February has arrived and the city is thriving. With reopening back in full swing, our city is back to its vibrant self and we love to see it. We may have a few weeks of frigid weather left to go (if we’re lucky), but with so many events and activities to keep us busy in Toronto, it’ll be spring before we know it. From outdoor art shows to indoor immersive exhibits to a festival all about poutine, it’s safe to say that February is shaping up to be pretty stellar in the six.
Here are 21 of the best things to do in and around Toronto this February.
Food & Drink
Holts Café Lunar New Year Pop-up
In the mood for something a little different this Lunar New Year? Holts Café is offering a pop-up afternoon tea experience at both of its Toronto locations with a delightful menu of savoury and sweet treats crafted by Holts’ esteemed chefs. Now that indoor dining is back, you can enjoy your treats in the cozy and elegant Holts Café atmosphere, which is all part of the fun when it comes to high tea.
Where: 50 Bloor St W & 3401 Dufferin St
When: Until February 7th, 2 p.m. — 4 p.m.
Cost: $55 per person
La Poutine Week
Each year, Canadian restaurants from coast to coast dream up the most outlandish, most decadent, and most tasty poutines they can think of. For the past decade, La Poutine Week has been both a regional competition for great poutine and a great excuse to support local restaurants. One thing’s for sure year after year – no matter which option you try, you’ll be walking away happy.
Where: Various locations
When: February 1st — February 14th
Brunch on a winter patio
If there’s one thing Toronto does exceptionally well, it’s brunch. We locals can hardly go a weekend without our late-morning eggs benny and mimosas with friends. These heated patios in Toronto are serving brunch right through winter and have outfitted their outdoor spaces with fire pits, heaters, dreamy decor, and more. If you don’t want to wait for warmer days to enjoy your french toast in the great outdoors, these heated brunch patios in Toronto are where it’s at.
Where: See all the brunch patios in Toronto
Puppy Yoga & Bubbly
Puppies, yoga, and mimosas — has a better combination ever existed? You can experience it all under one roof this January and it’s the ultimate cure for the winter blues. You don’t need any yoga experience to enjoy the session, but a love of four-legged furballs is a must! You’ll have an extra 30 minutes after the class to cuddle with the puppies and sip your glass of bubbly.
Where: Kardia, 10 Lower Spadina Ave
When: February 26th
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Arts & Culture
Winter Stations
The annual international design competition at The Beaches is returning this February and this year’s winners have been revealed. Winter Stations will run for six weeks straight and will showcase the six winning projects along the shoreline starting Family Day weekend. This year’s winners took their creativity to new heights, transforming the lifeguard towers into northern cardinal birds, isolation pavilions, beehives, and more.
Where: Woodbine Beach
When: February 21st — March 31st
Nordic Lights
Something magical is happening at the Harbourfront Centre this month. An immersive light experience straight from Scandinavia is lighting up the waterfront, with six glowing displays for you to explore. The interactive exhibition, called Nordic Lights, features six interactive light works from artists from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
Where: 235 Queens Quay W
When: Until February 13th
Immersive Klimt
A new immersive art experience has officially opened its doors in Toronto. Joining the ranks of Immersive Van Gogh and Beyond Monet is Immersive Klimt, a colourful new exhibition curated by the “world-renowned master of digital art” Italy’s Massimiliano Siccardi. Through vivid 360 projections, the revolutionary works of Gustav Klimt come to life all around you. Klimt is described as a “rebel, genius and legend” of a painter, and now you can be swept up in his electrifying world.
Where: 1 Yonge St
When: Until March 13th
Beyond Monet
This breathtaking exhibit is here for the first time in the world — here’s a sneak peek so you know exactly what to expect. Over 400 of Claude Monet’s works come alive before your eyes through vivid 360-degree displays that swirl all around you, enhanced by sound effects and music. Forget the world and get lost the mind and masterpieces of this great painter.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W
When: Reopens February 3rd
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Immersive Van Gogh
If you still haven’t checked out Immersive Van Gogh, this January is your chance. One of the most talked-about immersive exhibits in cities all over the world is still running in Toronto. Stop by for a fully immersive display of the famous artist’s greatest works. This exhibit can be enjoyed as a walk-through experience or as the backdrop to a relaxing yoga or barre class, which you can sign up for here.
Where: 1 Yonge St
When: Reopens February 3rd
Outside the Palace of Me
A new exhibition is coming to Toronto’s Gardiner Museum this month. Canadian visual artist Shary Boyle is putting on a major showcase, described as “a multi-sensory installation including drawings, ceramic sculpture, life-sized automatons, two-way mirrors, coin-operated sculpture, and an interactive score.” If you’ve been itching for an opportunity to see incredible local art, this exhibition is a must!
