The days between Christmas and New Year’s are a sweet spot in Toronto: the city is relaxed, kids are off school and there’s plenty to do. In 2026, Boxing Day is Saturday, December 26 and New Year’s Eve is Thursday, December 31.
Day by day ideas
| Date | Idea |
|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 26 | Boxing Day sales or a skate at Nathan Phillips Square |
| Sun, Dec 27 | A museum visit. See museum holiday programs |
| Mon, Dec 28 | A holiday show: panto or family theatre |
| Tue, Dec 29 | Toronto Zoo Holiday Lights or a day trip |
| Wed, Dec 30 | Tobogganing or a winter hike |
| Thu, Dec 31 | New Year’s Eve in Toronto |
Outdoors
- Skating: outdoor rinks, the Bentway and skating trails.
- Snow fun: tobogganing and skiing near Toronto.
Indoors
Still on
Many lights and markets run past Christmas. Check each event: the Distillery Winter Village usually wraps up around the holidays, while many light shows run into January.
Why the week after Christmas is great in Toronto
The stretch between December 26 and January 1 is one of the most relaxed times to explore Toronto. Commuter traffic disappears, many people are off work, holiday lights are still up, and the city’s rinks, museums and shows are in full swing. Downtown hotels can also be better value than in mid-December. The trade-off: family attractions get busy, so go early in the day or book ahead.
Best things to do between Christmas and New Year’s
- Catch a holiday show before it closes: many seasonal productions run until December 31 or into early January. See Christmas shows and The Nutcracker.
- See the lights one more time: most displays stay up until early January. Christmas lights in Toronto
- Visit the Distillery Winter Village before it closes for the season in early January.
- Try a new winter activity: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or a lesson at a City ski hill. Skiing near Toronto
- Take a day trip to Niagara Falls or Blue Mountain. Day trips
- Eat your way around the city: brunch in Leslieville, dim sum in Chinatown, a food hall lunch.
- Watch a hockey or basketball game if the Leafs or Raptors are home.
For families
School is out, so mix one big outing a day with downtime. The Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Toronto Zoo and Harbourfront Centre are popular choices. See winter break activities and indoor Christmas activities for kids.
For couples and friends
Plan a festive dinner, a night at a Christmas pop-up bar, or a cozy afternoon tea. Many restaurants reopen after Christmas Day with holiday menus. See Christmas date ideas.
Christmas week: FAQ
Is Toronto busy between Christmas and New Year’s? Attractions and malls are busy; roads and transit are quieter than usual.
What’s open on December 26? Most shops, malls and attractions. See what’s open on Boxing Day.
What’s open
See what’s open on Boxing Day and the TTC holiday schedule. For kids, see winter break activities.
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