26 Exciting Things To Do In Toronto At Night

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Canada’s largest city has towering skyscrapers, twinkling lights and a waterfront skyline featuring CN Tower. Toronto has plenty of parks and waterfront spaces to relax, an atmospheric historic district and entertainment districts with dance clubs, music venues, breweries and restaurants. This means that if you find yourself in Toronto on a Friday night (or any other night of the week!), you will never be short of things to do with other options ranging from spooky ghost tours to relaxing dinner cruises after the sun begins to set. So whether you’re travelling solo or with family and friends, bookmark these things to do in Toronto at night.

Toronto At Night

Top 3 Toronto Night Tours

  • Scenic Night Tour – See the iconic sights of Toronto lit up after dark on this tour that includes the Distillery District, Nathan Phillips Square and CN Tower.
  • Toronto Dinner Cruise – Enjoy drinks, a four-course dinner and hit the dance floor on the harbour.
  • The Original Haunted Walk – Hunt for ghosts in the city’s haunted spots.

26 Things To Do In Toronto At Night

1- View The Skyline From CN Tower

toronto at night city skyline
CN Tower rises above the skyscrapers and is an impressive sight in Toronto at night. All photos: Destination Toronto. 

CN tower is the most recognisable landmark to grace the skyline.

It’s the best Toronto location to see the lights spread beneath your feet and is open until 10.30 pm.

At over 1814 ft (553 m), the tower has two observation decks on different levels.

The LookOut is at 1136 ft (346 m) and features a glass-bottomed walkway, while the higher SkyPod is at 1465 ft (447m).

Both offer stunning views of the sky and city lights.

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Tickets to the LookOut cost $14 CAD (child), $40 CAD (adult) and an additional $15 CAD for SkyPod entry open from 10 am to 9 pm daily.

CN Tower is at 290 Bremner Blvd. Skip the line and book your tickets and tour here.

2- Visit Casa Loma After Hours

romantic places in toronto at night Casa Loma aerial
Casa Loma is a historic mansion and museum in midtown and is especially mysterious to visit in Toronto at night.

Casa Loma means ‘Hill House’ and is a late 1800s Gothic mansion overlooking downtown.

Although tours are mainly run during the daytime, it also offers seasonal weekend events after hours.

One famous example is the Casa Loma Night of Terror, when the mansion is converted into a haunted house with spooks and scares galore every October.

A more family-friendly option is the Christmas Lights display, where you can see the mansion glean and glisten under the stars every winter.

Aside from special events, Casa Loma also has themed escape rooms open after hours but require a reservation.

Casa Loma is at 1 Austin Terrace.

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3- Watch A Film At The TIFF Bell Lightbox

things to do in toronto at night TIFF Bell Lightbox external
Attending a performance at TIFF is one of the top things to do in Toronto at night.

TIFF stands for the famous Toronto International Film Festival, which happens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in the heart of downtown.

Although the film festival is in September, the Lightbox shows films throughout the year.

The Lightbox features restored films, special collections and indie films.

You can attend filmmaking workshops or view them online at the TIFF website.

TIFF is a cultural hub at 350 King St W.

4- Fly In A Helicopter

cool things to do in toronto at night ice skating
The Toronto sign is one of the landmarks to see from the sky. Go skating at Nathan Phillips Square during the holiday season and winter.

See the city from the sky and fly above the city’s famous landmarks, such as Lake Ontario, CN Tower, Rogers Center and Toronto Islands.

Seeing Canada’s largest city from above is not as expensive as you might think and it’s a memorable experience.

Options include an 8-seater fixed-wing aircraft or a helicopter flight.

Book your experiences here:

5- Watch A Performance At Elgin and Winter

The world’s last operating double-decker theatre, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, is a historic gem.

In 1913, when it first opened, it was a Vaudeville theatre and the sumptuous furnishings and chandeliers reflect those times.

These days, you can attend a concert, a theatre production or join a guided tour.

Elgin and Winter is at 189 Yonge St.

6- Visit Some Jazz Clubs

toronto canada at night neon sights
The intersection of Yonge Street and Dundas Street with shopping and billboards in Toronto at night.

This city has some of the country’s top jazz institutions, a vibrant jazz scene, excellent jazz bands and cool jazz clubs where you can listen to live music.

The city was the hometown of jazz legend Oscar Peterson and the world-famous Toronto Jazz Festival attracts a huge crowd each year.

The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar (194 Queen St W) puts on 19 live music shows a week and has attracted top musicians and local talent since the 80s.

The hip Reservoir Lounge, Jazz Bistro, and Poetry Jazz Cafe are other clubs to tick off your list for a fun evening visiting music venues.

7- See The Lights On A Scenic Night Tour

things to do in toronto at night free toronto crowds around the neon sign
Taking a photo of the Toronto neon sign is an iconic thing to do in downtown at night.

Exploring Toronto at night offers a different perspective than during the day. Many of the popular neighborhoods have a lively atmosphere.

