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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The Bisha Hotel just got an awesome addition. The luxury destination has transformed its fourth-floor terrace in Toronto into an outdoor skating rink and winter chalet exclusively for its guests.
Now, you can have the perfect staycation and enjoy the outdoors with a gorgeous view!
Kaitlin Narciso
The Stella Suite has been transformed into the Bisha Chalet that’s available during the winter months, which also makes it a great spot for Valentine’s Day.
The skating rink and chalet are only available for guests who stay at the Bisha Hotel in Toronto.
As a guest, you’ll get a two-hour ice rink time which is booked on a first come first serve basis. Be sure to bring your own skates too!
Once you’re done skating around, you can enter the chalet suite to sip on hot chocolate, coffee, and tea with a selection of pastries from the French Made cafe. What’s better than that?
The Bisha Chalet is open everyday from 12-8 p.m. until March 1, weather permitting.
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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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Torontonians, you can now add another skating rink to your winter activities list! A new rink will open this month in an old and familiar spot.
The Harbourfront Centre partnered up with Synerglace to build a temporary rink underneath the concert stage.
The previous Harbourfront Centre rink won’t be open as it’s still dealing with the infrastructure issues that kept it closed last year.
You’ll be able to tie up your laces and hit the ice from November 19 until March 6, 2022.
The new winter spot will have an ice loop that goes through the “south orchard” and connects back to the main rink. You’re sure to have a stunning view the entire time!
If you plan on checking out the area, be sure to adhere to all public health guidelines and all of the rules set by the Centre.
Happy skating!
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Toronto knows a thing or two about activities, especially during the winter months. But after the craziness of the holidays, your wallet could definitely use a break. Luckily, this January, you don’t have to spend a penny to be able to enjoy some amazing activities around the city. We’ve rounded up the very best free events for you to enjoy.
Here are 15 free events to check out this month in Toronto!
Skating at Nathan Phillips Square
Grab your skates and head to Nathan Phillips Square where you can enjoy free daily skating as you enjoy the picturesque views of Toronto City Hall. Equipped with change rooms, washrooms, a snack shop, and skate rentals, this skating rink has everything you need for a quintessential winter day.
When: Open daily through March 22
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Price: Skating is free, skate rentals available on-site
DJ Skate Nights at Natrel Rink
Toronto’s hottest winter skating party is back for another exciting season with another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights. Featuring house, R&B, soul, disco, soca, hip hop, dancehall, throwback, drag anthems, and pop, there will be music for every taste, and for every occasion.
When: January 11, 18, 25
Time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink
Price: Admission is free
The Bentway Skate Trail: Winter Season
The Bentway below the Gardiner Expressway is worth braving the cold for. Not only is there free ice-skating on the 220-metre, figure-eight skate trail (you may bring your own skates or rent for $10), there’s an on-site winter village that serves hot chocolate, drinks, and boozy beverages for skaters and spectators, while warming stations will help visitors get toasty before getting back on the ice.
When: January 6 through February 7
Time: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekends, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Boulevard
Price: Skating is free; skate rentals start at $5 for kids or $10 for adults
AGO Free Wednesday Nights
Free admission on Wednesday nights at the AGO has been a longstanding tradition for years and is a great way to get your culture fix. The popular initiative invites Torontonians and visitors the chance to spend the evening at one of the largest and most distinguished art museums in North America and get inspired by the incredible art displays and new and changing exhibits.
When: Every Wednesday night (January 8, 15, 22, 29)
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West
Price: Admission is free
No Pants Subway Ride
The ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ returns to Toronto for another cheeky year. Hosted by the No Pants Society, the annual risqué event will be taking place simultaneously in over 50 cities around the world this month with the hopes of bringing a smile to commuters’ faces. Here in Toronto, the pantless ride will be be followed by a parade from Wellesley Station to a no pants dance party (location to be announced).
When: January 12
Time: 3 pm to 10 pm
Where: The ride begins at the CF Eaton Centre’s Dundas Street entrance
Price: Free to participate, but you’ll have to pay for your TTC ride
Mayor’s Skate Party
Celebrate the new year with Mayor John Tory and City Councillors at Kew Gardens for the annual Mayor’s Skate Party. Come on down to enjoy a fun afternoon that’s filled with music, hot beverages, and of course lots of skating. Even better is that skate rentals are free, too!
