The only things getting us through these freezing winter mornings are coffee (the last thing I think about before falling asleep is the coffee I get to have in the morning) and while we love most coffee, our favourite right now is a perfect little illy lungo. Seeing that shiny, lovely silver illy box in the cupboard somehow makes venturing out into the freezing world doable, even when the weather app says it’s -23. We usually grab our illy pods at Eataly (they were just on sale), but right now the…

A new free exhibition at the Etobicoke Civic Centre is spotlighting fibre art that feels personal, story driven, and deeply connected to community history. Our Past Informs Our Future, presented by the NPCC Fibres Guilds, brings together textile artists working in quilting, embroidery, weaving, appliqué, and mixed media. The group focuses on preserving traditional techniques while encouraging contemporary ideas, blending craft with storytelling and lived experience. One of the pieces we fell in love with is our featured photo, pictured above… The Life & Times of EQG (Etobicoke Quilters’ Guild) by Judith Veinot.

If this winter has understandably kept you close to home, Winterlicious starts this Friday and is an easy way to inspire your next date night. It’s still our favourite reason to finally try a restaurant we’ve been hearing about for a while but haven’t gotten around to yet. You’ll sometimes hear people say restaurants phone it in for Winterlicious. That hasn’t really been our experience. More often, it feels like chefs are using it as a chance to show what they do well, with the hope you’ll come back again later, not just treat it as a one-time visit.

By the time 7:30 rolled around last night, we weren’t surprised by what was coming. The snow had been falling steadily all evening, and at one point our lab (who is loving this) walked into the backyard and the snow was already up to her ears. When it’s piling up that fast, a snow day feels inevitable. It became official around 6:30 p.m. last night. The Toronto District School Board announced that all schools, administrative buildings and sites would be closed to students and most staff today, Monday, January 26. Here's the e-mail we received:

Every year, the Canadian International AutoShow gives us a snapshot of where the car world is headed and why people still love cars. We love going because even if you are not a huge car buff, the show is still a glimpse at what is coming next, from new ideas and tech to the cars we will probably end up sitting beside on the Gardiner a few years from now. It's the kind of event where you can wander, get your steps in, see cool stuff, and leave with a better sense of how driving around Toronto is slowly changing.

Every year around this time, Burns Night gives us a reason to get together with friends. One of our favourite ways to celebrate is by heading to a fun event with Lisa and Chris, and this year we’re trying one we haven’t been to before. Burns Night is a tradition that honours Scottish poet Robert Burns, and there are a lot of options in the city to choose from. When we mentioned Robbie Burns Night recently, our son’s caregiver replied with a very genuine “Who?” It was a good reminder that while this night is familiar to some, it’s not universal.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re already part of what makes Toronto Scoop what it is. More than 2,000 of you already subscribe for our free curation of life in the city. The good stuff. Neighbourhood finds, events we love, art, music, food, shopping… the moments that make Toronto feel like home. We’re shifting to subscriber-only access, but you’ll still be able to read the site for free once you sign up. (If you already subscribe, you’re all set.) Along with this change, we’ve updated the site for a smoother experience, with…

We’re doing a bit of behind-the-scenes maintenance to keep Toronto Scoop fresh, shiny, and running smoothly. Think of it as a quick polish so everything works better and looks a little more sparkly than ever. Thanks so much for your patience. We’ll be back soon with all the good stuff that makes life in Toronto worth talking about! Rosie and the Scoop team 🩵

Halsey is in Toronto this week, bringing her Back to Badlands tour to History for three nights in a row. What started as a single show quickly turned into a full weekend run, with extra dates added after tickets moved fast. The Toronto shows are happening Friday, January 9, Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, 2026, all at History. It’s a venue choice that makes sense for this tour. Rather than going the arena route, Halsey is keeping things closer and more personal, letting the music land in a room where every detail feels a bit more immediate.

Our Costco-obsessed Toronto Scoop team picked up a bag of Krispy Kernels Spicy Ketchup Peanuts this week for only $4.97. We've bought them before on sale at $9.97 so that's quite a deal. These peanuts have about 3 grams of sugar per 50 gram serving, which is relatively low compared with a lot of flavoured nut snacks, plus 13 grams of protein and some fibre. If you notice a small asterisk (*) on the price tag (see photo below) there’s a reason. At Costco, that symbol usually means the item won’t be restocked once it sells out at that warehouse.

If your recycling wasn’t picked up this week, you’re not alone! Some Toronto neighbourhoods are noticing changes in how recycling is being collected this month, following the city’s transition to a new province-wide system run by Circular Materials, with collection handled by GFL. In some neighbourhoods, recycling bags and extra cardboard are being left behind as Circular Materials and GFL roll out new pickup rules. When contacted by a resident in the Annex, GFL said the issue may be linked to how recycling is now being collected under the new system.

A major redevelopment is being proposed for 125 The Queensway, and if it moves forward, it would bring one of the largest residential projects this stretch of Etobicoke has seen in years. The City of Toronto has received an application to redevelop the site with a high-density, mixed-use project that would dramatically increase the number of people living along this section of The Queensway. What’s Being Proposed As currently proposed, the development would include 12 buildings ranging in height from 12 to 50 storeys, with a total of 3,968 residential units.

If you noticed Costco staying open later during the holidays and hoped it would stick, you’re in luck. Those extended hours are now permanent at Costco warehouses across Canada. The change is all about the weekends. While weekday hours stay the same, shoppers now get an extra hour on Saturdays and Sundays. New permanent Costco hours in Canada: Monday to Friday: 9 AM to 8:30 PM Saturday: 9 AM to 7 PM Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM Before the update, weekend hours wrapped up at 6 PM, which often felt rushed if you were trying to squeeze in a shop after errands, kids’ activities, or work.

