The Best Toronto Events in January 2025

Things to do in Toronto in January 2025

Toronto in January offers more than just picturesque snowfalls. These five experiences capture the city’s ability to blend cultural richness, creative displays, festive atmospheres, and gastronomic pleasures. Dress warmly, bring your curiosity, and indulge in the winter magic that awaits. From savoring new flavors to marveling at cosmic wonders and dancing lights, Toronto’s January lineup proves that the season can be as vibrant and inviting as any other time of year. 

The city embraces the season by lighting up historic districts, transforming amusement parks into holiday wonderlands, celebrating culinary diversity, decoding cosmic mysteries, and staging musicals that warm the soul. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a longtime resident rediscovering home, these five experiences promise to turn the chilly month into something unforgettable. These are the best events in January in Toronto.

1. Explore the Toronto Light Festival in the Distillery District

There’s something enchanting about wandering through the cobblestone lanes of the Distillery District while vibrant light installations dance across old brick facades. The Toronto Light Festival returns, bringing dazzling artworks by creators from Canada and abroad. For an even richer experience, book the Toronto Light Festival Walking & Tasting Tour. Start with a hot beverage, follow your guide through illuminated streets, and sample spirits, chocolate, and local vendors that fend off the winter chill. Prefer to roam freely? The festival itself is free to explore on your own—just bundle up and enjoy the glow.

Date and Time (Tour):

• Dates: January 17 – March 1, 2025, Wednesday – Saturday (other dates on request)
• Start Time: 6:30 pm (tour length: approx. 75–90 minutes)

Admission Price (Tour): $49.00. Learn more here.

2. Immerse Yourself in WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (GTA)

When Canada’s Wonderland embraces winter, you get WinterFest—an enchanting blend of twinkling lights, skating, and holiday charm. As you step through the gates, expect millions of shimmering bulbs, towering Christmas trees, festive shows, and delightful seasonal treats. Glide on Snow Flake Lake, watch live entertainment that warms the heart, and savor comforting eats amid a storybook landscape. Whether you’re with family, friends, or flying solo, WinterFest’s atmosphere makes it easy to forget the outside chill and remember what makes this season special.

Date and Time:

• Event Dates: Select dates from November 16, 2024 – January 4, 2025
• Hours: Vary by date; check Canada’s Wonderland website

Admission Price: $39.99. Learn more about the event here.

3. Taste the City During Winterlicious 2025

If Toronto is a tapestry of cultures, then Winterlicious is the feast that lets you taste the threads. This culinary event is one of the best things to do in Toronto in January 2025. From January 31 to February 13, 2025, over 220 restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus at approachable prices. Discover a new cuisine, revisit old favorites, or simply enjoy the city’s culinary creativity without breaking the bank. Lunch and dinner options span comfort classics to global fusion, ensuring even picky eaters find something to love. Winterlicious isn’t just about eating—it’s about understanding the city’s spirit, one plate at a time.

Date and Time:

• Event Dates: January 31 – February 13, 2025
• Lunch & Dinner Times: Vary by restaurant. 

Admission Price: Get exact details and menus here.

• Lunch Prix Fixe: $20 / $27 / $34 / $41 / $48 / $55
• Dinner Prix Fixe: $25 / $35 / $45 / $55 / $65 / $75

4. Uncover Cosmic Mysteries at the ROM’s Meteorite Workshop

At the Royal Ontario Museum, winter isn’t just about staying warm; it’s a season for expanding horizons. Step into “On the Origins of Life: An Introduction to Meteorites and Meteor-Wrongs,” a hands-on workshop that takes you through meteorite classification and the science of planetary geology. With guidance from experts, you’ll handle meteorite samples, learn to distinguish authentic space rocks from mere Earthly lookalikes, and deepen your understanding of our cosmic neighborhood. It’s a rare chance to hold pieces of the universe in your hands, reminding you that even on a snowy day in Toronto, mysteries from beyond the stars await.

Date and Time:

• Event Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025, 1:00 pm start
• Registration: Opens November 7, 2024

Admission Price:

• Public: $90.00
• Member: $82.00. Get more details here.

5. Fall in Love with “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre

When the winter winds nip at your cheeks, find refuge in the lavish world of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Transporting you to a realm of romance, drama, and music, this stage adaptation of the beloved film fills the theatre with dazzling costumes, creative choreography, and familiar pop hits reimagined for the stage. Grab a seat and let the spectacle carry you away—Toronto’s theatre scene never fails to shine, even as frost coats the city outside.

Date and Time:

• Run Dates: November 19, 2024 – January 12, 2025
• Performance Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday at 7:30 pm, matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (holiday schedules may vary)

Admission Price:

• Ticket Range: Prices vary by seat, starting at $89.00. View Seating here.

Embracing Toronto’s Winter Charm

January in Toronto might sound intimidating—short days, brisk air, maybe a flurry or two—but the city knows how to wrap visitors in warmth and wonder. Whether you’re swirling hot chocolate amid fairy-lit streets, discovering meteorites, indulging in three-course feasts, or skating in a theme park turned holiday haven, these experiences invite you to see winter as a friend rather than foe.

Remember to dress in layers, don a cozy scarf, and approach each experience with curiosity. After all, Toronto’s winter magic thrives not despite the cold, but because of it. As lights twinkle overhead and steaming cups warm your hands, you’ll discover that this season can be as vibrant, joyous, and fulfilling as any sunny summer day—just in a gentler, more luminous way.

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