
There are so many great things to do in Toronto this January to make the first month of 2025 a memorable one. Stay cozy indoors and check out some of the city’s most captivating art exhibits, catch a show, or bundle up and embrace the winter with an outdoor experience.
Here’s a list of 20 incredible things to do this January in Toronto.
1. Dip into 2025 at the Record Breaker Cold Plunge
Start the first day of the new year with an ice cold dip in Lake Ontario with tons of other like-minded brave souls at the Record Breaker Cold Plunge! The in-person event will be brought to you by Jack.org, Unbounded, Othership, City Shred, Coldture, & Surf the Greats, with 100% of all proceeds going towards Jack.org to raise funds towards youth mental health.
When: January 1, 2025 at 1 p.m.
Where: Woodbine Beach – 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto
2. Experience a cozy Candlelight Concert
Stay warm this January while basking in the glow of countless candles while a string quartet plays mesmerizing tributes to some of your favourite artists. Candlelight Concerts also make for the perfect romantic date, set within an iconic Toronto venue like the Paradise Theater or the Metropolitan Community Church. Grab your tickets here!
When:Various dates
Where: Various venues
3. Skate at Nathan Phillips Square
Glide under the illuminated Toronto sign this January at the city’s most recognizable outdoor skating rink. Skate rentals are available onsite, and you can warm up after with a hot chocolate! The Cavalcade of Lights also runs until January 7, 2025, though the rink will stay open until March 16, weather permitting.
When: November 30, 2024 – March 16, 2025
Where: Nathan Phillips Square – 100 Queen St W, Toronto
4. See free art at DesignTO
Celebrate 15 years of Canada’s largest festival of design this January at DesignTO, which returns to the city from January 24 – February 2. Explore over 100 free exhibitions spread throughout Toronto created by more than 500 artists and designers. From interactive pieces to virtual ones, there are countless things to see. Besides the art itself, you can also sit in for expert talks, go on a studio tour, or attend a party.
When: January 24 – February 2, 2025
Where: Various locations
5. Catch the last of the Distillery Winter Village
If you didn’t get a chance to visit the Distillery District’s iconic Winter Village before the new year, you still have a few days left to see it in January! While there won’t be any live entertainment or vendor stalls in January, you can see all the festive decor and stunning Christmas tree without the crowds or need for a paid ticket.
When: November 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Where: Distillery District – 55 Mill St, Toronto
6. Check out National Geographic’s Spectacle Exhibition
Running until the end of January, you’ll want to add “Spectacle: Rare and Astonishing Photographs” by National Geographic to your January plans. From mesmerizing cultural scenes to stunning landscapes, the family-friendly experience is a great way to spend a cold winter’s afternoon. Secure tickets to the experience here!
When: November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Where: CF Sherway Gardens – 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke
7. Enjoy the final days of the Cavalcade of Lights
Nathan Phillips Square will be illuminated with the annual Cavalcade of Lights festival until January 7, so there is still time to see it in the new year! Go for a skate with free rentals under the twinkling lights, snap photos with Toronto’s official Christmas tree, and explore this year’s new art installations.
When: November 30, 2024 – January 7, 2025
Where: Nathan Phillips Square – 100 Queen St W, Toronto
8. Eat your way through Winterlicious
Every winter, restaurants across the city participate in this exciting food festival by offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, usually showcasing their best dishes for a great price. This year, over 200 local restaurants are joining in on the fun, some offering meals for as low as $20. You can see the full list of restaurants and their menus on the City of Toronto website here. Winterlicious runs from January 31 through February 13.
When: January 31 – February 13
Where: Various locations
9. Explore the immersive pastel world of Bubble Planet
Keep warm and entertained this January indoors at the captivating world at the Bubble Planet Experience! Perfect for kids or your own inner child, the 11 themed rooms feature surreal landscapes which will appeal to all five of your senses. Tickets start at $26.90 for adults and $20.90 for children.
When: Various dates
Where: 30 Hanover Road, Toronto
10. Roller skate indoors at Union Station
Union Station’s massive free indoor roller skating area, Roller Express, is back this year until February 2, 2025. Glide over 5,500 sq ft of skating surface along with an illuminated tunnel trail to explore, see free music performances, browse vendors, and grab delicious bites. You can rent equipment onsite, attend DJ Skate nights, or check out 19+ Winter Mixers. Roller Express is located at TD West Carriageway within Union Station.
When: November 28, 2024 – February 2, 2025,
Where: TD West Carriageway at Union Station – 65 Front Street West, Toronto
11. Take a self-guided walk at Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights
Running until January 4, Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights Tour is an experience not to be missed! Embark on a self-guided trail through endless twinkling lights spanning the gardens and tunnels and catch live performances both indoors and out.
When: December 5, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Where: Casa Loma – 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
12. Go tobogganing at Riverdale Park East
Weather permitting, dust off that sled this January and head to Riverdale Park East, one of Toronto’s best tobogganing hills. Home to incredible city skyline views, this hill dips into the Don Valley Ravine from Broadview Avenue. Prepare for a workout trekking back up after your ride!
When: Any time
Where: 550 Broadview Ave, Toronto
13. Visit WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland’s immersive holiday experience WinterFest ends January 4, 2025, featuring ice-skating, live shows, thrilling rides, decorated Christmas trees, and millions of dazzling lights. Get the last of those holiday memories in before it wraps up for another year!
When: November 16, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Where: Canada’s Wonderland – 9580 Jane St, Vaughan
14. Cheers on the Toronto Raptors
Head down to Scotiabank Arena this January to catch a Raptors game! They’ll be playing on January 1, 3, 6, 13, 15, 21, 27 & 31, 2025.
When: Various dates
Where: Scotiabank Arena – 40 Bay St., Toronto
15. Watch art come to life at the 5th Annual Window Wonderland
Stroll through the Junction neighbourhood this January and see Toronto’s award-winning winter art exhibition, Window Wonderland. Presented by Isaan Der Thai Kitchen, visit 20 incredible augmented reality (AR) window installations and ten murals, all designed by local and international artists. When you download the Artivive app, the windows and murals come to life with an AR animation.
When: December 4, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Where: Toronto Junction
16. See this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit at ROM
Every winter, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) compiles the year’s best nature photography from around the globe, narrowed down from tens of thousands of image submissions. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be hosted at the museum from December 21, 2024 through May 4, 2025.
When: December 21, 2024 – May 4, 2025
Where: Toronto Junction
17. Ice skate at an old airplane hangar
Go for a glide this January at Hangar Skate, a free ice skating experience at the former Downsview Airport lands. Surrounded by vibrant art installations, they’ll also host live DJ skate nights on Fridays, offer free lessons on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and a drop-in arts programming at the YZD Experience Centre.
When: December 20, 2024 – February 17, 2025
Where: 34 Hanover Road, Toronto
18. Recharge at a trendy wellness space
After the madness of the holiday season, January is the perfect time to treat yourself to a little R&R. From Brazilian lymphatic drainage at Tonic Spa to an immersive sauna and ice bath experience at Othership, here are some of Toronto’s best wellness retreats.
When: Any time
Where: Various locations
19. Embrace Dry January with a delicious mocktail
If cutting down on alcohol is part of your New Year’s resolutions or you simply want a creative beverage, we’ve rounded up ten great destinations in Toronto to find a great mocktail at here.
When: Any time
Where: Various locations
20. See the Kygo World Tour
After his last show in Toronto had to be cancelled due to the weather, Kygo is bringing his World Tour back to the city this January 23, 2025. The show will be at Scotiabank Arena and feature special guests.
When: January 23, 2025
Where: Scotiabank Arena – 40 Bay St., Toronto