23 things to do in Toronto this weekend: January 3 to 5

Jan 3 2020, 2:39 pm

Say hello to January’s first weekend by having a seriously good time in Toronto. It’s a new decade and with it comes new chances for fun in our great city this January 3 to 5.

It will also be the last weekend to see a bunch of great seasonal TO events so don’t miss out.

Friday, January 3

Skating at Harbourfront Centre

What: When the temperature starts to drop, it means it’s officially time to go skating. And it just so happens that the city’s most scenic rink is open for the winter season. The Natrel Rink is complete with heated indoor change rooms and its own rink-side bar and grill for those interested in getting a snack post-skate. The best part? Skating at the Harbourfront rink is totally free. 

When: Now until spring
Time: Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre — 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Skating is free

Wax Candy: Disco Fridays

What: Playing soulful, refreshing, and uplifting Disco all night. Listen to the selection from DJ Efsharp and Cyclist at this weekly dance event. Be prepared for disco standards you already know and some deep cuts that will probably surprise you.

When: January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Time: 10 pm to 2 am
Where: The Piston — 937 Bloor St W
Admission: Free if you register online

Martin Scorsese: A Retrospective

What: He’s one of the globe’s greatest and most iconic of filmmakers. See 27 of the master’s feature movies, and see what makes Marty one of the best. This is the last weekend to catch the film series before it leaves the city.

When: Now until January 4
Time: Times vary, check online
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox — 350 King Street West
Admission: Prices vary, available online

Aurora Winter Festival

What: For its last weekend, the Aurora Winter Festival will transform Toronto’s Ontario Place into a hidden village with enchanting elements inspired by the North Pole including magical characters, captivating light displays, endless fun, games, and activities.

When: Now until January 5
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: Ontario Place — 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: $17.99, available online

CATS

What: See the live version without any CGI. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.

When: Now until January 5
Time: Times vary
Where: Princess of Wales Theatre — 300 King Street West
Admission: Tickets start at $39, available online

Tunnel of Glam

What: The celebrated Tunnel of Glam returns for its second year. Members of the public can visit this outdoor, 80 ft. pedestrian tunnel lined with 14 million reversible sequins for a delightfully festive and immersive wintertime destination.

When: Now until January 6
Where: 1501 Yonge Street
Admission: Free

A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle

What: Toronto’s only castle will host a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that will be fun for the whole family. Enjoy new shows by famed illusionist entertainer Professor Wick and ice skating performers Glisse on Ice. Guests will be surrounded by holiday magic throughout the castle which will be resplendent with holiday décor. It’s another last chance to see this one, as it’ll be leaving the city after the weekend.

When: Now until January 5
Time: Daily, December 1 to January 5, 9.30 am to 5 pm; nightly, December 15 to December 30, 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: Casa Loma — 1 Austin Terrace
Admission: $30, available online

Studio Ghibli on Screen: Ponyo

What: Ponyo, Ponyo, little fishy in the sea! It’s a movie of magical wonder and incredibly beautiful visuals. The film centers on the friendship between five-year-old Sosuke and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke.

When: January 3 and 4
Time: 1:30 pm
Where: Revue Cinema — 400 Roncesvalles Avenue
Admission: $10 to $13, available online

Craft Beer Curling Series

What: Have your beer… on the rocks. Huck some stones and enjoy local beer. Each team will play two three-end games and get a pitcher of the week’s featured Ontario craft beer and a large pizza.

When: January 3 and 4
Time: 11 pm to 2 am
Where: High Park Club — 100 Indian Road
Admission: $100, available online

North American International Motorcycle Supershow 2020

What: North America’s Largest Motorcycle show, the 44th Annual North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, is back with thousands of bikes. Check out new, used, vintage, racing, scooter, custom, choppers, touring, cruising, performance and motocross bikes from across the country.

When: January 3 to 5
Where: The International Centre — 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
Admission: $20, available online

Holly & Parmida: Ringin’ in the New Year!

What: Come see two sets of music, original songs, and some covers to sing along to as well at Holly & Parmida’s first show of the new year. It will be a night filled with lovely music, stories, drinks, and food at Free Times Cafe.

When: Friday, January 3
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 pm
Where:  Free Times Cafe — 320 College Street
Admission: $8

Killer B Cinema presents: Turkish Mad Max

What: Vahsi Kan (Turkish First Blood), Cünyet Arkin and Emel Tümer, star in the hit action move Ölüme son adim (Deaths Last Step) also known as — wait for it — Turkish Mad Max! It’s campy, cheesy, amazingness.

