Winter weather can be pretty topsy-turvy here in Toronto. There may not always be snow on the ground, but there is always ice! Thanks to city-run rinks with cooling equipment, as well as independent organizers, there are numerous well-maintained spots to go skating around town. So, why not get the most out of the season by having a party, right? Even better, it’s free! Join the fun with our Guide to the Best Skating Events in Toronto…
Of course, don’t forget to check out our Guide to the Best Spots to Go Outdoor Skating in Toronto for great adventures throughout the winter months!
Continuing This Winter
Street Eats Market & Harbourfront Centre: Winterfest Toronto
Date: Until January 5, 2025
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.
City of Mississauga: Light Up The Square
Date: Until January 6, 2025
Celebrate the magic of winter in Mississauga at Light Up The Square, including a Christmas tree lighting, photos with Santa, ice skating, performances and the Holiday Street Market.
City of Toronto: Cavalcade of Lights
Date: Until January 7, 2025
The City of Toronto hosts Cavalcade of Lights, a free festival that bathes Nathan Phillips Square, transforming City Hall and its surroundings into a dazzling wonderland every night during the the holiday season, with ice skating on the outdoor rink as always.
City of Toronto: Skate Lending Library
Date: Until January 19, 2025
Supported by the City of Toronto and Desjardins Financial Group, this travelling skate lending crew provides residents with all the equipment necessary to have fun on the ice. The program visits different rinks all over the city – check out the full schedule here.
December
YZD: Hangar Skate
Date: December 20, 2024 — February 17, 2025
Hangar Skate returns to YZD, with a free pop-up skating rink at the vibrant 370-acre neighbourhood at the former Downsview Airport lands, featuring complimentary indoor arts programming, Friday DJ Skate Nights, affordable skate rentals, free lessons, and more.
The Bentway Skate Trail
Date: December 21, 2024 — February 17, 2025
Embrace winter at the Bentway when its Skate Trail opens for the 2024-25 season, from their opening day just before Christmas and continuing all the way until Family Day!
Harbourfront Centre: DJ Skate Nights and Opening Night
Date: December 21, 2024 – February 15, 2025, Opening Night: December 21, 7:00pm
Harbourfront Centre hosts another season of DJ Skate Nights, including an Opening Night Celebration, featuring a different guest DJ every Saturday night as skaters enjoy gliding under the stars and along the shores of Lake Ontario.
City of Toronto: Free New Year’s Skating Parties
Date: January 5, 2025
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!
Evergreen Brick Works: DJ Skate Nights
Date: January 11 — February 22, 2025
Party on the ice at Evergreen Brick Works with their free weekly DJ Skate Nights, where you can skate in this beautiful and historical park setting while DJs spin fun music, plus food and drink vendors, craft artisans, life-sized games, s’mores and fire pits, and more.
Willowdale Skating Party
Date: January 12, 2025
Join the Yonge North York BIA and Councillor Lily Cheng at the free Willowdale Skate Party, including warm drinks, free skate rentals, and entertainment.
Downtown Yonge BIA: Skates And Sounds
Date: February 7-28, 2025
Downtown Yonge BIA hosts a month of skating parties with Skates And Sounds, including DJs, family activities, fire pits and free skate lending.
Friday Harbour: The Skate Escape
Date: January 17 — February 28, 2025
Celebrate the joys of the winter season at Friday Harbour with The Skate Escape on the shores of Lake Simcoe, featuring ice skating, live entertainment, and more!
Strap your skates on and fly over to our full list of Outdoor Skating Rinks in Toronto here!
