially when its sunny!
Things to Do in Toronto in Winter
Here are the things to add to your Toronto itinerary in winter, all winter long. These activities are available from December through mid-March, weather depending
1. Indulge in a variety of comfort foods at the Kensington Market
The Kensington Market is the “foodie” area of the city. Its cozy, hole-in-the-wall cafes and restaurants make it a great place to visit any time of year – but especially when it’s cold out.
Food tours at the Kensington Market run year-round, and many of the foods and flavours are so comforting and perfect for the cold weather.
Most food tours in the Kensington Market are 2-2.5 hours long and include an expert guide who shares some fascinating rich history of the neighbourhood. This is best if you want more in-depth information and are adventurous with food.
If not, I recommend just walking through the Kensington Market at your own pace. It’s virtually unchanged from hundreds of years ago, and has many shops, cafes and bakeries to duck into if you get cold.
Book your Kensington Market Food tour (2.5 hours long, $125 CDN per person – all food included) here
2. Skating on an outdoor rink
Toronto has some beautiful skating rinks open throughout the winter months. The most popular outdoor rink is at Nathan Phillip’s Square, just outside of the old City Hall and in front of the famous “Toronto” sign.
All lit up at night with the glowing Toronto sign, this rink is as beautiful in the evening as it is during the day.
Here are the details on two of the most popular, iconic outdoor skating rinks in Toronto:
- Nathan Phillip’s Square – Open from early December until mid-March, depending on the weather. *There are public washrooms, and skate-rental facilities on site
- Harbourfront Skate Centre – Open from early December until mid-March, depending on the weather (it was closed in 2022, and 2023) *There are public washrooms, lockers on-site, and benches to put skates on.
In addition, you can check the open status of dozens of other skating rinks in the city at the city website here.
2. Go snowshoeing in Toronto’s largest park
High Park is a large, 397-acre park in the heart of Toronto. There aren’t official snowshoe trails, but the parks is very popular for snowshoeing in the winter.
Bring your gear, and take the TTC to High Park station. From there, it’s only a 1-minute walk to High Park.
Don’t have snowshoes? You can rent them from Exclusive Sport Rentals which are based out of Vaughan (just north of Toronto.)
3. Catch a Leaf’s Game
Hockey is considered Canada’s National sport and you can experience the passion when you go to a Leaf game, or catch one on TV.
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967, so go cheer them on!
Maple Leaf games take place at the Air Canada Centre. To be honest, they are not cheap in Toronto – one ticket will cost anywhere from $120 to $300 per ticket, depending on how close you are to the rink.
My husband and I once drove to Ottawa to see a Leafs game because we were able to get much cheaper tickets to see one there.
But if you manage to score tickets at the Toronto game, the Air Canada Centre is a really nice venue right downtown Toronto to be able to experience this energy. There are plenty of places to eat nearby too if you want to have dinner before the game.
Good to Know: Maple Leaf tickets can be bought on Ticketmaster.
4. Spot winter wildlife at Tommy Thompson Park
Tommy Thompson Park is a large wildlife reserve in Toronto’s southeast end. Its the perfect place, in both summer and winter, to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
There are no dogs allowed at Tommy Thompson Park, for the reason that the focus is to make it a safe, comfortable place for wildlife.
This also however, makes it easier to spot wildlife as they don’t need to make themselves as scarce! In the wintertime, you can see cardinals, chickadees, finches, and if you’re lucky – even owls.
Tommy Thompson is a perfect place to go in the winter to try and spot some of these native Ontario birds. The trails aren’t maintained during the winter, but they are very popular for skiing and snowshoeing.
5. Go sledding at Riverdale Park
There are dozens of places in Toronto to go tobogganing, but one of the largest hills in the city is at Riverdale Park West, a large park in northeast of the downtown area.
From the top of the hill at Broadview Avenue, you toboggan down 65 feet (20 metres) down towards the Don Valley Ravine. You can also see a view of the CN Tower and skyline in the background.
Riverdale Park West is located at 375 Sumach St in Toronto, and its actually pretty easy to get there from downtown.
