Nature is the one thing we can’t live without, and thankfully we don’t have to. Toronto has its share of bustling cafés and busy streets, but it’s also blessed with lots of parks. Treat yourself to an afternoon hike in the city and discover some amazing things along the way. Here are some of our top spots in the GTA for scenic views, winter delights, wooded wonders and all things nature.
The Beltline
If you’re seeking seclusion, The Beltline is a well-known trail but also one that can’t be left off of this list thanks to the sheer serenity experienced when traversing the nine kilometres of trail. The Beltline was once a railway making this the ideal trail for daydreaming and dredging up those creative thoughts.
East Don Parkland
Sometimes, you just need to go on a really, really long hike through the woods, and that’s precisely what East Don Parkland delivers. This trail stretches nearly 11 kilometres and passes over various waterways and bridges, allowing you to snap that perfect Instagram shot or sit down and contemplate life while staring at the water (or ice). If you want to unplug, leave your phone at home and watch the winter creatures emerge one kilometre at a time. The trail may be icy and sludgy this time of year, though, so pack some extra socks just in case.
Scarborough Bluffs Trail
This is one of the more popular scenic trails in the city so expect some foot traffic. But, Scarborough Bluffs is worth experiencing just for the views. You’ll find green and blue waters that will remind you more of the Mediterranean than Ontario. Watch out for slick spots this time of year. You can access Scarborough Bluffs Trail through Bluffers Park.
Humber Bay Park East
Humber Bay Park West is a popular paved trail, but the park’s east side offers a hidden butterfly habitat. Walking along the 2.5 kilometre trail will give you all those nature feelings without committing to a path that will take hours to complete. While the paved west side might be easier to traverse, we urge you to seek wintry refuge on the east side and enjoy even more scenic views.
Don Valley Brick Works Park
With 11 kilometres of trails to explore, Don Valley Brick Works Park has to make our list of best places to find solitude in the city. This former quarry has been completely transformed into a nature preserve where you can find still water, plenty of open fields, snow-blanketed trees and even a few cliffs. Bring your dog along for this hike, as it’s very popular among Toronto’s pet population so they can make some friends along the way!
While Toronto may be known for its endless list of culturally rich and deliciously diverse cuisine, it doesn’t exactly have a strong roster of Viennese restaurants. In fact, I’d be willing to wager that most Torontonians (myself, a self appointed foodie, included) would struggle to name a second. Which is exactly why this hidden gem feels like such a find.
Stowed inside the city’s beloved True History Brewery, known for its German and Austrian lagers, is one of the city’s best kept secrets.
Yes, I’m well aware that phrase is often overused by many of us food lovers alike but this time I really do mean it.
Opened in April 2024 by partners Caleb Way and Charlotte Castro-Guerra, Beisl, pronounced BYE-zl, takes its name from the classic Viennese word for a casual neighbourhood tavern. And in a city where European comfort food is having a moment, often in the form of a cozy French dish in a dimly lit dining room, Beisl is serving up all of that humble comfort with a fresh palette of flavours.
The concept itself is one that lived in Way’s mind since his early adolescence. Having spent the better half of his formative years living in Vienna from ages 12 to 18, he always dreamed of executing a menu as an homage to his roots in the city he now calls home.
While working in kitchens across the city, partners Way and Castro-Guerra recognized that Toronto’s rent can be brutal—but they still believed their dream could become reality. That dream finally took shape when a mutual friend, the owner of Dam Sandwiches, stepped in. After initially offering them a spot in True History’s kitchen, Aidan connected the pair with the brewery. Everything clicked when the team realized that True History’s long-standing expertise in German-style lagers paired perfectly with the hearty Austro-Bavarian dishes Way had always planned to serve.
Beef Tartare, Potato Rosti, Horseradish, Egg Yolk
In true Toronto fashion, this now cult neighbourhood spot doesn’t take reservations. A result of both the brewery’s initial intentions and the couple’s experience working in hot spots across the city like Hanmoto and Shaker’s club. And let’s be honest, here in Toronto there’s nothing more satisfying than snagging a spot at the city’s current hot spot sans reservation.
This excitement not only fuels the customers but drives the owners themselves.
“It works really well,” Castro-Guerra says. “It can be stressful not knowing how many people will walk in, but it’s part of the excitement.”