When: January 12
Time: 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Where: Kew Gardens
Price: Free
Winter Stations Presents: Loop
Leading up to the return of Toronto’s annual Winter Stations, event organizers are teaming up with the city’s Waterfront BIA to bring more public art to the city during the coldest months of the year. This month, Torontonians can check out ‘Loop’, which is an interactive retro-futuristic machine powered by the public. Visitors can hop on two at a time into one of the six illuminated cylinders and pump a lever to activate the lights and glowing images.
When: January 15 through February 18
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Where: York Street Park (York Street and Harbour Street)
Price: Admission is free
Province Apothecary Mini Facials @ Detox Market
If getting your skincare game together was on your list of goals for 2020, then look no further. On January 16, head to the Detox Market flagship for your free Province Apothecary mini-facial that’s followed by relaxing accupressure point stimulation and education about your skin type. There are limited spots available so make sure you RSVP early so you don’t miss out on your best skin ever thanks to this free event.
When: January 16
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Detox Market Flagship (116 Spadina Ave)
Price: Free
DesignTO
DesignTo returns to Toronto for its 10th installment this month to celebrate Canadian art and design. Over the past decade, DesignTO has grown from a collection of seven exhibitions and events to a ten-day Festival of over 100 free exhibitions and events throughout the city. You can find full programming details here.
When: January 17 through 26
Time: Varies by exhibition
Where: Venues throughout the city
Price: Over 100 exhibitions are free to the public (others are ticketed)
Toronto Light Fest
With the coldest and darkest days upon us, the city’s historic Distillery District will be the place to be for the fourth annual Toronto Light Fest. Bringing dozens of curated light installations and illuminated sculptures created by a number of local and international artists, the Toronto Light Festival should not be missed.
When: January 17 through March 1
Time: After dusk
Where: Distillery District
Price: Admission is free
Rom 3rd Tuesday Nights Free
The ROM is giving Torontonians the perfect reason to leave their homes this winter with the return of 3rd Tuesday Nights Free. During this monthly event, ROM guests will be able to explore art, culture, and nature in the museum’s 30 galleries and collections from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, completely free of charge.
When: January 21
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
Price: Admission is free
Power Plant Opening Party
To kick off the 2020 winter exhibition season, Toronto art enthusiasts can check out a free party on January 24. Attendees will be amongst the first to experience new exhibitions by Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, Dawit L. Petros, Naeem Mohaiemen, and Rashid Johnson. There will also be a cash bar available on-site throughout the evening.
When: January 24
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The Power Plant
Price: Admission is free
The Mommonality MRKT
Experience the very first Mommonality MRKT to shop all sorts of goodies. It’s at this exciting market that you can shop over 40+ vendors from a wide range of categories including adult & children’s apparel, accessories, home decor, custom gifts, and lots more!
When: January 26
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mississauga Convention Centre
Price: Admission is free
Winter Fridays
Happening every Friday until February 14 at Evergreen Brick Works is Winter Fridays where you can make the most of those chilly winter nights. While we love cozying up at home with a movie and cup of tea, sometimes you just need a night out. At Winter Fridays you can skate for free, enjoy DJ performance, and food & drinks from food trucks.
When: Every Friday night (January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, and 14)
Time: 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works
Price: Admission is free
Free Mindfulness Meditation
Clear your head with some free guided meditation. that’s happening every Monday at 6 p.m. until February 3. Located at Centre Place on Richmond East, the meditation is open to everybody regardless of your experience. While this event is totally free, a donation of at least $5 is suggested. If 6 p.m. doesn’t work for your busy schedule, you can still stop by until 8 p.m., although the guided part of the meditation ends at 7 p.m.
When: Every Monday night (January 13, 20, 27, February 3)
Time: 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Where: CentrePlace (320 Richmond St E – Unit 101)
Price: Admission is free
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Go skating with family or friends for free on Monday, September 3rd for some long weekend fun from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Community Skate Rules:
• All skaters 6 years and under must wear CSA approved hockey helmets. We also recommend that all beginner skaters over the age of six wear CSA approved hockey helmets for their protection.
• When on the ice, all patrons must wear skates. No shoes are permitted on the ice. When wearing skates off the ice, skate guards are recommended for safety.
• Skaters are not permitted to use cell phones or portable music devices while on the ice.
• To enter or leave the ice surface, patrons must use the gate in between the team benches.
• Food or beverages are not allowed on the ice surface.
• For the privacy and protection of our patrons, photography and videotaping is restricted. For special arrangements, please contact staff.
• Alcohol, abusive language and aggressive behaviour are not permitted in the facility. Failure to abide by this rule may result in a suspension from the program and/or facility.
• The Mattamy Athletic Centre is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please do not bring valuables into the facility.
Featured Image: Instagram/@filmbysj
Source: Blogto.com