During the holiday season, here are 28 activities that are free and fun for you and your family and friends in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Please note that the updated info is highlighted as bold text:
FREE and FUN Activities in December and January
Creation Juried Art Exhibition Presented by Queen Gallery; December 2, 2010 – December 22, 2010; 01:00 PM to 06:30 PM
Afternoon at the Movies Presented by Toronto Public Library; September 2, 2010 – December 23, 2010; 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM
Christmas Choral Celebration Presented by City of Toronto; December 23, 2010; 11:30 AM
Lace Up Your Skates at Winterfest on Toronto’s Waterfront! Presented by Harbourfront Centre and Waterfront BIA; December 1, 2010 – December 24, 2010
Annual Hike of The Toronto Islands Presented by Toronto Bruce Trail Club; December 26, 2010; 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM
Rouge Park Holiday Walks Presented by Rouge Park; December 27, 2010 – December 29, 2010; 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM
Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market – Thursdays, Presented by Friends of Dufferin Grove Park, January 7, 2010 – December 30, 2010; 03:00 PM to 07:00 PM
Bixi Toronto Presentations Presented by Bixi Toronto Team; October 25, 2010 – December 31, 2010; 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM
TECAP : X-Mas Group Exhibition & Sales Produced by Ben Navaee Art Gallery; December 9, 2010 – January 2, 2011; 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
New Painting Series: “Labels” by Ciba Karisik Presented by De Luca Fine Art / Gallery; December 9, 2010 – January 9, 2011
Ice Villages Presented by Toronto Image Works; December 2, 2010 – January 22, 2011; 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM
Constructions (Contempoary Norwegian Arts and Crafts) Presented by Design Exhcange; November 19, 2010 – January 23, 2011; 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Sherway Gardens’ Gallery in the Garden: Progression Presented by Sherway Gardens; December 5, 2010 – January 29, 2011; 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Winter Group Exhibition Presented by Julie M. Gallery, Distillery District; December 9, 2010 – February 6, 2011; 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Neighbourhoods Aglow! In addition, throughout the holiday season, brilliant creations of light will beautify the city as the following neighbourhoods and tourist attractions participate in the Cavalcade of Lights Festival:
Albion Islington Square BIA
Bloor-Yorkville
Corso Italia BIA
Emery Village BIA
GreekTown on the Danforth
Little Italy
Rosedale Main Street
St. Clair Gardens BIA
The Waterfront BIA
Skate under the lights at Nathan Phillips Square’s famous outdoor skating rink. The three solid arches that stretch above the ice are officially named the Freedom Arches to signify the belief that “only in freedom can the Human Spirit soar.” Weather permitting, the rink is usually open by late-November and remains open throughout the winter months. Due to construction on the Square, skate rentals may or may not be available. For details regarding hours of operation and skate rentals call 3-1-1, 24/7.
Lieutenant Governor’s New Year’s Levee at Fort York National Historic Site on Saturday, January 1, 2011 from noon until 2 p.m. A tradition in Canada since 1646, the Levee is a special opportunity for the public to meet The Queen’s representative in Ontario, while enjoying family entertainment and refreshments.
The following three FREE FAVOURITES AT FOUR presented by NFB Mediatheque (For adults 18 years and older. Seating is first come, first serve; 150 John Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3C3; 416-973-3012) are:
- Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary January 12, 2011 at 4pm;
- Waterlife January 19, 2011 at 4pm
- Manufactured Landscapes January 26, 2011 at 4pm
Rachel Wingfield: “ArchiLace: Ecomimetic Space Design” Presented by OCAD University; January 27, 2011; 05:30 PM to 08:00 PM
Beyond Imaginings: Eight Artists Encounter Ontario’s Greenbelt Presented by Harbourfront Centre; June 18, 2010 – June 18, 2011
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market Presented by Evergreen brick Works; May 29, 2010; October 31, 2032; 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM
FREE and FUN Activities in January at
235 Queens Quay West
The Natrel™ Rink Saturday, January 1 – 31, 2011 
Located on Queens Quay West on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario, The Natrel™ Rink is the city’s winter gem; December 8, 2010 – February 28, 2011. Please click here to get the complete time schedule for January.
World at Your Blades featuring DJ medicineman; Saturday, January 8, 2011 8:00 PM – 11:00PM; Canada’s most highly respected global fusion tastemaker and DJ will spin you around the world with a mix of global groove, world beat and ethno-electro hits!
January 8, 2011
Promise featuring DJs Irving Shaw and David McLeodSaturday; January 15, 2011 8:00 PM -11:00PM Promise returns with a mix of hot sounds for a snowy winter night. Bundle up and join us for a skate! January 15, 2011
44th and Filth featuring DJs Andy Reid, YUG and Simon Jain; Saturday, January 22, 2011 8:00 PM – 11:00PMJoin Nocturnal DJs again this year for an unforgettable night of house music on ice, co-presented by 44th and Filth; January 22, 2011
Cumbia: Ice Cold featuring Esotilo Bakanchid; Saturday, January 29, 2011 8:00PM – 11:00PM Estilo Bakanchido, DJs Linterna and eLman (Dos Mundos Radio/Funkété), will heat up the ice with fresh cumbia mixes destined to make you move, groove and skate; January 29, 2011