Despite the casual approach, the dining room fills up fast, and the restaurant often sells out, especially on weekends.
Cheese Schnitzel
The menu itself, built on the back of Way’s Viennese influence, is constantly updating and refreshing, often bringing at least one new dish every four weeks to the masses. A pace driven less by trend forecasters and more by his own creative restlessness.
Still, the classics remain: Traditional Viennese-style Schnitzel, thin, crisp, and rich, served with a side of sauerkraut salad to cut through that deep fry. The secret sleeper on the menu: the Käsespätzle, their house-made egg noodles finished with crispy onions and a Mornay sauce. An elevated, lush, velvety riff on a classic cheese sauce of sorts.
For the adventurous eaters, don’t miss the Beef Cheek Goulash: a slow-braised, paprika-forward stew rich with warm spices and smoky undertones, simmered until the meat practically melts into the sauce, then finished with a generous dollop of full-fat sour cream.
Pork Hock
With the holidays fast approaching, this food writer couldn’t resist asking the inevitable question: what’s the festive choice on the menu? The answer: an Austrian twist on the classic British Sunday roast. Beisl’s version is a feast for two, swapping the expected chicken for succulent pork hock. Paired with generous helpings of braised cabbage, mushrooms, sauerkraut, roasted potatoes and a rich demi-glace, it tastes like something someone’s grandmother spent all day preparing.
“It doesn’t necessarily feel holiday-specific,” Castro-Guerra says, home-style dish we have.” “but it is the most comforting,
At just 27 and 28, Way and Castro-Guerra are part of a wave of young Toronto restaurateurs building their own lane outside traditional dining rooms. Way has cooked since he was 18; Castro-Guerra spent a decade in front-of-house roles before briefly jumping into the kitchen for the restaurant’s early days.
And if things continue the way they’ve been going? “You can assume there will be more to come from us,” she hints.
So yeah, it’s not officially winter yet. But we all know that means nothing in Toronto, where snow comes when it wants to and leaves when it wants to! With the city’s first official snowfall underway, you might be preparing for four long months of hibernation. But with so much to do and see in the winter in Toronto, we suggest you postpone that hibernation for now. Here are 21 ways for you to make the most of winter in Toronto.
It may be cold, but the city sure is pretty when it snows! Enjoy a winter walk in some of the city’s most beautiful enclaves, including the Glen Stewart Ravine.
Take in a light show
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From the pop-up and immersive walk-through light show at Holiday Nights of Lights to the Holiday Lights experience at Casa Loma, there are plenty of places to get your fix of holiday lights!
Sip on a hot chocolate
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There’s nothing better than braving the cold with a hot drink in hand, and it’s even better when that drink is chocolatey. Grab a hot chocolate this season to warm up – try Soma Chocolatemaker on King Street or in the Distillery District for one that will blow your mind.
Try a less basic winter drink
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Sometimes peppermint lattes and hot chocolates can become a bit overdone, but there are plenty of other seasonal options to enjoy. Coffee Lunar always offers up a whole bunch of seasonal drinks, including ones like a minty white mocha, matcha drop, cream drop, black sesame latte and even a cranberry apple cider.
Or, something stronger
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Winter weather is getting you down? Get in the spirit while warming up with a drink at one of the many holiday drink pop-ups happening in the city. The very popular Miracle Toronto is back this month, as is Little Sister’s Java Jingle Holiday Bar.
Go thrifting for an ugly Christmas sweater
Have a holiday party with an ugly holiday sweater dress code? Stop by a few of Toronto’s top thrift shops to find your own without spending an arm and a leg. Black Market Vintage has a few in-store, or try your nearest thrift shop to find one for a real steal.
Road trip to a Hallmark-worthy town
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Ontario is home to some of the actual Hallmark towns that you’ve spotted on your TV screen masquerading as a wholesome American small town. That includes Almonte, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Huntsville, all of which get appropriately decked out for the holidays and make for the perfect road trip.
Go skating
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Toronto’s free outdoor rinks are open and thriving thanks to the colder weather! Rent skates or grab your own and enjoy the feeling of gliding across the ice (and then warming up with a hot drink afterwards).
