Fun things to do in Toronto November & December 2026

OMG Winter is back! It seems like it was just yesterday that a cold wind blew through the streets of Toronto, tinged with grey but with a promise of Santa Claus, presents and love. Any how, this is Canada and we have to learn to live with snow and cold, but still enjoy the pleasures of events happening in Toronto.

Día de los Muertos / The Day of the Dead Sun, Nov 1 at city hall.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the Royal Horse Show Fri to Sun, Nov 6-15.
Remembrance Day Ceremony Wed, Nov 11.
Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District Thurs, Nov ? - Sun, Jan TBD.

Sadly it seems like the annual Toronto Santa Speedo Run long tradition is finally finished.
Bloor Yorkville Holiday Magic: Tree lighting and concert Sat, Nov TBD from 5-7pm with the magic
continuing until Dec 31.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade Sun, Nov TBD.
Union Winter Roller Express at Union Station start Nov TBD and runs into Jan 2027.
Cavalcade of Lights Sat, Nov 28 Opening Night. Music and the City lights up Nathan Phillips Square and sets off some fireworks. Festival continues until Jan ?.
CPKC Holiday Train Sat, Nov TBD from 8:30pm to 9pm at 750 Runnymede Road, Toronto, Ontario.
Winterfest Toronto at Harbourfront continuing from Nov ? to Jan TBD. With a Hot Chocolate Fest Dec TBD, a Donut Festival Jan TBD and New Years Eve fireworks.

Festive Lights at Queen's Park Dec TBD.
Winter Glow at Sankofa Square (Yonge-Dundas) Thurs to Sun, Dec ? to TBD.
Hudson's Bay Holiday Window Displays unveiled Sun, Dec TBD.
Kensington Market Winter Solstice/Festival of Lights Mon, Dec 21. A parade and a fire show.
The Bentway Polar Bear Skate Sun, Dec 27. It's an underwear skate event at noon.
New Years Eve Celebration Thurs, Dec 31 from 8 pm to midnight with Toronto's largest dance and skating party. You can find fireworks down along the inner harbour (none at City Hall).

And the next day is the Toronto Polar Bear Dip noon on Fri, Jan 1, otherwise known as the Sunnyside swim and the Record Breaker World Record Cold Plunge at Woodbine Beach at 1pm.

One of the first events in the new year will be the Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, North America's Largest Motorcycle Show being held at the International Centre on January TBD, 2027.

See all the events, festivals and special occasions happening in Toronto in 2026 in the following posts.

Motorcycle Shows in Toronto 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto January and February 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto March and April 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto May and June 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto July and August 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto September and October 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto November and December 2026.

And keep an eye out for next year's Fun things to do in Toronto in 2027.

Fun things to do in Toronto September & October 2026

September starts out like summer and rolls into October requiring sweaters, darn winter coming. Take in some iconic Toronto events and enjoy patios in the fall.

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri, Aug 21 to Mon, Sept 7.
Toronto Dragon Festival Fri to Sun, Sep 4-6 in Nathan Phillips Square. 2026
Buskerfest at the Beaches in Woodbine Park. Fri to Mon, Sept 4-7.at Woodbine Park in the Beaches.
And the world famous Toronto International Film Festival, or tiff Sept 10-20.
Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) Sat to Mon, Sept 5-7.
And the world famous Toronto International Film Festival or tiff Sept 4-14. TIFF Street Festival Sept TBD.

Taste of Kingsway Fri to Sun, Sept TBD.
Asianlicious Carnival Fri to Sun, Sept TBD.
Vegandale Sat, Sept TBD.
Cabbagetown Festival Sat to Sun, Sept TBD.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival Fri to Sun, Sept TBD.
Windfest Sat, Sept TBD.
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Nathan Phillips Square Sat to Sun, Sept 12-13.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival Sat to Sun, Sept TBD.
Redpath Waterfront Festival Sat to Sun, Sept TBD. Moved to June in 2025.
Just for Laughs Festival Toronto Sept TBD.

Anatolia Turkish Festival Sat, Sept 19 at City Hall. 
I Love Culture Fri to Sun, Sept to Oct TBD.
VegTO Fest Sat to Sun, Sept TBD.

Thai Fest Sat to Sun, Sept TBD.

