Here is where to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in Toronto

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11:20 am

For those looking to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country during times of war, military conflict, and in peacekeeping, the City of Toronto is hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall on Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m.

There will also be a live stream of the event on the city YouTube channel.

There will be ceremonies at the following locations beginning at 10:45 a.m:

East York Civic Centre Memorial Gardens, 850 Coxwell Ave.
Etobicoke Civic Centre Cenotaph, 399 The West Mall
Fort York National Historic Site, Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Rd. (begins at 10:30 a.m.)
Scarborough War Memorial, 2190 Kingston Rd.
York Civic Centre Cenotaph, 2700 Eglinton Ave. W.
A new location at York Cemetery – Cenotaph, 160 Beecroft Road

The City of Toronto sign will be lit in red in remembrance.

Road Closures

Road closures and TTC diversions will occur near Old City Hall on Monday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, affecting Bay St. from Albert St. to Richmond St. W., with local access only to Albert St. from southbound Bay St., and Queen St. W. from Bay St. to east of York St.

Queen’s Park

The Province of Ontario will also be holding a Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial on the front lawn of Queen’s Park at 10:45 a.m.

As part of this service, Premier Doug Ford and Brigadier-General J.J. Major, Commander 4^th Canadian Division will be making remarks.

RCAF Ceremony

The Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation will host a Remembrance Day 2025 Ceremony tomorrow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Under the theme “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” the event aims to connect new generations with Canada’s military history through storytelling and education. The Nov. 11 ceremony begins at 10:40 and highlights include a fly-past by RCAF aircraft, wreath-laying, student readings, and a tribute at the Tomb of William G. Barker VC.

University of Toronto

The Service of Remembrance will return to the Soldiers’ Tower at the University of Toronto for a special ceremony to honour those alumni, students, faculty, and staff who fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts. It begins at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. In addition, all flags at the university will be flown at half-mast, and there will be a free public reception in the Great Hall of Hart House following the ceremony.

Toronto Zoo

There will also be a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Toronto Zoo on Nov. 11 at the Waterside Theatre beginning at 10:55. This will be the 37th annual ceremony.

“Veterans and the general public are invited to join in remembering and honouring the many wartime sacrifices that Canadians have made for their country at your Toronto Zoo’s 37^th Remembrance Day Ceremony,” the Zoo’s website reads.

12,000 Canadian Flags

There is a beautiful display of Canadian Flags on the front lawn of the historic Manulife headquarters at 200 Bloor St. E. that is running from Nov. 2 to 11. Admission is free.

And to all our veterans, a sincere and heartfelt thank you.

Toronto mourns Rodney Clark, the oysterman who changed how the city eats seafood

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Jennifer Schembri

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10:04 am

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Rodney Clark, founder of Rodney’s Oyster House and one of the city’s most influential restaurateurs, has died at 75.

Before Toronto knew what a raw bar was, there was Rodney. In 1986, the commercial artist-turned-oysterman opened Rodney’s Oyster House on Adelaide Street East, serving East Coast seafood with Maritime charm and changing how Toronto ate.

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Clark’s start was humble: he was an art school grad who shucked oysters at backyard parties and sometimes got paid in wine. With no business background, he built a restaurant empire on one simple idea: passion first. “You can be successful in oysters if you don’t think of the money,” he said. “You have to think about the oyster.”

That philosophy carried Rodney’s through nearly four decades, spawning locations in Calgary and Vancouver, its own oyster farm, and a generation of shuckers and chefs who passed through his doors. “What we did is create a base,” Clark once said. “We created a foundation to build something on.”

Clark’s legacy continues through his family and protégés. His daughter Bronwen runs front of house at the Toronto restaurant, and his son Eamon is a multi-time Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion and recently opened Seahorse, a seafood restaurant in Summerhill that nods to his father’s legacy.

In a tribute shared on Instagram, the team at Rodney’s reflected on the community Clark built. “You know that Oyster you’re about to eat? We touched that. We know the grower. We’ve swam in its waters,” they wrote in the post, a reminder of the deep connection between Clark and the sea.

