Festivales y eventos

A nocturnal animals scavenger hunt at Parliament Street Library, on all day during library hours from November 2 to 30, 2026. Toronto Public Library lists it among its free programs for children.

An evening with author Rachel Cusk about Life of M at the Toronto Reference Library, Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7 PM to 8 PM. Part of Toronto Public Library's Salon Series; the library asks you to reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.

A chance to meet the winner of the 2026 Giller Prize at the Toronto Reference Library, Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6 PM to 7 PM. Part of Toronto Public Library's Salon Series; the library asks you to reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.

An event on the connection oriented leader featuring Jody Wilson-Raybould and other guests, at the Toronto Reference Library, Monday, November 16, 2026, 7 PM to 8 PM. Part of Toronto Public Library's Salon Series; the library asks you to reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.

An evening with Hazel Mae around Before I Let You Go at the Toronto Reference Library, Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7 PM to 8 PM. Part of Toronto Public Library's Salon Series; the library asks you to reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.

The prize ceremony for the 2026 Toronto Book Awards at the Toronto Reference Library, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 7 PM to 8 PM. Part of Toronto Public Library's Salon Series; the library asks you to reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.

DJs spin house, disco, R&B, soca, Afrobeats and more on Harbourfront Centre's waterfront rink, Saturdays from 8 PM to 10 PM, December 19, 2026 to February 13, 2027 (plus a New Year's Eve edition). Harbourfront Centre lists the series as free, and skate rentals are free every Saturday for all ages and sizes.

A New Year's Eve countdown on the waterfront: skate on the rink while DJ JJ Rock plays R&B, hip hop, dancehall, Afrobeats, soca and old school tracks, then watch a 10 minute fireworks show set to music over the lake at midnight. Thursday, December 31, 2026, from 8 PM, fireworks from midnight to 12:10 AM. Free, no tickets required.

A festive train ride through Harbourfront Centre's winter campus, with twinkling lights and holiday festivities along the way, presented with Redpath. It runs Fridays 5 PM to 9 PM, Saturdays noon to 9 PM and Sundays noon to 6 PM from November 20 to December 20, 2026. Free admission, no tickets required.

Illuminair lights up HarbourFrost with winter themed fire performances: several artists spin and dance with a variety of fire apparatus in choreographed group routines, suitable for all ages. Short 30 minute shows on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 20 to December 19, 2026, mostly between 6 and 9:30 p.m., at Community Square. Free, no tickets required.

During HarbourFrost, a troupe of winter circus characters, from Snow Queens and Ice Princesses to Nutcrackers and Toy Soldiers, roams Harbourfront Centre with hoop acts, dance and stilt walking for all ages. Weekends from November 20 to December 19, 2026, mostly Saturdays 5 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 3 to 6 p.m., around Community Square. Free, no tickets required.

Free film screenings for adults and teens in the auditorium of the Ottawa Public Library Main branch on Metcalfe Street. Coming up: Agora (Nov 9), Little Women 2019 (Nov 16), Atomic Blonde (Nov 23) and Wuthering Heights 2026 (Nov 30). Mondays at 6:00 PM, running about two hours. Free drop in screenings, no registration needed.