Students, jump for joy — it’s almost time for winter vacation! Regardless of how much snow our area receives (or doesn’t) and which year-end celebration your family partakes in (or doesn’t!), there’s always something fun to do in our busy city. Plus, no matter the season, kids will always have energy that needs to get expended before the dreaded boredom sets in, so get a move on with Guide to the Best Holiday School Break Events and Activities in Toronto and the GTA!

Holiday School Break Events

Aga Khan Museum: Light Up the Dark
When: December 27-29, 2023
The stunning exterior of the Aga Khan Museum comes to life with the free Light Up the Dark event, featuring mesmerizing light projections.

Bata Shoe Museum: Winter Break at the BSM – Frosty Footwear
When: December 27, 2023 – January 6, 2024
For this year’s Winter Break at the BSM holiday workshop at Bata Shoe Museum, make winter crafts and play games with the theme of Frosty Footwear.

Royal Ontario Museum: ROM for the Holidays
When: December 26, 2023 – January 7, 2024
The Royal Ontario Museum returns with their ROM for the Holidays program, filled with family-friendly programming and hands-on activities.

Continuing Holiday Events in Toronto

Casa Loma: Holiday Lights
When: Until January 6, 2024
Experience the joy and magic of the holiday season at Casa Loma with their Holiday Lights tour that lets visitors tour the historic castle after dark to see dazzling light displays in the landscaped gardens and mysterious tunnels.

Holiday Fair in the Square
When: Until December 23, 2023
Holiday Fair In The Square heads to North York this year with an artisan market, food vendors, performers, a fireside lounge, and photos with Santa.

Holiday Nights of Lights
When: Until January 7, 2024
Gather the whole family for all-new displays and interactive activities at Holiday Nights of Lights, now at the Scarborough Town Centre. Be dazzled by the sparkling lights, giant ornaments, and then the spectacular Mistletoe Lane winter fair experience. Plus, Family Fun Toronto readers get a festive treat with 15% off tickets using the promo code FAMFUN.

Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
When: Until December 31, 2023
This free festival casts a glow on the famous upscale shopping and entertainment area this festive season with lights and music.

The Distillery Winter Village
When: Until December 31, 2023
Embrace the holiday spirit of a traditional outdoor Christmas market at The Distillery Winter Village, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets of under canopies of Christmas lights, take photos by the huge Christmas tree in Trinity Square and much more.

Illuminarium at The Distillery District: Winter Wonderland Spectacular
When: Until January 7, 2024
Illuminarium at The Distillery District transports guests to a winter wonderland castle filled with state-of-the-art interactive technology with Winter Wonderland Spectacular, a one-of-a-kind Christmas immersive experience.

stackt market Holiday Hills
When: Until December 31, 2023
The stackt market downtown outdoor market hosts the free Holiday Hills festival, with a 120-foot Tunnel of Lights with stunning city views, vendor markets, Family Funday Sundays, and more.

Toronto History Museums: Lots of Light
When: Until January 8, 2024
Toronto History Museums hosts events around Toronto with their illuminating Lots of Light programs throughout the festive season.

The Junction BIA: Window Wonderland
When: Until January 31, 2024
Window Wonderland transforms the Dundas Street West neighbourhood, The Junction, into an interactive, engaging and magical outdoor gallery.

Continuing Holiday Events in the GTA

Gift of Lights & Jingle Bell Rock at Bingemans
When: Until January 6, 2024
Head to Kitchener for Gift of Lights & Jingle Bell Rock at Bingemans, a family-friendly event with spectacular lighting displays.

Burlington Festival of Lights
When: Until January 8, 2024
Drive or walk along the waterfront in Burlington for the annual Festival of Lights for a great free outing for the family this year.

Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
When: Until January 6, 204
The amusement park becomes a winter wonderland for WinterFest. Take a starlit walk through a 100-foot-long, coloured LED tunnel. Plus there’s festive shows and food, and an artisan market.

