Well Toronto, the weekend is finally here.
If you haven’t had a chance to make any plans yet, there’s plenty to see and do over the next few days, and we’ve rounded up the crème de la crème of weekend events.
From the second annual Toronto Light Festival to a waterfront art exhibit, here are the top 19 events happening in and around Toronto.
Toronto Design Offsite Festival
What: The Toronto Design Offsite Festival is Canadas largest cultural celebration of design with over 100 free exhibitions, window installations, and events forming Toronto’s design week.
When: Now until January 21, 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Come Up To My Room
What: The Gladstone Hotel’s annual Come Up to My Room exhibit provides artists and designers the opportunity to take risks and to push their ideas, creating an immersive and interactive experience for the viewer.
When: Now until January 21
Where: The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls
What: The annual Winter Festival of Lights stretches over 8 kilometers in Niagara and will run through to the end of January. Attracting over 1 million visitors annually, this incredible spectacle is Canada’s largest lights festival. Just imagine a breathtaking, colourful scene with millions of sparkling lights and animated displays that extends to Dufferin Islands. And yes, it’s completely free to attend!
When: Now until the end of January
Where: Niagara Falls
Winter at Ontario Place
What: Winter at Ontario Place features various winter-themed activities including the Winter Light Exhibition, skating on the new synthetic skating rink and film screenings at the newly re-opened Cinesphere.
When: Now until March 18
Where: Ontario Place
Light Up the Beach
What: Now in its 10th year, Light Up the Beach features more than 80,000 twinkling lights along the Toronto Beaches boardwalk to support The Michael Garron Hospital Foundation. The light display is truly a sight to see and a holiday tradition that every Torontonian should enjoy.
When: Now until mid-February
Where: At the foot of Leuty Avenue, The Beach
Cineplex National Popcorn Day
What: No movie theatre experience is complete without a bag of hot, freshly made popcorn. And it just so happens that this Friday is National Popcorn Day and Cineplex wants to enhance the Friday theatre experience by treating movie-goers to a FREE bag of fluffy, buttery goodness at all locations.
When: January 19
Where: All Cineplex locations across Canada
YNCN Winter Career Fair 2018
What: The YNCN Winter Career Fair is taking place at the MaRS Discovery building, giving you the chance to meet with some incredible employers and hopefully find the job of your dreams. There will be more than 75 companies in attendance currently looking to hire, including Google, Microsoft, BMO, PwC, and Dufferin to name a few.
When: January 19, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, Toronto
Ice Breakers
What: Now in its second year, temporary winter art exhibit Ice Breakers is returning to Toronto’s waterfront. Organized by Winter Stations and The Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA), Ice Breakers will provide the city with five temporary wintertime art installations that are 100% free to the public.
When: January 19 to February 25
Where: Queens Quay from Harbourfront Centre to the Toronto Music Garden
Toronto Light Fest
What: For the second year in a row, the historic Distillery District will be home to the Toronto Light Fest this winter. Designed to entertain and inspire, the free to attend light festival will feature curated light installations and illuminated sculptures created by a number of local and international artists.
When: January 19 to March 4
Where: Distillery District
Doughnut Fried Chicken Sandwiches at Glory Hole Doughnuts
What: Toronto’s Glory Hole Doughnuts is bringing back its most drool-inducing special ever. For one day only this January, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into a crispy, fried chicken sandwich built between two glazed doughnuts.
When: January 20
Where: 1596 Queen Street West
Japanese Winter Festival
What: This weekend, you can immerse yourself in the rich history of Japan as you experience its beautiful culture at the annual Japanese Winter Festival in Toronto. The highlight, of course, is the delicious Japanese foods that will be available. Festival-goers can expect to try sushi, desserts and finger foods during the event.
When: January 20, 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: William Doo Auditorium, New College, 45 Willcocks Street
DJ Skate Nights
What: Sharpen your skates and skills at Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party. This year you can expect another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights.
When: January 20, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
2018 Small Ball Mini Cask Fest
What: Left Field Brewery’s inaugural mini cask festival will showcase six unique cask beers, Steambox Dumplings, and an exclusive 5 oz. collector’s glass (while supplies last).
When: January 20, 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive
Aga Khan Museum free weekend
What: This weekend, you can warm up your winter with gallery admission, storytelling sessions, film screenings, giveaways, and family fun — free for all to enjoy all weekend long.
When: January 20 and 21
Where: Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive
Dinner with Chef Scott Pickett at Canoe
What: Chef Scott Pickett joins Chef John Horne and Ron McKinlay in the kitchen to collaborate on this six-course tasting menu “featuring a diverse mix of local and seasonal ingredients.” Dinner is preceded by a cocktail reception.
When: January 20 and 21, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Canoe, 66 Wellington Street West
The Persian Table
What: Sonbol Zand and Shirin Tavasoli host this supper club featuring culinary traditions from Iran. On the menu, doogh, a savoury yogurt drink, Bademjoon Kebab, stuffed eggplant, Koofte Ghelgheli, lamb meatballs with pistachios, and more.
When: January 20, 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: The Depanneur, 1033 College Street
2018 Repair Cafe
What: Don’t throw it away, fix it! Bring in a broken household item to the Repair Cafe where you can get help fixing it for free. Volunteers fix household item, ranging from small household appliances such as toasters and lamps to computers and clothes. There will even be a bike repair booth available outside the library’s front doors.
When: January 20, 12 pm to 4 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library Atrium
Toronto Women’s March
What: This January, join Toronto as it unites its communities to march in the name of women everywhere. There will be a number of motivational speakers in attendance, who will be announced closer to the march.
When: January 20, 12 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
Trinity Bellwoods Flea – New Year Market
What: Start the new year by checking out the Trinity Bellwoods New Year Market, which will feature lots of new vendors, brands and designers.
When: January 21, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West