Toronto 
Events Description
Ring in the New Year with a free, festive countdown to 2026 along Toronto’s stunning waterfront.
The celebration kicks off on December 31 at 10 p.m. Enjoy pop-up performances, lively entertainment and a spectacular 10-minute midnight fireworks display lighting up the city skyline and visible from anywhere with a view of Toronto’s inner harbour or can be watched live on YouTube.
Beginning at 10 p.m., the waterfront will transform into a lively outdoor celebration with Canadian music, participatory dance sessions, roaming performers, family-friendly activities and festive pop-up surprises.
Anchored at Harbourfront Centre, the main stage will feature an energetic musical lineup hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow, Makayla Couture and Jessica Smith, Weather Anchor and Reporter, CTV News Toronto and CP24.
This year’s headliner, Lu Kala, brings a fiery-voiced sound to the stage, with opening sets by cootie catcher, offering playful indie-electronic vibes, and Kalisway, known for electrifying, feel-good tracks that blend classic groove with modern edge. KIMIWVN’s DJ set will follow the midnight countdown and keep the celebration going until 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with a dance party.
Across the waterfront, visitors can take in high-energy DJ sets, pop-up performances and moments of celebration. At Sherbourne Common, the Dance Together Festival will host participatory dance sessions, inviting audiences to join in and move into the new year together. Families can enjoy films projected onto the east side of the Canada Malting Silos viewable from Toronto Music Garden throughout the evening.
Harbourfront Centre’s Winterfest will further animate the festivities with DJ Skate Night featuring DJ Smartiez, immersive light displays, curated food offerings in Community Square, a giant Winter Maze and live performances presented throughout the campus
There are no fireworks at City Hall or Nathan Phillips Square.
WHEN & WHERE
Date & Time:
December 31, 2025 | 10 p.m. to midnight
Fireworks: Midnight.
- Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.:
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- Hosts Mayor Olivia Chow, drag performer Makayla Couture and CP24’s Jessica Smith
- Canadian talent cootie catcher, Kalisway and headliner pop singer/songwriter Lu Kala
- Countdown to 2026 ending with fireworks
- Post-show dance party with DJ KIMWVN until 1 a.m.
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- Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr.:
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- Dance lessons by Dance Together Festival
- Pop-up circus performances by INCIRQUE
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- Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W.
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- National Film Board of Canada short films projected onto the Canada Malting Silos
- Pop-up circus performances by INCIRQUE
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Venue:
Viewing Locations with Audio Broadcast
Sugar Beach Park, 11 Dockside Dr.
Harbour Square Park, 25 Queens Quay W.
HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W.
HTO Park West, 375 Queens Quay W.
Fireworks & Fun
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr.
Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W.
Travel and road closures
Riding public transit is strongly recommended for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Free service is available on the TTC, GO Transit and UP Express from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026. All customers should tap at fare kiosks as usual but will not be charged during the free service period.
TTC: Subway service will run until 3 a.m., with the last trains leaving Union Station towards Finch Station at approximately 2:31 a.m. and towards Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station at 2:27 a.m. The Blue Night Network service, including buses and streetcars, will start at 3 a.m.
GO Transit & UP Express: GO train, GO bus and UP Express trips will be free from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
To help prevent overcrowding at Union Station following the fireworks, starting at midnight, all TTC customers will be redirected to the east side exterior entrance. Accessible entry will be maintained through the Brookfield place entrance inside the station. Queue lines on Bay Street will be separated for TTC and GO customers and customers are encouraged to follow signage and staff directions to ensure they are in the correct line.
TTC riders are encouraged to also consider using nearby stations, such as King, Queen, St. Andrew and Osgoode, to avoid crowds at Union Station.
After Midnight: Union Station & Line 1 – There is no streetcar service towards Union Station from Spadina Avenue after 11:50 p.m.
After Midnight: Getting to Line 2 – Catch an express bus from the waterfront to Line 2, operating from midnight to 2 a.m.:
- To Sherbourne Station from the intersection of Jarvis Street and Queens Quay East
To Bathurst Station from the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Queens Quay West
Streetcar service from the waterfront:
- To Spadina Station use the 510 Spadina westbound streetcar
To Bathurst Station use the 511 Bathurst streetcar
The following road closures are in effect on New Year’s Eve:
– Eastbound traffic on Queens Quay West from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
– Bay Street from Front Street to Queens Quay West from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
– York Street from Front Street to Queens Quay West from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
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