Toronto’s public school winter break runs from Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027, with classes resuming in the new year. That’s two weeks to fill. Here’s a day-by-day bank of ideas, from free outings to big-ticket treats.
Before Christmas (December 21 – 24)
- Santa at The Village at Black Creek (December 21 to 23, noon to 4 p.m.). Black Creek at Christmas
- Last days of the St. Lawrence Winter Market (open December 21 and 22) with weekend Santa photos ending December 20. St. Lawrence Market
- The Nutcracker matinees at the Four Seasons Centre. Nutcracker
- Mail a letter to Santa (or a thank-you note!). Letter to Santa
Between Christmas and New Year’s (December 26 – 31)
- Museums: the ROM’s annual “ROM for the Holidays” programming, the AGO and Toronto History Museums sites. Holiday programs at museums
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Ripley’s at Christmas
- Toronto Zoo by day, or Glow in the Wild by night. Toronto Zoo in winter
- Skating at Nathan Phillips Square, Harbourfront or The Bentway. Outdoor skating
- WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland on select nights. WinterFest
- Distillery Winter Village reopens December 26 (until January 3). Distillery
- Tobogganing if there’s snow. Tobogganing hills
Free ideas
- Toronto Public Library programs and crafts
- City outdoor rinks (free with your own skates)
- Free indoor skating sessions that some GTA cities run over the break
- The lights at Nathan Phillips Square and a lights walk
More: free Christmas things to do
Rainy or freezing days
See indoor Christmas activities for kids in Toronto and indoor winter activities.
A two-week winter break planner
| Day | Idea |
|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 21 | Winter solstice: a lantern walk or the Kensington festival |
| Tue, Dec 22 | Santa visit and last-minute crafts |
| Wed, Dec 23 | Museum morning, baking in the afternoon |
| Thu, Dec 24 | A Christmas Eve skate and an early night |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day at home |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Boxing Day walk or a new-toy day |
| Sun, Dec 27 | A holiday show or panto |
| Mon, Dec 28 | Toronto Zoo or Ripley’s Aquarium |
| Tue, Dec 29 | Tobogganing or a ski lesson |
| Wed, Dec 30 | Library programmes and a movie |
| Thu, Dec 31 | A “Noon Year’s Eve” countdown |
| Fri, Jan 1 | New Year’s Day skate or winter hike |
Balancing busy days and downtime
Two weeks is a long time, and kids (and parents) need rest after the excitement of Christmas. Plan one outing a day at most, alternate big outings with quiet home days, and keep a stash of indoor activities ready: puzzles, crafts, board games and library books.
Activities by age
- Toddlers: short outings, story times, Santa visits and sensory play. Christmas with toddlers
- School-age kids: skating, museums, shows, tobogganing and baking. Indoor activities for kids
- Teens: WinterFest, skiing, escape rooms, volunteering and outings with friends. Things to do with teens
Holiday camps
City of Toronto community centres, museums, the YMCA and private camps often run day camps over winter break, especially on the days between Christmas and New Year’s. They fill up fast; register in October or November.
Winter break: FAQ
When is winter break 2026 in Toronto? For Toronto public schools, Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027. Check your school board’s calendar to confirm.
What’s free to do with kids over winter break? Skating with your own skates, tobogganing, library programmes, lights walks and free Distillery days before mid-December.
Camps
The City of Toronto and many private organizations run holiday camps over the break. Register early; spots fill by late November.
Tips
- Book ticketed attractions online to skip lines, especially December 27 to 30.
- Go early in the day; museums and attractions are busiest in the afternoon.
- Check holiday hours around December 24 to 26 and January 1.
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