10 Things to Do in Toronto in January

From the winter magic of Legoland to the thrill of outdoor skating at the city's largest ice rink, there are plenty of things to see and do in Toronto the first month of the year.

Enjoy immersive art experiences that awaken your senses and join in the vibrant celebration of the Festival of Lights across the city. Looking for a more fun-filled move? Head to Niagara Falls for the Iced Wine Festival, an unforgettable culinary experience, and head to the Torontonian adventure! In this article you will find the best things to do in January in Toronto.

As for the best tours in Toronto, its great museums and the visit to the bohemian neighborhoods usually occupy the first places of preference. However, when the city is covered with snow, it is worth visiting its natural enclaves. In this case, the recommendation is Mountsberg Park, with the magic of the winter season coming to life in the middle of this conservatory.

Winter transforms Mountsberg into a serene haven, where the world calms down under the stillness of the park, by the light of the Winterlit lanterns. This event invites you to embrace nature in this enchanting winter wonderland, the trees are delineated with a stunning light display and inspiring and sustainable art installations are added along the trails.

Gather with family and friends in front of the bonfire, listen to some local bands, do some shopping at the artisan market, indulge in a light dinner at the food court or just sit back and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It's a perfect activity to end a day of touring the city, I recommend you to write it down as one of your things to do in Toronto at night during the winter.

Details of interest

• Date: from the last week of December to the third week of February.
• Address: Mountsberg Conservation Area, 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, Ontario.

Want an extra excuse to join one of the Niagara Falls tours from Toronto? In January, you've got a great one: the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, a unique celebration you won't find anywhere else.

The Niagara Ice Wine Festival invites you to experience local product tastings, culinary creations, music, crafts, curiosities and sparkling ice sculptures, all while expanding your palate with tastings of Niagara's finest wines, fit for even the pickiest of eaters.

In Niagara Falls January is a month of celebrations. Some days, the area around the Falls is transformed into a historic winter wonderland, where local wineries offer exclusive wine pairings in upscale restaurants. On other days, open-air parties are held where local icewine producers sponsor the event. And if you're looking to liven up the program, live entertainment keeps you dancing until the end of the night, when fireworks light up the sky.

Details of interest

• Date: the whole month of January. There are several events, I invite you to consult the Niagara-on-the-Lake calendar.
• Address: in the village of Niagara.

In January, Toronto sparkles with the Festival of Lights, a vibrant celebration that illuminates different parts of the city. Experience cultural diversity through performances, live music and exquisite cuisine. The streets are filled with colorful displays of light, creating a festive atmosphere that attracts locals and tourists alike.

Where is the event? The list of locations is extensive, each neighborhood presents its own proposal, here are the most popular ones:

Mississauga Illumi Festival of Lights

Illumi always surprises with its creative and state-of-the-art lighting technology, but during the Festival of Lights, they go all out.

Mississauga Illumi offers an unforgettable spectacle with more than a dozen themed universes illuminated with millions of neon lights that outline each area. Immerse yourself in this immersive experience, and for 60-90 minutes let yourself be carried away by the flashes of light, sound and interactive spaces.

An important fact is that, to join the experience, you must make your reservation in advance, as spaces are limited. Visit their website and don't miss out on your ticket.

• Date: from December to the first week of January.
• Address: 7174 Derry Crest Drive, Mississauga

Riverside Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights is held annually in the Burlington waterfront area between December and early January. For the event, some 60 illuminated displays are arranged around Spencer Smith Park that mesmerize adults and children.

This event has been a tradition for over 25 years. Thousands of locals and visitors from all over the region explore the park with family and friends, enjoy the themed displays, music and seasonal activities.

• Date: December through the first week of January.
• Address: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington.

Distillery District Festival of Lights

During the winter, from January to March, Toronto' s Distillery District comes alive with its Festival of Lights. This has become a popular attraction, thanks to an incredible display of international art, live music and thousands of multicolored lights, all accompanied by the jewels of the event: festive beverages.

This is the best time to schedule a tour of Toronto's Distillery District, when the neighborhood is transformed into an interactive outdoor art gallery featuring the works of design collectives and artists from around the world. Each installation reflects Toronto's multicultural character, and exploring them can be an exciting treasure hunt.

• Date: January to March.
• Address: Distillery District, 55 Mill Street.

Ice skating enthusiasts arrive in paradise in Toronto thanks to its many extensive rinks. You can head to the attractive Bentway Trail, a figure-eight rink under the Gardiner Expressway. You can also opt for the tranquil Barbara Ann Scott Ice Rink in College Park. However, Nathan Phillips Square stands out with a special offer.

Located in downtown Toronto, it offers you the opportunity to skate surrounded by skyscrapers and the famous City Hall statue. In addition, some of Toronto' s best galleries and museums are located here. A must-see stop on any guided or customized tour of the city.

Here, skating, far from being the only attraction, is combined with exhibitions of award-winning skaters, the presence of carolers and vibrant electronic music shows, to the iconic Cavalcade of Lights.

