Toronto New Year’s Eve 2020 Guide for Kids and Family

New Year’s Eve is for kids, too! If you’re looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year with your children this year, here’s a list of family-friendly events in Toronto and the surrounding area to ring in 2019!

Family-Friendly New Year’s Events

These events are either family-friendly or kid-focused. Some begin quite early in the day, and some require advanced booking, so be sure to plan ahead.

New Year’s Eve at Nathan Phillips Square

Get ready for the biggest New Year’s Eve event in the Toronto area, New Year’s Eve at Nathan Phillips Square. Entertainment includes a DJ skating party, live musical performances, and fireworks to end the night.

When: Dec. 31, 8 pm–midnight
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto
Cost: Free

Noon Year’s Celebration at the Library

Forget staying up until midnight and count down to noon instead! Several Toronto Public Library branches are hosting celebrations with crafts, activities, and a countdown to noon. All ages are welcome. Participating branches are College/Shaw, Jane/Dundas, Bloor/Gladstone, Richview, S. Walter Stewart, Northern District, and Cedarbrae. The St. James Town branch is hosting a party on December 28, and Don Mills’ party is on December 29.

When: Most celebrations are Dec. 31, 11 am–noon, but check each branch for details
Where: Find TPL branch locations
Cost: Free

Noon Year’s Mini Masquerade Ball at Glama Gal Tween Spa

Purchase tickets in advance for Glama Gal Tween Spa’s popular two-hour event with confetti manicures, glitter hair and makeup, a pink balloon drop, and dance party. For ages 5 and up.

When: Dec. 31 at 10 am or 12:30 pm
Where: Two Toronto locations in East York and North York; see all locations
Cost: $45/child

Christmas in the Valley

Step back in time to experience Christmas in the 1890s and the 1940s at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site as you sample historic recipes, make take-home crafts, and explore the winter-themed outdoor experience of the Wildflower Preserve.

When: Dec. 31, 10 am–2 pm; more dates available
Where: Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd., Toronto
Cost: $8 adults, $7 youth and seniors, $5 kids

Aurora Winter Festival

Head over to the West Island of Ontario Place for the first-ever Aurora Winter Festival. The park closes at 8:00 pm on Dec 31st, but if you have young kids that’s plenty of time to enjoy the winter celebration and head home in time for the ball to drop.

When: Dec. 31, 2 pm–8 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto
Cost: $13 for kids, $18 for adults, $50 for a family of 4

ROM for the Holidays

Head to the Royal Ontario Museum for family-friendly programs. Discover over 30,000 species that feed on blood at the Legends to Leeches exhibit, explore an extraordinary collection of classic horror and sci-fi movie posters, and catch a glimpse into the world’s most stunning wildlife photography. There’s a lot for families and friends of all ages to explore at the Museum.

When: Dec. 31, 10 am–5:30 pm; more dates available
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, Toronto
Cost: Regular admission applies: $20 adults; $14 kids; additional fee for special exhibits

Gingerbread Make and Bake at Fort York National Historic Site

While you enjoy a tour of Fort York, your kids can learn to bake traditional 1800s gingerbread cookies using period cooking utensils and tools. Samples can be taken home—if they last that long. For ages 4 and up.

When: Dec. 31 at 11 am and 2 pm; more dates available
Where: Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd., Toronto
Cost: Regular admission applies: $14 adults, $8 youth and seniors, $6 kids; ages 5 and under free

The Quest to Save Christmas Family Escape Room

The Grinch has kidnapped Santa’s Head Elf in charge of the reindeer. You have 60 minutes to gain access to her office and create magical reindeer dust in time to save Christmas. A not-scary escape room experience, designed with kids in mind.

When: December 31, various times—other dates available
Where: Mysterious Minds, 322 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Cost: $22 adults, $17 kids

Family Shows

These family-friendly shows are a special way to spend New Year’s Eve. These productions are ongoing and have tickets available for December 31.

Anastasia

The holiday season is the perfect time to take the family to a stunning musical performance. Inspired by the beloved films, Anastasia brings the romantic and adventure-filled story to the stage.