“Serve a good person a good oyster, and you’d have them for life,” Clark said. And for almost forty years, he did just that.

Email [email protected] for celebration details.

Toronto’s Union Station is about to be transformed into a massive free roller skating rink

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Julia Mastroianni

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12:57 pm

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RollerExpressOpeningNight ShayMarkowitz 07346 — Courtesy Shay Markowitz

Sure, skating outdoors in the winter is fun — as long as you’re bundled up adequately. But if you’re the type to opt for hibernation when the first snowfall comes around, the perfect rink is returning to Union Station in December that will make winter a lot more fun! In past years, the area has been home to a free outdoor rink, but they’ve since switched gears to a retro roller skating rink. And the best part: it’s indoors!

Beginning on Nov. 26 and running until Jan. 18, the Roller Express experience offers 5,500 square feet of skating surface and a skating trail that leading into the carriageway tunnel that’s animated with lights for all the retro vibes. Along with the free rink comes free skate rentals and even free skating lessons, so that first-timers can still enjoy the rink.

rollerskatinglessonsunion — Free roller skating lessons at Union Winter.

If you’re an expert roller skater, you can bring your own skates, though everyone is required to sign a digital waiver before stepping on the rink.

Patrons of previous years’ Union Station ice rink might recall some special themed events, and this year, the roller skating rink will be hosting the same fun nights. Union Winter promises DJ nights, Winter Mixers for those 19+, festive holiday programming and of course plenty of family-friendly daytime sessions.

The rink opens at 11 a.m. every weekend and closes at 8:30 p.m. on Sundays and 11 p.m. on Saturdays (though 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. is for those over 19 only). Only Mondays, the rink opens from 4–8:30 p.m., while from Tuesdays to Fridays it opens at 1:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Make sure to check out the website for holiday hours! You can find the rink on the middle level of Union Station at the TD West Carriageway.

Don’t forget to book your spot in advance — all guests must pre-register for the Roller Express.

Raptors are back and Hungry: RJ Barrett talks winning, legacy and life in the 6ix

By

Ron Johnson

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5:34 am

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RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors — Toronto Raptors

As the Toronto Raptors get a new season underway, Toronto area product RJ Barrett says the vibe feels different — focused, confident and ready to win. After a few rebuilding years, Barrett has embraced his role as both a team leader and a proud Canadian representing his hometown team. We chat with Barrett about what’s next.

What feels different about this year compared to last season?

The past couple of years have been rebuilds, you know? This year, we’re really going for something. That’s been the mentality all summer and through training camp. We’re just ready to get it going.

How are you approaching your role this season?

I’m just here to do what I can to help the team win. I pride myself on being a player who can do a bit of everything, and I’m trying to bring that to the table every night.

What’s it been like getting to know and play alongside Brandon Ingram?

He’s a very skilled player — honestly, he makes my job a whole lot easier.

After a disappointing season last year, what’s been the message in the locker room?

We’re trying to get back to the playoffs and back on the right track. We want to win here in Toronto.

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With Canadian player Chris Boucher gone, it feels like you’re carrying the Canadian torch now. How does that feel?

CB had been carrying the torch for a while. It means a lot to me — especially being from just 30 minutes down the road [from Toronto]. It’s an amazing feeling.

You’ve talked before about inspiring Canadian kids. What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?

I remember being one of those kids who watched the Raptors growing up, so I know how much it means. I want to have a legacy as a Canadian kid who made it to the NBA and played for the Raptors — someone who showed kids they can achieve what they set their minds to. And, of course, I want to be remembered as a winner. I want to win a championship here.

Any favourite Toronto restaurants or hangouts?

I like going to places like Demetres.

You come from a basketball family. How does your dad still influence your game today?

I talk to him every day — he’s always on me. We pick each other’s brains. I’m at the point now where I know enough about basketball to challenge him on some things, which is fun.

Who’s the funniest guy on the team?

Jamal [Shead] is definitely in there. We’ve got a lot of funny guys.

Who’s the most intense?

Scottie [Barnes] is pretty intense most of the time.

