by José Gonzalez
Last updated November 17, 2017
The holiday season can be hard on your wallet, but luckily, Toronto has lots of free events happening this year that will get you into the right spirit, while leaving your gift-giving fund completely untouched. You can enjoy gorgeous holiday lights, join sing-alongs and more – all for free! Check out our list of free holiday season events in Toronto this year. [Photo courtesy of Holiday Magic]
It wouldn't be the holiday season without beautiful light displays across the city. This year, the Music Garden is getting a bright makeover with a Spectacle of Lights. Holiday Magic in the Yorkville neighbourhood includes light displays along the street and in-store display windows. And if you're in the East End, Light Up the Beach brings some luminescence to the boardwalk.
Swedish Christmas Fair
A favourite at the Harbourfront Centre each year, this festival includes Swedish food, folk dancing and a Lucia Pageant. While you're there you can also visit the holiday market, stop at the Swedish cafe and kids can enjoy some arts and crafts.
Frost Fair
Step back to the 19th Century with the music and food of the era. With many of the buildings at Fort York dating back to roughly 1812, it'll offer a look back at how the holidays were celebrated before Canada became a full-fledged nation, complete with pop-up performances and activities of the era.
Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square
A Christmas market crossed with a festival, this fair transforms Nathan Phillips Square into a holiday-themed respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown. You can enjoy a meal, do a little skating and cross a few names off your list with some shopping. Later in the day you can stop by the ice bar to savour a few drinks. If you show up on a weekend, you'll even spot Santa Claus hanging out.
It wouldn't be the holiday season without some music to ring it in. There are free concerts across the city including Season of Joy, the Toronto Star Christmas Concert and the City Carol Sing. The biggest of these might be CBC's Sounds of the Season, which turns the CBC Broadcasting Centre into a concert hall where you can enjoy live music, meet CBC radio and TV personalities, and donate food or money to worthy organizations.
Toronto Star Christmas Concert
Christmas Flower Show
The biggest flower show of the year at Allen Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatory, with thousands of different flowering plants on show, including 30 varieties of poinsettia. If you arrive in the evening, you can enjoy the show by candlelight.
Hot Docs Free Film Screenings
Christmas movies are a familiar sight on TV, but why not watch them on the big screen for the same price of zero dollars? Hot Docs is screening Christmas classics White Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Love Actually, Elf, The Holiday and a Die Hard quote-along.
Ice skating
If you've got a pair of skates, you can enjoy many of the dozens of rinks across the city. For a special treat, try hitting one of the special natural rinks that are created for the season that ditch the heavy boards and metal fencing for a more scenic skate on a patch of ice in the middle of a park.From December 16 to February 17, you can join the DJ Skate Nights at the Harbourfront Centre. This block party on ice is completely free if you bring your own skates! Rentals are available.
