This pant-less skate on New Year’s Eve in Toronto is a chilly way to end the year

All you’ll need for this winter activity is your skates, underwear and…that’s about it!

One of Toronto’s wildest New Year’s Eve traditions is back – the annual Polar Bear Skate on the Bentway’s ice skating trail. This chilly experience, where participants skate the trail in just their underwear, is referred to as “both a clothing drive and a bold way to close out the year.”

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Those who attend are asked to bring donations of warm winter clothing which will be collected onsite by New Circles Community Services and distributed to local individuals and families who are living on a limited income.

All are welcome, if you don’t feel comfortable participating you can still attend and donate. Want to join in but have no skates? They’ve got you covered with skate rentals available on-site.

All participants will be rewarded for their bravery with a complimentary Bentway toque and hot chocolate! If you want something a little stronger than hot chocolate, Hop Valley Brewing Co. will also be on-site with drink samples for anyone 19+.

Sign-in and registration will begin at 12:00 PM at the yellow Bentway registration tent next to the Skate Trail. Spots fill quickly, but space permitting last-minute registrations will be accepted day-of, with the actual skate starting at 1:00 PM.

We can’t think of a bolder way to end the New Year – and for a good cause!

Polar Bear Skate

When: December 31st, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Where: 250 Fort York Blvd