Winter Break Family Fun
A list of suggestions for family Christmas holidays/winter break activities and events to attend with kids in Toronto and GTA – December 22, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
See Christmas / Holiday Lights
- Enjoy great Christmas displays in Toronto & GTA.
- Go on a day trip to see the best lights in Ontario!
- If you are interested only in drive-thru events, there are plenty of those too.
Winter Glow
The event will feature popular carnival rides, including Astro Amusements’ brightly lit 45-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and the Great Canadian Carousel, and a midway game. Visitors can also indulge in a variety of carnival treats, including cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples, churros, hot chocolate, and more.
Trip Planning: Until December 23 @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Champions Of Magic
Described by the press as “the Avengers of magic,” catch the only team of magicians in the world as they present their original, phenomenal ensemble illusions in Toronto this holiday season. Don’t miss this unbelievable show to entertain the entire family and see why fans return to see one of the world’s biggest touring illusion shows time and time again. It’s the perfect show to celebrate the holidays with friends and family!
Trip Planning: December 27 to 31 @ Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
More Magic Shows
Experience the enchantment with three unique magicians. BenTastic offers a family-friendly, interactive magic show full of laughter and audience participation. Magic Mel combines humor and interaction, empowering all ages to find their “inner magic.” Chris Funk’s Redefining Wonder blends live music with magic, creating a multimedia spectacle with extraordinary tricks like a magical violin concerto and suspending instruments, setting his show apart. Each performance promises a memorable, magical journey.
- BenTastic — December 28 & 29, 2023 | 10:30pm & 2:30pm @ Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave, Toronto
- Magic Mel — December 28th & 29th | 12:30pm & 4:30pm @ Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave, Toronto
- Chris Funk the Wonderist: Redefining Wonder — Wednesday, December 27 | 2 pm & 7pm @ Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
Slava’s Snowshow
This Olivier® award-winning and Tony®-nominated timeless theatrical poetic spectacle has unanimously enchanted and empowered the imagination of audiences and critics since 1993 across the globe to millions of ecstatic spectators.
Trip Planning: December 22 to 31 @ Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, 189 Yonge St., Toronto
Light the Dark
Art comes to life this holiday season on the Aga Khan Museum’s exterior walls in a spectacular 3-D projection show you won’t find anywhere else in Toronto.
Trip Planning: December 27 – 29 2023 | 6 PM – 9 PM @ Aga Khan Museum | FREE
Holiday Bricktacular
Legoland will transform into a winter wonderland with a LEGO® twist! Take a family photo with our giant holiday LEGO® tree, witness the breathtaking MINILAND, and celebrate the holidays with unique seasonal build activities.
Trip Planning: Until December 24, 2023 @ LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan
Christmas at Casa Loma
Explore the Magic of Casa Loma at night or celebrate and take part in the holiday magic at Casa Loma! Enjoy a wide range of activities and exciting performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family.
Trip Planning: Until January 7th, 2024 | 9.30am – 4pm & 5pm – 10pm @ CasaLoma, 1 Austin Terrace , Toronto | $45 to $55
The Distillery Winter Village
Trip Planning: Until January 7th, 2024 @ The Distillery District, 55 Mill St, Toronto | Free & Ticketed Days
Victorian Christmas
Step back in time to 1899 to see how an early settler family celebrated the season. You will learn about why and how some of the traditions started and continue to this day.
Trip Planning: December 27-30, 2023 & January 2-7, 2024 @ Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville
Special Programming at GTA Attractions
- Winter Break at Ontario Science Centre: ‘Tis the season to spark curiosity and Winter Break fun! Discover why a visit to the Ontario Science Centre during Winter Break is a tradition for families with children of all ages. This year, catch Dinos in Motion before it stomps away, join us for a special Noon Year’s Eve celebration, have a rollicking time at our Great Canadian Invention Circus and much more!
- ROM for the Holidays: This year, we’re celebrating with family-friendly programming filled with limitless awe and inspiration. Hands-on activities, live performances, interactive galleries and presentations, special exhibitions, and more invite you to be curious, ask questions, to explore and experience wonder in our world and to unleash the wonder within us all.
- Frosty Footwear: Winter Break at the BSM: Make a winter craft, or an 80s crafts (in celebration of our newest exhibition, Dressed To Impress) Try your luck in our 80s Shoebox Bingo, and get to handle shoes from across time, and from around the world in our Hands On History program!