Who’s your favourite player to match up against?

LeBron [James]. That’s always going to be a fun one.

There’s a hot chocolate trail near Toronto with more than 50 flavours to try this winter

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Jennifer Schembri

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1:00 pm

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SnapInsta Ai 3759415922692878825 — @niagarafallstourismcanada/Instagram

If your winter plans involve mittens, fairy lights, and an alarming amount of whipped cream, listen up: Niagara Falls is about to become your new cocoa playground. The Hot Chocolate Trail is back from November 28 to February 1, with 30 stops and over 50 decadent flavours to sip your way through. Think of it as a very delicious excuse to embrace the abysmal winter weather instead of hiding from it.

And this isn’t your basic milk chocolate situation. We’re talking inventive twists, boozy versions and everything in between at cafés, restaurants and attractions across Niagara. Stop by Beavertails Niagara Falls, D Spot Dessert Café, Ruby Tuesday’s, Hershey’s Chocolate World, or even Wayne Gretzky Estates out in wine country. Some spots are serving kid-sized mugs, while others are sneaking a little adult-friendly kick into your cup.

The free Hot Chocolate Trail Map is your guide. Download it from the Niagara Falls Tourism site, get it sent to your phone, and start exploring. Each stop features its own signature drink, with pricing listed in the map.

There’s also a contest: buy a featured hot chocolate, scan the location’s QR code and you’ll be entered to win prizes. The more cups you try, the better your odds.

Long before we were clutching peppermint mochas on Queen Street or sipping spiked cocoa at the cottage, hot chocolate had a much more interesting past. The ancient Mayans were the first to drink it — a frothy, unsweetened mix of cacao, water and spices meant for rituals, not cozy nights in. Europeans later got a hold of it, added sugar and milk and turned it into the silky, sweet comfort drink we now pair with snowy sidewalks and Christmas movies.

The trail runs alongside Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights (November 15 to January 4), so you can wander among glowing displays with a delicious steaming cup in hand.

This magical winter festival will bring more than 300,000 lights to Nathan Phillips Square

By

Nisean Lorde

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5:30 am

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Nathan Phillips Square, Cavalcade of LIghts

Toronto’s classic winter festival returns this month! The City’s annual Cavalcade of Lights runs at Nathan Phillips Square from Nov. 29 to Jan. 7, with the lights on nightly from dusk to 11 p.m. all season long. The plaza will be transformed into a magical winter display filled with music, skating and dazzling light installations.

The festivities launch with an opening night tree-lighting ceremony. The display includes more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights draped across the Square! This year’s theme celebrates illumination, cross-cultural performance and winter activity, with programming that mixes music, dance and visual art. Opening-night highlights include a candlelight concert under the stars, a skating show on the rink and a special Indigenous performance by DJ Classic Roots.

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Canadian pop artist Tyler Shaw headlines the evening, and family-friendly touches like Diya decoration workshops round out the lineup.

We know that skating at Nathan Phillips Square is a winter staple, so it’s front and centre throughout the festival!. If you’re a little clumsy on your feet, free skate rentals will be offered every Saturday from Dec. 6 to Jan 3 (4 to 10 p.m.). Regular nightly illumination continues from dusk until 11 pm, making the rink a photogenic stop, whether you’re lacing up or just grabbing a hot chocolate and taking in the lights!

If you’re looking for early family-friendly New Year’s plans, the celebrations continue into January! On Sunday, Jan. 4 (1-5 p.m.), the City hosts free, family-friendly New Year’s Skating Parties at four locations: McCowan District Park, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, Colonel Samuel Smith Park and Nathan Phillips Square.

Expect free skate rentals, hot chocolate, local DJs, and cold-weather activities, hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow and local councillors!

The festivities take place at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W.) and run nightly from Nov. 29, to Jan. 7 (the lights are on from dusk to 11 p.m.). Follow @cityofto for more updates.

A modern-day banya bathhouse just opened on Geary Avenue’s creative strip

By

Nisean Lorde

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5:00 pm

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If you’re looking for the perfect escape in the heart of the city, the Geary Avenue strip is filled with creative energy, an enviable indie food scene, lively patios, cafés and warehouse-style art spaces.

