The Nathan Phillips Square rink is on the City’s list at 100 Queen Street West. The Cavalcade of Lights runs here from November 28, 2026 to January 7, 2027, with free public skating to music continuing until the last day. Our pick for a first skate of the season, because the arches and the lights do half the work. See our Cavalcade of Lights guide.
Outdoors DeskList
Free Outdoor Skating Rinks in Toronto, by Neighbourhood
Fifteen City of Toronto outdoor rinks across four parts of the city, with the free drop-in rule, the Skate Lending Library start date and the City's rink map.
A lit rink in your own neighbourhood is the easiest winter plan in Toronto, and most of them cost nothing to step onto. Pick one near you, pack the warm mittens and check the City’s map before you lace up.
Are Toronto’s outdoor rinks free?
Yes, for drop-in skating. The City says all drop-in programs at its indoor rinks and outdoor artificial ice rinks are free. That covers leisure skate, figure skating, ringette and shinny sessions, each with its own schedule. If you do not own skates, rentals are offered at Nathan Phillips Square during the winter season only.
This guide follows the City’s own list of outdoor rinks. It counts more than 50 locations with rinks and skating trails, and roughly 70 ice pads and trails in all. We picked fifteen across the city. Skate trails get their own guide in our skating trails piece.
Which skate is right for you?
Drop-in sessions are labelled by who they suit. The City lists early years sessions for five and under with a caregiver, child sessions for six to 12 with a caregiver, youth, adult and older adult sessions, and a leisure skate that is open to all ages. Change rooms and lockers are available at most locations. Schedules vary by rink, so use the City’s page to pick a time.
When do the rinks open this winter?
Not yet. On 18 October the City’s page says outdoor rinks and skate trails are closed for the season. It also says outdoor artificial ice rinks typically open in late November and close for the season in March. We will not guess at an opening date, so treat the City’s rink map as the final word. Weather can change a rink’s day, and after a snowfall crews work to re-open the ice as quickly as they can.
Two free helpers are on the calendar already. The Skate Lending Library van, which lends skates, helmets and skating aids, starts visiting rinks on November 20, 2026. It is free for all ages with no reservation, and the City says its 2026/2027 schedule is coming soon.
Which outdoor rinks are in Toronto and East York?
A park rink on the City’s list at 790 Queen Street West. Pair it with a walk through the park afterwards.
The City lists this rink at 275 Bathurst Street. A rink in the middle of the downtown grid is a gift on a weeknight.
The City lists a rink at 550 Broadview Avenue. A good east-end option when you want skating with a long park walk around it.
Two ice pads are listed at 875 Dufferin Street.
High Park has two listed pads at 1873 Bloor Street West. Skate first, then take a loop of the park.
Withrow Park has a listed rink at 725 Logan Avenue. Our pick for an after-work skate that finishes with a lap of the park.
The City lists a rink at 455 Cosburn Avenue. A neighbourhood rink in the east end, and a reminder that the best ones are often a short walk from home.
The City lists a rink at 2075 Queen Street East. Combine it with a winter walk toward the lake.
Which outdoor rinks are in North York?
The City lists an artificial ice rink at 5100 Yonge Street. The square’s own site says its large pond doubles as a skating rink in the winter.
An artificial ice rink is listed at 561 Van Horne Avenue. A community-centre rink makes a handy meeting point for a group skate.
Which outdoor rinks are in Scarborough?
The City lists an artificial ice rink at 150 Borough Drive. It is a civic-square rink, the kind that makes a town centre feel like a winter postcard.
The City lists a rink at 150 McCowan Road.
Which outdoor rinks are in Etobicoke?
The City lists a Humber Valley rink at 50 Anglesey Boulevard. Our pick for a west-end skate that ends with a stroll.
Two pads are listed at 370 The West Mall.
What about natural ice rinks?
Neighbourhood volunteers make rinks too. The City says residents can create natural ice rinks on parkland in their communities, and that they are weather-dependent. Approved rinks for 2026/27 will be published in late November or early December. Check the City’s natural ice rinks page then.
Where else can you get on the ice?
Rinks are not the only option. Evergreen Brick Works plans a public skate on December 20 in Koerner Gardens, weather permitting, with skate rentals available. The City’s Play Mobile is a free touring sports program for all ages, and its winter sports include skating and ringette. Our approach for this guide was simple: use the City’s own rink list, pick at least one rink in each part of the city, and send you to the City’s pages for dates, because the 2026/27 season dates are not out yet.
More winter plans without a ticket are in our free winter activities list, and families can start with winter activities for kids. The full winter-outdoors picture lives in our outdoors section.
Send this to the friend you would bring, and agree on a rink before the first cold snap.
Sources (9)
- Drop-in Skating, City of Toronto
- Skate Lending Library, City of Toronto
- Natural Ice Rinks, City of Toronto
- Outdoor Artificial Ice Rinks (open data), City of Toronto
- Outdoor Artificial Ice Rinks list (CSV), City of Toronto
- Cavalcade of Lights (major festivals and events), City of Toronto
- Our Story, Mel Lastman Square
- Winter Market, Evergreen Brick Works
- Play Mobile, City of Toronto
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