Special Events in Toronto

January
Chinese New Year Celebrations, downtown. The year is ushered in with traditional and contemporary performances of Chinese opera, dancing, music, and more.

February
Winterfest, Nathan Phillips Square, Yonge and Eglinton, and Mel Lastman Square. This 3-day celebration spreads over three neighborhoods. It features ice-skating shows, snow play, midway rides, performances, ice sculpting, arts-and-crafts shows, and more.

March
Canada Blooms, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. At this time of year, any glimpse of greenery is welcome. There are 6 acres of indoor garden and flower displays, seminars with green-thumb experts, and competitions.

April
Blue Jays' Season Opener, SkyDome. Turn out to root for your home-away-from-home team.

May
Milk International Children's Festival, Harbourfront. This is a 9-day celebration of the arts for kids: from theater and music to dance, comedy, and storytelling.

June
Harbourfront Reading Series, Harbourfront. This annual festival celebrates the best of Canadian literature. Top writers such as Timothy Findley, Anne Michaels, and Barbara Gowdy flock here to read from their latest works.

July
Canada Day Celebrations, citywide. July 1 marks the nation's birthday. Street parties, fireworks, and other special events across town mark the day.

August
Festival of Beer, Fort York. More than 70 major Ontario breweries and microbreweries turn out for this celebration. There's also a wide selection of food from local restaurants, and live music of the blues, swing, and jazz persuasions.

September
Toronto International Film Festival, citywide. The stars come out for the second-largest film festival in the world. More than 250 films from 70 countries are shown over 10 days.

October
Oktoberfest, Kitchener-Waterloo, about 1 hour 60 miles from Toronto. This famed 9-day drinkfest features cultural events plus a pageant and parade.

November
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show, Exhibition Place. The 12-day show is the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition in the world. Vegetables and fruits are on display, along with crafts, farm machinery, livestock, and more. A member of the British royal family traditionally attends the horse show.

December
First Night Toronto and New Year's Eve at City Hall. First Night is a nonalcoholic family New Year's Eve celebration. A button admits you to a variety of musical, theatrical, and dance performances at downtown venues. To celebrate New Year's Eve, Torontonians gather in Nathan Phillips Square and in Mel Lastman Square in North York, where concerts begin at around 10pm to usher in the countdown to the New Year. December 31.