And now we can add a world-famous bathhouse spa to the mix.

SANA just opened on Geary Ave, east of Dufferin in the Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction area. The modern-day “banya” is a social sanctuary that blends thermal rituals with a restaurant-and-bar vibe, so you can rotate between heat, steam, and cold plunges and then linger over drinks and shareable plates with friends.

Unlike traditional spas, SANA isn’t just a place to unwind in near-silence. Expect European bathhouse traditions filtered through contemporary design and hospitality, making it a great spot to catch up with friends, go on a romantic date night or even head over for a casual business chat.

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“We wanted SANA to feel like a mix between a retreat and your favourite local spot,” spa co-founder Jamie Webster said. “Somewhere you can unwind, meet friends, or just take a breath. It’s about feeling good and connected, not checking out.”

SANA is split across two floors, each flowing with distinct energy. Upstairs is where the core thermal circuit lives, so you’ll find saunas, a restorative steam room and cold plunges, as well as a tea lounge for resets between rounds.

At 50°C, the steam room is a thermal ritual rooted in balance and renewal. Hot vapour relaxes your airways, opens your pores and encourages detoxification.

Downstairs, there’s a full-service restaurant, bar and all-season patio serving fresh juices, kombucha, as well as a complete cocktail and food menu meant to both nourish and delight the senses. The dining room boasts a menu curated by head chef Mikey Wyspianski (of the pop-up series HERE & THERE). Expect handmade pierogi, mushroom schnitzel, crisp Old Country Salad, tartare, banya boards with rye and pickles, and a tasty cocktail list.

The entire space breathes soft minimalism: think tactile finishes and custom woodwork layered with curated scents and sounds.

“We’ve been intentional about bringing together music, scent, and atmosphere in a way that feels contemporary yet deeply grounding,” Co-Founder Malcolm Levy said. “It’s our nod to the bathhouse traditions of Europe, but reimagined through a modern cultural lens—something that feels uniquely of this city and this time.”

If anything, the space will let you trade wind chill for warmth, all without leaving the city!

SANA is located at 211 Geary Ave and offers Day Passes (currently $60), Off-Peak Day Passes ($40, Tues-Fri, 10 am-3 pm, adjusted at checkout), 5- and 10-pass bundles, and a $300/month membership (three-month commitment) for unlimited access.

To learn more or to book your experience, visit www.sanasana.ca or @sanasana.ca.

After SANA, explore these five other ways to avoid all thoughts of winter in Toronto right now.

Vancouver’s cult-favourite katsu spot just opened its first Toronto location⁠

By

Nisean Lorde

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1:40 pm

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Toronto’s katsu scene just got a new heavyweight. Saku, the Vancouver-born chain known for its perfectly crispy pork tonkatsu, had its soft opening earlier this week just steps from Sankofa Square.

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Founded by David Lim, Saku built its following out west with golden fried pork and chicken katsu sets served with rice, shredded cabbage and tonjiru miso soup. In October 2024, Lim took the concept to Dragon’s Den, asking for $800,000 for 8 percent of the company to fund expansion — a deal was struck, and a year later, the Toronto shop is here.

If you’ve ever queued for Saku in B.C., you know what’s coming: perfectly fried pork, chicken, and seafood cutlets, plated with care and served generously. Toronto’s dine-in menu mirrors its West Coast counterpart, with each katsu set coming with unlimited rice, tonjiru pork-and-miso soup, and shredded cabbage.

A must-try includes the Tokujyo Rosu (premium pork cut loin) along with the signature Cheese Katsu (deep-fried breaded mozzarella wrapped with thinly sliced pork loin), and a line-up that spans chicken thighs, prawn-and-scallop ebi-hotate, whitefish, as well as vegetarian tofu-and-veg options.