Go sledding
Once it really starts snowing, the most foolproof way to feel like a kid again is to go tobogganing. There are plenty of great spots to do so in Toronto, including Cedarvale Park and Withrow Park.
Bake a winter cookie recipe
Put a holiday classic on TV, pull out the flour and sugar and enjoy the quintessential Christmas experience of baking holiday cookies. Go for a classic like gingerbread cookies, or snickerdoodles for a cinnamon treat or a chocolate peppermint concoction.
Visit the Distillery Winter Village
This month, take in the joys of arguably Toronto’s most well-known Christmas spectacular – the Distillery Winter Village (formerly the Toronto Christmas Market). Visit on a weekday to avoid paying that pesky entry fee on the weekend.
Shop at a pop-up market
Pop-up markets continue into the cold weather seasons, and they’re a favourite Toronto pastime for a reason! Get some holiday shopping done, browse vintage gems or pick up a little treat for yourself to make the wintry chill a little easier. The Welcome Market’s last holiday market weekend runs this Dec. 19–21, and the Evergreen Winter Market returns on Dec. 21.
Enjoy Christmas at Casa Loma
Until Jan. 3, you can enjoy a holiday experience of Casa Loma like no other. Enjoy performances, festive arts and crafts, a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree and even a visit from Santa himself. Don’t forget to grab your tickets!
Stop by a pub for trivia and drinks
Trivia seriously thrives during the winter, and there are countless themed and un-themed trivia nights to take part in at a pub near you. Tuesday is the most consistent trivia night, but you can pretty much find one every night of the week. Catch Christmas movie trivia on Dec. 22 at Hemingway’s, general trivia on Tuesdays at Snakes & Lattes Annex and plenty more to fit whatever obsession you have.
Visit a winter music festival
The Winterfolk Blues and Roots festival is back from Feb. 12–15, so beat the winter blues by enjoying the blues! Happening at Tranzac Club, you can grab tickets online now for an advance sales discount.
Visit the Winter Stations
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The Winter Stations are back this February, just in time to rescue you from the impending winter blues. Featuring some of the most incredible installations from international artists stationed across the east end beaches, make a trip out of visiting each one!
Have a snowball fight
Another foolproof way to feel like a kid again? A snowball fight! The University of Toronto is known for snowball fights, or start your own impromptu ones with a few friends to blow off some steam (literally!).
Do a polar dip
Want to really challenge yourself and immerse yourself in the season this winter? Try a polar plunge! There are quite a few happening across the city around New Year’s, and there’s also the famous Polar Bear Skate under The Bentway if you can bear the thought of being (almost) naked in the cold.
Learn some pottery skills
There’s no better time to learn a new skill than when you’re holed up inside during the winter. Try drop-in pottery classes at The Gardiner Museum, or commit to really building your skills at Create Art Studio on the Danforth.
Winter can be hard on the body, and sometimes a massage is just what you need. You can enjoy one at a spa in Toronto, or make a winter weekend trip out of it and try St. Anne’s Spa, Millcroft Inn and Spa or Elmhurst Inn and Spa for a spa experience filled with relaxation and seasonal fun.
If you’re still finalizing New Year’s Eve plans, Toronto is welcoming 2026 with a citywide celebration that puts music, movement and skyline-lighting fireworks front and centre! It all takes place along the waterfront and is completely free.
On Dec 31, Torontonians can expect a vibrant outdoor celebration featuring live Canadian singers, dance sessions, roaming performers and a 10-minute fireworks show launched from the inner harbour at midnight. The display will be synchronized to music and visible across much of the central waterfront, marking one of the country’s biggest countdown moments of the year (seriously, it’ll put the Canada Day fireworks to shame).
The show can be viewed from several designated waterfront locations, including the Toronto Music Garden (476 Queens Quay W), Sherbourne Common (61 Dockside Dr), Sugar Beach Park (11 Dockside Dr), HTO Park (339 Queens Quay W), HTO Park West (375 Queens Quay W), Harbour Square Park (25 Queens Quay W) and Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W). Viewing areas can be accessed via York St, Jarvis St, Spadina Ave or Bay St.
Head over at around 10 pm, as that’s when the live music and dancing start! The main stage at Harbourfront Centre will be the focus of the celebration, hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow and a few special guests. This year’s headliner is Lu Kala, whose fiery-voiced sound will lead the countdown to midnight. After the fireworks, KIMIWVN will keep the party going with a DJ-led dance celebration until 1 am.
