Winter 2025/26

Winter by the waterfront brings a special and magical crisp air, sparkling lights and festive cheer. From performances to panels and public art, our winter season continues to bring people together to learn, celebrate and share in the creativity that makes our waterfront community so vibrant.

Winter Favourites

This winter, Harbourfront Centre invites you to celebrate the season with the return of Winterfest Toronto, an expanded skating rink, DJ Skate Nights, and a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

FREE

Recreation

Skating

Nov 28, 2025↑Mar 1, 2026

Skate by the Lake

Skate on our expanded — and even more spectacular! — waterfront skating rink this winter season.

recreation

Festival

On now↑Wed, Dec 31

Winterfest @ Harbourfront Centre

Celebrate the season! Winterfest brings lights, food, music, performances and more to the harbour.

Family-friendly Activities

Enjoy dazzling lights, delicious eats, magical train rides, holiday markets and more activities for all ages with Winterfest and Family Day Weekend.

Winterfest

Train Ride

On now↑Wed, Dec 31

Harbourfront Express

Hop on the Harbourfront Express! Enjoy a magical train ride through sparkling lights and festive cheer.

Winterfest

Dance & Live Music

Fri, Dec 5↑Fri, Dec 19

The Holiday Hop: Social Dance Series

Dance into December with dance lessons and live music from swing to salsa and tango.

FREE

Winterfest

Performance

Sun, Dec 14↑Sun, Dec 21

The Alpine Merry Sheep Choir

From the zany world of Corpus Dance Projects, a shepherd and his flock sing carols with festive charm.

Winterfest

Musical Theatre

Sat, Dec 20↑Sun, Dec 21

Jack and the Beans Talk: A Merry Magical Pantomime

A hilarious, magical twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. Music, mischief and panto fun for all ages!

Winter Solstice Storytelling by the Fire

A family-friendly evening of light, Indigenous storytelling and connection under the winter sky.

recreation

Family Fun

Sat, Feb 14↑Mon, Feb 16

Family Day Weekend

Skate, craft, explore, watch films and more. Don’t miss Ice Theatre of Toronto live on ice!

Performances

We’re lighting up the season on the waterfront with live music, laugh-out-loud comedy and festive cheer! Enjoy a dazzling holiday cabaret, the sweet sounds of Victorian carollers and plenty of seasonal surprises.

Winterfest

Comedy Night

Fri, Nov 28↑Sat, Nov 29

Trixx and Friends

North America’s top comedic talent bring the heart and the humour for two hilarious nights of comedy.

Steven Taetz

Celebrate the sounds of the season with a merry trio performing Christmas classics.

The Baker Street Victorian Carollers

A caroling quartet of timeless melodies that will transport you to holidays of a bygone era.

FREE

Winterfest

Live Music

Sat, Dec 6↑Sat, Dec 6

Amanda Martinez

Rhythm, soul and seasonal cheer: enjoy a night of Spanish Christmas carols.

Winterfest

Drag & Cabaret

Sat, Dec 13

Hollywood Jade Presents: The Naughty List, A Holiday Cabaret

A saucy night at the cabaret featuring holiday classics with an urban burlesque twist. Recommended for 18+

NorthFIRE Circus

NorthFIRE Circus ignites winter with acrobatics, fire and magic for a sizzling, unforgettable show!

FREE

Winterfest

Live Music

Sat, Dec 20↑Sat, Dec 20

The Arsenals: Happy Ska’lidays

Get ready to groove this Winterfest with Toronto’s own The Arsenals!

Culture

Theatre Performance

Fri, Mar 20↑Sat, Mar 21

What You Won’t Do for Love

Explore the enduring love of David Suzuki and Tara Cullis in this moving Why Not Theatre production.

Holiday Markets

Wander through twinkling stalls filled with festive treats, artisanal gifts and enjoy enchanting pop-ups for a holiday market experience made for making memories.

Winterfest

Market

On now↑Sun, Dec 21

Winter Feast Lane

Skip through our holiday Winter Feast Lane for festive bites and merriment from Fridays to Sundays.

Winterfest

Market

Sat, Dec 6↑Sun, Dec 7

Craft & Design Studio Marketplace

Sip mulled wine and shop unique handcrafted art, jewellery and decor by our resident artists.

Exhibitions

From groundbreaking contemporary art and visionary Canadian craft artists to playful family experiences, Harbourfront Centre’s exhibitions offer a dynamic snapshot of the creativity shaping Canada’s cultural landscape.

Meet Your Maker

Engage with the processes, politics and poetics of craft and design with current Artists-in-Residence.

FREE

Art

Exhibition

Fri, Jan 23↑Sun, Mar 29

Traces by DesignTO

An exhibition exploring how our collective identity can shift amid the climate crisis, war and social unrest.

Mr. Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV

Step back into the golden age of Toronto’s children’s television with this nostalgic exhibition.

kids

Immersive Experiences

On now↑Sun, Jan 4

KidSpark

Step inside KidSpark, everyone’s favourite learn-through-play experience designed by the Ontario Science Centre.

KUUMBA 2026

This coming 2026, KUUMBA — Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival — and KUUMBA 365 returns with a new edition focusing on sound.