Experience Gifts in Toronto

Short on space but big on ideas? Experience gifts are perfect for Toronto, a city packed with shows, sports, food and classes. Here are 20 ideas for every budget, most of which you can buy online in minutes.

Shows and culture

1. The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre (December 5 to 31). Nutcracker
2. Mirvish theatre tickets for a show in the new year
3. Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert tickets. TSO concerts
4. A comedy night at one of the city’s improv and stand-up venues
5. A museum membership to the ROM or AGO

Sports

1. Maple Leafs, Raptors or Toronto FC tickets
2. A skating lesson or a skate-and-hot-chocolate date. Outdoor skating
3. A ski day north of the city. Skiing near Toronto

Food and drink

1. A food tour of Kensington Market or St. Lawrence Market
2. A cooking or baking class. Cooking classes
3. A brewery or distillery tour
4. Holiday afternoon tea for two. Afternoon tea
5. A restaurant gift card for a favourite spot

Classes and hobbies

1. A pottery or ceramics class
2. A photography walk
3. Dance or music lessons

Relaxation

1. A spa day or a visit to a Nordic-style spa
2. A weekend stay at a Toronto hotel. Best hotels

For families

1. Toronto Zoo or Ripley’s Aquarium membership
2. Tickets to WinterFest or Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights Tour. WinterFest · Casa Loma

Why give an experience?

Experience gifts create memories instead of clutter, suit people who “have everything,” and can be shared with the person you’re giving to. In a city of condos and small apartments, they’re also a lot easier to store. Many experiences can be booked online in minutes, which makes them perfect last-minute gifts.

Experience gift ideas by budget

Under $50: a movie night at an independent cinema, a museum admission, a skating outing with rentals and hot chocolate, a candlelight concert ticket, or a group fitness class.

$50 to $150: a cooking or pottery class, Toronto Zoo admission for two, a food tour, an escape room for a group, theatre tickets, or a holiday afternoon tea.

$150 and up: The Nutcracker, a Leafs or Raptors game, a spa day, a weekend hotel stay, a ski day with lessons, or a wine tour in Niagara.

Experience gifts for kids

• A zoo, aquarium or museum family membership for year-round outings.
• Lessons: skating, swimming, art or music.
• Tickets to a family show or a sports game.
• A “day with you”: a planned outing to their favourite place.

How to wrap an experience

• Print the tickets or voucher and tuck them into a card.
• Add a small physical gift that hints at the experience: a ballet ornament for The Nutcracker, a whisk for a cooking class, a puck for a hockey game.
• Create a fun invitation with the date and details.

Tips for buying experience gifts

• Check expiry dates and booking policies.
• Confirm whether tickets can be exchanged if the date doesn’t work.
• Buy directly from the venue or an official seller to avoid scams. Ticket scams

Experience gifts: FAQ

What’s a good last-minute experience gift in Toronto? Theatre tickets, a class or a restaurant gift card, all of which can be bought online.

Tips

• Check expiry dates and booking rules before buying.
• Print or wrap a voucher with a small related gift, like a hat for a skating lesson.

More: made-in-Toronto gifts · last-minute shopping