If you’re craving curry or noodles, Toronto diners can enjoy Saku’s katsu curries—pork, chicken, seafood, and veggie—plus a trio of udon options: kake, chilled bukkake, and curry udon. Perfect for sharing and mixing with friends. Round out the meal with sides like menchi-cheese (deep-fried pork with cheese), jumbo ebi, wild-caught scallops and house-made potato and pumpkin croquettes.

Wash your meal down with a peach or watermelon-flavoured Japanese Soda, Honeydew Ramune or a plain green tea.

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Most katsu sets land in the mid-$20s, while the all-in Zenbu Katsu sampler tops out around $41. Expect lines and plan to get there early and bring your appetite!

Saku is located at 22 Edward St. Soft-opening hours are Mon-Sun, 11:30 am-3 pm | 5 pm-9:30 pm. Reservations aren’t accepted at this time.

Visit Saku for more info or follow them on Instagram.

Largest indoor agricultural event in the world just opened in Toronto

By

Ron Johnson

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11:23 am

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One of Toronto’s most popular fall traditions is back. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair officially opened its doors today at Exhibition Place, marking its 103rd year of celebrating Canadian agriculture, food, and equestrian excellence.

This morning’s grand opening ceremony featured a lineup of special guests, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation delivered a welcome, and the 2025 Royal Ambassador — a miniature donkey named Rosie — added a dose of charm.

Running from Nov. 7 to 17 at the Enercare Centre, this year’s Royal offers an expanded lineup of events, blending world-class competition with interactive family experiences and festive flair.

The Chef’s Table Presented by Milk returns with a roster of culinary superstars, including celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Bonacini, Eric Robertson of Michelin-starred Pearl Morissette, and other top Canadian chefs. Guests can enjoy multi-course meals or brunches with a nod to sustainability, seasonality, and local producers. Daily cooking classes will also be offered, featuring acclaimed chefs such as Jason Bangerter of Langdon Hall, Coulson Armstrong of Prime Seafood Palace, and Amanda Ray of Drake Devonshire.

Superdogs (photo: Ben Radvanyi, @theroyalfair/Instagram)

The Royal’s Holiday Market is a new happening this time around and brings a seasonal hit to the fairgrounds with artisan goods, handmade crafts, and gourmet treats — plus a special visit from Santa, who’ll be available for photos from Nov. 12 to 16.

Equestrian fans can look forward to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto, presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, which brings Olympic-calibre riders to the city. Other highlights include the Royal Rodeo Finals on Nov. 16, emceed by Heartland star Amber Marshall, and the return of Sylvia Zerbini’s Liberté, a breathtaking performance blending artistry and horsemanship.

Families will also enjoy the Shetland Pony Races, the popular Global Pet Foods SuperDogs, and interactive exhibits like the School of Moo, presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The University of Guelph Showcase returns to spotlight innovation in agri-food sustainability and research, and the Royal Petting Farm invites kids to meet farm animals up close.

Now more than a century old, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair remains a cornerstone of Toronto’s festive calendar — an event that celebrates rural heritage and agricultural innovation in the heart of Canada’s largest city. With a mix of fine dining, family fun, and competitive spirit, The Royal continues to reflect both the history and the future of Canadian farming and food.

Oh, and let’s not forget butter sculptures!

For more details or to purchase tickets, visit www.royalfair.org.

Toronto’s Gardiner Museum reopens with $15.5 million makeover and monumental solo exhibition

By

Nisean Lorde

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10:27 am

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The Gardiner Museum’s fully transformed ground floor has just reopened, with a new Gallery of Indigenous Ceramics and a monumental solo exhibition from New York-based sculptor Linda Rotua Sormin.

The $15.5-million renovation is the museum’s most ambitious capital project in two decades, and it reimagines what a ceramics institution can be in 2025 and beyond.

The reimagined 9,000-square-foot ground floor, designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects and Andrew Jones Design in collaboration with architect Chris Cornelius (studio:indigenous), weaves together new Collection Galleries, a fully equipped Makerspace, and a Community Learning Centre, placing community programming at the core of the museum.

