I. Visit Toronto Area Attractions
Celebrate Christmas Day in Toronto with diverse attractions: stroll High Park Zoo amidst sponsor-decorated trees, explore Ripley’s Aquarium’s underwater wonders, view the city from CN Tower, relax at Riverdale Farm, visit festive Toronto Zoo animals, and experience mind-bending fun at the Museum of Illusions. 2023/24 Christmas and Winter Break Holiday Hours of Famous Tourist Attractions in Toronto & the GTA
- High Park: Come and enjoy the season with a stroll through the Zoo. Sponsor-decorated holiday trees will be lining the roadway. Vote for your favourite tree. On Christmas Day: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM — Free
- Ripley’s Aquarium: If you want to escape the cold, then Ripley’s Aquarium makes a perfect day trip for an underwater exploration. On Christmas Day: 09:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
- CN Tower: Enjoy views of Toronto from above. CN tower is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Riverdale Farm: A delightful contrast to the city’s fast pace, Riverdale Farm welcomes visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Best of all, admission is completely free, offering a peaceful escape into rural tranquillity amidst urban surroundings.
- Toronto Zoo: Share festive cheer with the animals on Christmas Day, open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to arrive before the last admission at 3:00pm, and enjoy a memorable holiday surrounded by the wonders of wildlife.
- Museum of Illusions: Enter the world of illusions and have an intriguing visual, sensory and educational experience through a variety of new and unexplored illusions. Dec 25: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- iArts Museum: This new museum offers an interactive, immersive art experience with over 18 3D installations designed to inspire creativity and provide an unforgettable journey into the world of illusion art. Dec 25: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
II. Dazzling Lights
Visit parks and other locations adorned with lights.
The following are open on December 25th:
- Cavalcade of Lights @ Nathan Phillips Square
- Illumi by Cavalia @ 7174 Derry Crest Dr., Mississauga
- Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic – Village of Yorkville Park will be lit with a variety of unique displays, from twinkling light tunnel, to oversize snowflakes, gorgeous Christmas tree, and more. – Free
- Holiday Lights at Downtown Yonge -Free
- Wander through the park to see lights in Gage Park, Brampton – Free
- Journey into Enchantment Drive-thru in Ajax. Tickets required.
- Lakeside Festival of Lights in Burlington – Drive-By or walk the park. – Free
- Walk through various parks in Halton Hills during Light up the Hills – Free
- Journey into Enchantment Drive-thru in Halton Hills. Tickets required.
III. Play a Game at the Rec Room
Roundhouse Rec Room (opposite Ripley’s Aquarium) is open on December 25. Whether alone or planning a trip with friends or kids, visit Rec Room to enjoy the latest in next-generation driving simulation, virtual reality, shuffleboard, ping pong and pool tables.
IV. See a Movie at the theatre
Watch movies at your local theatre!
Movies released/releasing include:
- The Boys in The Boat – Releasing on Dec 25
- The Color Purple – Releasing on Dec 25
- Ferrari – Releasing on Dec 25
- The Zone of Interest – Releasing on Dec 25
- Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom – Releasing on Dec 22
- The Iron Claw – Releasing on December 22, 2023
- Wonka
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- Trolls Band Together
- Godzilla Minus One
Hot Docs Ted Rogers:
Movies playing on December 25, 2023:
- It’s a Wonderful Life | 3:45 PM — $5. Please bring a donation of cash or non-perishable food item to support Spadina-Fort York Community Care.
- Immediate Family | 7 PM — $10
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto:
Movies playing on December 25, 2023:
- Anselm – Das Rauschen der Zeit
- Ferrari
- Here to Stay: Viola Desmond Day Exhibition by Nia Centre for the Arts
- Society of the Snow
- The Zone of Interest
V. Cruise to Toronto’s Summer Destination
Take the Ward Island ferry and experience the tranquillity of Toronto Islands with a scenic 1.5-kilometre boardwalk stroll. Starting from Ward’s Island Beach, this walk offers stunning views of Lake Ontario, Tommy Thompson Park, and diverse birdlife. Visit scenic vistas with Toronto skyline vistas. Ward Island is also a top spot for bird watching.