Beyond the main stage, visitors can explore performances and activities spread across the entire waterfront.
At Sherbourne Common, the Dance Together Festival will host participatory dance sessions, inviting everyone to move together into the new year. If you bring your kids, check out the films projected onto the east side of the Canada Malting Silos (they’re viewable from the Toronto Music Garden throughout the evening).
Over at Harbourfront Centre, Winterfest will add even more atmosphere with a DJ Skate Night featuring DJ Smartiez, immersive light installations, a giant Winter Maze, curated food offerings in Community Square and live performances across the campus.
If you’re wondering how to get there: several road closures will be in effect, including sections of Queens Quay W, Bay St and York St from 6 pm to 1 am, so your best bet is to leave the car at home and take public transit (the TTC, GO Transit, and UP Express service will be free from 7 pm on Wed, Dec 31, until 8 am on Thurs, Jan 1, 2026). Subway service will run until 3 am, with Blue Night Network buses and streetcars starting at that time. GO trains, buses and UP Express will also run fare-free overnight. Keep in mind that you’ll still have to tap your card at fare kiosks, but no charges will apply during the free period.
And if you prefer to avoid the crowds and ring in the New Year in pajamas at home, the City will stream the event live on its CultureTO YouTube channel, featuring performances and a real-time countdown to midnight!
For more details, including full viewing locations, safety information and transit updates, visit the City’s website or follow them on Instagram.
Toronto’s food-hall scene just got a fresh hit of gastronomic creativity! In the heart of King West, Waterworks Food Hall has announced three new culinary artisans joining its roster: Bello Pizza, Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen and Union Chicken.
Since its launch in the summer of 2024, Waterworks has curated a mix of globally inspired food concepts alongside multiple bars, outdoor patios, and flexible event spaces (all under one roof), making it a go-to for both office crowds and weekend wanderers.
The same inventive energy that transformed a backyard pandemic experiment in Bloor West Village into one of Collingwood’s most beloved restaurants can now be found at Waterworks. Expect slow-fermented dough, thoughtful sourcing and inventive takes on Italian comfort. Try the Spicy Goat pizza (finished with Calabrian chilli and hot honey), or Super Dave-Ola, topped with taggiasca olives.
Darna’s modern take on Middle Eastern cuisine fits seamlessly into the hall’s vibrant mix. With roots in Roncesvalles and Leaside, the kitchen is known for vibrant mezze, house-made sauces and charcoal-grilled meats that capture the warmth and generosity of home cooking (so, perfect eats for sharing with friends over drinks!) Expect bold flavours and bright textures, from grilled kebabs and hummus to rich dips and spice-kissed vegetable plates.
Looking ahead to early 2026 (but well worth the wait), Union Chicken is gearing up to bring its signature take on buttermilk fried chicken to Waterworks. The restaurant is all about premium, ethically sourced poultry and nostalgic comfort hits, and it’s earned a loyal following for sandwiches, triple-cooked fries and chicken-and-waffles plates. Try their O.G. plate: crispy fried chicken nestled in black pepper gravy, hot sauce and maple honey!
Waterworks Food Hall was once a City of Toronto machine shop, but now functions as a communal culinary destination that’s all about familiar faves and fresh perspectives. More than 15 artisans operate under its roof, alongside bars, patios and event spaces totalling over 12,000 square feet. Its main entrance is at 50 Brant St (with a hidden courtyard entrance at 499 Richmond St W).
A home on a street in North York is back with its absolutely massive holiday lights display for the season. Toronto’s long-standing holiday tradition is back and bigger than ever for its 26th year. In support of The SickKids Foundation, the De Sario Family Festival of Lights is again embracing the season of giving and spreading some cheer.
Each year Amatore and Pasqua De Sario deck the halls, the walls, the roof and the yard — turning their family home in North York into a must-see hot spot for locals and tourists alike to revel in the transformation of their otherwise normal home into an otherworldly display of lights. From candy-striped arches framing the driveway to a twinkling ferris wheel perched atop the roof, every inch of this yard has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Spanning the entirety of this corner lot, the elaborate decor features an authentic nativity scene, inflatable Santas waving cheerfully at passing spectators and a donation box paired with a short story holding the true spirit of the holidays.
