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By: Samara Moore, Gradlife Ambassador

December is finally here and the semester is winding down! If you are anything like me, you are eagerly awaiting that moment when you submit your final assignment, write your last exam, or finish grading that last paper for the term.

We will all have a bit of extra time on our hands very soon. If you are staying in the city and looking for things to do, I have got you covered! I have compiled a list of 8 free and affordable things to do in Toronto this December! I hope that it is helpful to you, as you plan out your own winter break.

On Campus/University of Toronto Related 

• Robert Library Holiday Market
  • Date: Tuesday, December 4th
  • Time: 11am to 2pm
  • Location: Robarts Library, 2nd Floor
  • Click here for more information
  • Free Admission
• Grad Escape: Gingerbread Houses at Loblaws Cooking School
  • Date: Wednesday, December 5th
  • Time: 6-7:30pm
  • Location: the Loblaws Cooking School
  • Click here to register and for more information

Christmas/Holiday Markets

• Holiday Fair in the Square
  • Date: December 1-23rd
  • Time: See website for details
  • Location: Nathan Phillips Square
  • Click here for more information
  • Free Admission
• Toronto Christmas Market
  • Date: November 15- December 23rd
  • Time: See website for details
  • Location: The Distillery Historic District
  • Click here for more information
  • Free on weekdays until 5pm on Friday, $6.00 weekend admission

Nature Lovers

• Allan Garden’s Winter Flower Show
  • Date: December 2nd 2018- January 9th 2019
  • Time: 10am to 5pm
  • Location: Allan Gardens
  • Click here for more information
  • Free Admission
• Ontario Ice Caves
  • Visiting an ice cave will require you to venture outside of the GTA
  • Popular locations
    • Crystal Beach if Fort Erie
    • Lake Superior Provincial Park
    • Please note: Weather conditions must be cold enough is order for ice caves to form. It is important to check ahead before visiting an ice cave.

Art & Culture Lovers

• Sun Life Financial MAP Pass
  • Visit 11 museums and attractions for free with a Sun Life Financial MAP Pass. You can sign out this pass with an adult Toronto Public Library card
  • Click here for more information
  • A MAP Pass provides free admission to the following attractions:
    •  The Aga Khan Museum
    • AGO- Art Gallery of Ontario
    • The Bata Show Museum
    • Black Creek Pioneer Village
    • Gardiner Museum
    • Museum of Contemporary Art
    • Ontario Science Centre
    • ROM- Royal Ontario Museum
    • Textile Museum of Canada
    • Toronto History Museums
    • The Toronto Zoo
• Sun Life Financial MAP Performing Arts Pass
  • Visit film, music, and theatre events for free. You can sign out this pass with an adult Toronto Public Library card.
  • Click here for more information
  • A MAP Performing Arts Pass provides free admission to the following art events:
    • CanStage
    • Factory Theatre
    • Harbourfront Centre
    • HotDocs Ted Rogers Cinema
    • The Royal Conservatory of Music
    • Tafelmusik

I hope that this list has been helpful to you, as you plan your winter break! Please let me know if you check out one of these events. I would love to hear about your experience.

I wish you well as you finish out the semester!

Until next time,

Samara