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The freezing temperatures might be enough to make you seriously consider staying inside all winter long.
However, hibernating really isn’t an option when winter in Toronto is this eventful.
From mouthwatering foodie events to beer festivals and incredible art exhibits, here are the top winter events happening in Toronto that’ll surely heat up your social life this season.
JANUARY
4th Annual Vintage Prom Toronto
What: Now in its 4th year, Toronto Vintage Prom will host another exciting evening filled with plenty of vintage music, fashion and fun. Prom-goers are invited to travel back in time with this year’s prom theme: ‘Dreams of the Silverscreen’, which will celebrate classic Hollywood with the decor, fashion and live music being inspired from the 1920s to the 1950s.
When: January 12, 8:30 pm to 2 am
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West
Céilí Cottage Winter Supper
What: Guinness Book of World Records’ fastest oyster shucker and proud owner of The Céilí Cottage, Patrick McMurray hosts this winter feast featuring a menu that includes steamed mussels and Malpeque oysters, lobster with whiskey cream and asparagus, and more.
When: January 18, 7 pm
Where: Céilí Cottage, 1301 Queen Street East
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: January 18 to 21
Where: The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Burdock Piano Fest
What: Calling all music lovers: the Burdock Piano Fest is back for its third year. This January, Toronto’s Burdock Brewery will be the place to be, as it will be setting up its baby grand piano and hosting a series of incredible concerts from 30 plus pianists, including a number of special guest performers who have yet to be announced.
When: January 22 to 29
Where: 1184 Bloor Street West
Robert Burns Day 2018
What: The annual celebration of the great Scottish poet takes place each year on (or around) The Bard’s birthday, January 25. Get ready for an evening of whisky, haggis, poetry and plenty of bagpipes.
When: January 25
Where: Various venues throughout Toronto
Winterlicious 2018
What: Toronto’s biannual prix fixe promotion returns this winter from January 26 to February 8, and in addition to the special menus at restaurants across the city, Winterlicious will also host a Culinary Events Series.
When: January 26 to February 8
Where: Restaurants across Toronto
Food, Art & Nature
What: Part of the Winterlicious culinary even series, this 10-course tasting experience is served up in a “forest-like” dining room and promises demonstrations and interactive elements along with dinner.
When: January 26, 7 pm
Where: Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Beach Bash in the 6ix
What: Escape the cold and get ready to sip on a signature tropical cocktails at Ripley Aquarium’s annual Beach Bash. Let loose to the sounds of DJ Shamz and capture the moment at the photo booth. Beach attire is not mandatory but is highly recommended.
When: January 26, 8 pm to 12 am
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Blvd.
EVE OF ST. GEORGE
What: Transcendance Project, a Toronto-based contemporary dance company, has announced the opening of EVE OF ST. GEORGE, Toronto’s first immersive dance production inspired by and with cast from New York City’s smash-hit theatrical experience Sleep No More.
When: January 26, 7 pm & 10 pm; January 27, 7 pm & 10 pm, and January 28, 7 pm
Where: A dozen daunting spaces — some open, others locked — in The Great Hall, located at 1087 Queen Street West
Savour St. Lawrence Market
What: Tour the Market with a glass of sparkling wine in hand and enjoy tastings from three Market merchants before partaking in a four-course demo and dine experience that features “the bounty of the Market paired with local Ontario wines.”
When: January 26 and 27; February 2, 3 and 5
Where: St. Lawrence Market, 93-95 Front Street East
CIBC National Ski & Snowboard Day
What: The 4th annual CIBC National Ski and Snowboard Day will be taking place from coast to coast on January 27, giving Canadians incredible access to the nation’s majestic winter playgrounds as select resorts will be offering incredible discounts on lift tickets.
When: January 27
Where: Participating resorts across Canada
The Drake Barn Burner Hockey Game
What: Now in its second year, The Drake Barn Burner Hockey Game + Dinner takes place this January in Prince Edward County and will see all-star chefs face off at Essroc Arena (AKA Duke Dome), in support of Community Food Centres Canada, and The StoreHouse Food Bank which will benefit from the proceeds of game ticket sales.
When: January 27
Where: Essroc Arena, 111 Belleville Street, Wellington, Ontario
High Tea at Casa Loma
What: Channel the Edwardian era over teas and a tiered cake stand topped with mini pastries, scones, croissants, strawberries and cream, crumpets, and tea sandwiches.
When: January 27 and 28, 11 am to 5 pm; February 3 and 4, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Cantech Investment Conference 2018
What: This January, you can witness Canada’s rapidly growing tech sector for yourself at the fifth annual Cantech Investment Conference taking place in Toronto. The one-day conference is the biggest of its kind in Canada and it’s set to showcase more than 110 public and private tech companies and startups while highlighting the hottest trends in the industry.
