10 free things to do in Toronto this winter

The top free things to do in Toronto this winter will keep you outdoors and entertained, but inside and happy as well. The city is super excited about the new Ice Breaker outdoor art show, which will transform bleak areas into places of hope and creativity. There's also the No Pants Subway Ride if you need a laugh.

Events you might want to check out:

Kensington Market Winter Solstice Parade (December 21 @ Kensington Market)
Celebrate the Solstice community-style in a luminescent lantern-lit procession through Kensington. See theatrical scenarios, a myriad of performers and giant puppets, and the fiery finale at Alexandra Park just behind Scadding Court (Bathurst and Dundas). It all starts at 6:30 p.m.
NYE Nathan Phillips Square (December 31 - January 1 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Join thousands of festive folks in the centre of the city for Toronto's biggest skating and dance party, complete with fireworks and all kinds of live entertainment. The fun begins around 8 p.m. with DJs, performers, hot chocolate everywhere and of course a countdown to 2017 just before midnight.
Festival of new formats (January 3-6 @ Comedy Bar)
The Festival of New Formats is a comedy testing ground for Toronto sketch, improv and stand-up artits. It's where some of Comedy Bar's best recurring shows got their start and it runs for a full week. All shows are free and usually start around 8 p.m.
No Pants Subway Ride (January 8 @ TTC)
It's now become a thing of legends, but it's real and it's still hilariously fun. "Pants are just a fancy word for leg jail," according to organizers and this year is the 15th anniversary.
Japanese movies at Hot Docs (January 8-15 @ Hot Docs Cinema)
The Japan Foundation of Toronto and Hot Docs join forces once again this year to present free Japanese films at the theatre. For three Sundays in January, catch some amazing movies from a world of cinema all of its own.
Toronto Design Offsite Festival (January 16 @ Church of the Holy Trinity)
This is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design with over 100 exhibitions and events. There are a bunch of exhibition and parties, so check out the official website for the full and fascinating lineup.
Ryerson Image Centre Winter Season (January 18 - April 9 @ Ryerson Image Centre and other locations)
The Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) and Black Artist's Networks Dialogue (BAND) team up to present "a season of exhibitions exploring historical and ongoing struggles for justice between people of colour and police forces representing the state." No Justice, No Peace: From Ferguson to Toronto at the Gladstone Hotel from February 2 to 26 is a major highlight.
DJ Skate Nights (February 4 @ Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre)
DJ Skate Nights at Harbourfront Centre have become a winter party staple. Grab some boozy hot chocolate by the rink at Boxcar Social after you hit the ice.
Ice Breakers (January 21 - February 26 @ Various locations along Queens Quay )
Ice Breakers is a month-long public art exhibition in collaboration with the folks who bring you Winter Stations that will showcase five wintertime art installations at different public locations on Queens Quay, from Yonge Street to Bathurst. The outdoor art show runs until February 26.
Winter Stations 2017 (February 20 - March 27 @ The Beach)
Winter Stations is back for its third year, and once again, it is inviting Torontonians to get outside to explore the city’s winter waterfront landscapes. This year, the public art exhibition will welcome six new lifeguard stands to Balmy, Kew and Ashbridges Bay beaches in Toronto’s east end, situated south of Queen Street East and between Woodbine and Victoria Park. Your Instagram account will love you for this.

by Phil Villeneuve via blogTO