Happy New Year’s! This special holiday is a chance to spend time with family and friends, celebrating another fantastic year. There are plenty of events happening all around the Greater Toronto Area and, thankfully for our tired wallets after all that Christmas shopping, most of them are free! Raise your glass and check out our Guide to the Best Family-Friendly New Years Events and Activities in Toronto and the GTA…
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Free Public Transit!
Many GTA transportation operators are offering free rides on the evening of December 31, including the Toronto Transit Commission, GO Transit and UP Express, Brampton Transit and York Region Transit.
New Year’s Eve Special Events in Toronto
City of Toronto: New Year’s Eve Celebration
Date: December 31, 2025
Either in person or online (through the City of Toronto Culture’s YouTube page), watch in awe as the skyline of Toronto lights up. There will be a countdown to midnight, leading up to two synchronized 15-minute fireworks displays across Torontoâs waterfront. (Note: there are no fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square/City Hall.)
Attila Glatz Concert Productions and Canadian Opera Company Orchestra: BRAVISSIMO! New Yearâs at the Opera
Date: December 31, 2025
Spend New Yearâs Eve enjoying operatic arias and duets including Carmen, Turandot, Marriage of Figaro, sure to delight both new and seasoned opera-lovers alike.
City of Toronto: Free New Year’s Skating Parties
Date: January 4, 2026
The City of Toronto, the Mayor and Toronto City Council host Free New Year’s Skating Parties to celebrate the start of 2025 in four venues covering all corners of the city!
YZD: Hangar Skate
Date: Continuing
Hangar Skate returns to YZD, with a free pop-up skating rink at the vibrant 370-acre neighbourhood at the former Downsview Airport lands, including the “A Very 80s New Year” special event for New Yearâs Eve.
Street Eats Market & Harbourfront Centre: Winterfest Toronto
Date: Continuing
Street Eats Market and Harbourfront Centre have joined together to host Winterfest Toronto, a new holiday experience featuring twinkling lights, an indoor/outdoor artisan market, Winter Express train rides, marshmallow fire pits, food stalls, free ice skating and more. Admission is free to attend and includes fireworks on New Yearâs Eve!
The Distillery Winter Village
Date: Continuing
The Distillery Winter Village returns for revellers to embrace the holiday spirit of a traditional European outdoor market, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets of under canopies of lights. In addition, the market stays open on December 31st to ring in 2025 with live music and fireworks at midnight.
Cavalcade of Lights
Date: Continuing
While there is no official NYE event happening at Nathan Phillips Square, skating at its iconic rink is a big part of many families’ traditions. Meanwhile, the free Cavalcade of Lights festival continues, transforming City Hall and its surroundings into a dazzling wonderland every night during the the holiday season.
The Bentway: Skate Trail and Polar Bear Skate
Date: Continuing
Embrace winter at the Bentway with its Skate Trail, including the popular Polar Bear Skate event on December 28. (Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian)
New Year’s Eve Special Events in the GTA
Mountsberg Conservation Area: Winterlit
Date: Starts December 31, 2025
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. One of their Enchanted Evenings happens on NYE with additional entertainment and activities, like candle making.
Noon Year’s Eve Events in Toronto and the GTA
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto
Date: December 31, 2025
Included with standard admission, join the master builders at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre on New Year’s Eve for a countdown and balloon drop at noon. You’ll find LEGO giveaways and party favours (while supplies last), sparkling apple cider toast, and lots of confetti!
Municipal New Year’s Eve Events around the GTA
Ajax Family New Yearâs Eve Party
This family event includes childrenâs activities and games, live entertainment, and ice skating party with DJs and more. In addition, there’s a special countdown and balloon drop at 9:00 PM instead of midnight.
Aurora Family First Night
Located in Aurora, north of Toronto, music, animal and magic shows are included in a program of family entertainment geared to all ages.
Barrie Downtown Countdown
This free family-focused celebration begins at 5:00 PM with free and fun entertainment and activities at Meridian Place until a fireworks show at 9:00 PM.
Brampton Countdown to New Year’s
In the heart of downtown Brampton, go skating at Garden Square and see live music, including headliner Alessia Cara. At midnight, ring in the New Year with a dazzling fireworks display!
Markham: Illuminate the Night
Downtown Markham’s party kicks off at 10:30 PM with a live DJ. Then, the Town Crier leads the countdown to midnight, followed by a fireworks show.
Mississauga NYE at Celebration Square
Residents of Mississauga gather in Celebration Square again this year, starting at 8:00 PM. First, families can join in the fun at the Junior Confetti Countdown, at 9:00 PM, then see international musical performances and DJs, plus outdoor skating and midnight fireworks.
Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Along with a fireworks display that takes place at 8:00 PM and midnight amid the glow of the Falls illumination. Plus, the free Niagara Winter Festival of Lights continues into the new year.
Oshawa Celebrates
Starting at 6:00 PM and ending with an early countdown at 9:00 PM, families can celebrate with free swimming at the recreation centre. Plus, there’s free skating, animal displays, inflatable amusements, and live entertainment too! (As an indoor event, keep in mind that there are capacity limits in place and admission is first-come, first-served.)
Richmond Hill First Night New Year’s Eve
Join the family-friendly afternoon New Yearâs party at the Bayview Hill Community Centre & Pool, featuring an outdoor skating rink, live entertainment, activities, tasty treats, free leisure swim times and an early countdown.
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville: Mayor & Councilâs New Yearâs Eve Levee & Skate
Ring in the new year in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for the Mayor & Councilâs New Yearâs Eve Levee & Skate. Enjoy a family-friendly skate at the Multi-Purpose Trail in the afternoon, and then an evening of celebration, skating, and fireworks at 7:00 PM in Memorial Park.
Family Fun Toronto Guides
Guide to the Best Christmas Lights Displays in Toronto and the GTA
The holiday spirit continues into the New Year with spectacular light displays across the region. Whether indoors or outdoors, by foot or by car, these festivals and shows are bound to instantly get you into a festive mood.
Guide to the Best Holiday Concerts and Shows in Toronto
Taking in a concert or show is always a fun event for New Years so check out our Guide to Holiday Concerts and Shows in Toronto, with ideas for a special festive treat for families.
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