When: January 31, 8 am to 6 pm
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Boulevard
Dinner with the Mackenzies
What: This unique dining and theatrical experience is set inside the 1860s home of William Lyon Mackenzie and his wife Isabel. The intimate event includes period music and four-course Victorian inspired meal, as well as the opportunity for participants to interact with actors.
When: January 31 and February 1, 2 and 3
Where: The Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street
FEBRUARY
Kuumba (Black History Month celebration)
What: For over 20 years, Harbourfront Centre’s Kuumba has sparked discourse and conversation around current and historical debates within the African-Canadian community. Official schedule and dates to be released soon.
When: February
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
2018 Motionball Toronto Gala
What: Motionball 2018 will be taking over the Liberty Grand this February for an epic celebration in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.
When: February 2, 9 pm to 2 am
Where: Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Road
Toronto Tea Festival
What: Whether you are a newbie or an aficionado of tea culture, the 6th annual Toronto Tea Festival will enable you to discover the world of tea from the traditional to the trendy.
When: February 3 & 4, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Toronto Fashion Week
What: Toronto Fashion Week returns to Yorkville Village this winter, bringing a stellar lineup of local designers, events and parties.
When: February 5 to 7
Where: Yorkville
Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Fest
What: Get bundled up and enjoy this outdoor winter festival featuring great craft beers and delicious winter food. Make sure to wear your best retro ski gear!
When: February 10
Where: 255 Bremner Blvd
Art & Wine With Your Valentine
What: This February, treat your special someone to an artistic date at Paintlounge. Enjoy a step-by-step guided workshop, or participate in a freestyle session to paint anything you want.
When: February 10 to 14
Where: The Paintlounge, 784 College Street
CNTV Chinese New Year 2018
What: Hundreds of elite artists from Mainland China and Canada will be performing at this incredible event. If you want to enjoy the splendid Chinese traditional culture along with a fabulous visual art feast, you won’t want to miss this event.
When: February 15, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East
Canadian International Auto Show
What: Experience the total automotive experience with over 600,000 square feet of dazzling displays, big prize giveaways and engaging exhibits.
When: February 16 to 25
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom
What: A new Justin Bieber exhibit is starting in February, in the singer’s hometown of Stratford, Ontario. The exhibit, which is called ‘Steps to Stardom’, was created with the help of Bieber and his family and will feature hundreds of the singer’s personal belongings including a hockey bag and jacket from his time with the Stratford Warriors, running shoes, microphones, photographs, personal letters, various awards and more.
When: February 18
Where: Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Road (Highway #8, just West of Stratford)
Celebrating David Bowie
What: A concert celebrating legendary glam rockstar David Bowie will be taking place in Toronto this February at Danforth Music Hall. Celebrating David Bowie (CdB) features an all-star line up of artists who worked closely with the star.
When: February 18, 7 pm
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Avenue
Yoko Ono: The Riverbed
What: This winter, you can experience Yoko Ono’s latest art installation The Riverbed at the Gardiner Museum. The Riverbed invites visitors to collaborate with the artist, the museum, and each other through everyday action and contemplation.
When: February 22 to June 3
Where: The Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park
MARCH
Toronto Winter Brewfest
What: The city’s biggest indoor beer festival is back! The 3rd annual Toronto Winter Brewfest will take place March 2 to 3, and will welcome over 40 breweries, more than 150 beers, food trucks, DJs, games and more.
When: March 2 & 3, 6 pm to 1 am
Where: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd
Toronto FC 2018 Home Opener
What: Following the Toronto FC’s triumphant victory, the TFC will be hosting their home opener on March 3 against the Colombus Crew SC.
When: March 3, 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: BMO Field, 170 Princes’ Blvd
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors
What: Infinity Mirrors, the dazzling world of Yayoi Kusama, is heading to the AGO this March, where visitors will have the opportunity to experience six of Kusama’s most iconic kaleidoscopic environments at once.
When: March 3 to May 27
Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317, Dundas Street West
FoodFight – Culinary Charity Boxing Tournament
What: This charity boxing tournament will see heavyweights from Toronto’s culinary scene contend in three rounds over six exciting matches while spectators can enjoy food and drink for purchase from top Toronto vendors.
When: March 12, doors at 7 pm
Where: Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East
Justin Timberlake 2018 Toronto Concert
What: He’s rocked our body, he showed us summer love, and – of course – he brought sexy back. And now Justin Timberlake is bringing his suit and tie to Toronto this March for his first visit back to the city since 2014.
When: March 13, 7:30 pm
Where: Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay Street
ComiCon
What: One of the world’s biggest showcases of everything comics and fantasy returns to Toronto this March, bringing over 400 unique vendors.
When: March 16 to 18
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
St. Patrick’s Day 2018
What: Everyone’s favourite excuse to get decked out in green and drink copious amounts of Guinness! Round up your friends and head to your nearest pub for a day you most likely won’t remember.
When: March 17
Where: Venues throughout the city
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