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Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the New Year in Canada
- Enjoy an elevated meal at the 360 Restaurant
- Participate in downtown Toronto's winter activities
- Witness the mesmerising Northern Lights
- Join the energetic crowd at L’Olympia de Montreal
- Do the countdown to midnight at The Forks
- Dance the night away at The Dancing Sasquatch
- Attend the Waterfront Festival
- Join the Hogman-eh New Year’s eve event
- Plan a skiing trip to the Northwest Territories
- Engage in the street party in Grande Parade, Halifax
If a Canadian wonderland filled with warmth, cheer, and lots of maple syrup sounds like your type of New Year’s Eve celebration, then this list is meant for you.
Far from just a countdown and some fireworks, our friends up North know how to make December 31st extra special, making it an adventure worth a spot on your bucket list!
So keep on reading to see our list of the top ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Canada!
Enjoy an elevated meal at the 360 Restaurant
Website: https://www.cntower.ca/dine-at-360-restaurant/overview
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
Contact details: +1 416-362-5411
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
The 360 Restaurant in the iconic CN Tower offers an unforgettable dining experience that lets you soak up the panoramic vistas of Toronto right from your seat as it gracefully rotates.
While you’re chowing down on mouth-watering dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, you can also look forward to an incredible view of the city’s dazzling fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.
Trust us, it’s an epic way to bid farewell to the old year and embrace the new!
| Local tip: Secure your reservation well in advance and ask for a window-side table. You’ll thank us later. |
Participate in downtown Toronto’s winter activities
Downtown Toronto’s winter activities—such as the Nathan Phillips Square ice skating rink—offer a fantastic way to celebrate the New Year. The whole area transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland for the occasion.
With live music, festive food and drink, and a fantastic fireworks finale, you’ll be basking in New Year’s cheer with fellow Torontonians in no time!
| Local tip: For a smooth skate, bring your own skates or rent some at the rink, and don’t forget to pack a thermos of hot cocoa! |
Witness the mesmerising Northern Lights
Imagine yourself kicking off the New Year, surrounded by friends and family, against the frosty backdrop of the Canadian wilderness, gazing up at the colourful lights dancing across the sky. Oh yeah, it’s that magical!
The Northern Lights (aka the Aurora Borealis) are a super cool natural wonder, and they’ve got people flocking to Canada to witness this unforgettable display. You’ve got plenty of options for experiencing the Northern Lights in Canada.
From Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador, there are prime viewing spots all across the country. And besides, it’ll give you a great story to tell for years to come (“Remember when we froze our butts off to see the Northern Lights? Totally worth it!”)
| Local tip: Keep an eye out for Churchill, Manitoba, known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”! It’s got some prime Northern Lights viewing spots, and you might see some furry friends while you’re at it. |
Join the energetic crowd at L’Olympia de Montreal
Website: http://www.olympiamontreal.com/
Address: 1004 St Catherine St E, Montreal, Quebec H2L 2G2, Canada
Contact details: +1 514-845-3524
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 6 PM
If you’re into live music and awesome vibes, then spending New Year’s Eve at L’Olympia de Montreal is a no-brainer.
L’Olympia has been one of the city’s most iconic music venues for over 100 years, hosting incredible performances from world-famous acts.
Not only is the venue itself super cool (seriously, any music lover will geek out over the history), but they always have amazing New Year’s Eve line-ups!
We should also mention that tickets for L’Olympia New Year’s Eve events usually sell out pretty fast, so if you’re even considering this as an option, don’t hesitate to snag your tickets.
| Local tip: Grab a late-night poutine at La Banquise after the show. |
Do the countdown to midnight at The Forks
Website: https://www.theforks.com/
Address: The Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Contact details: https://www.theforks.com/about/contact-us
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 10 PM
The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has it all: tasty food, outdoor activities, amazing fireworks, and a remarkable welcoming atmosphere. It has also been a hub of activity for thousands of years, and it still holds that title today.
Bundle up and explore the stunning grounds of The Forks, where you’ll find loads of entertainers and performers that’ll keep your spirits high as we bid farewell to the old year. As if that’s not enough, the fireworks display at The Forks is an absolute must-see.
