Toronto’s New Year’s Eve fireworks now light up the sky over Lake Ontario. In 2025 the City moved its free celebration to the waterfront, with a 10-minute fireworks show at midnight beside Harbourfront Centre, replacing the old celebration at Nathan Phillips Square.
2025 fireworks at a glance
| Detail | New Year’s Eve 2025 |
|---|---|
| Where | The waterfront at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West |
| Celebration | From 10 p.m. |
| Fireworks | 10 minutes at midnight |
| After | DJ set until 1 a.m. |
| Cost | Free |
| Transit | TTC, GO and UP Express free from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
The City confirms 2026 details in December; we’ll update this page when they’re announced.
Best places to watch
- Harbourfront Centre: right beside the main stage and the action. Arrive early.
- Along Queens Quay West: the waterfront promenade gives clear views over the lake. In 2025 Sherbourne Common and the Toronto Music Garden were also celebration spots.
- HTO Park and the waterfront trail: a little quieter, still with a lake view.
- From a restaurant or hotel on the water: book a table with a view well in advance.
Viewing spots compared
- Harbourfront Centre: front-row views and the main stage, but the biggest crowds. Arrive by 10:30 p.m.
- Queens Quay boardwalk: plenty of space along the water’s edge, east and west of the main stage.
- Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Common: open views across the harbour, a little quieter.
- HTO Park and the Toronto Music Garden: west of the main site, good for families who want space.
- Indoors with a view: some waterfront restaurants and hotel bars have harbour views; book well ahead.
If the 2026 format changes, we’ll update these spots when the City announces its plans.
Fireworks photography tips
- Use a tripod or rest your phone on a railing to keep it steady.
- Turn off your flash.
- Use night mode or a long exposure on your phone, or a shutter speed of a few seconds on a camera.
- Frame the skyline or the water for reflections.
- Shoot the first minute; smoke can build up and haze later shots on a still night.
- Keep your batteries warm in an inside pocket.
Fireworks with kids and pets
Fireworks are loud. Bring ear protection for babies and young children, and watch from a little farther back if your kids are sensitive to noise. If you have pets at home, keep them indoors with the curtains closed, and consider a quiet room with familiar toys during the midnight show.
Fireworks near Toronto
Some GTA cities have hosted their own New Year’s Eve fireworks, sometimes earlier in the evening, which can be easier with children. See New Year’s Eve near Toronto and family New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve fireworks: FAQ
What time are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Toronto? At midnight. In 2025 the show lasted about 10 minutes.
Are there fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square? Not in 2025, when the celebration moved to the waterfront.
Are the fireworks free? Yes. The City’s celebration and fireworks are free to watch.
Tips
- Dress very warmly; wind off the lake makes midnight feel much colder than the forecast.
- Expect road closures around Queens Quay, Bay Street and York Street from early evening.
- Use free transit and head home from Union Station; after midnight, plan for crowds and redirected entrances.
More: New Year’s Eve in Toronto · free New Year’s Eve events · TTC on New Year’s Eve