Pape Village Block Party Sat to Sun, Sept TBD.
Toronto Oktoberfest Fri to Sat, Sept TBD in the Downsview Airport Lands. Another event cancelled for 2025 but expected back in 2026!
Your Yard Series: Community BBQ Sat, Sept TBD in Exhibition Place.
Queen West Art Crawl Festival Trinity Bellwoods Park Sat to Sun, September 19-20.
Bloorcourt Village End of Summer Block Party Sunday, Sept TBD.
Water/Fall Festival at Harbourfront Sat, Sept to Sun, Oct TBD.
Indigenous Legacy Gathering Mon to Wed, Sept 28-30 at City Hall.

Don't forget to check out nature for the beauty of fall colours and in October look in the creeks for Salmon spawning.

Nuit Blanche Sat, Oct 3 (7 pm to sunrise). The all night art thing with plenty of videos and light shows as well as Les Rues Des Refuses (hopefully).

Toronto Waterfront Marathon  Sat to Sun, Oct 17-18.

Diwali – The Festival of Lights Sat to Sun, Oct 24-25 at Toronto City Hall.
Toronto Everything to do with Sex Show Fri to Sun, Oct TBD.

Art Toronto Thurs to Sun, Oct 29 to Nov 1.

MONSTER MASH Fri, Oct TBD (4 - 8PM) in Sankofa Square.
Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show Fri to Sun, Oct TBD.

Toronto Ski and Snowboard Show Fri to Sun, Oct TBD.

Night of Dread The Big Final Festival Night in Dufferin Grove Park Sat, Oct TBD starting at 6pm. Month long festival from October TBD.
Halloween on Church Sat, Oct 31.

And just around the corner is opening night of The Royal Horse Show and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Fri to Sun, Nov 6-15.

See all the events, festivals and special occasions happening in Toronto in 2026 in the following posts.

Motorcycle Shows in Toronto 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto January and February 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto March and April 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto May and June 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto July and August 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto September and October 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto November and December 2026.

And keep an eye out for next year's Fun things to do in Toronto in 2027.

Fun things to do in Toronto July & August 2026

This is my favourite time of the year, warm golden sun that heats up the great outdoors bringing both joy and numerous outdoor festivals. Enjoy it while you can because winter!

Canada Day Celebrations Wed, Jul 1. Celebrations in Nathan Phillips Square.

Toronto Fringe Festival Tue to Sun, June 30 to July 12.

Beaches Jazz Festival Thurs to Sun, July 2-26.

Fun Philippines Festival Fri to Sun, July 3-5.

Taste of the Middle East  Fri to Sun, July 3-5.

Afrofest Fri to Sun, July TBD. Woodbine Park

Taste of Lawrence Fri to Sun, July TBD.
Salsa on St Clair in Toronto Sat to Sun, July TBD.

Salsa on the Beach Fri to Sun, July 10-12. Woodbine Park

Downtown Toronto Ribfest Fri to Sun, July TBD at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Fri to Sun, July 10-12.

Chariot Fest (Festival of India) (or Ratha-Yatra) Sat and Sun, July TBD. Starts with a parade down Yonge Street and then a two day festival on Centre Island.

Festival of South Asia Sat to Sun, July TBD.

Big on Bloor Festival Sat to Sun, July TBD. Car free from Dufferin to Lansdowne.

Importfest Saturday, July 18 - spectacular cars at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Toronto International BrazilFest Sat to Sun, July 18-19. In Earlscourt Park.

Taste of Vietnam  Thurs to Sat, July 16-18.

Queen Street East Streetfest Thurs to Sat, July 23-25.

Aloha Toronto Festival Thurs to Sun, July 23-26. Mel Lastman Square.

Ossfest Sat, July TBD. Ossington Strip between Dundas St W and Queen St W.

Toronto Festival of Beer Fri to Sun, July 24-26 TBC. Hmmm, beer.

Dream Wheels on Eglinton Car Show Sat, July 25. Eglinton Avenue West.

Guild Park Arts Festival Sat to Sun, July 25-26.

Panamerican Food And Music Festival  Sat to Sun, July 25-26.

Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest Sat to Sun, July 25-26. Yonge-Dundas Square/Sankofa Square.

Toronto Food Truck Festival Fri to Mon, July 31 to Aug 3 at Woodbine Park.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade Sat, Aug 1.

Taste of India Sat to Sun, Aug 1-2. 
Keep an eye out for Sunflowers in August

National Bank Open (fmr Rogers Cup Tennis) Sat to Thurs, Aug 1-13.

Island Soul festival Thurs to Mon, Aug TBD at Harbourfront Centre.

Simcoe Day events in Toronto Mon, Aug 3.