What’s really great about The Forks is that their New Year’s Eve celebrations cater to every schedule.
With their early-evening family options that wrap up around 8 PM, there’s no need to worry about keeping the kids up past their bedtime (because we all know that can be a disaster).
| Local tip: Check out the nearby warming huts along the river trail for a unique architectural experience and a cosy spot to chill between activities. |
Dance the night away at The Dancing Sasquatch
Website: http://www.banffnightclubs.ca/
Address: 120 Banff Ave, Banff, AB
Contact details: +1 403-762-4002
Operating hours:
- Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – 9 PM to 2 AM
- Friday – 8:30 PM to 2 AM
If you’re in Banff, Alberta, you just can’t miss the Dancing Sasquatch. It’s not just a club; it’s an experience.
Like, seriously, it’s an oddity on an international level, and that’s what makes it so stinkin’ awesome. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a gigantic, life-sized sasquatch that dances.
The Dancing Sasquatch is famous for its outrageous parties, and this New Year’s Eve isn’t going to be any different. Think themed parties, epic DJ sets, and wild times ahead.
| Local tip: Make sure to score a Sasquatch snap for your Instagram. You’ll be the talk of your feed, I promise! |
Attend the Waterfront Festival
Website: https://towaterfrontfest.com/
Contact details: https://towaterfrontfest.com/contact-us/
The Waterfront Festival is all about wicked music, great food, and an insane fireworks display with the stunning Toronto skyline as your backdrop. There’s always an amazing lineup of entertainers and musicians to keep you pumped all night long.
Let’s be real: food’s the best part of any festival, and at the Waterfront Festival, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From local vendors showcasing Canadian favourites to international cuisines for those with more adventurous palates, there’s something for everyone.
The fireworks display is the grand finale that you just can’t miss. As midnight strikes, the sky lights up in a rainbow of colours, reflected in the waters of Lake Ontario.
| Local tip: Dress warmly, and don’t forget your portable phone charger—you’ll want to capture every moment! |
Join the Hogman-eh New Year’s eve event
Website: https://ottscot.ca/hogmanay
Address: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
The Hogmanay (Hogman-eh) Scottish New Year’s Party is one heck of a party that’ll have you channelling your inner Scot in no time. From the tartans to the bagpipes, this party has everything to make your New Year’s Eve memorable.
Without a doubt, one of the highlights of this event is the “sonsie” and delightful music. You’ll find yourself tapping your foot and clapping along to the rhythm of live Celtic music—it’s hard not to join in on the fun!
Ice skating is also part of the Hogmanay event in Ottawa. You can bring your own skates, rent some, or simply watch others glide around the rink while you sip on some hot chocolate.
| Local tip: Check out the free shuttle bus from downtown Ottawa. It beats worrying about parking on an already crazy night! |
Plan a skiing trip to the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories are home to some of the best backcountry skiing destinations in the world. Picture yourself gliding down pristine snow-covered slopes, with the stunning Northern Lights providing a vibrant backdrop.
And if you’re more into cross-country skiing, they’ve got you covered there too. With almost limitless trails available, you could spend days exploring without retracing your steps.
If skiing’s not your thing, fear not. You can opt for snowboarding, snowshoeing, or ice fishing instead.
| Local tip: Keep an eye out for local wildlife along the trails. Just remember to respect their space and always give wildlife the right of way. |
Engage in the street party in Grande Parade, Halifax
Website: https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3146
Address: 1770 Barrington St, Halifax, NS
Contact details: +1 902-494-6091
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Grande Parade in Halifax is where it’s at for your New Year’s street party, am I right? Nothing screams “top-tier party!” quite like thousands of celebrators taking over the streets and a load of music blaring.
Here, you’ll experience a concert on a massive outdoor stage in the middle of a city while it’s snowing! And with an impressive lineup of musicians every year, you can groove your way into the New Year while making some amazing memories.
Just as the first bell strikes midnight, the fireworks launch from Citadel Hill, and this is something you need to see to believe. What’s awesome about this event is that it’s totally family-friendly; there’s even an early countdown for the kids.
| Local tip: Hop into one of the local pubs after midnight to warm up. They’re known to serve some amazing food and local brews. |