Where: 111 Queens Park
When: Starts February 24th
Outdoor Winter Fests
Winterlit
Take a dreamy winter stroll under the stars and the glow of twinkling lights and campfires. This special experience is a great excuse to enjoy the fresh air and nature and snap some adorable photos while you’re at it. Enjoy the art installations displayed along the trail, live performers, food and beverages, and of course, breathtaking scenery.
Where: Mountsberg Conservation Area, 2259 Milburough Line
When: Until February 20th
Winter Festival of Lights
It’s the season of all things bright in Niagara Falls with its annual Winter Festival of Lights! Known as Canada’s biggest free outdoor light festival, the 8-km trail is now open with millions of lights on display for even longer than before. This time around, the festival will run for 101 nights all the way until the end of February.
Where: Niagara Falls, Ontario
When: Until February 21st
Winter Glow
A dreamy outdoor destination is coming to the city this winter. Winter Glow is coming to Toronto’s Black Creek Pioneer Village this February and it’s all the things we love about the season combined into one magical experience. Walk or drive along a 1.8 km trail as you take in the gorgeous wintry sights synchronized to music. Some of the attractions you’ll see along the way include ice sculptures, snow carvings, life-sized snowglobes, illuminated structures, and more.
Where: 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy
When: February 4th — February 27th
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Recreational Activities
Hit up Toronto’s newly-reopened attractions
Now that things are open again, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience our amazing galleries, museums, and attractions like it’s the first time. The CN Tower, the AGO, the Aga Khan Museum, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma, the Gardiner Museum, and Ripley’s Aquarium are just some of the many destinations that have reopened their doors.
Where: See Toronto’s open attractions here
Fire & Ice Nights
If you’ve ever wanted to have a skating experience straight out of a fairytale, then you’re going to want to visit Ontario’s Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail. Best of all, the magical Fire and Ice nights that take you through a torch-lit forest skating trail are back this month. The nighttime skating experience has understandably become extremely popular over the years. And once you try it, it’s likely that it will become a part of your winter traditions as well.
When: Until February 26th
Where: Arrowhead Provincial Park
Sky Skate Toronto
Another season of skating in Toronto’s skies is here. The popular Sky Skate rooftop rink at The Porch is now open and it’s one of the most picturesque spots in town for gliding under the stars. There are heaters all around the rink to make your skate a bit more comfortable, but you’ll definitely still want to dress for a typical Canadian winter night. You’ll also be able to warm up with a drink at the bar afterward!
Where: 250 Adelaide St. W
When: Until March 2022
The Bentway Skate Trail
Toronto’s iconic skating trail under the Gardiner Expressway is open for the winter season. The 220 metre, figure 8 loop has skating lessons, rentals, sharpening services, special events, and art installations throughout the season. You can also warm up with a free hot chocolate every Thursday evening, but drinks are available for purchase on-site every day of the week.
Where: 250 Fort York Blvd
When: Until February 21st
Soar down Toronto’s best tobogganing hills
When snow hits Toronto, we hit the hills — tobogganing hills, that is. We’ve got many days of snow to look forward to this winter and there’s no better way to take advantage than with an afternoon outdoors. Get active and enjoy the winter fun at any of these amazing spots around the city.
Where: See the city’s best hills here
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Bisha Hotel’s Winter Chalet & Rink
A new destination for dreamy winter fun has opened up in the city. Toronto’s Bisha Hotel has transformed its fourth-floor terrace into a private skating rink and cozy winter chalet where you can glide the afternoon away, then refuel and warm up with some treats. Guests at the Bisha can book the rink for a private two-hour skate, then enjoy hot beverages and fresh baked goods in the chalet.
Where: 80 Blue Jays Way
Crokicurl
Toronto’s very first Crokicurl rink is open for the season and you can rent it out to play with friends. This Canadian-made game is a blend of cornhole and curling and it’s loads of fun. Your reservation comes with 45 minutes of game time and two tables on the heated patio. You can even upgrade your experience with a fried chicken feast, drinks, and neon toques.
Where: Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St
When: Multiple dates
Hit up a winter walking trail
Here in Toronto, one thing we can always enjoy is the great outdoors. This city is full of peaceful nature trails that are enjoyed by locals all year round, even in the colder months. We Ontarians aren’t deterred by a little wind chill — just throw on a few extra layers, grab a thermos full of hot chocolate, and you’re good to go.
It’s time to get back to the basics and appreciate the small things in life, like a sunny day, gently falling snow, and a few leisurely hours to slow down and soak up your surroundings.
Where: See Toronto’s best trails here
