ENJOY THE SEASON!
It’s winter in Toronto and some of us may be feeling slightly less motivated to get out and experience city life. Certainly, binging Netflix, curling up with a book, or playing a marathon game of Monopoly will hold extra appeal when it’s minus 20, but at some point we all need a change of scenery.
Fortunately, Toronto has a lot more on offer than skating and tobogganing. If you are looking for something fun and different, here are our Top Six picks for unique and engaging winter experiences in the 416, regardless of your age or budget.
PSYCHADELICS – The Experimental Exhibition
The Psychedelic Renaissance is here, and Toronto is celebrating with a captivating, eye-popping experiential art exhibition. Have your mind-expanded and perspective changed, with this enlightening trip through the long, strange history of psychedelic substances. From their origins in indigenous healing rituals, to their current applications in Western clinical therapy, visitors will discover an immersive experience like none other. The event features carefully-curated rooms, rare historical artifacts, brilliant innovative art, and extraordinary renderings of the magic and mysteries of psychedelics.
Runs through December 31st
OLD TOWN – Toronto’s Playground of Clues
Discover an intriguing trail in and around Toronto’s historic Old Town! Solve riddles about subtle details or easily overlooked facts, and follow cryptic directions to proceed. Stumble on synthetic paradises and wildlife in stone, steel, glass, and bronze. Learn which honoured Scottish-Canadian reformer had a hard time seeing eye to eye with his peers; which vengeful architect had the last word; where an ember of war became a symbol for peace, and much more.
This is an ideal trail for curious locals or tourists with a thirst for a self-guided tour with a twist. With comfort stops along the way, it’s an ideal way to explore…perfect for solo adventurers or teams with a competitive streak!
Runs through May 29th
MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OF TORONTO – Christmas and Winter Show
Experience the romance of the rails. Since the last public shows in February 2020, the MRCT has made great strides in completing the layout of their railway. This visit will be an excellent opportunity to view the large O-Scale model railway under construction and in operation. With the majority of the trackwork now completed, a lot more scenery has been completed including construction of new bridges, industrial scenes, super-detailing and completion of the signal system. Further enhancements to the digital control system allow more trains operating over the entire mainline and in the yards. There’s lots to see and all proceeds go into the reconstruction. Great family fun for all ages at Canada’s premier O-Scale club!
December 28 & 29, February 19, 20 & 26
SEEING THE INVISIBLE – Outdoor Augmented Reality Exhibition
MOCA presents the acclaimed augmented reality (AR) contemporary art exhibition, Seeing the Invisible, in partnership with the City of Toronto and Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation. Presented for the first time by a museum, and in free public spaces, the exhibition includes AR works by thirteen internationally recognized artists, including Ai Weiwei.
The exhibit starts at MOCA, where the project and artwork locations will be introduced, before moving to locations at Sorauren Park and throughout High Park. Seeing the Invisible will take visitors on an exploration of virtual art and nature, as the artworks are seen and activated using a customized mobile app.
Runs through September 30th
LONG WINTER – Pay-what-you-can cultural adventure
Long Winter is Toronto’s essential all-ages, pay-what-you-can, inter-arts series that takes place throughout the winter months. Featuring over 200 local artists/collectives, and welcoming 5,000+ participants, Long Winter animates multiple rooms on multiple floors, transforming spaces into immersive, collaborative environments. Events are dense and eclectic, showcasing a broad cross-section of Toronto’s cultural and sub-cultural artistic activity.
Featured work includes performance art, theatre and dance, large-scale sculptural installations, projections (single and dual screen videos, still images), visual installations (print, painting, photography collage) and interactive presentations including original video games by local programmers. Initially housed at the Great Hall on Queen Street West, Long Winter has a proven track record programming consistently sold-out shows at venues ranging from the Gladstone Hotel to the Hearn Generating Station (Luminato). As Rolling Stone magazine puts it, “Think of the anarchic, circus-like atmosphere of first-wave Lollapalooza, but stuffed inside a haunted four-level Victorian banquet hall.”
Events run through March 2023
WINTER STATIONS – Design on the Water’s Edge
Winter Stations is a single-stage international design competition held annually in Toronto. Participants are tasked with designing temporary winter art installations which incorporate existing lifeguard towers spaced strategically across the city’s Kew and Woodbine beaches. The structures (not in use in the wintertime) are considered visual anchor points for the installations.
First launched in 2014, the competition has now seen entries from over 90 countries, bringing the world of design to the water’s edge. Founded as a collaboration between local firms RAW Design, Ferris + Associates and Curio, Winter Stations is heading into its seventh year, and continues to capture the imagination of the city. The theme for 2023 is RADIANCE.
Opens February 20th
