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Winter is always an extremely expensive season, which is why we’ve rounded up a variety of events taking place in Toronto from now until the end of February that are absolutely FREE.
From movie screenings to holiday markets, these are the 44 free events you should check out this season.
JANUARY
Evergreen Winter Market
What: Celebrate the holiday season at Evergreen’s Winter Village at the Brick Works. Enjoy the new Street Food Market, find unique gifts, shop the Farmers Market and play outdoors all December. Admission is free.
When: December 10 to February 28
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue
DJ Skate Night
What: Rally up the troops, DJ Skate Night is back! Spend the evening skating to the hottest tracks, while DJs spin house, funk, soul, reggae and more
When: January 7, 8 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
John Kissick and Landon Mackenzie Art Exhibition
What: Come and explore the creative works of John Kissick – Burning of the Houses Of Cool Man, Yeah and Landon Mackenzie – Mirror (Square) and Blue Web.
When: January 7, 100 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Katzman Contemporary, 86 Miller Street
No Pants Subway Ride
What: For all of you free spirits in the 6ix, this is an event you won’t want to miss. The No Pants Subway Ride is a celebration of silliness that is an annual global event that was started by Improv Everywhere in New York in 2002.
When: January 8, 3 pm to 2 am
Where: All TTC lines
Free Yogathon
What: Get ready to get your sweat on, as there’s a free yogathon taking place at Prosserman JCC Goldie Fitness Centre. There’ll also be a number of prizes to be won including yoga mats and one month memberships to the centre.
What: Looking to go on a vacation? Or perhaps, you’re just interested in learning about Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia region. Head to Merit Travel, where you can learn about the stunning landscapes and famous hiking trails in Chile and Argentina.
When: January 11, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: Merit Travel 408 King West
Luminosity by Meghan Thomas
What: Artist Meghan Thomas combines her background training as a makeup artist and body painter and transforms it into fine art paintings using airbrush and fluorescent paints which glow under UV light. Her canvases contain cultural imagery and are inspired by photographs and popular song lyrics.
When: January 14, 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Urban Gallery, 400 Queen Street East
DJ Skate Nights: La Rumba Buena
What: La Rumba Buena is a night dedicated to classic Latin sounds inspired by the salsateca in Cali, Havana and New York. No frills, pure vibes, and a non-stop dance floor open to anyone who catches the rhythm.
When: January 14, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
The Trinity Bellwoods Flea – Winter Edition
What: The Trinity Bellwoods Flea Market is back for another FREE event, only this season it will feature 40 new vendors, new locally crafted goods, new handcrafted cocktails and an exciting new home.
When: January 15, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St West
Brian Cober Live
What: Interested in strumming a few cords? Or maybe you just want to listen to some new tunes. Either way, head to Grossman’s Tavern for the Open Blues Jam.
When: January 15, 10 pm
Where: Grossman’s Tavern, 379 Spadina
The Leslieville Flea: Winter Market
What: Embrace the winter weather and head to Leslieville’s outdoor flea market. Here you’ll find vintage goods, antiques, collectables, and work from local artisans.
When: January 15 to April 23, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Fermenting Cellar, 28 Distillery Lane
Toronto Design Offsite Festival
What: The Toronto Design Offsite Festival (To Do) is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design with over 100 exhibitions and events throughout the city. The festival is geared at taking design out of the studio and into the city – bringing people together to celebrate design in Canada.
When: January 16 to 22, all day
Where: Venues and exhibits throughout the city
Who You Are Matters!
What: Interested in learning more about yourself? Head to CareerCycles for a professional and personal discovery workshop. Here you’ll be able to chat and play a game with like-minded individuals to learn all about you.
When: January 18, 6:15 pm
Where: CareerCycles, 873 Broadview, unit 201
Ryerson Image Centre Winter 2017 Season
What: The Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) and Black Artist’s Networks Dialogue (BAND) are teaming up this winter to present a season of exhibitions exploring historical and ongoing struggles for justice between people of colour and police forces representing the state.
Where: Ryerson Image Centre and other locations
When: January 18 to April 9, all day
Organic Farmers’ Market
What: Was your New Year’s resolution to eat better? Then head to the Organic Farmers’ Market at one of Toronto’s most beautiful gardens. Here you’ll be able to choose the freshest, healthiest foods, and meet plenty of organic vendors.
When: January 19, 1 pm
Where: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave East
Love Design Party
What: Come Up To My Room returns for the 14th year in a row to pack all four floors of the Gladstone Hotel with site-specific, immersive art and design installations over four days.
When: January 19 to 22, 10 pm to 2 am
Where: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Wild Winter Wonderland
What: Toronto’s Evergreen Brickworks will be hosting an afternoon dedicated to winter, family fun. There’ll be everything from workshops and cooking demonstrations to special guest chefs and vendors.
When: January 21, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue
Nature Connection
What: This is another great way to keep up those healthy New Year’s resolutions. Downsview Park staff will take attendees on a free indoor and outdoor Park program based on nature-themed topics to get them exploring the natural world.
When: January 22, 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave
HyWire Writing Workshop
What: Looking to improve your writing this winter? HyWire features a series of guided interactive writing sessions hosted by the Co-organizers of The Burlington Slam Project; Award-Winning Poets Dan Murray and Tomy Bewick.
