Photo via bloor-yorkville.com
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The best things in life are free! There are tons of exciting events happening in Toronto that are free for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of the best free things to do in Toronto this December.
1. TD Union Winter Roller Express
Roller skate for free in the heart of downtown Toronto with TD Union Winter's newest winter activity this year. Enjoy 5,500 sq ft of skating surface that’s animated with lights for a fun retro experience. There will be free skate lessons, Union Beats DJ skate nights on Fridays, exclusive Beats & Boogie 19+ skate nights, immersive activities, activations, and more.
Where: Toronto’s Union Station (55 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E6)
When: Until February 4th, 2024
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
2. Toronto Gingerbread Festival
The Gingerbread Festival returns this month. Experience 12 days of fun across 3 event sites located centrally at Yonge + St. Clair and packed with gingerbread-inspired activities for guests of all ages. Don't forget to check out the spectacular large-scale gingerbread house and miniature Yonge + St. Clair gingerbread village launch on December 7th, and enjoy free activities throughout the week, like the Gingerbread Trail scavenger hunt, Toronto's largest gingerbread balloon and more.
Where: Yonge + St. Clair
When: December 7th-18th, 2023
Price: Free admission-$$
Category: Family-friendly
3. Toronto Art Crawl Holiday Market
This 1-day market will feature 120+ local artists and vendors selling awesome, one-of-a-kind goods including art, photography, woodwork, jewellery, apparel, accessories, candles, fashion, sweet treats, bath and beauty, and books. Plus, there will be delicious food, fresh coffee, mulled wine, and more. Click here to get your free tickets.
Where: Toronto Event Center (15 Saskatchewan Rd, Exhibition Place)
When: December 16th, 2023 (12 pm - 5 pm)
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
4. Wonka's Sweet Escape
Step into a world of pure imagination and head over to Wonka’s Sweet Escape, an exclusive immersive experience filled with cute photo ops, a 30-foot chocolate-candy cherry blossom tree, a giant chocolate bar and more.
Where: Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6A 2T9)
When: Until January 2nd, 2024
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
5. Cavalcade of Lights
The Cavalcade of Lights is a fun and free event that you need to take advantage of this December. The event features captivating lighting installations that focus on light, lanterns, and fire. Throughout the season, you can enjoy ice skating and be mesmerized by the enchanting light displays in Nathan Phillips Square.
Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1)
When: Until January 7th, 2024
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
6. Fleurs de Villes NOËL
This festive floral trail features over 30 floral installations created by Toronto’s talented florists. Highlights include a Holiday Sleigh at The Colonnade, a Skating Scene at the Yorkville Village Oval, a North Pole Sign with Reindeer in Yorkville Lane, and more.
Where: Bloor-Yorkville
When: December 6th-10th, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
7. CBC Kids at Sounds of the Season
Only on December 8th, CBC Kids will be welcoming families for a day of fun. There will be activities, meet CBC Kids favourites like Peppa Pig, sing-along with Jeremy and Jazzy and more! What's best is that it is all in support of GTA Food Banks! Don't forget to grab your non-perishable food donations and head over to this amazing event.
Where: CBC Toronto (250 Front Street West)
When: December 8th, 2023 (9 am - 1 pm)
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
8. Wychwood Potters Pottery Market
If you love all things pottery, then you have to check out the Wychwood Potters Pottery Market happening on December 9th. Shop and see what goodies you'll find.
Where: Noble Space (46 Noble St Unit 103, Toronto, ON M6K 2C9)
When: December 9th, 2023 (11 am - 6 pm)
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
Click here for more information.
9. Window Wonderland
Presented by Isaan Der Thai Kitchen, this enchanting exhibit will turn the Junction into a FREE outdoor gallery, showcasing 20 stunning augmented reality (AR) window installations and five murals.
Where: The Junction
When: Until January 31st, 2024
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
10. Urban Makers Holiday Market
Get ready to do some holiday shopping at the Urban Makers Holiday Market. This is your go-to spot for all your unique & one-of-a-kind gifts. There will be over 30 amazing vendors from jewelry, home decor, clothing, art, bath + body products and so much more! Plus, swag bags packed with amazing local goodies will be given to the first 30 shoppers in line. There will also be music, food, and drinks, and entry to the event is free.
Where: The Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen St. W. Toronto)
When: December 17th, 2023 (11 am - 5 pm)
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
11. NYE Fireworks
Ring in 2024 and catch the free fireworks show across downtown Toronto’s waterfront. On NYE, there will be two synchronized 15-minute, high-altitude fireworks displays launched across Toronto’s downtown waterfront.
Where: Toronto Waterfront
When: December 31st, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
12. Distillery Winter Village
The Distillery Winter Village offers a magical holiday experience, inviting friends and family to embrace the enduring romance and nostalgic charm of the season. Wander through cobblestone streets illuminated by festival lights, and the giant Christmas tree and explore one-of-a-kind shops, and charming vendor cabins. They offer free admission during certain days and times, so make sure you check out their website for more information.
Where: Distillery District (55 Mill Street, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4)
When: Until January 7th, 2024
Price: Free-$$
Category: Family-friendly
13. Go Skating
There are a ton of free outdoor skating rinks that you need to take advantage of this December. The Bentway, Evergreen Brick Works, Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square and more will be having free outdoor skating for the public to enjoy. Click here for the full list.
14. Holiday Fair in the Square
Holiday Fair in the Square is back this December and moving to Mel Lastman Square! Watch the square be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. The event runs until December 23rd and will feature an artisan marketplace, a fireside lounge with hot chocolate & mulled wine, entertainment, photo ops, ride/games, food trucks, and Santa himself will be there too! Plus, this event is in support of Epilepsy Toronto.
Where: Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5V7)
When: Until December 23rd, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
15. Holiday Street Market
Get ready to do some Christmas shopping! The Holiday Street Market will be taking place at the CN Tower and is free for all to attend! Enjoy festive foods, and fun activities and shop from local artisans.
Where: CN Tower (290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9)
When: Until January 7th, 2024
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
16. Go Tobogganing
Go on a tobogganing adventure this December and have fun with this classic winter activity. There are many different tobogganing hills scattered in different parts of the city.
Click here to find out all the tobogganing hills available.
17. Holiday Hills
This popular festive event features a 120-foot tunnel of lights, a 40-foot-long wish wall, a 20-foot tall holiday tree, a taco bar, vendor markets, one-of-a-kind holiday shopping pop-ups, and more.
Where: stackt market (28 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5V 0C6)
When: Until December 31st, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
18. Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market
Head over to the Toronto Botanical Garden Holiday Market for some holiday shopping. This eco-minded, nature-inspired, relaxed shopping experience offers free admission to the public and features over 100 local vendors!
Where: Toronto Botanical Garden (777 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2)
When: December 15th-17th, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
19. Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
The Bloor-Yorkville BIA will be celebrating the holiday season with its one-of-a-kind festive lighting displays. Continuing with its annual traditions, visitors can look forward to shopping, dining, and surrounding themselves with the holiday lighting along the tree-lined streets.
Where: Bloor-Yorkville
When: Until December 31st, 2023
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
20. Toronto Made Market - Holiday Show
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit by exploring the market's enchanting atmosphere, adorned with twinkling lights, cheerful decorations, and the scent of freshly baked treats in the air. With over 70 local vendors featuring handcrafted gifts, artisanal goods, delectable treats and unique holiday decor, there is something for everyone. Click here for your free tickets.
Where: Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St East, Toronto)
When: December 10th, 2023 (12 pm - 7 pm)
Price: Free admission
Category: Family-friendly
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