This celebration, which in November in Toronto officially marks the beginning of the holiday season, attracts crowds with its lively and festive atmosphere. The experience lasts until January 7, when the lights display, and the public skating rink bids farewell until next year. All in all, skating at Nathan Phillips Square is an experience that combines skating, music, art and lights, creating unforgettable memories.

Details of interest

• Date: Last week of November through the first week of January.
• Address: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto.

If you're in town from the first of the month, you'll still have a chance to celebrate the most entertaining time of the year at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Throughout December and until January 1, the Holiday Bricktacular comes to life in one of the best things to do with kids in Toronto.

Special activities include photo ops with the characters of this block universe, virtual reality games and interactive attractions set with holiday magic. In addition, visitors can enjoy exciting building workshops, where they can create their own LEGO Christmas ornaments to take home as a souvenir of this festive experience.

When you buy your tickets to the Legoland Discovery Centre in Toronto you will have access to more than 12 attractions in the park, "Bricktacular" style. If you're traveling to Toronto with your little ones, enjoy the first day of the year with this event - get ready for an experience full of fun and joy!

Details of interest

• Date: December to January 1st.
• Address: 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan, Ontario.

Explore the wintry charm of Casa Loma through January 7. This emblematic place dresses up during the Christmas season, with exquisite decorations, a display of lights and a Christmas tree that is impossible to miss.

The visit can be scheduled during the day or included in your things to do in Toronto at night. The experience is captivating and each year surprises visitors with a different activity, such as mystery solving, concerts, festive crafts, visiting pets and more. Be amazed from the very first moment, with its 12-meter tall main tree at the entrance and its dreamy festive atmosphere.

Interesting details

• Date: December through January 7.
• Address: 1 Austin Terrace.

The Toronto Gingerbread Festival is a must-visit during the holiday season, offering a wide variety of delicious gingerbread cookies and promotions at a network of stores of all kinds. Also, did you know that their activities extend until early January? That's right! To find out the exact date you can visit their website Yonge + St. Clair.

During this Shrek-like festival, a giant gingerbread cookie is displayed surrounded by a cheerful and nostalgic atmosphere in different locations in Toronto. This is a great time to take advantage of deals and promotions at hairdressers, bakeries, supermarkets, local restaurants, coffee shops and more.

Interested in more than just shopping? Enter the gingerbread house contest to make the activity more interactive, exploratory and deliciously fun. Make a note of this outing among your things to do in Toronto with kids in January.

Details of interest

• Date: From December to the first weeks of January.
• Address: St. Clair West Village, Ontario, Toronto.

The Window Wonderland, or Mural Wonderland exhibition in Toronto, is an award-winning event that transforms The Junction into an interactive outdoor gallery under a network of augmented reality installations carried by talented local and international artists. They take classic art and add a digital twist to create new dimensions and open up endless possibilities.

While you're at The Junction, don't miss the free street performance. It combines movement, theatrical imagery and comedy to create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. You can buy some of the artwork, or just admire it. It's truly a show to enjoy, and you won't want to miss it!

With more than 20 unique augmented reality installations, 24 showcases and paintings, there's plenty to explore. And if that wasn't enough, Window Wonderland also features animated murals. What more can I tell you? I'll sum it up in that the event was designed to be presented as one of the things to do in Toronto at Christmas, and it had to be extended for the entire month of January because the public demanded it.

Details of interest

• Date: November 25 to January 31.
• Address: Junction District, Toronto

Immerse yourself in the magic of winter at Celebration Square during the month of January! At Mississauga's Celebration Square, discover the joy of skating on Toronto's largest outdoor ice rink, while illuminated installations invite you to continue celebrating the Christmas season.

Take a stroll through Passage, an immersive light tunnel with sounds that respond to your movements. Plus, marvel at luminous urban art creations, such as Asli Alin's diaphanous charms, Nate Nettleton's echoes and Weppler and Mahovsky's sugar mountain.

The skating rink and skate rentals will be available from late November through mid-March. And, to keep you warm, enjoy the heated patios in the Amphitheater or next to the skate rental booth - quite the winter experience!

Details of interest

• Date: November 26 through March.
• Address: Mississauga Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, Ontario.

Tea lovers have a must-visit destination in January: the Toronto Tea Festival. It is the largest tea event in Canada, offering a warm and welcoming experience.

Explore a variety of exquisite teas, learn about tea culture, share with panelists of the most famous specialties such as Wu Wo tea, join the tea ceremony, share impressions with experts and aficionados, and spend a leisurely afternoon with family and friends. Get ready to enjoy captivating aromas and flavors at this not-to-be-missed January event!

Details of interest

• Date: during 3 weeks of January.
• Address: Appel Room - Toronto Reference Library, 2nd floor, Ontario.

January is generally the coldest month of the year, with temperatures dropping to a frigid -20°C or below. However, the average winter temperature in Toronto hovers around 0°C.

To avoid getting cold during this month in Toronto, it is essential to bring a coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Although the south of Lake Ontario receives more snow than the north, it is still likely to snow in Toronto during January. In any case, I recommend you to follow the weather conditions on the official weather page.