- Hogmanay at Mackenzie House: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring the trio Gin Lane, a diverse selection of festive snacks, and printing a New Year’s souvenir on the 1845 press!
- Lunar New Year Lantern Making at Fort York National Historic Site: Head to Fort York for this family-friendly lantern making workshop in preparation for the Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year celebrations.
- Winter Craft Drop In at Colborne Lodge: At this winter craft drop in program, visitors will create a winter decoration to take home with them to remind them that summer will return.
- Festive Card Printing at Mackenzie House: Visitors are invited to choose a picture from Mackenzie House’s image collection and print a festive card on the historic printing press!
- Candlelit Yoga at Scarborough Museum: Scarborough Museum will be hosting candle-lit yoga workshops that share how ancient wellness tools such as yoga asanas, marma self-massage, pranayama and yoga nidra can help you reconnect with your true Self, and bring out the best version of you.
- Christmas Tour at Parkwood National Historic Site: Using historic décor, the main floor of the mansion will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland!
Looking Glass Adventure!
Dive into four thrilling escape rooms – ‘Operation Flamingo,’ ‘Mystery at Merryweather Mansion,’ ‘Walden’s Wizarding Shoppe,’ and ‘It Came from the Attic’ – all packed with puzzles, mysteries, and holiday excitement!
Trip Planning: Until December 31, 2023 @ Looking Glass Adventures, 2944 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Winter Wonderland Spectacular
Guests will be transported into a winter wonderland castle filled with state-of-the-art interactive technology and an ever-changing dreamland of nutcrackers, jingle bells and candy canes. From Santa’s luxurious winter palace to whirling snowstorms and glowing Northern Lights, Winter Wonderland Spectacular is a place of beauty, magic and wonder, inspiring us to feel the joy of the season.
Trip Planning: Until January 7, 2024 @ Illuminarium at The Distillery District, 28 Gristmill Lane, Toronto
Watch some spectator sports
Cheer GTA’s home teams this Holiday season.
Horse Drawn Rides
Enjoy a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride around historic Downtown Port Perry this holiday season. While in Port Perry take in lunch at one of our many cafes or farm-to-table restaurants, or visit the shops and check off everyone on your list.
Trip Planning:
- Until December 23 @ 226 Queen St, Port Perry
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is an innovative celebration that takes you inside the greatest films of Walt Disney Animation Studios, from their very earliest, groundbreaking features to the beloved hit movies of today.
Trip Planning: Until January 28, 2024 @ 1 Yonge Street, Toronto | $30 & up
Holiday Train Rides:
- North Pole Experience “How the Train Saved Christmas” Light up Train: Until December 23, 2023 @ York-Durham Heritage Railway, 19 Railway St, Uxbridge | $39.99 – $59.99
- North Pole Experience & Train Ride: December 23, 2023 @ York-Durham Heritage Railway, 19 Railway St., Uxbridge | $34.99 to $49.98
- Ride the RBG Express: January 7, 2024 @ Royal Botanical Garden – Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
See a Holiday Family theatre performance:
Enjoy some of the best holiday theatres with the whole family.
Holiday performances include:
- Sleeping Beauty – Wake Me Up Before You Panto! @ Regent Theatre UOIT, 50 King St E, Oshawa
- Ballet Jörgen’s The Nutcracker — A Canadian Tradition @ Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
- Aladdin: A Magical Carpet Ride Pantomime – Diversified Theatre @ The Centennial Building Theatre, 416 Centre St S, Whitby
- Foolish Tales in Foolish Times @ Puppetmongers Studio, Dundas and Carlaw, Toronto
- The Nutcracker @ Meridian Hall, 1 Front St E, Toronto
- Potted Potter @ Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front Street East, Toronto
- Miracle on 34th St Radio Play @ Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave, Toronto
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! @ Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street, Toronto
- Bad Hats’ Alice in Wonderland @ Young Centre For The Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, Toronto
- The Christmas Story @ Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto
- The Nutcracker @ Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, Toronto
- Chris, Mrs. – A New Holiday Musical @ The Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St., Toronto
- Rapunzel, the Family Friendly Musical @ Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave Studio 176, Toronto
- WINTER WONDERLAND @ Famous PEOPLE Players, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto
Arcadia Earth Toronto
In a stunning 10-room adventure, enhanced by interactive projection mapping, augmented reality and virtual reality, the immersive experience showcases the beauty of our planet and the impact of human actions on the environment. The experience is educational, inspiring and fun for all ages!