To get to Riverdale Park West, take the TTC to the Dundas Station. From there, walk to Yonge and Dundas, and take the 501 East streetcar for about 10 minutes. Get off at River Dale. From there, its a 10-minute walk to Riverdale Park West. Don’t forget to bring your toboggan gear!
Good to Know: Riverdale Park is the largest, but not the only place to toboggan in Toronto. For other toboggan locations throughout the city of Toronto, click here.
6. Go cross-country skiing on the Toronto Islands
Yes, you can still head to the Toronto islands even during the winter! There are trails open that are popular in the summer for hiking, and great or skiing or snowshoeing during the winter.
Toronto Islands Trail is the longest cross-country ski trail in the city. Its a 14.6 km (9 mile ) loop and takes up to 3 hours to complete in the winter. You can ski or snowshoe from Wards Island all the way to Centre Island and back, and get picturesque views of the city along the way.
Note: Keep in mind that amenities on the Toronto islands are limited in winter; there are only three public washrooms open, and it is very cool on the island because of the drafts from the lake. Bring everything you need with you and be sure to dress warmly!
Good to Know: The water taxis to the Toronto islands are closed in the winter, and the Ward’s Island ferry is the only way to cross over in the wintertime. Head to the Jack Layton Ferry terminal to take the ferry. Tickets can be bought here.
7. Warm up to hot soup on an icy day
Hot soup is a comfort year-round, but I think we can all agree that the best time to enjoy it is in the winter. When its cold outside, there’s nothing better than to enjoy a hot soup .
Toronto being the most multicultural city in the world means that you have your variety of hot soups to choose from to warm up in the winter months.
Here are some of the ideas of the best places to find the most warming soup in Toronto on a cold winter day:
- Ramen Isshen for some authentic Japanese ramen – there are two locations in Toronto, one on Queen st and one on College. (Vegetarian options, too!)
- Hobakjuk (Korean pumpkin soup – a staple in Korea) find this in Koreatown at the Christie station
- A hearty minestrone soup found at Italian restaurants – The Olde Spaghetti Factory, or a hole in the wall in Little Italy
- A steamy, flavourful pho found in Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown and in the Kensington Market
8. Try Canadian iced wine
Ice wine is a special dessert wine made from grapes that froze while still on the grapevine. Ice wine tends to be very sweet, with fruity flavours and it’s best served chilled.
Canada is one of the few countries where ice wine is produced, so it also makes a great Canadian souvenir or gift to take home.
Only 90 minutes by car from Toronto is Niagara on the Lake’s annual Ice Wine festival.
The festival allows you to sample ice wines from local Niagara vineyards, and food samples from some of the high-end restaurants in the historic downtown.
The Ice Wine Festival is held over two weekends in January; the 2025 dates are January 10th-26th on weekends only. It will held outdoors on Queen Street, the main street in Niagara on the Lake.
While you’re in Niagara on the Lake, you can also visit the wineries and do wine tours and tastings, even in the winter!
Good to Know: Not able to make it to the Ice Wine Festival this year? Niagara on the Lake’s Ice Wines can be bought at LCBO, Canada’s largest liquor and wine retailer – there are multiple locations in Toronto. My personal favourite is the ice wine made by Pellar Estates, or the Three Sisters.
9. Hit the slopes at Toronto’s ski hill
Yes, Toronto has its own ski hill, with chair lifts, and everything. (I didn’t realize this until I was well into adulthood.)
Earl Bales Ski & Snowboard Centre in North York is a small, but great place to learn to ski or snowboard, as it has beginner and medium-level hills. It also has a racer hill for those who are more advanced.
Earl Bales Park has one large beginner hill, a main (medium-level) hill, and a racer hill for those who are looking to go a bit faster or for an extra challenge.
You can rent snowboard and ski gear on-site, so you don’t have to worry about bringing anything of your own, other than winter clothes.
The one thing I do recommend is having your own snow goggles – the light reflecting off of the snow hill can be intense in the winter, and sunglasses carry the risk of breaking.
Good to Know: There aren’t a lot of food options on-site at Earl Bales Ski, so its best to bring a snack or grab food nearby. There is a Metro grocery store, Starbucks, Wimpy’s Diner and a Pizza Pizza just down the street from the park (about a 5-minute drive.)
