27 Toronto events worth checking out this January

The cold temperatures might be enough to make you 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 a beer festival and incredible art exhibits, here are the top events happening in Toronto that will surely heat up your social life this month.

Happy Place Toronto

What: Happy Place is an interactive, 20,000-sq-ft immersive exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, and it’s on a mission to spread happiness here in Toronto and around the world.

When: Now until January 27
Time: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 8 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Price: From $32

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

What: This summer, the ROM welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The exhibit explores the hunting, burrowing, and weaving world of these eight-legged creatures and will feature more than 400 live and preserved spiders, cutting-edge interactive experiences, and new scientific discoveries.

When: Now until January 6
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults

A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle

What: Toronto’s iconic castle is being transformed into a magical winter wonderland this month and will feature a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family.

When: Now until January 6
Time: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Price: From $22.15 to $32.49

Cinesphere Winter Film Series: Black Panther

What: Toronto’s Cinesphere theatre at Ontario Place will be screening several iconic films over the next few months as part of its fall and winter programming. The theatre is kicking off the month with a screening of Black Panther.

When: January 2 to 6
Time: 7 pm
Where: Cinesphere at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
Price: $15 for adults

Healthy Chocolate Making Workshop

What: Chocolate is indulgent, romantic and sweet. And now, it can also be healthy. Learn how to put a healthful twist on your favourite treat at this workshop and take home a bag full of nut-free, vegan and delicious goodies.

When: January 9
Time: 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: The Mad Bean Cafe – 519 Eglinton Avenue West
Price: $82

Canada’s Bridal Show Winter 2019

What: Canada’s Bridal Show is the most renowned Bridal Show, established in 1984 always prospering and showcasing all the latest trends in the bridal industry.

When: January 11 to 13
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West
Price: $20

Cooking with Jackfruit

What: Pulled pork is yum, and this fruit fried up and smothered in barbecue sauce is equally yum. Learn the ins and outs, ups and downs of replacing meat with this funky fruit at this informative event.

When: January 12
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Ralph Thornton Community Centre – 765 Queen Street East
Price: $52

Opera and Fried Rice

What: The third instalment of this three-part series will offer a delectable meal alongside song that will make the hairs on your arm stand up.

When: January 12
Time: 6:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: The Depanneur – 1033 College Street
Price: $85

Trevor Noah Loud and Clear Tour

What: South African comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah is coming to Vancouver for a live performance this month. Noah will land in the city as part of his 28-performance, North America-wide, Loud and Clear Tour. Noah is known around the world for his insightful and authentic take on politics and current events.

When: January 11
Time: 9 pm
Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
Price: From $60

Beyond the Daiquiri

What: Raising a glass to Hemingway, you’re about to know a lot more about navigating the back of the bar. Explore spirits and cocktail styles, and learn Hemingway history along the way.

When: January 13
Time: 4:30 pm to 6 pm
Where: Famous Last Words – 392 Pacific Avenue
Price: $60

Savoury and Sweet Chocolate Workshop

What: Challenge the status quo! This workshop will teach you how to pair the classic sweetness of chocolate with unexpected flavours such as ginger, salt and balsamic vinegar.

When: January 13
Time: 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: The Mad Bean Cafe – 519 Eglinton Avenue West
Price: $82

Mamabis

What: For cannabis-curious mamas, this event is a must-go. The panel will begin at 7 pm, but networking, food and drink, and joint-rolling 101 start at 6 pm. And of course, there will be tea.

When: January 16
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: A secret venue in downtown Toronto. Check out the Eventbrite or scope out the MomsTO Instagram account to learn more
Price: $10 to $20

Pizza Making Class

What: Now that’s what we’re talkin’ about. Learn how to stretch your dough, sauce up that gluten, load on that cheese and bring out all the flavours of your other delicious toppings in this class. *Kisses fingers*

When: January 17
Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Cucinato Italian Culinary Studio – 1338 Lansdowne Avenue
Price: $100

Come Up To My Room

What: The Gladstone Hotel’s annual Come Up to My Room exhibit provides artists and designers with the opportunity to take risks and to push their ideas, creating an immersive and interactive experience for the viewer.