VI. Indoor Flowers
If you have not been to Toronto’s famous Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory, Christmas Day might be the best time to visit and see the wintertime blooms. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VII. Skating
Indoor skating locations are closed but enjoy skating outdoors. Check out the Bentway Skate Trail or Nathan Phillips Square.
All other City of Toronto outdoor rinks are open December 24, 25, and 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mississauga Celebration Square skating is open from noon to 6 pm on Dec 25th.
VIII. Magical ‘Window Wonderland
Discover Window Wonderland, The Junction’s annual immersive urban art walk. The Window Wonderland exhibition will transform the Junction neighbourhood into an outdoor gallery that is interactive, engaging, and magical. The exhibition will feature local artists and animators who will paint ten storefront windows brought to life by Augmented Reality (AR) to create an impressive public art display. This will be the first activation of its kind in the City of Toronto.
IX. Songs of Peace, Hope & Love
Immerse yourself in the power of music as talented artists from various genres come together to spread messages of peace, hope, and love. Monday, December 25, 2023 at 8 pm @ DROM Taberna, 458 Queen Street West, Toronto
X. Christmas Day Dine-In
Get take-out or dine-in from Toronto/GTA restaurants, and enjoy a delicious meal. There are plenty of options listed in Open Table.
Many Chinatown restaurants are open on Christmas Day.
If you need wine, select Wine Rack stores are open on X-mas Day. Toronto locations include (open: 12:00pm to 8:00pm): Church @ Wellesley, Queen St. W, Roncesvalles, Danforth, Yonge & Erskine, Pape @ Cosburn, Bloor & Bathurst.
Some of the options for takeout include:
- The Bullger – 424 Danforth Ave, Toronto
- 7 West Cafe (Open 24 hrs) – 7 Charles St W, Toronto
- Meat Point (Turkish) – 1021 Wilson Ave, North York
- Cafe Landwer -165 University Ave, Toronto
1912 Avenue Rd1912 Avenue Rd, North York
9340 Bathurst St, Maple
5000 Yonge St, Toronto - Karahi Point: Halal Food, Pakistani Restaurant — 2642 Islington Ave, Etobicoke
2201 Finch Ave W, North York
6905 Millcreek Dr Unit 7, Mississauga - Kinton Ramen: 51 Baldwin Street, Toronto
396 Church Street, Toronto
505 Highway 7 East, Thornhill
4026 Confederation Parkway, Mississauga
2216 Bloor Street West, Toronto - Paramount Fine Foods – Various Locations in GTA
- Khau Gully – 1991 Yonge St, Toronto
- District Pizza – 32 Gristmill Lane, Toronto
- PLANTA Cocina (Vegan) – 10 Temperance St Fl 1, Toronto
- Century Park Tavern – 33 Powerhouse St, Toronto
XI. Go Winter Walking
Enjoy winter’s solitude and go hiking in the green spaces of Toronto. Great places to explore include Don Valley Trails from Evergreen Village, Rouge National Park, Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail at Ontario Place, High Park, Riverwood Conservancy and the myriad of waterfront trails.
XII. Toronto Scavenger Hunt
Explore Toronto through a scavenger hunt. Go on an enthralling tour around Toronto checking out the art, history, and culture along the way.
You may like:
15 Family Winter Getaways in Ontario
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.
A Day Trip to Winter Wonderland
Due to Toronto’s mild 5º C (forecast) Christmas Day, GTA ski hills might not open on Dec 25th. Yet, exhilarating ski adventures await just a drive away: head to the Blue Mountains (~160 km, 2 hours from Downtown Toronto) or Horseshoe Resort near Barrie (~90 minutes ~133 km from Downtown Toronto). Both locations offer night skiing.
Call before travelling – Horseshoe Resort: 705-835-2790
Blue Mountain: 1-833-583-2583