Since the opening of this Toronto staple in 1999, the family has raised and donated over $308,000 to honour The Sickkids Children’s Hospital where their daughter was treated decades prior for juvenile diabetes. This year, the family once again asks visitors for donations to support the hospital. This continued effort organized by the De Sario family helps the SickKids Hospital team provide care to over 100,000 Canadian children annually.
This year’s light show kicked off at 165 Benjamin Boake Trail in North York on Dec. 1. The festival runs through the holiday season until Jan. 6, 2026 every night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Don’t miss the chance to see the street glow under the lights of this holiday showstopper. Take care not to block driveways while you’re visiting!
If the DeSario family’s luminous extravaganza has you craving more holiday sparkle, Toronto offers a sleigh-full of dazzling displays to keep your festive spirit aglow, from the always-popular Distillery Winter Village, where you can stroll through the historic district under a canopy of lights and revel in the glow of a 55-foot-tall silver fir Christmas tree to Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights Tour, which transforms Toronto’s famed castle into a winter wonderland, featuring stunning light displays, performers and more.
It’s the time of year to linger over a giant hot cup of cocoa or your favourite coffee comfort, so why not go all out and add a bit of shimmer to your festive treats? If your holiday vibe is all about indulgence and being just a little bit over-the-top, this Toronto coffee shop’sgolden lattes and luxe festive desserts might just be your new obsession.
Goldstruck Coffee has rolled out a festive dessert collection alongside its now-viral 24K Gold Latte. The holiday menu is available for a limited time and goes all in on festive drama, creating the perfect remedy for the winter chill and December coffee dates.
The star of the holiday lineup is the 24K Gold Latte! The magical drink is topped with edible gold leaf and literally glows as you stir it. The sips are so “unapologetically indulgent” that foodies are calling it “Christmas wrapped in gold.”
And the gold theme doesn’t stop at the cup. Goldstruck’s Holiday Boutique Desserts look more like shiny ornaments than pastries, with glossy finishes and Christmassy jewel-toned colours. One standout is the Golden Bean dessert, which is said to have a satisfying crunch and a layered interior (so you’ll want to admire it before digging in!)
The café has also introduced several seasonal mousse-style desserts in rich holiday hues, each presented on sleek red platforms that match the glowing winter aesthetic.
And why stop at sipping hot chocolate when you can enjoy the cup, too? Goldstruck’s hot chocolate is served in an edible cup and topped with roasted marshmallows, so basically it’s the most festive dessert and drink rolled into one! This one’s also seasonal but available by request only, so it’s worth asking in-store if you’re hoping to try it before the holidays wrap up.
Goldstruck’s holiday menu is available at its Toronto cafés: 130 Cumberland St. |133 Richmond St. W. | 25 Carlton St.
Vanessa Sears as Juliet and the Canadian cast. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Toronto has seen Romeo and Juliet a hundred times over, tormenting audiences as they scream, internally and otherwise, for the teens not to make the same fatal choices. Most recently, the tragedy played out under the stars in Canadian Stage’s Dream in High Park. But rarely has anyone stopped to ask the simple but satisfying question: what if it were different? & Juliet finally does, rewriting history and giving Juliet a story that belongs to her.
Now playing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, the Mirvish show — which was set to premiere Dec. 3 but faced a string of minor setbacks, including both technical issues and cast illness — has finally taken the stage and will continue to shine under the spotlight until May 17, 2026.
The hook itself is exceedingly obvious, yet no rendition has ever thought to ask it: William Shakespeare, having just finished his biggest tragedy yet, Romeo and Juliet, has invited his wife, Anne Hathaway (not the one from The Devil Wears Prada) to come see its debut. But there’s one problem: she hates the ending. The play swiftly shifts gears and becomes a battle of the sexes as Hathaway takes her chance at the quill and rewrites the ending we’ve all been waiting for. What if Juliet didn’t kill herself?