When: December 31 at 1:30 pm; more dates available
Where: Ed Mirvish Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $39

Ross Petty’s Lil Red Robin Hood

Ross Petty is back, and this year’s show features the classic characters of Little Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood—Lil’ Red, Maid Marion, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Sheriff of Naughtyham—but with a twist on the story, and a lot of fun involved. Happening for the first time at the Winter Garden Theatre. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

When: Dec. 31, at 2 pm; more dates available
Where: Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., Toronto
Cost: Tickets from $27

Peter Pan

Follow the boy who won’t grow up to Neverland, along with Tinkerbell, Wendy, and Captain Hook, in this musical performance of Peter Pan. For ages 3 and up.

When: Dec. 31 at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm; more dates available
Where: Soulpepper Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $25

The Illusionists—Magic of the Holidays

Be amazed by an ensemble of spectacular performers including mind-readers, magicians, escape artists, and daredevils in this thrilling, jam-packed show for ages 5 and up.

When: Dec. 30 at 1:30 pm; more dates available
Where: Meridian Hall (formerly the Sony Centre)
Cost: Tickets from $69

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre presents this rollicking new musical. Come along and follow the much-loved marionette, Pinocchio, on his mischievous quest to become a real human being. For ages 5 and up.

When: Dec. 31 at 2:30 pm—more dates available
Where: Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., Toronto
Cost: Tickets from $33

Beyond Toronto: New Year’s Eve for Kids in the GTA

There’s plenty of family celebrations for those who don’t live in Toronto proper. Here are some kid-friendly activities for you to ring in the New Year.

New Year’s Eve at Celebration Square (Mississauga)

Ring in the New Year’s at this family-friendly celebration with a DJ skate, live musical performances, and a fireworks finale.

When: Dec. 31, 8 pm–midnight
Where: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr., Mississauga
Cost: Free

First Night Newmarket

Celebrate the end of 2019 with indoor family entertainment at First Night, including a glow in the dark dance party, free public skating and swimming, inflatables, face painting, and more. Join the countdown and fireworks outside at 9 pm.

When: Dec. 31, 5–9 pm
Where: Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., Newmarket
Cost: Free

First Night Richmond Hill

Skip the late night and head to this family-friendly First Night celebration. Tons of activities, including arts and crafts; Festival Land with inflatables, slides, and more; video games; live musical performances; and, of course, fireworks.

When: Dec. 31, 6–9 pm
Where: Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill
Cost: Free

New Year’s Eve Skate and Swim (Pickering)

Enjoy a free family skate and swim with games, prizes and a countdown to the new year at Pickering’s Skate and Swim event.

When: Dec. 31, 7—9 pm
Where: Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering
Cost: Free with a food donation

Coyote Howl Hike (Oakville)

Hike into the woods with park rangers to howl like coyotes and hopefully hear them answer your call on this educational nature hike. Followed by a bonfire and a New Year’s Eve (early) countdown for kids. No reservations required.

When: Dec. 31, 7–9 pm
Where: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville
Cost: $18/vehicle

Noon Year’s Mini Masquerade Ball (Ajax, Newmarket, Oakville, Vaughan)

A popular two-hour party at Glama Gal Tween Spa locations for ages 5 and up with confetti manicures, glitter hair and makeup, a pink balloon drop, and dance party. Reservations are required.

When: Dec. 31 at 10 am or 12:30 pm
Where: Glama Gal Tween Spa locations in Ajax, East York, Newmarket, Oakville, Toronto, Vaughan; see all locations
Cost: $45/child

New Year’s Nature Hoopla (Milton)

Take your new year’s celebration outdoors for this nature party. The New Year’s Nature Hoopla is complete with a play barn, wagon rides, night hike, and puppet show—plus hibernation stations and a bonfire to keep warm. Kids’ countdown at 9 pm.

When: Dec. 31, 5:30–9 pm
Where: Mountsberg Conservation Area, 2259 Millburough Line, Campbellville
Cost: $25 adults, $16 seniors and kids ages 5 and up, $6 kids ages 1–4; infants free