Jerk Festival Toronto Fri to Sun, Aug TBD.

The Feast of St Lawrence Fri to Sat, Aug moved into 2027.

Taco Fest outside Hotel X Fri to Sun, Jun TBD moved to Aug TBD at Fort York.

Himalayan Festival Sat, Aug 8.

Toronto Korean Festival Sat, Aug 8.

Toronto Chinatown Festival Sat to Sun, Aug TBD.

Viva la Leaside Sat to Sun, Aug TBD. On Commercial Road.

Afraspektion Sun, August TBD. At Riverside Common Park. Free but need a ticket to attend

Wheels on the Danforth Sat, Aug TBD.

Moved from Toronto in July to Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham Fri to Sun, Aug 14-16.

Taste of Manila Sat to Sun, Aug 15-16.

India Day Festival and Grand Parade  Sun, Aug 16.

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri, Aug 21 - Mon, Sept 7. Do you want to go faster? And don't forget the fantastic Canadian International Airshow.

Afro-Caribe Fest Sat to Sun, Aug 22-23.

Yorkville Murals Sat to Sun, Aug TBD. On Yorkville Avenue, Between Bellair St and Hazelton Ave. Includes the Lower Bay Subway Station.

Mabuhay Philippines Festival Sat to Sun, Aug 22-23. 2026

Fan Expo Canada Thurs to Sun, Aug 27-30. Some amazing cosplay on display.

Trinbago Festival Fri to Sun, Aug 28-30 at City Hall.

Taiwan Fest Fri to Sun, Aug 28-30.

Go Topless Day Protest Sat, Aug 29. The Saturday closest to Women's Equality Day which is August 26.

Events moved to September

Toronto Dragon Festival Fri to Sun, Sept 4-6.

Buskerfest at the Beaches in Woodbine Park. Fri to Mon, Sept 4-7.

And the world famous Toronto International Film Festival, or tiff Sept 4-14.

See all the events, festivals and special occasions happening in Toronto in 2026 in the following posts.

Motorcycle Shows in Toronto 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto January and February 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto March and April 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto May and June 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto July and August 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto September and October 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto November and December 2026.

And keep an eye out for next year's Fun things to do in Toronto in 2027.

Fun things to do in Toronto May & June 2026

Most excellent, winter has been defeated and now is one of the most comfortable periods to explore the city of Toronto. Enjoy the start of the season of festivals and street buskers breaking out all over the place (hopefully).

Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri to Sun, May 1-3.

Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival spanning the month of May.

World Naked Gardening Day Sat, May 2 (usually first Saturday of May).

GMM Toronto Global MJ March Sat, May 2 TBD (first Saturday of May) in Queen's Park North.

May the 4th be with you! on Monday, May 4 celebrate Star Wars and may the force be with you.
Toronto Marathon Sun, May 3. I definitely won't be running this, but if you do - wow, amazing.
Colour Me Rad 5k Sat, May TBD in Downsview Park. Doesn't look good for this event.

Planted Expo Toronto Sat to Sun, May 10-11 at the Enercare Centre.

Second Harvest Truck Pull in Nathan Phillips Square Wed, May 13.

Castrol Presents the Victoria Day Speedfest at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Fri to Sunday, May 15-17.
Flavours and Art of India Sat to Sun, May TBD in Nathan Phillips Square.

Rugby in the Square Fri, May 22 in Nathan Phillips Square.

Anime North Fri to Sun, May 22-24.
Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 23-24. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.

Canadian Latin Fest Sat to Sun, May TBD.

Toronto Art Crawl Sat, May TBD. 

Luminato Festival Wed to Sun, June 3-28. Cool art installations.

DO West Fest (formerly Dundas West Fest) Fri to Sun, Jun TBD. Dundas Street West from Ossington to Lansdowne presented by Little Portugal Toronto BIA

Toronto Pro SuperShow Sat to Sun, June TBD. Muscles, enough said.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival TCAF moved to Sat to Sun, June 6-7. To be held at the Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Centre (free to attend).

North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Wed to Sun, June 10-14.

Taste of Little Italy Fri to Sun, June 12-14 TBD.

Northern Heat Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer Festival Fri to Sun, June TBD in Woodbine Park.

World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Sat, Jun 13. Right through downtown Toronto, nude. Meet at Coronation Park by noon for some bodypainting, ride begins at 1pm. Here is some info for the ride.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival launch Sat, June 13, location TBD (Scarborough Town Centre?).