When: January 26, 7 to 830 pm
Where: Burlington Public Library
Toronto Light Fest
What: Now that the Distillery District’s iconic Christmas Market has come to an end, the streets will be transformed into a huge open-air gallery, lighting up the long winter nights with works from Canadian and International light artists.
When: January 27 to March 19
Where: Distillery District, Mill Street
Winter 2017 Opening Party
What: Kick off the Power Plant’s 2017 season, by being the first to experience exhibitions by Jonathas de Andrade, Maria Hupfield and Kapwani Kiwanga, with the second iteration of the Fleck Clerestory Commission Project by Latifa Echakhch still on view.
When: January 27, 8pm to 11 pm
Where: Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay West
York University Crossroads Literary and Reading Festival
What: Calling all literary buffs: York University is hosting a literary and reading festival that will feature experienced publishers and authors, online writing communities, industry insiders, and so much more. There’ll be plenty of bookselling tables, mingling time, food and drinks included.
When: January 27, 430 pm to 8 pm
Where: York University, 4700 Keele Street
Winter Season Show
What: Come in from the cold this winter and visit the Winter Season Show. Attendees can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and visit the unique exhibitors bringing a variety of arts and crafts to get through the winter.
When: January 29, 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue
See also
- Toronto's largest winter Craft Beer Fest returns next month
- Toronto's first Italian Restaurant Week kicks off this month
- This town 2 hours from Toronto knows how to throw a proper winter festival
- A list of every National Park in Ontario you can visit for free in 2017
FEBRUARY
Soul Powered Run
What: It’s time to get your run on! But this isn’t your typical run. Led by Dr. Stacy Thomas, this run is all about connecting: connecting to others, nature, and to yourself.
When: February 1, 6:15 am to 7 am
Where: Measurement Park, 1167 Eastern Avenue
Kuumba
What: Toronto’s longest-running celebration of Black History Month returns this year, and Torontonians are invited to come and enjoy a series of thought-provoking panel discussions and socially-driven cultural programming that explores African Americans in the 21st century.
When: February 3 & 4 and February 10 & 11
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Soca on Ice
What: Calling all soca lovers, this is one partay you don’t want to miss. This family-friendly event is free, and fun for all ages.
When: February 4, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
Andrés Díaz
What: If you’re interested in spending your Sunday afternoon immersed with beautiful music, head to the Royal Conservatory of Music for a day of free music.
When: February 5, 2 pm
Where: Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor West
The Playground
What: Get ready to get your laugh on: Kris Siddiqi and Kye Fox will be hosting a laid-back night of stand-up comedy with an open mic.
When: February 5, 830 pm to 10 pm
Where: The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth
Argentine Tango Dance
What: For one night only, dancers of all skill level can come and learn the fundamentals of the Argentinian tango.
When: February 13, 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: Argentine Tango Toronto, 206 Beverley Street
Cheap Laughs Open Mic
What: Come and get your laugh on at this fun and supportive open mic night. The best part? No cover (and that’s no joke!)
When: February 13, 9 pm to 11 pm
Where: P.J. O’Brien, 39 Colborne Street
Mustang
What: Toronto’s Reference Library will be hosting a free Turkish film series, and will be playing a film by Deniz Gamze Ergüven.
When: February 13, 2 pm
Where: Reference Library, 789 Yonge, 3rd floor
Singular Sensations
What: Ditch your regular Netflix and chill routine and head to Toronto’s Statler’s Church for an evening of live music and an open mic.
When: February 13, 10 pm to 2 am
Where: Statler’s 487 Church
DJ Skate Nights: 1 LOVE T.O. 10th-Anniversary Party
What: Celebrate Toronto in all its winter glory as 1 LOVE T.O. kicks off its 10 year anniversary on the Natrel Rink, spinning funk, hip-hop, R&B and house.
When: February 18, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
Let’s Talk Science
What: This family-friendly event focuses on experiments and questions geared around the North. Stop by the booth where you can engage in discussions about the impact of rising arctic temperatures and what this means for Northern wildlife, explore the molecular structures of water as well as learn about star formations, and constellations.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: West Arcade, 235 Queens Quay West
Snowshoe Walk
What: Join Shadowland Theatre as they demonstrate how to make your very own costume snowshoes at home.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Marilyn Brewer Community Space
Discover the Night
What: Four extraordinary artists will be transforming the Brigantine Room into a one time only interactive play space emulating the Northern night sky through art, light, and sound.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay West
Northscapers
What: This fun-filled event is perfect for the creative type, as it allows attendees to help build, populate and animate a miniature world made out of assorted art supplies and found objects. This event is meant to encourage attendees to express personal experiences, memories, stories and imaginings of wintery Northern landscapes.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: West Arcade, 235 Queens Quay West
Young Professionals Networking
What: Get those business cards ready and come to Bloke and 4th to connect with forward-thinking young professionals.
When: February 22, 5 pm to 10 pm
Where: Bloke and 4th, 401 King Street West
RAOK Your World
What: Want to make the world a better place? Come and volunteer with Toronto’s Random Acts of Kindness group to spread peace, love, and happiness throughout the city.
When: February 23, 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge St.
Bloor-Yorkville Icefest
What: Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood will be transformed into a showcase of mesmerizing ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations inspired by Canada’s 150th anniversary for the entire family to enjoy.
When: February 25 and 26, 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland Street
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