An easy way to take in all the sights is to go on a guided tour of Toronto’s top attractions of the historic Old Town.

The Toronto sign illuminated against the sky is an iconic spot to snap Instagram photos. This scenic night tour will get you to all the iconic spots.

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8- Tour The Historic Distillery District

toronto at night historic christmas tree and Victorian lamp in the historic distillery district in winter
Exploring the historic Distillery District is not to be missed. If you’re visiting in winter, the downtown Toronto Christmas Market is not to be missed.

If you ride the 504A streetcar to its eastern end, you’ll end up in a big parking lot right next to a collection of high-rise condos and old brick buildings.

Toronto’s historic Distillery District houses a collection of restaurants, shops, distilleries, a variety of art galleries and art installations.

It’s interesting to explore during the day and you’re guaranteed a fun night if you book a haunted walking tour.

The Historic Distillery District is at 55 Mill St. A spooky tour of the Distillery District is a fun way to explore. Book it here.

9- Go On A Dinner Cruise

toronto skyline at night people on a cruise
Getting on the ferry or going on a cruise is one of the popular things to do in Toronto at night. Pictured here is the Centre Island ferry.

Dine on three or four courses while you gaze at the bright lights of the city skyline.

A cruise on Lake Ontario is a fun way to spend three hours.

The lake can freeze over in the winter, so the best time to cruise is in spring, summer or early fall.

Here are two dinner cruises you might like:

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10- Drink Craft Beer

what to do in toronto at night people dining on an outdoor patio
Tasting craft beer is a must-do in Toronto after dark. Pictured here is the popular Amsterdam Brew House.

Craft breweries are all the rage in Canada and this city has its fair share of creative beer makers.

Whether you’re keen to learn more about beer making or are just looking to sample local brews, there’s a craft brewery in almost every neighbourhood.

A popular choice is the Amsterdam BrewHouse, which is a large restaurant and brewery on the Toronto Harbourfront with four patio spaces and beautiful views of the Toronto Islands.

Another option is the Northern Maverick Brewery (115 Bathurst St), which is a brewhouse, beer store and gastropub that serves Mediterranean and Canadian classics while the brewery offers eight different kinds of beer.

For more about Canada read:

11- Go On A Bar Scavenger Hunt

Hotel X Toronto Cocktails at The Perch
Cocktails anyone? Hotel X Toronto is one of the popular Toronto hotels to enjoy cocktails with a view.

A popular thing to do to enjoy Toronto’s nightlife is to go on a bar crawl and downloading a city bar games app is a fun way to do it.

As you walk around the city, you’ll discover the best bars while completing video and photo challenges.

Let’s Roam offers a fun and friendly competition with friends and a great way to discover watering holes. Book your bar game here.

12- Drinks Cocktails Under The Stars

Sitting on a rooftop in downtown Toronto, The Porch is an open-air rooftop bar with views of Toronto’s iconic tower.

The main feature of The Porch is SkySkate, where an entire patio has been converted into a skating rink. But skating isn’t the only thing you can do, though, as The Porch sits is above the award-winning Rock’ N’ Horse Saloon, line dancing and riding a mechanical bull are on the agenda.

The saloon was awarded the Canadian Country Music Association’s Country Bar of the Year (2019).

Hit the dance floor and listen to live music at Porch and Rock’ N’ Horse Saloon are at 250 Adelaide St W.

13- Watch A Game At Rogers Centre

The home base of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre is a baseball stadium and one of the city’s major landmarks.

If you are a baseball fan, you must catch a prime-time MLB game here, or a concert, with some famous headliners being Taylor Swift, Coldplay and BTS.

Rogers Centre is at 1 Blue Jays Way

14- Scare Yourself On A Haunted Walking Tour

is toronto safe at night
Wander around and admire the city’s historic architecture, such as the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) exterior on Yonge Street.

Toronto provides the perfect historical backdrop for a haunted walking tour as it’s a relatively old city.

Hunt for ghosts, explore graveyards and hear tales about hangings; a spooky tour is fun activity to enjoy Toronto’s nightlife.

There are several options, including the Original Haunted Walk, exploring the mysteries around haunted theatres, the Campus Secrets and Spectres ghost tour at the University of Toronto and the Spirits of the Distillery ghost tour with tales involving whiskey.

One of the creepiest places to go on a ghost tour is Black Creek Pioneer Village, which is a village with 40 buildings recreated to resemble a typical town in the 1860s.

15- Start A Bonfire At Trillium Park

best things to do in toronto at night A family warms up at a fire pit warming station while visiting the Toronto Zoo in winter.
Warming up around a fire pit is one of the top winter things to do in Toronto at night. Another place you’ll find a bonfire is at Toronto Zoo.

Trillium Park is a tree-filled waterfront urban park in Ontario Place, with stunning views of the skyline and Lake Ontario.

The park has bike trails, open spaces and a bonfire you can rent for a cosy Toronto night experience of family friendly fun.