10. Warm up at an indoor spa
Indoor spas are a great way to enjoy saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. It gives you a chance to warm up and rejuvenate as you escape the cold for a few hours.
One of my personal favourite spas in Toronto is Elmwood Spa. Its a short walk from Dundas Square, and it includes water therapies, including baths, steam rooms, and swimming pools, in addition to spa services and restaurants on-site. It’s a great little oasis inside the city to escape the hustle and bustle (and the cold!)
Elmwood Spa is open every day from early morning until evenings between 7 and 9pm depending on the day. Reservations for spa treatments should be made in advance on their website.
11. Escape the cold at a museum or art gallery
Toronto is full of interesting museums that can be enjoyed year-round; winter is a particularly good time to enjoy them because of how unpredictable the weather can be.
Sometimes there’s too much snow, and sometimes not enough to be able to enjoy ‘winter’ activities – but these indoor things to do are always available, year round.
- Royal Ontario Museum – Canada’s largest museum, and one of the biggest in the continent as well.
- Bata Shoe Museum – this is my favourite museum in Toronto. It is focused on exploring cultures and civilizations through their footwear. You can learn a lot about a society by the shoes that the people wore. It’s just such a unique museum and worth checking out!
- Art Gallery of Ontario -art works from paintings, sculpture, to modern art; you could wander around here for a good hour or two seeing so many interesting things.
- CN Tower – see the snow-covered tops of the city terrain from the highest observation deck in the world, and stand on the glass floor!
12. Check out special events at the Harbourfront Centre
The Harbourfront Centre is located right downtown on the Toronto harbour, and has interesting events throughout the year. There are art exhibits, performances and cultural events.
Heading to the Harbourfront Centre during the cold months will allow you to see the harbour of Toronto in winter, and warm up inside this cool exhibit that always has something going on.
Check out the Harbourfront Centre’s upcoming events here. (Also, don’t forget about the Harbourfront Centre skating rink right on the harbour, if it’s open.)
There’s a café inside the Harbourfront that looks out onto the lake. There’s also a cafe right outside of it that seems brand new. I can’t find it on Google maps, which is odd – because I have seen it. ln any case, either of these cafes might be a great place to grab a hot drink and walk along the lake shore(Dress warmly, as it can be chilly.)
Good to Know: The Harbroufront Centre is open from 10am to 9 pm every day. The easiest way to get there is to take the Queens Quay streetcar from Union Station.* note the 509 Queens Quay street car will be out of service until January 2025. Click here for the update.
13. See the lay of the wintery land from the CN Tower
Head to the CN Tower and you’ll find a few attractions worth checking out right around it – the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Toronto Roundhouse are all within a 1-2 minute walk from each other.
You could spend a full day visiting the aquarium, exploring the old locomotives at the Toronto Roundhouse, and getting a bird’s eye view of the winery skies and snow-covered land from the top of the CN Tower.
There are plenty of places to eat right in that immediate area too, so you can easily make a whole day out of it with family or friends.
14. See the snow-covered surroundings from Toronto’s only castle
Casa Loma is open year round. They hold special events for Halloween and Christmas, but from in the winter months, its business as usual at the castle.
Part of what I like about Casa Loma in the winter is there is something so cozy about enjoying the old-fashioned, cozy rooms and old fireplaces with the chilly air outside, and (if you’re lucky) a beautiful snow-covered city scenery.
The view from the Casa Loma Tower will be different from the CN Tower, of course. You can see the CN Tower with the surrounding city from Casa Loma. It’s a very different view.
15. Explore Toronto’s indoor food market
The St. Lawrence Market is a large indoor marketplace located in a historic building downtown Toronto that mainly sells food items – you can find produce, pastries, meat, cheese, nuts, and even some ready-made food to sit down and enjoy there.
It a great place to escape the cold, get a hot drink and enjoy the culture of Toronto.
The upper floor of the St. Lawrence Market has mainly produce and take-home ‘grocery’ items – I recommend bringing a bag so you have something to carry the food home, in case you want to buy anything.