The jukebox musical built around Swedish hitmaker Max Martin’s catalogue (think Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and more), is written by Canadian playwright David West Read. The Scarborough-born, Markham-raised artist’s career has consistently brought Canadian voices and sensibilities into the spotlight; he’s best known as the Emmy Award-winning writer and executive producer behind Schitt’s Creek, one of the most successful Canadian television series of the past decade. With & Juliet, he brings the same sharp wit and comedic timing to the stage as he blends this pop spectacle with character-driven, historically inspired storytelling. Read’s roots are still firmly planted in this city, so much so that the show first previewed in Toronto before making its Broadway debut in 2022.
Julia McLellan as Anne and George Krissa as Shakespeare. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
It begins swiftly and immediately, dropping us into Shakespeare’s world — but in this version Shakespeare (George Krissa) walks with a wink and a swagger and a touch of arrogance. This Will is smug, self-mythologizing, and high on his own success, often quoting himself and posing like the rockstar playwright of London. Anne (Julia McLellan) is the counterforce: sharper, steadier and tired of being written out of the story. Their tug-of-war over authorship becomes the show’s engine and later takes a turn for the serious when it unexpectedly becomes the emotional spine.
The show uses its historical-fiction sandbox cleverly, sprinkling in real-world texture: Anne in the countryside, Will in the city, the domestic distance that builds in the gaps. It’s a scavenger hunt of fact and fable.
Read set the show up for success by building on a well-known canon that immediately draws an audience, and he paired it with a catalogue of pop music that fills seats regardless of interest in live theatre. All this combined with his wit and charm, already proven to land with viewers across the continent, it doesn’t come as a surprise when I say Mirvish’s remounting is an instant smash. But this time, it’s the cast that carries it.
Vanessa Sears as Juliet and the Canadian cast. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Vanessa Sears, as Juliet, is the kind of performer who makes a notoriously demanding role look effortless. The Dora award-winning artist whose career has been seen on Broadway, Stratford, Shaw and Mirvish stages brings a technical precision and emotional clarity that needs to be experienced live to be understood. Grounded, resonant and unwavering in a way that makes this rewritten Juliet immediately believable as a woman stepping into her own agency, her voice carries authority without losing warmth. She even manages to deliver the show’s modern slang with an ease that won’t make you cringe.
Opposite her, Julia McLellan’s Anne Hathaway is the production’s grounding element. She’s warm, commanding and precise about when to play for laughs and when to break open. McLellan’s performance is one that takes this show from being one about Juliet’s rewrite and turns it into Anne’s reclamation.
David Silvestri as Lance and Sarah Nairne as Angelique. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Sarah Nairne, as Angélique (Juliet’s nurse), is a scene-stealing joy: razor-sharp timing, audience-savvy rhythm and a surprising tenderness that keeps the character from becoming purely a side character. Together these women take the stage and dominate, turning & Juliet into the kind of female-driven theatrical force that mirrors the very themes and undercurrents the play itself is asking us to consider.
Mirvish’s & Juliet is a crowd pleaser, one that any Torontonian would enjoy, regardless of their stance on musicals. It’s funny, warm and unexpectedly affecting with a cast strong enough to carry you through each season of their performances.
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your home-cooking skills into national fame (and a major cash prize), now’s your moment. MasterChef Canada has officially opened casting for Season 9, and amateur home cooks from across the country are invited to apply.
Confident chefs should be ready to step into the iconic kitchen with bold flavours and original dishes, so yes, this is absolutely the time to whip out the signature version of your grandma’s raved-about holiday cheese lasagna! Filming is scheduled for March 20 to April 30, 2026, in Toronto (travel is apparently covered), and applicants must be available for about 15 days within that window.
The winner will take home $100,000 and the coveted title of MasterChef Canada. Sounds good so far? Here’s what you need to know before applying: applicants must be at least 19 years old as of Dec 1, 2025, and be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You also can’t currently work as a professional chef (and if you’ve previously earned income from cooking in a professional setting, you’ll need to disclose that in your application).
For your application materials, you’ll need to submit two videos: an introduction video (max 90 seconds) and a cooking presentation video (up to 4 minutes), as well as multiple photos, including pics of you and your amazing food! The good news: your photos and videos don’t need to be professionally shot. A smartphone in a quiet, well-lit space works just fine. The casting portal also asks applicants to film in landscape mode and avoid music or filters.
