Toronto – The holiday season is here and Torontonians are turning up the festive cheer! From skating under the stars to attending family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone this holiday season. Here’s a guide for what to do and what’s open or closed in the city.
Must-see holiday events:
Cavalcade of Lights
The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square continues until Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The event features light installations, dazzling cultural performances and family-friendly festivities under this year’s theme, Shine. More information is available on the City’s Cavalcade of Lights webpage.
New Year’s Eve
One of Canada’s largest fireworks displays will light up Toronto’s central waterfront with a spectacular 10-minute, high-altitude show beginning at midnight. The event will also be livestreamed via the City’s Culture YouTube channel 
.
More information is available on the City’s New Year’s Eve webpage.
Outdoor winter adventures:
Welcome TO Winter
The City’s parks, outdoor ice rinks and trails are a winter paradise for all ages, offering skating, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. Visit the City’s Welcome TO Winter webpage to learn more.
Skating rinks
The City’s outdoor rinks and skating trails offer free activities including leisure, figure skating, shinny and ringette. As the weather fluctuates, skaters are encouraged to check the status of their local rink before heading out.
More information about outdoor skating rinks is available on the City’s Drop-in Skating webpage.
The City is once again partnering with Desjardins Financial Group to make it easy and fun for residents and families to learn how to skate by providing access to skates, helmets and skate aids. The mobile Skate Lending Library will be at several outdoor ice rinks throughout the season so all Toronto residents can try this Canadian winter pastime.
More information about the program and skate lending locations is available on the City’s webpage.
High Park Animal Display
The High Park Animal Display will be open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Visitors should note that roads in the park will be closed to vehicular traffic on weekends, as well as on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Learn more on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.
Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including the holidays. Admission is free. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.
Indoor holiday fun:
Community Recreation Centres
The City offers a variety of fitness classes and other drop-in recreation programming over the holidays. Community recreation centres will be open until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 31 but closed on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Some facilities may be closed during the holiday period for annual maintenance.
Check neighbourhood centre hours of operations at the City’s recreation webpage.
Toronto History Museums
All Toronto History Museums sites are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays as well as Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. For more details, visit the City’s webpage.
Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches will close early at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, and Tuesday, December 31. All branches will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, Sunday, December 29, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025
A complete list of TPL branch locations and corresponding hours of operation is available on the TPL webpage .
Residents can download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music anytime by visiting the eBooks & Online Content webpage .
Cultural Centres and City-run Galleries
Assembly Hall and the Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Galleries (Main Gallery and Ascent Gallery) will be closed on Sundays, as well as on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
The Clark Centre for the Arts and Cedar Ridge Creative Centre will be closed from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
More information including visiting hours and directions can be found on the City’s Cultural Centres & Galleries webpage.
The Union Station Indoor Roller Express Rink
The indoor rink, sponsored by TD, will be available to the public throughout the holidays, except from Tuesday, December 24 to Thursday, December 26. Learn more about the rink, including operating hours, at: https://torontounion.ca/tdunionwinter/
St. Lawrence Market
The South Market will be open on Monday, December 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Tuesday, December 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, it will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 and Thursday, December 26.
The Market will be closed on Monday, December 30 and will reopen on Tuesday, December 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Market will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
The Saturday Farmer’s Market will operate as usual on Saturdays, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will maintain regular hours throughout the winter holiday season.
For more details, visit the St. Lawrence Market website.
Plan ahead – What’s open and closed:
City Civic Centres
Toronto City Hall, the City’s Civic Centres, tax and utility counters and the Toronto Archives are closed on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Garbage Collection and Recycling
There will be no curbside residential waste collection on Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Collection will shift by one day: Wednesday moves to Thursday, Thursday to Friday and Friday to Saturday for both weeks. Nighttime curbside residential, commercial and premium organics collection will follow the same schedule.
On Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025, drop-off depots and transfer stations will be closed to the public for drop-off of garbage, yard waste, recyclables, household hazardous waste and electronics.
Christmas tree collection will take place on regularly scheduled garbage collection days in January. For more information, please visit the Holiday Collection & Drop-Off Depot webpage.
Due to the postal strike, residents who have not received their 2025 Collection Schedule before January 1, 2025 can access it online at the City’s webpage.
Road Restrictions
Several road closures and traffic management measures will be in effect for events and critical construction. Those who need to travel near road closures should plan their travel in advance, allow for extra time, consider taking public transit or other travel methods such as walking or cycling and follow signage to keep everyone safe. A map of all road closures is available on the City’s website.
TTC service updates
On certain days during the holiday season, the TTC will run on modified or holiday schedules. Plan ahead by visiting the TTC website for up-to-date service information.
Green P Parking and Bike Share Toronto
For those planning to drive or charge an EV over the holidays, the Green P parking website provides information on parking and EV charging.
The Bike Share Toronto app offers a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation. Users can plan their trip and hop on a Bike Share Toronto classic bike or e-bike. Available all year round. More information is available on Bike Share Toronto’s webpage .
Toronto Island Ferry Service
Ferries to and from the Toronto Islands will follow the usual winter schedule throughout the holidays. More information is available on the City’s Ferries website.
Celebrate safely and responsibly:
Torontonians are encouraged to make the most of this holiday season by celebrating safely and responsibly which includes adhering to the following tips:
Fire safety
Fire incidents are at their highest rate during the holidays as heating, holiday decorations, unattended cooking and candles can increase risk. The City encourages people to be mindful of fire safety this holiday by ensuring their smoke alarms work properly. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and tested every six months or as needed.
More safety and fire prevention tips are available on the City’s Safety Tips & Prevention webpage.
Food safety
Residents are encouraged to visit Toronto Public Health’s Food Safety at Home webpage for a delicious and worry-free holiday meal gathering with family and friends. Review tips on safer food preparation and serving and learn how to store food safely, even during a power outage. More information can be found on the City’s webpage.
Those planning to skip cooking at home and dine out can find the food safety records of food establishments across the city through DineSafe. This helpful tool allows Toronto diners to make informed decisions about where to eat. More information is available on the City’s DineSafe webpage.
Prevent virus spread
Each year, cases of RSV and the flu rise during the fall season. COVID-19 also increases in the winter, though it can surge at other times throughout the year as well.
Toronto Public Health reminds residents to take preventative measures against respiratory viruses as they gather indoors and in larger groups this holiday season. For the best protection, it’s important to wash hands frequently, consider wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor spaces, stay home if when feeling sick, cover a cough and get vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19 when available. Vaccines can be booked through a primary care provider, participating pharmacies or on the Ministry of Health’s website .