Skate by the Lake is back at Harbourfront Centre, and it remains one of Toronto’s most loved winter traditions. With Lake Ontario right beside you and the city skyline in view, this waterfront rink is a solid option for a low-key winter outing that still feels special. The rink runs from November 28, 2025 to March 1, 2026 and is open daily, weather permitting. Rink admission is always free, making it an easy plan for a spontaneous winter skate along the waterfront. Free Outdoor Skating at Harbourfront Centre Skate by the Lake, in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, offers free rink admission all season long, making it one of the most accessible winter activities in Toronto.

New Year’s Day is quieter than Boxing Day, but the city doesn’t completely shut down. If you’re heading out for shopping, groceries, or something to do, here’s what’s open and what to expect. Are Shopping Malls Open on New Year’s Day in Toronto?Yes, some malls are open on January 1, but most operate on reduced holiday hours. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is open, typically from late morning or noon into the early evening. Pacific Mall is also open with regular holiday hours, though it’s located in Markham, just north of Toronto.

Looking for free New Year’s Eve fireworks in Toronto tonight? The city has you covered. Head to the waterfront for a dazzling midnight display that’s completely free to watch and visible from several public spots along the inner harbour. The festivities kick off tonight, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10 p.m., with pop-up performances, live entertainment, and a festive countdown leading to the midnight fireworks show. It’s one of the best ways to welcome 2026 without spending a dime. Best free viewing spots along the waterfront Sherbourne Common (61 Dockside Dr.) …

Techno icon Maceo Plex is returning to the city for a New Year’s Eve set, taking over a warehouse space on The Queensway. This will be his first Toronto appearance in some time, following a period whe...

Nate Bargatze is bringing his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour to Toronto this summer, with two nights at Scotiabank Arena on August 15 and 16, 2026. If you’ve watched his Netflix specials or seen him on late night, you already know what he’s like. His comedy is dry and clean, and he finds the humour in everyday situations. One of the first things that really got us was when he talked about trying to order at Starbucks and overthinking the whole thing. It’s such a small, relatable moment, and the way he tells it is hilarious.

As we head towards the new year, if you are like us, you are already excited about the tiny bit longer days, getaways we are quietly counting down to, and the sunny skies ahead. Even in the middle of winter, Toronto has a way of offering small reminders of what warmer days can feel like, sometimes tucked into the most unexpected corners of the city. One of our favourites comes courtesy of Toronto large-scale muralist Megan Oldhues, who paints under the name Old School Hues. This coastal-inspired mural, spotted on a garage wall downtown, features sailboats moving across bright blue water alongside a reference to Oland Export, a classic East Coast beer brand.

We’ve been ordering this pizza regularly since Revolver Pizza first opened back in March 2020, yes, right at the start of the pandemic. Some habits stick for a reason. When Toronto Life recently published The Incredible Edible Bucket List: 365 Must-Try Toronto Dishes, this one immediately stood out to us. The ’Nduja Special is everything we want in a comfort pizza. A crisp, chewy crust topped with house tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, spicy ’nduja, red onion and chili, with garlic aioli on the side for dipping. Savoury, a little spicy, and still just as satisfying as it was five years ago. You’ll find it at Revolver Pizza at 388 Royal York Road, priced between $20 and $30.

We know this post is titled what’s open today, but let’s start with what’s closed so you’re not caught off guard. What’s Closed Today in Toronto Christmas Day is one of the quietest days of the year in Toronto, and most places take the day off. Shopping malls that are closed on Christmas Day: Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, Scarborough Town Centre, Sherway Gardens, Fairview Mall, Dufferin Mall, Square One and Vaughan Mills Also closed: Banks, Canada Post, and government services. Most major grocery chains like Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, Farm Boy, Whole Foods, and St.

These photos were taken yesterday at the 2025 Distillery Winter Village in Toronto’s lovely Distillery District. The winter market runs through late December and brings large crowds to the area each year. We hope these pics add a small moment of holiday cheer to your morning as you prepare for the holidays, and we wish our readers a joyous holiday season.

Light Up the Dark is a free winter light event that turns one of Toronto’s most striking buildings into an outdoor art experience. Over three evenings, large scale projections wash across the white stone walls of the Aga Khan Museum, making it an easy, low key plan if you want to get outside and see something visually memorable without committing to tickets or a tight schedule. From Saturday, December 27 to Monday, December 29, the Museum’s slanted façade becomes the backdrop for projected works created by students and recent graduates from OCAD University’s Experimental Animation program.

You know something has crossed over when it ends up on a fridge magnet. That is what makes 67 feel so specific and a little strange right now. It did not start as a slogan or a phrase meant to be printed on things. It started as a moment in a rap song and then slipped into the internet. The source is Doot Doot (6 7) by Skrilla. After the song came out, the repeated “6-7” at the beat drop took on a life of its own. That sound spread quickly across TikTok and Instagram, turning up in edits, jokes, and clips that had nothing to do with the original track.

Toronto is hosting a free New Year’s Eve celebration along the waterfront to ring in 2026. The night includes live music, dance programming, roaming performers and a fireworks show at midnight, all spread across multiple waterfront locations. Everything takes place outdoors along the central waterfront, with designated viewing areas and all the fun stuff running throughout the evening. On Dec. 31, the celebration builds toward a 10-minute fireworks display launched from the inner harbour at midnight. The show is synchronized to music and visible from much of the waterfront, making it one of the largest New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the country.