When: Friday, January 3
Time: 8 pm
Where: See-Scape — 347 Keele Street

Saturday, January 4

Toronto Scavenger Hunt

What: The hunt is on. You and your team will work together to wander throughout Toronto, racking up points and laughs along the way. It’s the perfect small group activity for anyone looking to spend an enjoyable afternoon in Toronto. Some of the more memorable landmarks you’ll see include city hall, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and Art Gallery of Ontario.

When: January 4 and 5
Time: 10 am
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Admission: $39 to $79.99, available online

The Nameless Citizens at Lee’s Palace

What: Toronto indie pop rock band The Nameless Citizens play Lee’s Palace along with Electric Influence, Madame Psychosis, and Substrata. Are you ready to rock?

When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Lee’s Palace — 529 Bloor Street West
Admission: $8

After Hours

What: It’s a weekend show of some of the funniest and most talented comedic minds in the city and you’ll still have time to catch the train home afterwards. After Hours at Comedy Bar is a hilarious institution not to be missed as the venue collects the best local laugh-smiths around.

When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 11:30 pm to 1 am
Where: Comedy Bar — 945 Bloor Street W
Admission: $8, available online

Bedroom Antics

What: Bedroom Antics is a fun and lighthearted stand-up show about dating, relationships, the bedroom, and everything in between. A positive night of comedy with some of Toronto’s favourite stand-ups talking and laughing about love.

When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 10 pm
Where: Second City Training Centre — 99 Blue Jays Way
Admission: $15

With It 60s Soul Record Dance Party

What: It’s the perfect 60s dance event. Enjoy Mod Soul, R&B, R&R, Garage Funk, and more all from the era spun up by DJ Parka Pat from Montreal along with local man DJ Nico.

When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 10 pm
Where: The Piston — 937 Bloor Street West
Admission: $10

Saturday Family Clay

What: Every Saturday is a family art day at LucSculpture. Head down and learn some of the basics of sculpting figures, building hand objects, and creating with your kids. They’ll fire all the pieces after you’re done.

When: Every Saturday
Time: 1:00 to 4:30 pm
Where: LucSculpture Art School — 663 Greenwood Avenue
Admission: $15 to $35, tickets available online

Sneaky Dee’s 80s Dance Party

What: Break out the Aquanet and the leopard-print leotards: Sneaky Dee’s is bringing you all the 80s you can handle at the Sneaky Dee’s 80s Dance Party. Bringing you the best of the most extra decade the world has ever seen, if you want to rock, pop, or anything in between this is your stop.

When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 10 pm
Where: Sneaky Dee’s — 431 College Street West
Admission: $5, available online

Sunday, January 5

“Highlarious” Standup Comedy Show

What: Come watch Just For Laughs Comedian, Hisham Kelati, host a cannabis-infused comedy show. Each week Hisham brings out some of Canada’s top comedy talent and you can expect to see familiar faces from Just For Laughs, Sirius XM, and CBC.

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: 12 am
Where: Vapor Central — 667 Yonge Street
Admission: $10, available online

Toronto Maple Leafs Skate for Easter Seals Kids

What: The Toronto Maple Leafs Skate for Easter Seals Kids is a fundraising event that offers fans the opportunity to skate with Toronto Maple Leafs players and alumni in support of Ontario’s kids with physical disabilities.

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: Noon
Where: Ford Performance Centre — 400 Kipling Ave
Admission: $250 minimum fundraising, register online

Drag Brunch at Glad Day with Erin Brockobić

What: Every Sunday Erin Brockobić serves you more than you can handle. With a different guest each week, delicious all you can eat brunch buffet brunch, and a vibe you won’t get anywhere else, it’s truly a brunch like no other, complete with gluten-free and vegan options.

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: First show 11:30 am, second show 12:15 pm
Where: Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street
Admission: $29.90, available online

The Great Muppet Caper

What: When intrepid investigative reporters Kermit and Fozzie travel to Britain to cover a high profile theft, they become embroiled in a complicated criminal enterprise involving double-crosses and nefarious goings-on. Jim Henson wanted this film, his first as director, to pay tribute to the musicals of Hollywood’s golden age, and the fantastic choreography and great tunes bare that out. (It’s also got muppets.)

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Paradise — 1006 Bloor Street West
Admission: $14, available online

Peter SmithPeter Smith

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