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Visitors will encounter the transformation as soon as they enter! Here are a few highlights to look out for:

The Gardiner’s first-ever Gallery of Indigenous Ceramics, curated by Franchesca Hebert-Spence (Anishinaabe, Sagkeeng First Nation) in collaboration with Cornelius’s architectural installation yelákhwaˀ (container-“one uses it to be in”), focuses on living Indigenous ceramic traditions from the Great Lakes and beyond
A major new commission by Algonquin artist Nadia Myre (Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg) anchors the ground floor: an installation built from handmade ceramic beads and clay pipe stems gathered along London’s River Thames. Myre’s palette is a nod to the Canadian Shield. The project lands alongside news of a $9 million gift from the Radlett Foundation, which helped fund the transformation.
The museum’s headliner: Linda Rotua Sormin: Uncertain Ground (runs Nov 6, 2025-April 12, 2026). This is the artist’s first solo museum exhibition and her largest project to date! The multi-level installation blends clay, video, sound, and objects into a dense, web-like environment where roosters, tigers, and dragons flicker through a thicket of ceramic fragments. The project delves into Rotua’s Batak ancestry in Indonesia, exploring diaspora and belonging.

“For twenty years, I’ve fed found, broken bits of ceramic into sculptures and installations—my hand-pinched forms have a big appetite for porcelain figurines and other discarded objects,” Sormin said in a statement. “Five years ago, I learned that Batak shamans traditionally used pottery from China, Vietnam, and Thailand in their spiritual practices, carving Batak imagery into wooden stoppers that sealed these vessels. Realizing that my impulse to gather and remake is part of an old lineage shifted everything in my work—storytelling started to happen through video, painting, and the voices of my family.”

The Gardiner Museum is located at 111 Queens Park. Head over Nov 8-9, 2025, for the free celebration weekend! The whole museum will come to life with hands-on clay activities, tours, live music, food, dance and more. Check out this weekend’s schedule or download the full event program.

This will officially be Toronto’s first Christmas without the iconic Hudson’s Bay holiday windows

By

Julia Mastroianni

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9:15 am

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hudson's bay windows — The Hudson's Bay windows in 2014. Courtesy Robert Stirling/flickr

The holiday season in Toronto brings up all kinds of traditions for different people. Maybe that’s a visit to the Distillery Winter Village, or admiring the twinkling Christmas lights in Yorkville. But for many, at one point, it was strolling by the Hudson’s Bay holiday windows in Toronto’s Financial District — often decked with things like nutcrackers, tiny elves and fake snow. Now that the company has liquidated and closed all stores in Canada, what does that mean for the iconic holiday windows?

The Hudson’s Bay Company, known as Canada’s oldest retailer, filed for creditor protection earlier this year and eventually closed all retail stores in Canada by June 2025.

Back in 2023, the Hudson’s Bay flagship store ceased their holiday window displays due to Ontario Line construction on Queen Street. Of course, back then, there was hope that the Christmas tradition would return once construction was over. But now, with the closure of all Hudson’s Bay locations, we can sadly say that the wintry windows are gone for good.

Hudson s Bay Pentatonix Delights the City of Toronto with Show S — Hudson’s Bay holiday window, titled Christmas in the City, in 2017. (CNW Group/Hudson’s Bay)

For decades, the Hudson’s Bay holiday windows have enchanted Torontonians and visitors alike. Originally, the windows that city goers looked forward to belonged to the Canadian department store Simpson’s, the original occupants of the building.

Although the exact date is unknown, by around the 1930s Simpson’s began to indulge in the art of the holiday window. Simpson’s made it a magical spectacle that drew crowds to its windows, and thus a tradition was born.

When the Hudson’s Bay moved into the building by 1978 after Simspon’s struggled with financial woes, they adopted the same ritual. Over time, it was clear that these windows weren’t just a spot to stop by and gaze at the displays. It became a yearly unveiling that rivaled even large U.S. department stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s holiday window reveals.

In past years, windows have replicated the nativity scene, and have also featured winter wonderlands fit with snowmen. In 2019 the store even did an interactive Santa’s workshop theme, followed by a ceremony with then-Mayor John Tory.

