25 things to do in Toronto this weekend: January 25 to 27

Toronto, we finally made it to the weekend and we couldn’t be happier.

For starters, there is so much going on in the city this weekend that whatever you’re in the mood for, chances are you can find it.

Not sure what to do this weekend? Check out our list of the top events happening in the city on the final weekend of the month.

Friday, January 25

The 7 at Hudson’s Bay

What: Come and check out The 7 this weekend, a new pop-up that features eight unique, picture-perfect rooms. The concept is to help Torontonians beat the winter blues with fun out-of-the-box and Instagrammable rooms full of colour, art and 3D visuals.

When: Open now until the end of winter
Time: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 9:30 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Seventh floor Hudson’s Bay, 176 Yonge Street
Price: Free to the public

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

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: Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Price: From $32

See also

• You can beat the winter blues at this colourful pop-up in Toronto
• These Ontario ski resorts are offering major discounts on lift tickets this weekend
• Toronto's biggest monthly art party is coming to an end

DesignTO 2019

What: DesignTO, formally known as The Toronto Design Offsite Festival, is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design with over 100 free exhibitions, window installations, and events forming Toronto’s design week.

When: Now until January 27
Time: 10 am to 12 am
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Free

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: Now until January 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 week, 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: Now until January 28
Time: Varies by day
Where: 1184 Bloor Street West
Price: Varies by the show. Some shows as low as $10

Ice Breakers

What: Now in its third 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: Now until February 24
Time: All day
Where: Queens Quay from Harbourfront Centre to the Toronto Music Garden
Price: Free to the public

Toronto Light Fest

What: For the third 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: Now until March 3
Time: After sunset
Where: Distillery District
Price: Free

Winter at Ontario Place

What: Following last year’s successful inaugural winter program, Ontario Place will once again come alive this winter season. Running from now to March 17, the West Island of Ontario Place will be home to the Winter Light Exhibition, free public skating on a synthetic rink and community bonfires. This year, visitors can also look forward to a series of DJ nights at the iconic waterfront venue and bring a range of beloved films to Cinesphere.

When: Now until March 17
Time: 6 pm to 12 am
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Price: Free to attend

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 25 to February 8
Time: Varies by location
Where: Restaurants across Toronto
Price: Varies by location

Protest Against OSAP Changes

What: To protest the provincial government’s OSAP changes, a massive gathering is planned in Toronto this Friday, with over 3000 people already interested in attending.

When: January 25
Time: 2 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: No cost to attend

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 and 27
Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Archeo Trattoria – 31 Trinity Street
Price: $125

Robert Burns Day 2019

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

ROM Friday Night Live

What: Spend your Friday night on the ROM’s dance floor with top DJs and live artists, or explore museum’s stunning galleries with tasty food and drinks.

When: January 25
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $19.21

Purple Rain screening

What: This weekend you can catch a screening of Purple Rain, a story about a young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home who must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.

When: January 25 to 27
Time: Screenings are at 8 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Price: $15 for adults

Winter 2018 Season: Opening Party

What: This free party will kick off the new year and celebrate the launch of The Power Plant’s Winter 2019 Exhibition Season. Be among the first to experience exhibitions by Shuvinai Ashoona, Omar Ba and Alicia Henry.

When: January 25
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, 231 Queens Quay West
Price: Free to attend

Saturday, January 26

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

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part early screening

What: Chris Pratt returns to the Lego world, only this time, Duplo invaders from outer space are wrecking everything faster than the Lego citizens can rebuild. While the movie doesn’t officially hit the big screens until February 8, you can catch an early screening this weekend at select theatres.

When: January 26
Time: 2 pm
Where: Select theatres, full list here
Price:  $13.99 for adults, $8.99 for kids

Australia Day 2019

What: Bring your mates down and celebrate Australia Day with your Toronto fam at Hemingway’s! There will be free Aussie Day T-shirt to the first 250 guests (with Amsterdam purchase), meat pies, snags on the BBQ, giveaways, prizes and much much more.

When: January 26
Time: 3 pm to 11 pm
Where: Hemingway’s, 142 Cumberland Street
Price: Pay for what you eat

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

Après Skate Saturdays

What: If you’re in the mood for ice skating, head to the Bentway where skaters over 19 can enjoy complimentary samples of Kahlúa with coffee or hot chocolate on Saturday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm. Après Skate Saturdays run every Saturday until February 16.

When: January 26
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Complimentary samples, but skate rentals are available on-site for $10

DJ Skate Nights: Yohomo on Ice

What: You can sharpen your skates and skills at Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party. This Saturday night, Yohomo DJ’s Diego Armand and Phillippe are spinning blades of glory anthems all night long with two special figure skating shows featuring Toronto drag legend Carlotta Carlisle.

When: January 26
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Skating is free

Sunday, January 27

Vision Boarding + Intention Setting

What: You can outline your goals for the new year during this experience led by Cassidy of Just Be Meditation. Here you’ll connect with like-minded soul searchers as you uncover your passions, define your core values, and reconnect with your inner compasses. With a combination of guided meditation, journaling, and group discussion, you’ll set clear intentions for the year ahead and map everything out by creating a vision board that actually works. Supplies and materials are included in the fee.

When: January 27
Time: 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: lululemon Queen West The Hustle, 318 Queen Street West
Price: $30

Toronto Pug Grumble

What: Bring your pugs to the Dog Bowl in Trinity Bellwoods Park this Sunday for a Toronto Pug Grumble. Get ready for lots of snorting, rolling and grumbling.

When: January 27
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Dog Bowl, 790 Queen Street West
Price: Free

Coffee, Croissants & Terrariums

What: Coffee, croissants and terrariums? Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon to us. Come and spend two hours creating a custom terrarium with the guidance and assistance of design and garden guru Meredyth Hilton. Everything is included in the cost.

When: January 27
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Design Department, 558 Mount Pleasant Road
Price: $70