When: January 17 to 20
Time: Thursday, 7 pm to 10 pm; Friday, 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm & 7 pm to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Price: $10

Chocolate and Caramel Workshop

What: Learn how to combine these two delightful delicacies at this chocolate-making workshop. Create caramels enrobed in chocolate, truffle bites, dulce de leche truffles and caramel lollypops Yum.

When: January 18
Time: 8 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: The Mad Bean Cafe – 519 Eglinton Avenue West
Price: $82

Toronto International Boat Show

What: North America’s largest indoor boat show drops anchor in Toronto month. Come and find the boat of your dreams – and everything to go along with it – at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place.

When: January 18 to 27
Time: Varies by day
Where: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd
Price: From $20

Burdock Piano Fest

What: Calling all music lovers: the Burdock Piano Fest is back for its fourth 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 21 to 28
Time: Varies by day
Where: 1184 Bloor Street West
Price: Varies by the show. Some shows as low as $10

Indian Cooking Class

What: Spice up your life. Dive into a range of beautiful flavours, fascinating techniques, learn about traditions and celebrate nutrition in this cooking class opportunity.

When: January 22
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Cambria Gallery – 91 Parliament Street
Price: $50

Japanese Pickling and Miso Making

What: Learn how to preserve veggies in traditional methods such as koji and miso fermentation. Enjoy samples and light refreshments along the way! It’s good for your gut, and a mindful practice too… tap into your body and mind connection.

When: January 23
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Skippa – 379 Harbord Street
Price: $50

Star Wars: A New Hope

What: The 1977 classic film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, will be hitting the big screens in Toronto this winter for a very special performance with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. One of the most thrilling science fiction adventures ever made features renowned composer John Williams’ iconic score and you can watch it performed live to picture at the Roy Thompson Hall this January.

When: January 23 to 26
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Roy Thompson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street
Price: Starting at $50

Women’s Wine and Cheese

What: Classy and sassy, this is an interactive opportunity to learn more about how to pair wines of all kinds with cheeses of all varieties in an empowering, all-women environment.

When: January 24
Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Cucinato Italian Culinary Studio – 1338 Lansdowne Avenue
Price: $100

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
Time: Varies by location
Where: Various venues throughout Toronto
Price: Varies by location

The Art of Food Preservation

What: At this event, local farmers and food suppliers will share secrets about maintaining local and sustainable eating habits in Ontario’s often um… unforgiving winter months. Everyone who attends will go home with a fermented gift.

When: January 25
Time: 6:30 to 10 pm
Where: Archeo Trattoria – 31 Trinity Street
Price: $125

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: January 26
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: 255 Bremner Blvd.
Price: From $25

CIBC National Ski & Snowboard Day

What: Dust off your skis and wax your boards, it’s time to hit the slopes. This month, the fifth annual CIBC National Ski and Snowboard Day will be taking place from coast to coast, giving Canadians incredible access to the nation’s majestic winter playgrounds. This year there are over 100 ski and snowboard areas participating in National Ski and Snowboard Day, making it the biggest national ski event ever.

When: January 26 and 27
Time: Varies by location
Where: Participating resorts across Canada
Price: Day passes start at $72

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
Time: Varies by location
Where: Restaurants across Toronto
Price: Varies by location

Chinese Takeout – A Hands-On Experience

What: We all know classic Chinese takeout to be a little bit of an indulgence… maybe not our healthiest meal of the week. But this event will teach you how to replicate those beloved flavours in your own kitchen, where you have control over the ingredients list. Hello, healthy indulgence!

When: January 30
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Aphrodite Cooks – 201 Weston Road
Price: $95

See also

• 23 FREE Toronto events worth checking out in January
• 21 beautiful photos of Ottawa in the winter that will make you want to visit
• Get discounted lift tickets for National Ski and Snowboard Day this winter