One famous window display in 2016 rang in the holiday season with an enchanted forest theme which had 34 hand-sculpted spirit holiday animals and huge LED walls, as well as mixed garlands and twinkling lights. People gathering to see the unveiling were also welcomed with a performance by Mariah Carey.

hudsonbaywindow — The 2016 Hudson’s Bay holiday window. Courtesy David Pike

Although Torontonians won’t be able to congregate at the celebrated Queen and Yonge windows (and thanks to the continued Ontario Line work on Queen Street, that entire stretch is blocked off to the public anyway), other holiday windows are scattered throughout the city. Consider other spectacular displays around the city like Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street location or the windows at the Fairmont Royal York. The Junction neighbourhood has also made a tradition out of their Winter Wonderland art exhibition, transforming the area into a free outdoor art gallery with 20 stops full of holiday magic.

Nevertheless, The Hudson’s Bay windows were an iconic memory in Toronto and will be missed by holiday-lovers across the city.

This quaint brewery town near Toronto is filled with heritage-lined streets and cozy pubs

By

Nisean Lorde

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5:00 am

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There are still a few weeks before winter truly sets in. If you’re looking for a picturesque spot to enjoy the last bits of the autumn season, there’s a quaint town nestled among the rolling farm hills in Simcoe County.

Creemore is tucked away in Clearview Township on the Niagara Escarpment, between the Mad and Noisy Rivers, about two hours north of Toronto. It boasts a walkable main street, a destination craft brewery, and a cute community green space with scenic trailheads just minutes away (so you can sip a lager, browse an indie bookshop and hike a limestone bluff all before dinner!)

Start your journey on Mill Street and explore the Village Green: it’s super compact and very strollable. The year-round public space hosts events, a splash pad/fountain during the summer, and seasonal programming like stargazing nights and a tree-lighting ceremony in early December.

In the fall, you’ll definitely want to check out the nearby trails. Explore the 400-acre Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area and you’ll discover the most gorgeous escarpment lookouts, caves and hardwood forests! Noisy River Provincial Park is a quiet nature reserve with a Bruce Trail section, while Highlands Nordic in Duntroon (about 20 minutes away) offers fall and winter activities, disc golf in season, cross-country ski trails, snowshoe routes and a huge lodge.

Support local businesses by exploring the surrounding indie shops. Curiosity House Books on Mill St is a pink brick-and-mortar bookstore with a carefully curated selection of books and literary events (perfect for a midday coffee-and-browse). Just up the block is Heirloom 142, a space stocked with old-world home goods and candles (it’s a great place for early Christmas shopping), while Creemore 100 Mile Store sells organic and naturally grown food from local suppliers.

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Craft beer lovers will adore the Creemore Springs Brewery. It’s been a pillar of the town since the 1980s, and is the perfect spot to learn more about their brewing process, everything from ingredient selection to fermentation and bottling (of course, you’ll have a chance to sample the brewery’s range of craft beers and purchase some freshly brewed beverages to take home!)

Next up, wander to the historic log cabin (the village’s last surviving log residence, built in the 1870s) and the pint-sized Creemore jail (built in 1892). At 4.5 x 6 meters, it’s the smallest three-cell jail structure in all of North America. Thankfully, it became a tourist attraction in the 1960s, so the jail is free to visit and explore inside (it makes for a fun photo stop!)

Afterward, check out the town’s delicious eats. The Pine is only 25 minutes away from the downtown core and offers immersive tasting menus! Headed by husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Cassie Austin, the prix-fixe menu showcases local ingredients (primarily sourced from Cassie’s parents’ farm) alongside a curated selection of Ontario wines.

The Old Mill House Pub has been a community staple since 1927 and offers house-made comfort food and taps, while the Bank Café is the perfect spot for sandwiches, soups, coffee and seasonal burgers (word is they have the best carrot cake around). Chez Michel Restaurant is a long-running French bistro known for leisurely lunches and date-night dinners (try the French onion soup), and then head over to YF Patissier Chocolatier for delicious desserts!

After exploring Creemore, check out these other charming Ontario towns that are perfect for a weekend getaway.