Things to do in Toronto this winter run the gamut from wholesome seasonal activities like hitting the slopes to attending a bumping new dance party held in a breathtaking cathedral.

Whether you wait for this season all year or can't stand the cold, there's plenty to do around the city to help you beat the winter blues.

Here's our roundup of things to do in Toronto this winter.

New this year

Watch a Tony Award-winning Musical

While Mirvish can always be relied upon to bring top-notch, Broadway-quality performances to Toronto, this winter, they've got quite the docket, which includes Tony Award-winning sensation, Moulin Rouge!, in its Canadian debut, running through Jan. 19.

Play pickleball at an exclusive club

After the splashing success that local pickleball club, The Jar, saw after opening this past year, they're gearing up to open eight new courts in early 2025 to keep the game going. If you're not completely sick of the cold already, you can even take a cold plunge after your match.

Take a winter stroll at one of the city's newest parks

Think you've seen it all when it comes to Toronto's outdoor spaces? Think again. This year, the city opened up a number of new parks, like Leslie Lookout, Bathurst Quay Common and the Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square, so bundle up and get walking.

Explore Hip Hop's roots and legacy at The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century.

Attend a cutting-edge exhibit

Opening for general admission on Jan. 7 and running all the way until April 6, the AGO's latest exhibit, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, gives you a look into Hip Hop's roots, traditions and influence like you've never seen before.

Party it up in a cathedral

Let the beats deliver you at House of the North, a brand-new DJ and dance party that's the lovechild between Canadian music nonprofit, Waveland, and the University of Toronto, which will be taking over the Great Hall at Hart House for a night of grooves.

Marquee events

Roller Express at Union Station

Back for its second year, Roller Express at Union Station is bringing you the chance to show off your roller skating skills — or learn how to skate without falling over, I'm not judging, — until Feb. 2.

Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival

Celebrate the official start of winter while also reveling in the fact that the days will only be getting longer from here on out with the return of this annual celebration that fills Kensington Market with puppets, music and fire on Dec. 21.

Solaris

Not ready to take a rest between Christmas and New Year's? Keep the party going with this annual electronic music festival that's taking over Rebel Nightclub on Dec. 27 and 28.

Dream of skating in your skivvies? The Polar Bear Skate is your chance. Photo by Shane Parent, courtesy of The Bentway.

Polar Bear Skate

Have you ever gone skating and thought 'this would be so much better with no clothes on'? Me either, but if reading that sparked your interest, you actually can have the chance to do just that at The Bentway's annual Polar Bear Skate, which invites you to skate in your skivvies on Dec. 29.

Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan

These comedy legends are putting your standard stand-up to shame during a two-night engagement at Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 9 and 10.

Interior Design Show

Whether you're looking to do some remodeling around the house or simply salivate at stunning design, Canada's premier exhibition of interior design, furniture and innovation is the place for you, and it's taking place between Jan. 23 and 26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Kygo

Making an epic return to Toronto with his latest world tour, this globally-renowned all-star DJ is bringing the beats on Jan. 23.

DesignTO

Running from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, Canada's largest non-profit design festival is back and celebrating its 15th anniversary with more than 100 free events and exhibitions across Toronto.

Winterlicious

This annual celebration of the city's culinary scene returns from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, giving folks across Toronto the chance to dine on exclusive prix fixe menus from dozens of local legends.

Kelsea Ballerini

Break out your boots and prepare for a good ol' time as this Country music diva hits the stage at Scotiabank Arena alongside Maisie Peters and MaRynn Taylor on Feb. 8.

Winter Stations

Back for its 11th year, this annual design competition and free public event sees The Beaches taken over by out-of-this-world art installations or "warming stations" designed by artists, designers and up-and-comers from around the world starting on Family Day weekend, which falls on Monday, Feb. 17 in 2025.

Wavelength Winter Festival

Back for its 25th year of celebrating Canadian talent, this annual music festival will be flooding St. Anne's Parish Hall with 16 show-stealing acts for three nights between Feb. 27 and March 1.

Comicon returns for three days of fanfare. Photo by Fareen Karim

Comicon

Prepare for three days of fun and fan events as this annual extravaganza returns, giving you the chance to celebrate the things you love — whether that's Anime, Horror, Sci Fi, Gaming or Cosplay. This year, it's taking place between March 14 and 16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Lumiere

While Ontario Place as we once knew it is now a thing of the past, this annual light and art festival will still be illuminating the area with breathtaking works from local artists this March. Exact dates to come.

Outdoor activities

Skiing

Whether you grew up on the slopes or have never once made an attempt, hopping on to some skis (or a snowboard) is one of the best ways to get active and make the wintertime feel actually fun. Travel just outside the city to spots like Horseshoe Valley Resort, or keep it local at Earl Bales Park.

Each year, the Record Breaker Cold Plunge (formerly Polar Bear Dip) raises funds for Jack.org. Photo by blogTO.

Record Breaker Cold Plunge

Cold plunging seemed to be all the rage in 2024, so why not keep the momentum going by jumping in the biggest cold plunge tub in the city: Lake Ontario. Each year, hundreds gather at Woodbine Beach on Jan. 1 to raise funds for Jack.org and get the new year off on the right (albeit chilly) foot.

Skating at the Harbourfront

After a two year-long hiatus, one of the city's most beautiful outdoor skating rinks is returning for the 2024-25 season, giving skaters the chance to hit the ice while revelling in breathtaking views of the city skyline and Lake Ontario starting Dec. 21.

Out of town

Bracebridge Fire and Ice Festival

Snow tubing down an entire town street may not have been something you knew you needed until now, but now that you know, take a trip to this town north of Toronto to do exactly that while catching live performances and bundling up around fire pits.

Arrowhead Provincial Park's skating trail is a scene ripped straight from Narnia. Photo by Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Skating Trail

If you thought Toronto was home to some seriously stunning ice skating, try this provincial park in Huntville on for size. Skate through a snow-laden forest straight out of a fantasy book during the day or attend one of their Fire and Ice nights, where lit torches lead the way.

Niagara Icewine Festival

I'll be the first to admit it: icewine just isn't for me. The fact that the Niagara region produces some of the best in the world is still something to celebrate, though. Head to The Falls between Jan. 10 and 26 to revel in special events and tastings or their special Cool as Ice Festival on Jan. 18.

Sugarshacks and maple farms

While Ontario's huge selection of maple farms may not be getting an early start to the season like they did last year, the late winter is still a magical time to swing by a sugar shack to see how the metaphorical omelette (perhaps pancake would be better) gets made while having a sweet and sticky snack.