The downstairs area of the St. Lawrence Market has food as well, but also more of a cafeteria atmosphere where you can buy hot chocolate, tea or coffee, as well as Italian and Greek sandwiches, wraps and soups. Canadian souvenirs are also available for purchase downstairs.
The St. Lawrence Market is open every day from 9am to 7pm, except on Saturdays its from 10am to 5pm.
17. Head to Niagara Falls to see them in winter
The famous falls are still running in the wintertime, and one of my personal favourite things is seeing them lit up at night.
While Niagara Falls seems like an outdoor activity, there are a lot of activities to do indoors. It’s known as the ultimate ‘tourist’ trap place, but it’s a nice getaway for a day or two – whether you go solo, on a romantic weekend, or with kids.
Some of the indoor things to do in Niagara Falls are:
- the butterfly conservatory
- the casinos
- the Skylon Tower (see the snow-covered surrounding terrain from a bird’s eye view)
- Bird Kingdom, which is the largest aviary in North America.
If you’re in Toronto with young kids, I have lots of tips on visiting Niagara with a toddler. We go to to Niagara Falls almost every year as a family.
Most recently, we stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, which is a lot of fun for school-aged kids.
Things to Do in Toronto in December
Here are the things to do in Toronto in December only; many of these activities are open for the holiday season exclusively (from late November to early January.) For more details on them, visit my Christmas in Toronto page.
1. Distillery District’s Winter Village
The Distillery District is Toronto’s Victorian, car-free neighbourhood. With its cobbled grounds and narrow streets, its a quaint and photogenic place to visit year-round, but it’s especially pretty in the winter.
The Distillery Winter Village has a 50-ft tall Christmas tree, live music, shopping and dining. In the main square, there are wooden European-style Christmas market vendors, and a beautiful ambiance with a lively atmosphere.
I go to the Distillery Winter Village every year, and it’s a busy place -especially at night, because everyone wants to experience the Christmas lights. Still, its a festive and fun way to gear up for the holiday season. Its popular with families, couples and groups of friends.
Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Toronto Distillery Winter Village in 2024:
- It will be open from November 16th – December 31st, 2024 (there is usually a special tree lighting on the day it opens.)
- Tickets for the Winter Village can be bought online on their website, or at the door. (I always buy mine in advance, as buying them at the door means a longer lineup.)
2. See The Nutcracker ballet
We see The Nutcracker in Toronto almost every year in December; it’s a beautiful performance and such a nice Christmas treat.
There are both daytime (matinee) and evening shows for The Nutcracker. If you’re catching an evening show, then I recommend eating dinner before the show, as the performance starts at 7pm and is almost 2 hours long.
Tickets for The Nutcracker in Toronto go on sale on September 26th on the National Ballet website.
Pro Tip: Be sure to make dinner reservations if you want to have a sit-down near the Four Seasons before the ballet. Every restaurant within a 10-minute walk of the Four Seasons get booked up very fast on ballet nights (I found this out the hard way!)
9. See a giant tree at the Eaton’s Centre
Eaton Centre is one of the largest malls in Canada, (the largest in Toronto) with over 250 stores. Its a fantastic place to do some holiday shopping, or even just escape the cold and browse the stores during the winter months.
At Christmastime, the Eaton’s Centre has been known to have a very tall, elaborate Christmas tree.
In 2021, they had a 108-ft tree, but decided to have no tree at all in 2022. (Which caused some controversy.) We’ll have to see what they decide for 2023 – either way, the Eaton Centre is a must-see in Toronto at any time of the year.
The Eaton’s Centre is located right in the Dundas Square, so there are a lot of places nearby to eat and shop. Its a 15 minute walk to Nathan Philip’s Square, and only 5 minute walk.
4. GLOW Toronto
*Note: GLOW will not be returning to Toronto for the 2024 season.*
Glow Toronto is an indoor Christmas light festival (so, therefore, only running until December 31st.) Its a beautiful display of lights with “Christmas around the World” as the theme. You’ll see the Big Ben, Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, and other world landmarks, as well as lit up trees.
There are some fast food vendors on-site and kiosks that sell alcoholic beverages, as well as a Christmas train, and large children’s play area.
