How I make the most of fall and winter in Toronto
Hey, it’s Ido, your student ambassador! I’m a fourth year Image Arts: Film student in my final year at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). A big part of the reason I chose TMU was how embedded it is in the city. It’s super centrally located, which means there’s always something to do.
Over the past 3 years, I’ve had the chance to experience the city year-round, from wearing T-shirts to turtlenecks. No matter the season, Toronto’s got something to offer. If you want to get an idea of how a TMU student makes the most of the city during the fall and winter months, here are some of my favourite activities!
Fall
Nuit Blanche
If you want to experience an exciting outdoor art event that takes place entirely at night, you’ve got to check out Nuit Blanche (external link) . It’s an annual event that kicks off fall in Toronto, transforming streets and public spaces into an outdoor art gallery.
You can wander through downtown blocks and discover installations, live performances and interactive exhibits. It's a great way to get a feel for the city at night and support local artists!
Nuit Blanche installations can often be found on the TMU campus!
Halloween
How much spookiness can you handle?! If you’re a Halloween enthusiast, you’ll love seeing Toronto transform into a creepy and costumed city in late October. There are usually haunted house events on campus (if you’re brave enough…) and some more elaborate ones close by, like Legends of Horror (external link) at Casa Loma. On the night of the 31st, everyone’s invited to Church Street for Toronto’s biggest Halloween party (external link) . High-effort, elaborate costumes are appreciated here!
Scenic routes
As the leaves change colour and the weather permits layered clothing, Toronto becomes the perfect place to enjoy fall scenery and capture photos.
Whether strolling through a colourful Kerr Quad or travelling off campus to High Park, any picturesque Toronto spot will do the trick. Some fresh fall air is just good for the soul!
I love walking by the lake on the Toronto Islands, which are less crowded in the fall!
Catch a sports game
If you were lucky enough to score postseason MLB tickets this year, then you probably don’t need any reminding of how fun it is to attend a game with friends. Toronto’s got plenty of teams to keep up with: the Jays, Raptors, Sceptres, Leafs, Toronto FC — just to name a few. Whether you’re sitting in the stands or in a crowded pub watching the game, being surrounded by the energy of fellow fans always makes for a good time. You can also keep up with the TMU Bold’s schedule (external link) and attend free varsity sports games year-round with your TMU OneCard!
My least favourite part about fall is how quickly it turns into winter. I’ll admit it: enjoying winter doesn’t come naturally to me. That said, Toronto can be beautiful and quite eventful during the winter. I’ve learned that getting through the winter — and for me, it is truly a matter of ‘getting through it’ — relies on participating in some of the winter-friendly activities Toronto has to offer. Here are some of my favourites.
Winter
The Distillery Winter Village
What better way to kick off winter and get in the holiday spirit than sipping on some hot chocolate in one of the city’s most festive spots: the Distillery District’s Winter Village (external link) . I usually visit the Distillery right around mid-December, when I’m done with exams. The cobblestone streets are decorated with sparkling lights and vendors sell gifts and holiday-inspired drinks.
Attend a play
As the temperature drops and being outside becomes less appealing, attending live theatre is one of my favourite ways to spend a winter night. Toronto has so many great independent theatres, like Crow’s Theatre (external link) in the east end and Tarragon Theatre (external link) in the west end. Like many of Toronto’s community cultural institutions, having a university ID, like your OneCard, can help you get student ticket prices.
Visit museums and galleries
If theatre’s not your thing, you can also visit one of the city’s museums or galleries. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) (external link) is free for Ontarians under 25, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) (external link) is free for university students every Tuesday, and TMU’s on-campus gallery, the Image Centre (external link) , is always free for anyone.
These galleries and museums frequently refresh their exhibits, so it’s worth checking their websites for something that catches your attention. Alternatively, come for the art and culture, and stay for the gift shop!
Appreciating some modern art on my last trip to the AGO.
Skating at Lake Devo or Nathan Phillips
Toronto’s a great place to engage in one of Canada’s favourite winter pastimes: skating. Just a few minutes away from campus is Nathan Phillips Square, where dozens of other Torontonians will be happily skating along with you. If you’re trying to squeeze in a quick skate in between classes, you can do so at Lake Devo, the campus pond-turned-ice-rink on Gould Street.
Toronto’s energy never drops — even when the temperature does. Enjoying Toronto’s seasonal activities is the best way to immerse yourself in what the city has to offer. As a TMU student, having the city right at your doorstep makes it easy to explore, stay inspired and make the most of every season.
Until next time,
Ido, your student ambassador