Looking for an activity to enjoy during the winter and holiday season? There are a handful of outdoor ice rinks and skating trails in Toronto that will get you moving. Plus, each of these spots are free. Yes, totally free! Happy skating!
Here are free outdoor Ice rinks & skating trails In Toronto to check out.
The Bentway
The Bentway transforms into a unique urban winter wonderland with the opening of a 220-meter skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway. Ensure to check here before you head over to the unique figure-eight skating experience to ensure the rink is open to skate!
Nathan Philips Square
Every winter the Nathan Phillips Square water fountain turns into an outdoor ice rink. It’s a vibrant, active space in the heart of Toronto to enjoy skating with your friends and family this season.
Evergreen Brick Works
Experience the magic of one of the best free skating rinks in Toronto at Evergreen Brick Works. The Evergreen Brick Works outdoor skating rink weaves through snow-covered gardens under exposed beams from the roof of the old brick factory. The rink is open from December to March, weather permitting.
Greenwood Park
Greenwood Park has a covered outdoor artificial ice rink that is available for skating in the winter, as well as a pleasure ice skating trail located beside the rink! You can pick between the rink or the trail – or take some time skating on both!
High Park
High Park is home to many wildlife and plant species – and come wintertime, an outdoor skating rink! You can enjoy a leisurely skate or participate in some shinny. Check their rink hours here, as the leisurely skate times differ from shinny times.
Christie Pits Park
Historic Christie Pits Park, located on Bloor West is hosting winter outdoor skating on its artificial rink for yet another year! Make sure to check the skating schedule before you head out.
Mel Lastman Square
Mel Lastman Square’s outdoor skating rink will be open for the season all the way until March 27th! The rink seems to always be lively with people skating and having fun.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Located south of Dundas Street West on Gore Vale Avenue is the Trinity Bellwoods Park artificial skating rink! The rink is pretty spacious and a great place to learn how to skate if you’re a beginner since there are walls to hold on to if need be.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
If you’re more of a fan of skating trails than a classic hockey-like skating rink, check out Colonel Samuel Smith Park‘s figure-eight skating-trail rink this year! It’s located along a stretch of wooded shoreline in the Kipling and Lakeshore area in Toronto.
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Since it’s wintertime, the activities that you can do outdoors are more limited because of the cold weather. Although, a very fun and scenic activity that is enjoyed in the winter is ice skating. There are so many skating trails and paths in Toronto and the GTA that are great to get your body moving and breathe in some fresh air. Be sure to check when each individual rink opens for the season.
*Please abide by all COVID-19 safety precautions.
Here are the best skating trails to go to in Toronto & the GTA.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
The ice skating trail at MacGregor Point in Port Elgin is a premier winter attraction it also offers skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and other winter fun.
Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh Skating Trail
Located in Bala, this trail is open from December 27 until March Break with weather permitting. Skate a 1.2 km loop around 12 acres of cranberries. With forest on one side and cranberry beds on the other, this is a one-of-a-kind experience. Every Saturday night (weather permitting) 400 tiki torches are lit for Light the Night night skating.
The Bentway
The Bentway transforms into a unique urban winter wonderland with the opening of a 220-meter skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway. It’s open seven days a week from 12-8:30 pm starting December 18.
Greenwood Park
At Greenwood Park, you can enjoy the skating trail or the covered outdoor rink, or both. Either way, you’re sure to have a blast.
Arrowhead Provincial Park
The 1.3 km Ice Skating trail winds through the thick Muskoka forest and is a winter experience like no other.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
This park is located along a stretch of wooded shoreline in the Kipling and Lakeshore are. It’s a skating path that’s in the shape of a figure-eight, plus, it gives skaters a great scenic view.
Barbara Ann Scott Skating Trail
The five-meter-wide trail loops through College Park and is open from 10 am until 10 pm everyday.
Dieppe Park
Dieppe Park Complex is located on Cosburn Avenue just east of Greenwood Avenue. It has an outdoor ice rink and a skating path to enjoy.
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The Bentway and Build for Bokma present CITE, a summer-long celebration of skateboard arts and culture, which all launches this weekend. The Bentway Skate Trail will also officially open for the season, from June 30th until August 12th and you can also expect lots of fun events going on all summer long.
Things are all kicking off this weekend, with the reveal of a “new art installation/skatepark featuring Semblance, skateable sculptures conceived and constructed by Build for Bokma which create a 3D terrain for boarders to ride on, as well as a site-specific art installation by artist and skateboarder Pascal Paquette.”