The deadline to apply is Jan 12, 2026, but the casting team is encouraging people to apply as soon as possible (they begin reviewing submissions as they come in, so early applicants might have an edge).
Casting is open nationwide, so expect thousands of Canadian home cooks to throw their hats (or chef’s toques) into the ring!
And if you’re wondering whether a GTA home cook can actually go all the way, the show’s track record says yes. Markham baker Christopher Siu rose to wider fame after winning MasterChef Canada: Back to Win, building that momentum into a growing pastry brand. Season 1 winner Eric Chong may have competed as an Oakville contestant, but he’s since become a major name in the Toronto dining scene. Toronto-based Mary Berg, who won Season 3, is now returning to the franchise as a judge for Season 9, joining culinary personality Hugh Acheson and Toronto chef and restaurateur Craig Wong.
If you think you’ve got the chops to compete, sharpen your knives, and click here to apply.
Toronto’s waterfront is your destination for skating this winter with three skating rinks across the east, central and western waterfront. From DJ skate nights to free skate rentals and hot chocolate, there are so many different ways to enjoy skating with views of the water in this season. If you want to stay up to date with what’s happening on Toronto’s waterfront this season, follow the Waterfront BIA on Facebook or Instagram!
Harbourfront Skate Rink
235 Queens Quay W.
Get ready to Skate by the Lake at Harbourfront Centre this winter season. No skates? No problem. Harbourfront Centre has skate rentals available for all ages and sizes, and every Saturday visitors can enjoy free skate rentals. Come down and experience this scenic rink until March 1, 2026. Click here for more details.
And don’t miss out on iconic DJ Skate Nights this season! Head to Harbourfront Centre rink on Saturday evenings until Feb. 14, 2026 and enjoy waterfront skating to vibrant beats spun by some of Toronto’s hottest DJs — expect good music, festive lights and a lively crowd transforming the rink into a full-blown winter party under the stars. Admission is free and it’s fun for all ages. Click here for more info on DJ skate night.
Sherbourne Common
61 Dockside Drive
Sherbourne Common ice rink provides a lovely waterfront view while enjoying a leisurely skate. The ice rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. every day (as long as temperatures are below freezing).
If you don’t own a pair of skates, don’t worry — there will be free skate rentals, helmets and skating aids on Jan. 25 and Feb. 13. So grab your loved one for an afternoon of skating, as well as free hot chocolate and fun music! You can also visit one of many nearby cafes, such as the Lazy Barista or Mofer Coffee, to warm up. Click here for more info.
Photo by Andrew Williamson, courtesy of The Bentway
The Bentway Skate Trail
250 Fort York Blvd.
Glide into winter on The Bentway’s iconic skate trail, open from Dec. 20 until Feb. 16, weather dependent. Make sure to stop by during opening weekend; the festive event, from Dec. 20–23, will feature free skate rentals, warm drinks, maple taffy and themed photo moments. This year’s event lineup also includes the chaotic and chilly Polar Bear Skate on Dec. 28 — for those brave enough. This cheeky tradition invites skaters to strip down to their skivvies and take a lap around the 220-metre figure-eight trail, as a final farewell to 2025. Click here for more details.
With three unique skating rinks in this neighbourhood, make the waterfront your must-visit ice skating destination this winter season. With delicious restaurants and cozy cafes nearby, skating on Toronto’s waterfront is an experience you don’t want to miss. Visit waterfrontbia.com to plan your visit.
Will Arnett is the funny one. He’s the guy that makes people laugh with an expression, or a slight turn of phrase. He’s not the one that makes us cry, unless we are laughing too hard. But then came along the Searchlight Pictures project Is This Thing On? A film inspired by the life of British stand-up comedian John Bishop. It’s a story about marriages, aging, confronting fears, and being honest. It’s a special movie, and Arnett’s performance, opposite the incredible Laura Dern, will leave many shocked and pleasantly surprised.
Is This Thing On? premieres in Toronto with a limited engagement on Dec. 19 before it hits theatres everywhere on January 9.
We headed to Arnett’s old Yorkville stomping grounds to chat with him about the project.
This film captures something new for Hollywood romances. What interested you in exploring this kind of emotional realism?