Book your bonfire at 5.30 pm to watch the sun setting behind the skyscrapers or at 8.30 pm to roast marshmallows under the stars.

Firewood and marshmallows are not included, but you can order bonfire packages from the park’s partners.

Trillium Park is at 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto.

16- Watch The Sunset On A Canoe

Lake Ontario is a stunning setting for dramatic city views, which makes renting a canoe and paddling on the lake a lovely way to experience the sunset.

Watch the skyline turn into a fiery mix of oranges and reds while you experience the calmness of the lake.

Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak is at 283 Queens Quay W.

17- Watch A Play At The Princess Of Wales Theatre

One of several major theatres in Toronto, the Princess of Wales Theatre is only a few steps away from the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Royal Alexandria Theatre.

The theatre was built in the early 90s to coincide with the Canadian premiere of Miss Saigon.

With 200 seats and modern facilities, the theatre hosts several theatre and live music productions and is an iconic venue for performances.

Princess Of Wales Theatre is at 300 King St W, Toronto.

18- Go On A Cycling Tour

A fun way to get some exercise is to explore Toronto Islands on a guided cycling tour.

North America’s largest car-free community is a safe neighbourhood to cycle around to vantage points with Toronto skyline views.

Stop to explore Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and visit the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

Booking a cycling tour is a good way to meet other travellers. The Toronto Islands Evening bike tour includes bike hire, helmet, snacks and a dessert in a cafe. Book your guided cycling tour here.

19- See A Show At Rec Room

Housed in the same building as the Toronto Railway Museum, The Rec Room is a bar and entertainment venue with a Las Vegas-style magic show.

It’s a lively spot for fun for all ages and offers a range of arcade games, from a realistic driving simulator to a beer pong game.

Equally impressive is their drinks menu, which has a list of Canadian and US craft beers.

You can also go for pub grub classics like mac and cheese and wood-fired pizza.

Rec Room is at 255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto. Skip the queue and book front row seats to the Mystery & Magic show here.

20- Eat Dim Sum

Toronto is home to a substantial Chinese community and has a large Chinatown where dim sum and noodles are never in short supply.

Most Chinatown restaurants and boba tea stores close between 9 pm and 10 pm.

However, if you find yourself out late after a pub crawl or bar hop, then there are a few dim sum places open as late as 3 am.

These places include Rosewood Asian Cuisine and Rol San, a favourite of some Toronto Raptors players.

  • Rosewood: 463 Dundas St W
  • Rol San: 323 Spadina Ave

21- Tee Off At Mini Golf

Relive childhood memories by playing mini-golf while having a drink at Par-Tee-Putt, a restaurant, bar, and mini-golf course all wrapped in one building.

Choose from a wide selection of themed holes ranging from a CN Tower theme to a college party theme.

Par-Tee-Putt also serves food and is open from 3 pm to 11 pm. There’s a themed playlist on Thursdays, though reservations are required.

Par Tee Putt is at 26 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5V 2B8, Canada.

22- Go Bowling At The Ballroom

Part sports bar and part bowling alley, The Ballroom is a unique space that features all the best parts of hangouts.

The bowling alley has 10 lanes, some with leather seats and dining spaces.

Aside from bowling, The Ballroom also has a restaurant that serves poutine.

The bar is popular for its beer and is open from 4 pm to 11 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, midnight on Thursdays, and 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Ballroom is at 145 John St, Toronto.

23- Enjoy The Breeze At The Docks Driving Range

A former industrial dockland is now an open-air driving range and a top spot to hang out on the shores of Lake Ontario.

With lakeside breezes and open until 11 pm, the driving range is available all year round and hitting a ball is a fun thing to do in Toronto under the stars.

Besides golf, there’s a large patio where you can eat, drink and enjoy live entertainment.

If golf and grub aren’t enough for you, the driving range also has a drive-in cinema and beach volleyball courts you can rent for the night.

The Docks Driving Range is at 176 Cherry St.

24- Take A Time Machine To Medieval Times

Enjoy a themed dinner theatre at the Medieval Times Dinner and tournament at the Exhibition Grounds, which is the site of the original Toronto settlement of Fort York.

A booking gets you two hours of jousting and family-friendly activities along with a full four-course meal and drinks.

Medieval Times has a handful of branches throughout the USA, but the Toronto branch is the only one in Canada.

Medieval Times Dinner is at 10 Dufferin St.

25- Have Some Laughs At A Comedy Club

From the country that gave you Just for Laughs Gags, liven up your night by visiting one of Toronto’s comedy clubs.

Second City Toronto is at the top of the list and is more of a theatre, while other places like the Yuk Yuk’s Superclub is more of a diner-style comedy venue.

Second City: 51 Mercer St
Yuk Yuk: 224 Richmond St W

26- Visit Ripley’s Aquarium

things to do at night in toronto Ripley's Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium is open until 8 pm and holds a range of events at night.
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