During the weekends, CITE will provide a variety of workshops like learning to skateboard, building skate sculptures, videography, screen printing and designing skateboards – plus a speaker series. The Skate Trail with the Semblance sculptures will be open and available for skateboarding every day from 10 am until 9 pm.
CITE will bring new audiences to The Bentway, and serves to support Toronto’s new skateboard strategy to integrate skateparks in the future development of the city.
“CITE, co-produced by The Bentway and Build for Bokma and presented by Vans, with media partner VICE. The Bentway is supported by the City of Toronto and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport).”
Here’s the schedule for the Canada Day long weekend:
OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE
June 30, 2018 (10 AM – 11 PM)
- DJ sets by The Remix Project alumni
- A marketplace of local skateboard merchandise
- Pop-up film screenings from TUFF (Toronto Urban Film Festival)
- Open skate
- The Bentway Beer Garden featuring tasty treats from SPiN, live graffiti, and more
July 1, 2018 (10 AM – 11 PM)
- Local DJ sets
- Live beats by Toronto-based DJ and producer Beat Sampras (7pm) and LA-based DJ and producer Peanut Butter Wolf (8:30pm)
- A marketplace of local skateboard merchandise
- The Bentway Beer Garden, Ping Pong, and other outdoor games
- Skate demos and best trick showcase
- Open skate
- Meet and greet with the pros, including Vans athletes Leon Chapdelaine, Una Farrar, Etienne Gagne, Annie Guglia, and Dustin Henry
Source: TheBentway.ca
Featured Image: Instagram/@thebentway
Are you going to check out The Bentway this summer? Let us know in the comments!
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We love our wonderful city, but Toronto living can get pretty expensive. You get a lot, but you pay a lot, too. Luckily, this January, you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy some amazing activities around the city. We’ve rounded up the very best free events for you to go to with your family, best friends, or significant other:
1. Get Your Skate on at The New Bentway Skate Trail
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This much-anticipated skating trail under the Gardner Expressway is finally open to the public. Rentals may cost you an extra $10.00, but the skating is completely free. Don’t miss out on BEATS AND BENTS Friday Night Skate Parties, featuring one of the hottest DJ’s spinning tunes all night long.
2. Take a Stroll Through Allen Gardens
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Pretend you’re in a tropical rainforest in this oasis in the middle of the city. Take a warm walk through the different sections of flora and explore six greenhouses, featuring the historic, glass-domed Palm House. It’s also the perfect backdrop for bloggers and photography enthusiasts.
3. Check Out Toronto Light Fest and See Unique Installations
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Take a romantic evening stroll through the Distillery to check it all out. From January 19th until March 4th, The Toronto Light Festival will be shining brightly, with works from local and international artists. Expect a lunar eclipse, a new micro-distillery, a fire-breathing dragon, a pyramid, and so much more.
4. Get Cultured at the AGO
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Wednesday nights at the AGO are completely free! Spend your evening at one of the largest and most distinguished art museums in North America. Get inspired by the incredible art displays and new and changing exhibits.
5. Catch a Concert With The Canadian Opera Company
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Listen to the incredible sounds, presented by the Canadian Opera Company, at the Free Concert Series. Discover established and emerging artists while enjoying a live performance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.
6. Check out the Toronto Design Offsite Festival (TO DO)
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Enjoy 100 free design events, exhibitions and window installations across Toronto. The festival is all about bringing people together to celebrate contemporary culture. If you love design and art, this is definitely something you should check out.
7. Winter at Ontario Place
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A festival dedicated to all winter activities is taking over Ontario Place this season with free admission. Make sure you see the Winter Light Exhibition, with 12 illuminated exhibits by local artists. Highlights also include ice skating, a bonfire, watching movies at the Cinesphere in IMAX®, hiking the Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail and viewing the Illuminated Island.
8. Admire The Public Art Installations With Ice Breakers
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Starting on January 19th, stunning works of art will be displayed around the city. Discover and explore the five different art installations located around Queens Quay West this winter.
9. Learn More with Digital Innovation Hubs
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If you’re looking to expand your mind, register for free workshops with the Toronto Public Library. They’re offering incredible classes like 3D printing, Photoshop, Web design and more!
10. The Power Plant: Winter 2018 Opening Party
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To kick off the 2018 winter exhibition season, there will be a FREE party on January 26th! Be amongst the first to experience exhibitions by Kader Attia and Emeka Ogboh, and view the progression of Michael Landy‘s continually evolving Fleck Clerestory Commission Project. Free admission to the gallery all year round.
Featured image: Instagram/@dewucme
Are you going to check out any of these free events this month?
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