Trip Planning: Year Round @ Arcadia Earth, 486 Front St W building C, Toronto
Farm Visits
Visit one of the Toronto farms holding holiday activities like Santa visits, workshops, wagon rides, and more.
Trip Planning:
- Festive Nights on the Farm until December 23, 2023 @ Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Road, Uxbridge
Winterlit – Nature Illuminated
The Winterlit Trail features a unique and stunning lighting experience with inspirational art installations along the trail. Also, the Illuminated Sugarbush Trail has soft overhead lighting to allow for a beautiful evening stroll through the sugarbush. This experience will include soundtracks from local musicians while you enjoy the beauty of Mountsberg in winter.
Trip Planning:
- December 28, 2023 – February 19, 2024 @ Mountsberg Conservation Area, 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville
Welcome 2024
Ring in 2024 with massive fireworks and other family-friendly celebrations.
- New Year’s Eve Family Activities in GTA – Check after December 14th.
Go on a nature walk
Enjoy a winter walk at the many parks across GTA. If it is snowing, strap on a snowshoe and try snowshoeing.
Zoos & Petting Zoo
There are quite a few options for those who want to visit zoos or a petting farm during winter break. Toronto Zoo, Reptilia (Vaughan & Whitby), Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park (Orono) are all great visits any time of the year.
High Park Zoo and Riverdale Farm are free to visit and open daily including Christmas Day. 150-year-old barn (also a play barn) at Bronte Creek Provincial Park has a petting zoo and is open during holidays.
During the holidays, you can explore decorated holiday trees at High Park Zoo.
Movies at the Drive-In
Enjoy your favourite movies at The 5 Drive-In in Oakville
You may like:
15 Family Winter Getaways in Ontario
Visit Indoor Attractions & Playgrounds:
In case of inclement weather or if you want to escape the cold, visit indoor attractions like Hockey Hall of Fame or Bata Shoe Museum and take part in holiday-themed activities. Take the kids to one of the indoor kids’ playgrounds and let them have a rollicking time climbing on play structures, going down the slides, racing indoor go-karts and other fun activities. Holiday Hours of Famous Indoor GTA Attractions
More Fun:
- Indoor Attractions in Mississauga
- Indoor Attractions in Whitby
- Indoor Attractions in Oshawa
- Things to Do in Vaughan
- Things to Do in Etobicoke
- Things To Do in Scarborough
- Things to Do in North York
Go Bird Watching
Birding is a fun activity to do in winter. What are the popular winter birds that you can spot? Can you notice any winter adaptation changes in them? Grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird ID app, and try to name all the birds that you can spot.
Do a Christmas Bird Count. If you don’t want to venture outside, do an unofficial count of the birds that visit your bird feeder.
Go Snow tubing
With absolutely no skills necessary, snow tubing is a great winter family fun activity to get your heart pumping with all the thrill that the winter season brings. Weather dependent.
Snow Tubing in and around Greater Toronto Area
Experience the thrill of tobogganing
Weather dependent.
Where to Toboggan in the Greater Toronto Area?
Go Skiing
Weather dependent.
Snowboarding and Skiing in the Greater Toronto Area
Lace-Up
Weather dependent.
Lace-up for a twirl on the ice – Outdoor skating in GTA.
Outdoor Winter Activities & Getaways
- 24 Ontario Resorts and Lodges for Christmas/Winter Break Getaway
- 15 Family Winter Getaways in Ontario
- 25 Scenic Waterfalls to See Around Toronto During Winter
- 25 Things to Do Outdoors During Winter in York Region
- 25+ Outdoor Winter Activities in the Durham Region
- 25 Outdoor Winter Activities in the Halton Region
- 25 Outdoor Winter Activities in the Region of Peel
- 20 Outdoor Things to Do this Winter in Mississauga
Visit a provincial park
Most people think of visiting a provincial park in the summer. But what might not be so apparent is that most provincial parks in Ontario remain open in the winter months and offer several winter activities, nature programs and unique nature sightings.
All Upcoming Family-Friendly Events: