Slow down December!
The family calendar has been filling fast with end of school activities and holiday prep and celebrations. Our ‘what to do in T.O.’ is more than just Christmas vibes. These indoor and outdoor options for the kids, teens and big kids in TOw will make the winter break (and days before) great. Enjoy the blur that is December!
1.Trip down TV memory lane – It was the glory days of children’s TV, and so much of it was created right here in T.O. If you are keen to relive your childhood TV memories, and bring your kids along, the Museum of Toronto has the perfect exhibition for you. Mr. Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV is on at Harbourfront Centre until March 15, 2026.
2. Festive playground downtown – STACKT Market’s Holiday Hills is back. One-of-a-kind shopping, seasonal sips, and festive lights and installations. For the kids in TOw, letter writing to Santa and Christmas carollers and for the older kids in TOw, curling (or a version of) and board games. Holiday Hills is now on at STACKT Market until the end of December.
3. Winter market in nature – The Ontario Artisan Market and Ontario Vintage Market are setting up shop on Sundays at Evergreen Brick Works. You can expect 60+ vendors, plus all that makes winter cozy in the valley – warm drinks, local bites, fire pits and skating. The Winter Market runs until December 21, 2025.
4. Winter village – The Distillery District’s Winter Village is a must-do destination to get you in the holiday spirit. Carollers, festive food, outdoor bars and vendors. For the littles in TOw, take in Holiday Puppets by Crane Creations Theatre and Santa’s Village at Soulpepper Theatre.
For the teens in TOw, step into the Stranger Things 5 Immersive Experience. This pop up is at the Distillery District just west of the Clock Tower. The Distillery Winter Market is on now until January 4, 2026.
5. Winterfest on the waterfront – More festive lights, Victorian carollers and eats, plus train rides and winter maze. If you visit during the week leading up to Christmas to check out Jack and the Beans Talk: A Merry Magical Pantomime. Winterfest at Harbourfront goes to end of December.
6. Holiday Lights – Casa Loma is decked out for the holiday season. The self-guided (ticketed) Holiday Lights Tour takes you through its gardens and tunnels. For a free family festive vibes, the Ontario Legislative Assembly’s Festive Lights has indoor and outdoor activities (last day is December 23.)
7. Go skating (on blades and wheels) – The City of Toronto’s outdoor rinks are up and running, and a few other cool locations have launched their skating paths. The Bentway, the figure-eight skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway, opens December 20th. For those brave enough to lace up and stip down to their undies, the Polar Bear Skat is taking place on December 28th.
Indoor, and on four wheels, skating is back at Union Station. Roller Express has Friday Night DJs, Saturday 19+ Winter Mixers and free skating lessons on Tuesdays. Best to register (and rent skates) before you roll.
8. Dinosaurs and sharks – The ROM is serving up some big specimens over the holidays with the opening of an expanded dinosaur gallery with the addition of Zuul, one of the most complete specimens of its kind in the world, and Sharks, a new exhibition featuring dozens of interactive components and life-sized models.
9. Laugh and be jolly – You can count on Second City to provide smiles and laughs over the holidays. On offer: family-friendly fun with Rudolph Runs Wild and for more adult comedy, Rizz the Season and Let it Sownball. (Trip tip: Depending on the temperament of your family, for you and your teens in TOw, Let it snowball is the ‘cleaner’ of the two shows.)
Where to wear your ugly Christmas sweater: Toronto restos and bars have decked out the decor and drinks for the holiday season. Here’s a good round-up of festive and cozy places to toast the holidays.
10. New playground alert: Playground season never really ends. Crosstown Park South Park at Eglinton and Don Wills has a massive bear sculpture. If you’re snowed in, head to one of these City of Toronto parks for tobogganing.
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