I go to GLOW Toronto every year, because there’s just something magical about the light displays and the ambiance. Its a great activity for both families or adults. Families with young kids tend to visit during the day, while couples and groups of adults tend to go at night.
GLOW Toronto is generally open from late November until December 31st, and you can buy tickets on their website.
GLOW Toronto is held at the Toronto Congress Centre (North Building) at 1020 Martin Grove rd in Etobicoke.
How to Get Around Toronto in Winter
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) includes the subway system, street cars, and buses.
If you’re going to be in Toronto for a length amount of time, then you can purchase a card that you load funds onto as you need to. If your visit to Toronto is short, then you could pay by ride, or get a 1 day, 2 or 3 day pass for the TTC.
Getting into the city of Toronto from the airport is easy – no need to stand outside in the cold waiting for a cab! Simply hop on the express train from the airport that takes you into the heart of Toronto.
Read my post on the Pearson Airport to Union Station Train here.
Where to Stay in Toronto in Winter
The most convenient place to stay in Toronto is near the Union Station, because from there you can easily catch a subway, GO Train or streetcar to anywhere you want to go in the city or just outside of it.
Its also a nice, safe business district and a good place to stay. Read my post on the Hotels Near Union Station.
If you’re looking for other places to stay in a range of budget options, then here are other places I recommend in Toronto.
- Budget: Samusun Toronto Located near the Kensington Market, and steps away from lots of attractions. Free breakfast, and choose between dorms or private rooms.
- Mid-Range: 25 Richmond Street Condo Highly rated, and well located!
- Luxury: Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto Enjoy a view of the CN Tower and be steps away from the tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Scotiabank Arena, the Toronto Roundhouse and other attractions
Toronto in Winter: FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about visiting Toronto during the winter season
Is Toronto worth visiting in winter?
Toronto is worth visiting year-round, but there are a lot of special events happening in the winter. December in particular is a special time in Toronto. Being the most multicultural city in the world means a mix of holiday celebrations city-wide. From January to March, there’s outdoor skating, tobogganing, cross country skiing on the Toronto Islands.
What is Toronto like in the winter?
Toronto is chilly in the winter with the temperatures hovering between an average of -7°C (19.4°F) as a low, and 2°C (35.6°F.) as a high. There is often some snow in Toronto, but there may also be days with no snow at all. Be prepared for the odd snowstorm in Toronto, where it isn’t safe to drive and you may want to stay inside because of the harsh winds.
Does Toronto have harsh winters?
Toronto doesn’t normally have brutal winter temperatures, because geographically, its much further south than other Canadian cities. The average temperatures during the winter in Toronto fall between 0°C (32°F) and 2°C (35.6°F.) Its chilly, but not nearly as cold as if you travel up north to cities like Barrie, Bracebridge or Montreal.
Is it worth going to Toronto in December?
Yes, its absolutely worth it to visit Toronto in December. A lot of the winter activities begin to open up, such as outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hills and snowshoeing trails. In addition, Toronto has a lot of special events that happen throughout December that close in January. So if you’re heading to Toronto in winter, I think December is a good time to visit
Is Toronto walkable in winter?
Yes, Toronto is very walkable year-round, including in winter. Some great walking areas in Toronto in winter are the Distillery District, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queen St. West and Yonge and Dundas. As long as you’re dressed warmly, you’ll enjoy the sights of Toronto coated with snow.
Toronto in Winter: Conclusion
As you can see, Toronto is worth a visit year-round, and winter is no exception. By now, you have a pretty good idea of all the events and things to do in Toronto in winter. Whether you’ll be in Toronto in December for the special holiday events, or later on in January through March, there are unique things to do around the city that are particularly special in winter, as well as plenty of places to escape inside if it gets too cold.
Toronto isn’t the coldest or the snowiest city in Canada, but thats a good thing. Not being too cold makes it easier to get outside and enjoy winter for the short time that we have it. Toronto has a variety of things to do to suit all ages. If you’re in Toronto with kids, there are plenty of family-friendly places to eat downtown.
In the summer, look forward to things like the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and concerts at the Budweiser stage. But for winter in Toronto, check out the many trails, skating rinks, and gems throughout the city that bring warmth, fun and entertainment in the winter months.