After my adventures in the US in the fall, I was staying put in Toronto for all of November and the first half of December. It can be hard to find activities to do when the weather cools down in the fall and winter. Despite the colder shift in seasons, I still wanted to make the most of my time in Toronto. I’m going to share with you some of my favourite colder weather activities in the city! Read more for the best Toronto winter activities to enjoy this holiday season.

I was VERY excited to be in one place for a little while, especially during the fall, my favourite season in Toronto. I truly enjoyed taking in all of the gorgeous fall colours in the city. Early November is the perfect time to go for a fall walk! I also had the opportunity to host a book signing at Queen Books in early November. Supporting local independent bookstores is the best – make sure to swing by if you’re in the Leslieville area! I grabbed some goodies from Craig’s Cookies as well in my efforts to support local – they are truly delicious. During the holiday season, it’s always best to support local businesses.

Evergreen Brickworks had been on my list for a long time, so I decided to check them out one Saturday for their farmer’s market. It was super cute! I took a little jaunt along the Beltline Trail to get there, got some coffee at their on-site café, and explored all of the shops. They also had a beautiful art installation about grief, called Space for Grief. It prompted viewers to reflect on the grieving process and allowed a safe space for folks to process their grief. It was honestly so beautiful, I cried – something I had not expected to happen on my visit! I highly recommend visiting this area if you get the chance, it is the perfect Saturday activity for when the weather isn’t too chilly.

This season, I wanted to enjoy some free activities if possible. I decided to visit the Gardiner Museum, which has free admission on Wednesdays after 4:00pm. It’s a ceramics museum, a very niche focus and pretty nifty! It’s located across from the ROM which is another great museum to check out. I also visited the AGO for their free Wednesday nights from 6-9pm. They only have select tickets and you have to get them in advance, so be prepared for that! It had been awhile since I’d been to an art gallery, and it was so nice to enjoy the many exhibits they had. Visiting museums and galleries is the perfect option for when the weather is a bit colder and you just want to stay inside, while still enjoying a fun activity.

I squeezed in some fun events like going to TIFF Bell Lightbox for the premiere of Priscilla, watching the National Ballet of Canada perform The Nutcracker, and enjoying my first-ever Raptors game! These events are also great to attend once the weather is getting a bit colder. Checking out local restaurants is always a good time too. Some of the spots I visited this season included Nodo Restaurant and a great Indian food spot. I also did some fun work events, spent lots of time with friends and animals, and went on winter walks.

Of course, we can’t forget time for the holiday spirit. I enjoyed some holiday festivities such as the Calvacade of Lights at Nathan Philipps Square, checking out the tree at Eaton Centre, and holiday cocktails at Miracle on Bloor. Holiday markets are also one of my favs to attend. I checked out Holiday Hills at Stackt and the classic Distillery District Winter Village. Most of these activities are also initially free to attend, though the food and drinks on-site can be pricey. I still think it’s the perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit!

Here’s some of my tips to make the most of the colder weather in Toronto:

• Bundle up and enjoy a fall walk – I recommend going when the leaves are still in their prime for changing colours! October or early November is perfect.
• Support local by visiting farmer’s markets such as the one at Evergreen Brickworks, independent bookstores such as Queen Books and Book City, and local businesses such as Craig’s Cookies!
• Enjoy a fun indoor activity by visiting one of many museums or art galleries in the city (which usually have free admission on specific days), or taking in a game or performance!
• Get in the holiday spirit by checking out the tree at Eaton Centre, taking in Christmas lights around the city, exploring holiday markets such as Stackt and Distillery District, and enjoying a holiday cocktail (or many)!

Now that we are firmly in the holiday season, I’m back in BC for the holidays and looking forward to a well-deserved break. I hope you enjoy this holiday season and have plenty of time to relax! Sending all of my best wishes to you and yours. See you in the new year! xoxo ❤