To Do Canada in Events & ActivitiesNews

15 Things to Do in Toronto on New Year’s Day – January 1, 2026

Celebrate the first day of the new year by jumping into icy cold Lake Ontario waters, taking in live events, or enjoying some winter activities.

Toronto Polar Bear Dip

1. Exhibition Place Resolution Run

Start the year loud and on pace at the first-ever Exhibition Place Resolution Run – a fast and unique 5K through the iconic grounds of Exhibition Place that finishes under the Princes’ Gates. Details

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Enercare Centre, Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto

How Much: $50 to $65+fees

2. Toronto Polar Bear Dip

Wear a crazy costume, and jump into the freezing waters for a worthy cause on January 1st. Details

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | NOON

Where: Sunnyside Park, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto

How Much: $30

More Polar Bear Dips on January 1

Record Breaker Cold Plunge @ Woodbine Beach, Toronto
New Year’s Day Courage Polar Bear Dip @ Coronation Park, Oakville
New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim @ Bond Head Parkette, Newcastle

3. Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert

An unforgettable New Year’s celebration! Timeless music, dazzling costumes, breathtaking dance, stunning floral designs. Energetic, lighthearted, and full of romance, Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert celebrates music, beauty, and every exciting opportunity the New Year has to offer.

Ring in 2025 with soaring arias, romantic duets, and festive overtures, courtesy of the “Waltz King,” Johann Strauss Jr.

Details

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 2:30 PM

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

How Much: $93.60 to 210+fees

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs at their iconic home arena as they play the Winnipeg Jets. Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Where: Scotiabank Arena, 50 Bay Street, Toronto

How Much: $72 & up

5. Toronto Marlies

Show up and support Toronto’s AHL team as they battle the Syracuse Crunch. Details

When:Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 2:00 PM

Where: Coca-Cola Coliseum, 45 Manitoba Drive, Toronto

How Much: $16 & up

6. RXBAR No B.S. 2026 x HIIT at Sweat and Tonic

No B.S., RXBAR Canada is offering Torontonians the opportunity to enjoy a FREE HIIT class. Poised as the first step in the 2026 RXBAR No B.S. Challenge, the workout will feature a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session that combines cardio bursts with strength-building moves in a state-of-the-art studio environment. Details

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 3:20 – 4:20 PM

Where: Sweat and Tonic, 486 Front Street West, Toronto

How Much: Free

7. Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience showcases a wonderous, whimsical bubble-themed world, featuring more than 10 interactive thematic environments that include the latest in virtual reality, stunning illusions, life-sized bubble ball pits, a hot air balloon flight simulator and much more – all designed to stimulate play in its purest form. Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (last entry at 6:30 pm)

Where: Downsview Airport Lands (YZD), 30 Hanover Road, Toronto

How Much:Free – $51.90

8. Joy to the World

Dinner Theatre. A wondrous enchanting musical that will excite everyone, no matter what the age!
A gift arrives with a magical surprise that comes to life and decorates the stage with Joy and Hope! Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 1 12 pm

Where: Famous PEOPLE Players, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto

How Much: $34.95 to $77.50

9. Indoor Flower Shows

Allan Gardens & Centennial Park Conservatory Winter Flower Shows transforms the conservatory with thousands of blooms, festive poinsettias, hellebores, amaryllis, and evergreens, featuring seasonal topiary masterpieces and breathtaking floral scenes from around the world, creating a memorable, must-see winter destination experience each year.

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Centennial Park and Conservatory, 151 Elmcrest Road, Toronto

Allan Gardens Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave., Toronto

How Much: Free

10. The Distillery Winter Village

Enjoy the Distillery Winter Village’s festive spirit post-Christmas with a 56-foot Dior-designed tree, cobblestone streets, and canopy lights. Relish food from 16 restaurants, cafés, and bars. Explore art galleries and live theatre for family fun. Details

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: The Distillery District, 55 Mill St, Toronto

How Much: Free until 4 p.m.

11. Christmas at the Castle

Casa Loma will host a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family. Guests will be surrounded by holiday magic throughout the castle which will be resplendent with holiday décor, including a 20ft tall tree in the Great Hall and eight other signature trees by talented Canadian designers. Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 9.30am – 5pm

Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto

How Much: $45

12. Torch-lit Walks

Fire and Stars Torch-lit Walk: Join us for a magical evening under the night sky at Sibbald Point Provincial Park‘s Maidenhair Fern Trail. This hike takes visitors along the 2km loop trail, with stops along the way where your Discovery interpreter will share stories and information on the natural features of the trail. Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Where: Sibbald Point Provincial Park, 26071 York Rd 18 (Park Road), Sutton West

How Much: Park Admission – $21 per vehicle

Winterlit

Winterlit – Nature Illuminated: Add some whimsy to your winter nights and plan your visit to Mountsberg’s award-winning display of outdoor lights at Winterlit. Enjoy a moonlit stroll along two different trails featuring sustainably sourced, illuminated art installations.

Details

When: Thursday, January 01, 2026 | 5:30 to 9:30 pm

Where: Mountsberg Conservation Area,2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville

How Much: $14 – $31

13. Light Displays

Visit parks and other locations adorned with lights.

If you never got time for a trip to see Christmas light displays, many of them will still be on New Year’s Day. Here are the best of them:

Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic @ Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland Street, Toronto
Cavalcade of Lights @ Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
Holiday Light Tour @ Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto. Tickets required.
WinterFest @ Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan. Tickets required.

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
Drive through Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights in Elgin Park Drive, Uxbridge – Free

14. Visit Toronto Area Attractions

Photo Credit: Friends of High Park Zoo

Visit some Toronto area attractions: Holiday Hours of Famous Tourist Attractions in Toronto & the GTA. Most attractions are open on Jan 1st.

15. Skating

Enjoy skating outdoors. Check out outdoor skating trails like Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trail, Dieppe Park Trail, Hangar Skate at YZD, Bentway Skate Trail or Nathan Phillips Square.

All City of Toronto outdoor rinks are open on New Year’s Day.

16. Snow Tubing

Ski Lakeridge

Discover the joy of spinning and sliding down a steep snow-laden hill.

Ski Lakeridge in Uxbridge (~65 km from Toronto downtown — Jan. 1: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and ROC in Georgina ( Jan. 1: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. ) are open for skiing and tubing on January 1st.

17. Go Winter Walking

Enjoy a walk along the many trails of Toronto, reflecting on 2024 and your New Year’s resolutions. Great places to explore include Don Valley Trails from Evergreen Village, Rouge National Park, Trillium Park William G. Davis Trail at Ontario Place, High Park, Riverwood Conservancy and the myriad waterfront trails.