Toronto, Canada, is home to a variety of customs and events that will make the final evening of 2022 memorable. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best events and things to do on New Year’s Eve in Toronto in 2022 as 2023 draws near.
1. What should you do on New Year’s Eve around Toronto?
Try out a long-standing Canadian custom
Here’s a fun fact about Canadian history for all of us: one of the oldest New Year’s customs in the nation is ice fishing! The ice fishing season in northern Ontario officially begins on New Year’s Day. Every year, an influx of anglers travel to the area on December 31 and January 1 to usher in the new year and the start of the ice fishing season. Although the traditional method of ice fishing in Ontario involved completely freezing your extremities off as you waited for fish to bite, things have changed significantly since then.
Now, you may reserve a stay at an all-inclusive lakeside resort or rent heated ice huts and cozy yurts for an improved personalized experience. A heated ice hut, lodging, and bait are all also included in an all-inclusive ice fishing package, like the one at Buttermilk Falls Resort in Haliburton.
An extremely happy Hogman-eh party
The term “Hogmanay” is a Scottish word for the final day of the year. It is also most frequently used to describe all the different types of New Year’s Eve celebrations that take place in Scotland. Fortunately for us Canadians, the Scottish Society of Ottawa takes its Hogmanay extremely seriously and has hosted its signature “Hogman-eh!” event for more than ten years.
Besides, Hogman-eh! is the greatest Hogmanay festival outside of Scotland. It is held at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa and is also the largest New Year’s Eve party in eastern Ontario. It also features great Scottish food and drink. Ring in the new year two times, the Hogman-eh! Manner! Both at our official midnight and at 7 p.m. local time, the party commemorates midnight in Scotland.
Make this New Year’s in Muskoka one to remember
The New Year’s Eve celebration at Muskoka’s Deerhurst Resort is jam-packed with fun things to do for couples, families, and little ones near Toronto. Every year during the New Year’s celebrations, the resort is transformed into a vacation sanctuary. The Eclipse New Year’s Eve Dinner Experience, which is also most suitable for adults, and the Family New Year’s Eve Buffet and Celebration are two special dinners.
Besides, the chefs from Deerhurst will be serving a variety of live cuisine stations at the Eclipse supper, including bison, lamb, duck, seafood, pasta, desserts, and more. Moving performers, magic shows, and kid-friendly food stations all also consist of the family buffet. The Great Canadian Dueling Pianos entertainment and festivities continue after each dinner until it’s time to ring in the new year.
Countdown at one of Ontario’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations
It would be worthwhile to travel to Barrie this year, not just for a ski trip at Horseshoe Resort but also for the city’s Downtown Countdown. The event, which has been going on since 1998 and is one of Ontario’s largest annual New Year’s Eve celebrations, includes family activities, skating, live music, fireworks, and more beneath the illuminated arch of city hall. This season, wrap up warm, grab a hot beverage, and also take part in one of the oldest New Year’s Eve customs near Toronto!
Spend the evening skating in Niagara
You may travel to Niagara for the city’s yearly New Year’s Eve event, which includes a fireworks show and live music. But why not give Niagara-on-the-Lake, just 20 minutes away, a try this year? The most uniquely Canadian way to welcome the new year is also at Wayne Gretzky Estates with hockey, skating, and food.
The hockey game is broadcast on an inflatable screen that faces the patio and skating rink so that guests can watch and cheer while they eat, drink, and skate. Skate till you get warm or until the twinkle lights beaming brightly over the ice stop you!
Embark on the new year
There’s no better way to start the new year with a refresh — literally — whether you spent New Year’s Eve dozing off on the couch or traveled to one of these Ontario events near Toronto! On January 1st, hundreds of people gather in Oakville for the Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision, where they plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario in support of a worthy cause.
Besides, the money earned from the plunge goes toward World Vision’s efforts to supply underdeveloped countries with safe water. The custom has existed for 37 years. $2 million has been raised since then to help fund clean water projects all over the world.
2. Some of the amazing events on New Year’s Eve in Toronto
New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravaganza
Prepare yourself to wave a happy farewell to 2022!
The annual New Year’s Eve event, curated by Yuk Yuk’s creator Mark Breslin, returns to the recently rebuilt Massey Hall and includes an impressive lineup of Canada’s greatest comics. Award-winning comedian and CBC’s The Debaters host Steve Patterson will also serve as the event’s host.
Famous People Players New Year’s Eve
Players who are well-known and glow in the dark We cordially invite you to an elegant affair at Dine & Dream Dinner Theatre. Besides, Alicia Oliver from the Canadian All Stars Big Band will mesmerize you with her vocals, along with the sounds of the Chris Ellis trio.
The Bentway Skate Trail Polar Bear Skate
Brave Torontonians are encouraged to don their underwear and skate the trail for charity as part of a clothes drive and a crazy way to end the year. Besides, New Circles Community Services will collect donations of warm winter apparel on-site and give it to immigrant and refugee families experiencing winter in Toronto for the first time.
Live theater performances and events on New Year’s Eve in Toronto 2022
- Nate Bargatze: The Raincheck Tour will be held at Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East, Toronto, on December 31, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
- Toronto Operetta Theatre: At the ball of a wealthy Russian Prince, who brings back matrimonial joy to everyone’s delight, masquerades, and disguises, as well as the Revenge of a Bat, come together in Toronto Operetta Theatre’s production of Die Fledermaus.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Written by Jack Thorne and directed by John Tiffany, based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany.
- Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical: This is based on the tale of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their blockbuster 2019 film. It is also a cheery journey about friendship, community, and song that will give any landlubber a strong pair of sea legs.
- Ross Petty Presents Peter’s Final Flight: The Maestro of Mayhem will personally bid farewell to multiple generations of applauding fans and also return to the stage in his favorite role, the wicked Captain Hook, to bring an end to 25 years of live performances.
3. New Year’s Eve fireworks in 2022/2023 in Toronto
On New Year’s Eve, two synchronized 15-minute fireworks shows will be launched across Toronto’s downtown waterfront. You can also see these displays from any location with a view of the city’s inner harbor.
4. Where can I watch New Year’s Eve in Toronto?
Suggestions for viewing:
- Ireland Park.
- Toronto Music Garden.
- HTO Park.
- HTO Park W.
- Harbourfront Centre grounds.
- Harbour Square Park.
- Sugar Beach Park.
- Water’s Edge Promenade.
