By Shannon Del Marco
If you’re staying close to home in Emery Village this New Year’s Eve, chances are it will be a relaxed night of good food, good company, and a countdown shared with friends or family. But for those looking to be right in the middle of the action, downtown Toronto is where the city truly comes alive as the clock ticks toward midnight.
Toronto’s free New Year’s Eve celebration along the waterfront begins at 10 p.m., with energy building right through to the fireworks at midnight. The harbourfront becomes a moving celebration, with pop-up performances, music, dancing, light installations, and plenty of space to wander, take it all in, and enjoy the moment.
Sherbourne Common offers an incredible view of the fireworks and lively entertainment throughout the night, including dance lessons and surprise performances. Over at the Toronto Music Garden, short films from the National Film Board of Canada are projected onto the Canada Malting Silos, creating a uniquely Toronto backdrop for the countdown. Harbourfront Centre anchors the evening with live music, skating during Winterfest, and a high-energy main stage featuring this year’s headliner, Lu Kala. After the fireworks, the celebration keeps going with a DJ-led dance party until 1 a.m.
One of the best parts of the night is getting there and back. The TTC and GO Transit are offering free rides on December 31, making it easy to enjoy the night without worrying about parking or driving.
Fireworks can be seen from multiple waterfront locations, including Sugar Beach, HTO Park, Harbour Square Park, and Harbourfront Centre, so there’s no shortage of great viewing spots.
To plan your night, visit https://www.toronto.ca// for the City of Toronto’s official New Year’s Eve guide and choose the experience that suits you best.