Another glorious week has arrived in Toronto and we refuse to let a single moment of it go to waste. Not with so many exciting things to do between now and the weekend, from an immersive Nordic Lights show to a hot chocolate festival to a celebration of outrageous poutine. The six is back and brighter than we’ve seen it all year. We don’t know about you, but we feel pretty damn lucky to call this city home — freezing temperatures and all.
Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Toronto this weekend.
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:Â 235 Queens Quay W
When:Â Until February 13th
Hot Chocolate Fest Opening
An entire festival dedicated to warm and chocolatey goodness in a cup is kicking off this Friday in Toronto. Head over to Stackt Market for a “night full of live music, DJs, drinks, snacks, s’mores, good vibes,” the description says. Soulful live music by Ray Robinson will fill Bailey’s Patio as you toast s’mores over a fire pit and enjoy some delicious hot cocoa.
Where: 28 Bathurst St
When: February 11th
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:Â 1 Yonge St
When:Â Until March 13th
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Black History Month at Toronto Public Library
TPL is running an online event series throughout the month centered around Black culture and heritage. One of this week’s series is called Before the 6ix: Behind the Beat, where the hosts “connects the dots from Toronto’s present-day internationally recognized hip-hop influence to the rich and vitally important roots of its past.”
Some of the speakers this Black History Month include prominent marine biologist Daniel Pauly, Toronto producer, and artist Rich Kidd, Nigerian-Canadian author and speaker Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr, and more.
Where:Â Virtual
When: February 9th, 7 p.m.
La Poutine Week
For the next two weeks, restaurants across Canada will participate in a poutine festival known as La Poutine Week and there are many Toronto spots participating. There are dozens of poutine dishes to try around Toronto during the festival. Many of them come with toppings that are far more unconventional than cheese curds and gravy, including mac n’ cheese, buffalo chicken bites, hot dogs, pickles, and even shepherd’s pie.
Where:Â Various locations
When: February 1st — February 14th
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:Â 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy
When: February 4th — February 27th
60 WORKS / 60 YEARS
Experience the evolution of our city through the eyes of Toronto’s emerging artists. The art gallery at the St. Lawrence Market is now showcasing 60 artworks acquired by the City from the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair over the past six decades. Do a little shopping at the market and then head upstairs to this free show and explore the ever-changing geographical and cultural landscape of our city.
Where: The Market Gallery, 95 Front St E
When: Until April 17th
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Skate by the waterfront
The Harbourfront Centre’s revamped rink is now open and it’s one of the city’s most picturesque spots for an outdoor skate. The rink is free to visit but rentals are available on-site for a small fee. The new rink is nestled along the Lake Ontario shoreline, along with an ice loop in the South Orchard that connects to the rest of the rink. And once you’re done, you can warm up with a hot drink from Boxcar Social right next door.
When:Â Until Sunday, March 6th
Where:Â Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
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:Â 250 Fort York Blvd
When:Â 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
