Toronto, the capital city of the province of Ontario is a brilliant city to visit in Canada.
A city welcoming enough to celebrate life and passion, Toronto is one of the top cities in the world popular for business, innovation and quality of life.
But, during winters, it becomes quite difficult to make your way out and make you think about what can be done.
This Canadian city offers a lot for each of its visitors and to help you out, we present a list of Things To Do In Toronto In Winter.
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Things To Do In Toronto In Winter
- Where to stay in Toronto
- Christmas market and Toronto light festival
- Santa Claus Parade
- Gaze at the Illuminated Artwork
- Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
- Pub Hopping
- Food tour of the city
- Before you leave for Toronto
Where to Stay in Toronto
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Toronto, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
Christmas market and Toronto light festival
Toronto’s Distillery District is the perfect space for those who have an interest in being amid a commercial village that combines history with contemporary design and entertainment and creativity.
This pedestrian village is known for its Christmas market, which is why it is one of the top Things To Do In Toronto In Winter. The market is operational from mid-November to December 31st. So, if you are looking for some festive shopping, head to the Christmas Market at the Distillery District.
Apart from being a shopping source, the Christmas market is also a favourite for people for another reason. Most of the crowd, nowadays, is social media enthusiasts and those coming here do use it to its full potential. Considered one of the most instagrammable locations in Toronto, the Distillery District gains a lot of visitors during this time.
Adding to the beauty of this place, Toronto Light Festival also takes place during this time. All decked up for the festive season, the winter wonderland welcomes all. At the Light Festival, you can check out thousands of lights, illuminated sculptures and glowing installations spread out over 13 acres and 44 buildings.
Santa Claus Parade
If you wish to be a part of a Canadian tradition and celebrate winter in their way, try to be a part of the Santa Claus Parade.
According to the legends, to indicate the start of the festive season, in 1905, the first parade took place. After two years of the pandemic hitting the lives, the parade makes its return to entertain its audience once again. The parade includes amazing floats, bands, dancers, marchers, Celebrity Clowns and the guest of honours- Mr and Mrs Claus!
Gaze at the Illuminated Artwork
Walking across the city of Toronto will not only help you experience the vibe on a first-hand basis but also make you get a closer understanding of the culture.
While Toronto turns into a winter wonderland, it significantly showcases a lot of illuminated artworks in consideration of the festive vibe. Since the season is welcomed, amongst the festive celebrations you would notice that people here also celebrate the winter.
Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
One of the must-visit locations in Toronto is Nathan Philips Square. The sole presence of this location is to portray one of the beautiful sides of the city and nothing falls short in this initiative.
In winter, the water fountain present at Nathan Philips Square freezes and turns into a skating rink. Most o the visitors find themselves at the rink, skating their way through. A huge crowd erupts during the festive season and makes the aura joyful.
One of the best ways to enjoy skating with the skyline view of the Harbourfront Centre is to come on a weekday instead of a weekend. This tactic would help you avoid much crowd and also gives you ample time to enjoy your own quality time.
Pub Hopping
While you make a list of what are the best Things To Do In Toronto In Winter, you need to fuel yourself too. And there is a saying that to understand a city’s beauty, you first need to have a taste of it. When translated into a layman’s language, you need to have a taste of the local food in order to get a better understanding of the city.
Simply put, you need to go pub hopping in order to get a glimpse of the winter season’s celebration and also understand the local life here. Toronto, as a city, is quite busy and such is the lifestyle followed here. That is why, when you visit some of the best pubs in Toronto, you will come across holiday-themed decor. Also, complimenting the feeling, you can get your hands on the best vegan options here.
Food tour of the city
Toronto’s food trail is quite different from the previous point. Pub hopping would make you come closer to the other side of the city whereas food trails will welcome you to the aromatic side.
Once you are basking under the festive vibes and getting to know the city’s landmarks and history, you might come across some restaurants. Some of these restaurants might be crowded and that is because it serves the best yet local dishes. Most of the restaurants have vegan options which we preferred and enjoyed on our end. If you too need help with finding the best vegan restaurants in Toronto, we welcome your comments below.
This flavourful trial will excitingly make you come closer to different cuisines. Many dishes that you would come across would either be traditional or would be made especially during the festive season, make sure to try them and not have any regrets later!
Also, the restaurants present here have managed to maintain their original taste and flavour while experimenting with the elements of the dish. Sounds interesting, right?
Go on and try out some of the best dishes in this city and have absolute and beautiful fun with your best Things To Do In Toronto In Winter guide.
Before You Leave for Toronto
Before you set off on your way to Toronto, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Canada. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Toronto
Getting to Toronto is easy, as it is a major transportation hub with multiple options for travel. If you prefer flying, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the primary gateway, serving numerous domestic and international flights. From the airport, you can take a taxi, ride-sharing service, or airport shuttle to reach your final destination in the city. If you are traveling by train, the popular VIA Rail provides excellent connections to Toronto, allowing you to enjoy scenic views along the way. Additionally, several bus companies offer transportation services to and from various cities in Canada and the United States. For those who prefer driving, Toronto has well-maintained highways and roads, making it accessible from neighboring cities and regions. Whichever mode of transportation you choose, getting to Toronto is a breeze, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey to this vibrant Canadian metropolis.
Where to Stay in Toronto
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Toronto, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Toronto
When packing for your trip to Toronto, it’s important to consider the diverse weather conditions and activities the city has to offer. Be sure to pack clothing suitable for all seasons, as Toronto experiences hot summers and cold winters. In the summer, lightweight and breathable clothing, along with comfortable walking shoes, are essential for exploring attractions and enjoying outdoor activities. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. For the winter months, pack warm layers, including a heavy coat, hats, gloves, and scarves, as temperatures can drop below freezing. Don’t forget to bring your umbrella or a waterproof jacket, as Toronto can have unpredictable rainfall throughout the year. Lastly, if you plan on visiting cultural attractions or fine dining establishments, consider packing some dressier outfits. With these essentials packed, you’ll be well-prepared for a memorable trip to Toronto.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around here, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Canada
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your guide to the Best Things To Do In Toronto In Winter. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Canada trip soon then check out our other Canada content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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