I was inspired by John’s story [British comedian John Bishop] of how he became a standup. But really what got to me was this idea that this person, this guy, who we find at the beginning of the film kind of catatonic and not knowing how to express what he’s going through, is able, through addressing rooms full of strangers, to start to zero in on what’s going on with himself. I think we live in a world where communication between people gets lost, and we lose track of the people in our lives that we love and how we express ourselves. Sometimes we get so far away we don’t know how to get back. That felt important to me.
How much of your own perspective shaped the story you wanted to tell?
I think it’s really difficult not to bring some of your own stuff. We’re all made up of our experiences, right? No matter what anyone asks you to do, how you do it will be based on your experience. As we wrote this, it’s not a biopic and it’s not autobiographical of me and my experience, but there are things I can identify with and relate to. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you can relate to it — I hope. We hope it feels authentic.
You actually performed live standup in character, with mixed results. What was that experience like?
Well, I’m not a standup, so I did give myself some grace to be bad. But it was scary. It was daunting — getting onstage, doing it and trying to understand what it was like for that guy. It was weirdly my first time onstage, trying to understand what that would be like. I come from more of a performing background than [his character] Alex does, so for me it was about finding that gear of what it would be like for someone who’s never done it before. It’s a narrow target. We wanted it to feel authentic and reflect what it would be like for a guy with no connection to standup.
Sounds terrifying.
It was very scary. I didn’t know if I could deliver from one day to the next, one scene to the next, one take to the next. Bradley [Cooper, the director] always said, “We start at zero every day. We can’t rest on our laurels.” There are no wasted moments. I had to really learn a lot of things for the first time as an actor.
He did, in the best way. He pushed me to trust myself. He said, “There are no tricks here.” The camera’s right there — he’s operating it a foot away from me. There’s nowhere to hide.
What did you want to say here about rediscovering yourself after a number of years?
I didn’t fully appreciate the idea of reinvention until we were doing it. I wasn’t looking to redefine how people look at me, but I found through this process that I was much closer to the kid who left Toronto 35 years ago.
Can you tell me about your upbringing in Toronto — your old stomping grounds?
I used to spend a lot of time at the Pilot, the bar that used to be down the street [in Yorkville]. I went to the Morrissey a lot in the late ’80s and early ’90s — that was our pub. I broke my kneecap playing shinny at Ramsden Park. I went to Subway Academy on Bloor at Brunswick, and I rode my bike through here. I took theatre classes at Maggie Bassett Studio at Tarragon Theatre. So yes — this is my spot.
Toronto will once again become a living, breathing design showcase next month as the 16th annual DesignTO Festival unfolds across the city! The 10-day winter event runs Jan 23 to Feb 1, 2026, and is known as Canada’s largest annual celebration of design, transforming everyday streets, shop windows, galleries and public spaces into sites of wonder, interaction and reflection.
Best of all: it’s free!
Visitors will be able to wander, touch, listen and discover how design shapes our sense of place and community, so expect everything from bold experiential installations to intimate photographic works and immersive atmospheric environments.
If you’re looking for a good starting point, check out one of these installations first:
Walk beneath light, cloud-like sculptured mesh forms hung overhead like a shared canopy, and you’ll experience what it feels like to exist under a collective, airy sky!
S.A.D.
Jan 1-Jan 31, 2026 | Sankofa Square, 1 Dundas St E
This photographic installation by Steven Beckly turns Sankofa Square into an evocative gallery of light and reflection! Eight digital screens display intimate, luminous imagery that plays with the changing rhythms of urban life, casting the square as both a backdrop and a stage. This exhibition runs for 75 seconds every 5 minutes on 5 screens at Sankofa Square. They are viewable outdoors 24/7.
Suspended Vessels
Jan 23-Feb 1, 2026 | The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St W
Clusters of hand-blown glass droplets hang like ethereal ornaments through the iconic Drake Hotel’s windows. Under ultraviolet light, they’ll glow an otherworldly green, shifting with perspective and mood.
This immersive installation from Teston + Zhang plays with air, mist and microclimates to create atmospheric “zones” that feel like part science experiment, part poetic space. You’ll step into a playful, immersive environment where air, mist, and temperature shape unexpected spaces outdoors.
While installations and exhibitions are the core of DesignTO, the programming also includes talks, tours, workshops and panels that invite deeper engagement with how design intersects with community, identity and urban life!