Hope Volleyball Toronto Sat, Jun TBD at Ashbridges Bay. Charity volleyball bash/tournament.

Dragon Boat Race Festival Sat to Sun, Jun 13-14.

VegTO Fest Sat to Sun, Jun 13-14 at City Hall.

Give me Liberty Street Festival in Lamport Stadium parking lot Thurs, June 17 beginning at 4pm. 

Toronto Diversity Festival Wed to Fri, June 18-20 at City Hall.

Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, Jun 19-28.

Yorkville Exotic Cars Sun, Jun 21 on Bloor Street from 12 noon till 5pm.

Woofstock Sat to Sun, June TBD. Cute dogs in costumes at Woodbine Park in the Beach area. 

Na-Me-Res Pow Wow & Indigenous Arts Festival outside Fort York, Sat, June TBD.

National Indigenous Peoples Day and Sunrise Ceremony Sun, June 21 in Nathans Phillips Square.

World Pride: Toronto Pride Week and Pride Parades Thurs to Fri, Jun 25-28. The Pride Village & Street Fest from Friday, June 26 – Sunday June 28. The parades are things of colour and beauty: Trans March on Friday, June 26, Dyke March on Saturday, June 27 and the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28. The Street Festival on Church St is on during Pride Weekend. Pride Month starts June 1st. Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road closed from Bayview Avenue to Park Road to accommodate the formation of the parade. Parade route: Starts at Church Street and Bloor Street East, goes west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Dundas Street and back to the festival on Church Street. Roads will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.

Redpath Waterfront Festival Sat to Sun, June TBD

Toronto Fringe Festival Tue to Sun, June 30 to July 12.

Some events coming in July

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Fri to Sun, July 10-12.

See all the events, festivals and special occasions happening in Toronto in 2026 in the following posts.

Motorcycle Shows in Toronto 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto January and February 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto March and April 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto May and June 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto July and August 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto September and October 2026.

Fun things to do in Toronto November and December 2026.

And keep an eye out for next year's Fun things to do in Toronto in 2027.

Toronto Polar Bear Dip 2026

It's a gorgeous looking day along the waterfront, sunny and crisp, maybe a little too crisp at -10 degrees Celsius but you committed to being brave and you will 'dare to dip'. I am here early to check on things and note that the inner harbour is full of ice and in the dip area the ice is in chunks so unless they clear it away you won't be running into the water.

Entertainment crews are here and setup but there is no registration desks or roped off beach area. Word at the pavillion is that they are still considering if the dip will proceed. Ps I don't see any porta-potties on site were dropped off and it doesn't look like they have opened the pavilion's bathroom at this time. There is no status update on their website or social media accounts at this time. Update: it's a go!!!! They moved west about 50 to 100m where there was some open water.

see more photos after the jump.

Toronto Polar Bear Skate 2025

It's Polar Bear season in Toronto and the cold weather brings us first to the unusual Polar Bear Skate at Bentway Park skating trail. Taking place on Sunday, December 28, 2025 with registration at noon and skating beginning at 1pm this polar event has everyone wearing their underwear. Donations of new or gently used shoes will be collected onsite as part of the skate. Participants from the 2024 skate are shown in the photo at top.

From the event's website, "The Bentway’s boldest winter ritual returns on December 28 with the cheeky Polar Bear Skate! Brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and take a fearless lap around trail to bid farewell to 2025.

12:00pm Registration Opens
All participants must sign a waiver before taking part in the Polar Bear Skate. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Waivers will be at the yellow check-in tent.

1:00pm Polar Bear Skate starts!
This event lasts 5-10 minutes, so make sure you arrive early to not miss the main event!

Additional Details:

This event will take place entirely outdoors at The Bentway Skate Trail.
The Polar Bear Skate is one of our most popular events. Please only participate if you feel comfortable skating with a large group of people.
Photography, video, and audio recording will occur. By participating in the Polar Bear Skate, you consent to such recording and to the release, publication, exhibition or reproduction of these recordings and photographs.
This event will go ahead rain/snow or shine, however for the safety of all participants it will not proceed if the temperature is -20°C or below.
Skate rentals are; first-come, first-served throughout opening hours."

Merry Christmas with the Kringlewood Santas

Holiday season 2025 is here and so I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We went out to see the now famous Toronto neighbourhood known as the Kringlewood - home of the large Santa Claus inflatables that line Inglewood Drive. The festive street welcomes visitors to enjoy the magic of Christmas.

See more of Kringlewood after the jump.