10 things to do on Christmas Day in Toronto

Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, there’s plenty to do in Toronto on Christmas Day that doesn’t involve unwrapping presents and gorging yourself on turkey dinner.

From attending a hilarious comedy show to checking out places around the city you’ve been meaning to get to, Toronto is brimming with fun events and places to visit even when Santa Claus comes to town.

Here are some of the things you can do on Christmas Day in Toronto.

Laugh it off at a comedy show

Sometimes the discussion around the table at Christmas dinner just doesn’t cut it, and if that’s the case for you, you’re in luck; Backroom Comedy Club is hosting their second annual Christmas Day comedy show on Dec. 25 so that you can give yourself the gift of laughter.

Grab a drink with your chosen family

A season that’s meant to be marked with love and joy can also come with major baggage for many, which is why the team behind Parkdale queer bar, Three Dollar Bill, is opting to keep their doors open for the holiday, providing a space for the city’s queer community to get festive over drinks, holiday movies and a truly tickling drag performance from Gay Jesus.

Visit tourist traps without the crowds

There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist in your own city. If you’ve always meant to visit the CN Tower but have never actually gotten around to it, Christmas Day is the prime time to do it, as the landmark is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Other destinations like the Toronto Zoo and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada are also open on Christmas Day, so you can check off even more items from your bucket list.

Stroll around one of the city’s new parks

Toronto got a number of breathtaking new outdoor spaces this year, like the Leslie Lookout and Bathurst Quay Common, and there’s no better time than Christmas Day to bundle up with a warm beverage and someone you love to explore them.

Lace up your skates at an outdoor ice rink

It doesn’t get much more wholesome than suiting up for some good old-fashioned winter activities on Christmas Day. While the chances of a white Christmas aren’t looking great, so tobogganing might be out of the question, skating rinks like The Bentway, Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront Centre will all be open on Dec. 25.

Dine at some of the city’s hottest new restaurants

While many of Toronto’s restaurants will be taking a well-deserved break and closing their doors on Christmas Day, a number of them — including some of the year’s most buzzworthy new additions — will remain open.

Hot spots like Mott 32, Hello Nori, Nobu and Chamberlain’s Pony Bar are all staying open on Dec. 25, and it might even be your best chance at securing a reservation.

Catch a movie

There are few joys simpler than hitting a movie on Christmas Day, and theatres across the city have got your back in that regard.

While a number of indie cinemas, like The Fox, Hot Docs and Revue Cinema will all be closed for a well-deserved break, the TIFF Lightbox will be open, screening Hugo, The Brutalist, The Count of Monte Cristo and Wallice & Gromit: Vengance Most Fowl on the holiday.

You can also check out new releases like Nosferatu and Babygirl (which premiered at TIFF this past September), making their theatrical release at Cineplex locations, which will also be open on Dec. 25.

Get festive at the city’s newest Christmas bar

While some of the classics like Miracle Bar and Mistletoes and Margaritas can hit the spot when you’re hoping to hit a Christmas-themed bar, there are also some new restaurants, like Aleria, which is open on Christmas Day, getting in on the fun with their Christmas on Queen bar.

Explore a breathtaking public space

Opening just in time for Truth and Reconciliation Day this past fall, the Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square is a truly magical new public space that features a number of original works of art centred around Indigenous imagery, legends and teachings. As an added bonus, you can then stroll through the Cavalcade of Lights that’s also lighting up the square.

Jam out to live music

While the majority of the city’s live music venues (and musicians, for that matter,) are dimming the stage lights on Christmas Day, Queen West’s Drom Taberna will be open and featuring live jazz performances from local music legends.