So, 2018 is clearly off to a brutal start weather-wise in Toronto. While the appeal of a hibernation season of perpetual sweatpants, Netflix, and a comfy couch is real, so is the stir-craziness when it all gets old.
The good news is, the city is full of unique activities that you’ll only find in Toronto – ones worth posting about and taking a break from the Netflix binge for.
Check Out One of the World’s Most Instagram-Worthy Art Exhibits
Just before the ice begins to thaw in Toronto, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors will take over the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) with its floor-to-ceiling, mirror-lined, and totally Instagram-worthy (check out the #infinitekusama hashtag) kaleidoscopic rooms from March 3 to May 27. After sold-out stints in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Los Angeles in the past year, the immersive exhibit is one of the hottest tickets in Toronto this winter (as in, you’re lucky to get your hands on a pair unless you have connections). Read more about the exhibit here.
Experience Dracula in a Whole New Way
Toronto is about to get a theatrical experience that is unlike anything else the city has seen to date. Inspired by – and with the cast from – New York City’s smash-hit theatrical dance experience Sleep No More, Eve of St. George is a voyeuristic and immersive recreation of Bram Stoker’s captivating tale of Dracula. It’s the type of theatre even the theatre newbies will appreciate, as the audience is masked and set free to roam four levels of The Great Hall while the story unfolds around and interacts with them. There will be four performances beginning January 26.
Acquaint Yourself with the Vikings
Get up close and personal with everything Viking-related at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) now through April 2. Vikings: The Exhibition offers a fresh and contemporary view into the Viking Age, exploring the facts, myths, and stereotypes associated with the ancient culture. Featuring objects rarely displayed outside of Scandinavia, it offers insight into the lifestyle, religion, and daily lives of the vikings, providing an educational date night or outing with the niece and nephew.
Hit the Distillery District for a Light Show Full of Photo Ops
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc4wagFAEuj/?taken-by=tolightfest
Aside from the comfort dish-filled restaurants, you have another reason to hit the Distillery District this winter. Returning for the second year in a row is the Toronto Light Festival, the city’s largest light art festival and one of the largest open-air galleries in North America. The festival features more than 30 light art installations from both local and international artists and runs January 10 to March 4, starting at sundown daily. The event is free to the public (always a welcome bonus).
See Lifeguard Stations Transformed into Works of Art
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQq1MhqhOVL/?hl=en&taken-by=winter.stations
Layer up and hit the beach for Toronto’s annual Winter Stations Design Competition. The playful, photo-worthy exhibit transforms existing lifeguard stations into interesting and conversation-provoking art installations. With a theme of RIOT for 2018, artists are asked to push back and act out after a year of chaos and uncertainty. Winter Stations runs February 19 to April 1.
Experience a Revitalized Ontario Place
The once defunct (but still super nostalgic) grounds of Ontario Place have been given new life. Winter at Ontario Place transforms Toronto’s waterfront into an interactive event with perks that include a Winter Light Exhibition featuring 12 illuminated installations from local artists, film screenings, skating, a bonfire, and an assortment of other winter-themed activities. Programming runs through March 18 and admission is free.
Did we miss any unique experiences taking place in Toronto this winter? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @romtoronto
Posts you might be interested in:
6 Incredible Dates You Need to Go on This Winter
Winter Activities That Won’t Break The Bank This January
10 Cheap and Romantic Date Ideas that Will Light a Spark This Winter
The Best Winter Patios in Toronto
Channel Your Inner Beach This Winter