Ongoing Winter Events in Toronto and the GTA

Arcadia Earth Toronto
When: Ongoing, Tickets currently on sale until February 4, 2024
Arcadia Earth Toronto is an immersive adventure that takes visitors on a voyage, combining creative art installations and exciting technology.

The Bentway Skate Trail
When: Until February 19, 2024 (weather dependent)
Embrace winter at the Bentway with its Skate Trail, including the popular Polar Bear Skate event taking place at 1:00pm on New Year’s Eve.

Cavalcade of Lights
When: Until January 7, 2024
The free Cavalcade of Lights festival continues into the new year, transforming City Hall and its surroundings into a dazzling wonderland every night during the the holiday season.

Toronto Union Station: TD Union Winter
When: Until February 4, 2024
Toronto Union Station gets the party going through the holiday season and into the new year with TD Union Winter, inside the newly opened TD West Carriageway.

Halton Hills: Light up the Hills Winter Festival
When: Until January 14, 2024
Halton Hills is lighting up their parks this holiday season at the Light up the Hills Winter Festival to bring joy and hope to surrounding communities with light displays, free to view.

illumi by Cavalia
When: Until January 7, 2024
illumi by Cavalia is a magical nocturnal outdoor journey that ignites the night with thousands of structures and the Tree of Lights.

Lights on Stratford Winter Festival of Lights
When: Until January 13, 2024
The free annual Lights On Stratford Winter Festival of Lights transforms Stratford’s heritage downtown core and parks with luminous art and interactive light installations.

Mountsberg Conservation Area: Winterlit
When: December 28, 2023 – February 19, 2024
Bask in the natural beauty of Mountsberg Conservation Area by taking an illuminated walk in the woods at Winterlit, where trails sparkle brightly for a combined distance of approximately 1.5 kilometres.

Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
When: Until January 7, 2024
Get your fill of sparkle and good cheer at the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. It’s Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival!

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) Winter Wonders
When: Until January 7, 2024 (Except December 24 & 31)
Discover the magic of nature and light at the newest experience from the Royal Botanical Gardens with festive light displays dotting a 1.5km pathway through the park.

Safari Niagara: Safari Lights
When: Until January 7, 2024
The Safari Lights drive-thru adventure at Safari Niagara has immersive light tunnels, motion lights, and whimsical animal light displays.

Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights
When: Until January 6, 2024
More brilliant than ever, the annual Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights event features light displays every evening, even on Christmas Day!

Family Fun Toronto Guides

Guide to the Best Family-Friendly New Years Events and Activities in Toronto and the GTA
Raise your glass and check out our Guide to the Best Family-Friendly New Years Events and Activities in Toronto and the GTA!

Christmas Light Displays in the GTA
Whether indoors or outdoors, by foot or by car, these light displays, festivals and shows are bound to instantly get you into a festive mood.

Guide to Holiday Concerts and Shows in Toronto
A great idea for a special festive treat for you and your family is to take in a concert, play or dance performance over the school break. Plus, it’s a fantastic excuse to get dressed up and hit the town!

Guide to the Best Spots to Go Skating at an Ontario Provincial Park
Have you ever skated through the wilds of Ontario? You can with our Guide to the Best Spots to Go Skating at an Ontario Provincial Park.

Guide to the Best Spots to Go Outdoor Skating in Toronto
Lace up your skates and hit the best outdoor skating spots all over Toronto this winter! It’s free family fun and good exercise too.

Guide to the Best Spots to go Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding in Toronto and the GTA 
Looking to hit the slopes with the family? Check out Family Fun Toronto’s Guide to the Best Spots to go Downhill Skiing in Toronto and the GTA!

Guide to the Best Winter Farmers Markets in Toronto and the GTA
Enjoy food and home goods while supporting local businesses with our Guide to the Best Winter Farmers Markets in Toronto and the GTA.

Gift of Experiences Guide for Toronto and the GTA
Build lasting memories with your loved ones at many of the top venues in the city with our Gift Guide of Experiences in Toronto and the GTA!

Get lots more ideas for family-friendly activities and events on our calendar here!