With all the potential spending you may be doing during the holidays, it’s always a good thing to save your dollars whenever you can. Luckily, Toronto is packed with fun festivities and events to enjoy at no (or little) cost.
We’ve rounded up free or cheap things to do over the holidays in Toronto.
A Dance Party On Ice
Harbourfront Centre’s weekly “block party on ice” returns Saturday evenings in December, just in time to cure your winter blues and bust a move while doing it. Sharpen your skates and glide under the stars to live music and DJ sets. Rentals are also available onsite if you make a spur-of-the-moment decision to hit the rink. This season kicks off on December 16, 2017.
Free.
A Festive Play in the Park
Bundle up, grab a warm beverage and enjoy some top-notch theatre. Christie Pits Park will be home to the award-winning production, The Story from December 11 – 30, 2017. This outdoor winter theatre play, part of Soulpepper Theatre’s annual Family Festival, imagines the nativity as a parable for modern times.
Admission is by donation (pay-what-you-can-afford).
Visit the Hills (and then Slide Down Them)
One of the benefits of snow? Tobogganing. The city’s parks are filled with numerous hills of various steepness to add to your toboggan bucket list. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite places to toboggan if you’re in need of some inspiration. Grab your trusted sled and have a blast in the snow.
Free.
Evergreen Winter Village
Evergreen Brick Works will be transformed into a winter wonderland during weekends for the month of December. The village is packed with a line-up of fun outdoor activities for the entire family. Keep warm by a campfire, try your hand at street curling or participate in one of their winter-themed scavenger hunts. Local food trucks will be serving up bites and the Evergreen Garden Market is open if you’re wanting to treat yourself after all this saving.
Free admission.
Skate in the Heart of Toronto
Nathan Phillips Square’s free public skate rink opens following the epic Cavalcade of Lights ceremony on November 25, 2017. You can hit the rink daily throughout the holidays, including Christmas day and New Year’s Eve. The rink is located within walking distance to the Eaton Centre and Queen Street West if you need to grab a bite to eat following your skate around the rink.
Free.
Miracle on Mercer St.
The Second City Toronto’s holiday favourite returns to stage over the holidays. Enjoy a hilarious – and adorable – puppet troupe and their human friends as they share the story of a girl’s winter holiday visit to the town of Hollydale. A guaranteed day of laughs for just under $20.00.
Tickets start at $12.00.
Toronto Christmas Market
Arguably the biggest holiday event taking place in Toronto, the market is a must-see holiday event. Offering everything from seasonal performances to festive European street-food style treats to a ferris wheel, there’s a Christmas-themed activity for everyone. The market runs until the day before Christmas Eve, giving you a ton of time to explore and take in its stunning light canopies. Don’t forget your camera, the market offers endless photo opportunities.
Admission is free from Monday to Friday. After 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and weekends are $6.00.