By Jessica Padykula
Toronto Expert, about.com
[post_ads_2]The New Year is getting closer and closer - do you have your resolutions ready yet? You still have some time to figure that out, but a more pressing concern is how and where you’re going to cap off this year and welcome the next. If you’re still looking for something to do, here are 10 ideas for how to spend New Year’s Eve in Toronto.
1. New Year’s Eve at Nathan Philips Square
Once again you can ring in the New Year at Nathan Philips Square, Toronto’s largest dance and skating party. The free event starts at 8 p.m. and goes until midnight and features DJs, coffee and hot chocolate, food trucks and a countdown to the New Year complete with fireworks display.
2. Toronto Midnight New Year’s Eve Run[post_ads_2]
If you feel like starting the New Year on an active note you can lace up your sneakers and register for the Toronto Midnight New Year’s Even Run, now in its fifth year. The 5K race starts at the stroke of midnight and afterwards you can celebrate both the start of a new year and your accomplishment with a post-race party.
Participants get a swag bag, beer and champagne (one each) and post-race hot food.
3. New Year’s Eve Skating Party at Harbourfront
Spend the last hours of the year skating by the lake at Harbourfront Centre's family-friendly New Year's Eve Skating Party at Natrel Rink. The free event runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is a nice low-key way to ring in the New Year. Skate and helmet rentals are available on site.
4. New Year's Eve with the Sadies
It’s a New Year’s tradition for the Sadies to grace the stage at the Horseshow Tavern for two rollicking, celebratory sets for New Year's Eve and this year is no exception. Joining the Sadies this year are Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift. I’ve been to the Horseshoe for New Year’s Eve a couple of times and can attest to the fact that it’s a good show and a good time.
5. Or Elliott Brood[post_ads_2]
Another New Year’s Eve live music tradition sees Elliott Brood take over the stage at Lee’s Palace. They will yet again be helping revelers cap off the year with their brand of gritty, bluegrass-tinged, folk-rock tunes. Joining Elliott Brood on the bill this year will be Grey Lands and Billard Blossom.
6. New Years at the Drake
Over at the Drake Hotel things get fancy with their “All That Glitters” New Year’s Eve party. There are various ticket options depending on whether you want to include dinner in your end of year plans. Otherwise, there will be music and dancing until the wee hours, entertainment and DJs in the Lounge and the Underground, chilled champagne, live gold body painting and roaming gold statues.
7. Or the Gladstone
Over at the Gladstone Hotel there’s another type of New Year’s Eve party going on. This one is Down-town Abbey-themed and features interactive performances by Edwardian-inspired characters, themed cocktails, and each room will be decorated by a different Toronto artist. If you’re going, make sure to get creative with your wardrobe choices. There’s a costume contest with the chance to win “best dressed”.
8. Beer Hall New Year’s Eve Party at Mill Street Brewery
Beer fans might want to consider making a trip to the Distillery District to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mill Street Beer Hall for Mill Street Beer Hall New Year’s Eve. The night includes a 4-course dinner with beer pairings, music and dancing. The theme for the night is roaring 20s so dress accordingly.
9. New Beers Eve[post_ads_2]
An alternate beer-focused New Year’s Option is New Beer’s Eve, happening concurrently at Mascot Brewery and Odd Thomas. On the night of the 31st the two will merge to bring revelers two distinct but complementary parties. The ground floor festivities at Mascot Brewery will be more laid back, featuring craft beers and cocktails. While upstairs at Odd Thomas things will be livelier. One ticket allows you to flow between both floors.
10. Massey Hall Comedy Extravaganza
If you feel like ringing in the New Year with a lot of laughs you can do so at this year’s Massey Hall Comedy Extravaganza hosted by Shaun Majumder and curated by Yuk Yuk’s founder Mark Breslin. This is the 15th year for the New Year’s Eve comedy fest and will feature award-winning headliner Simon B. Cotter who will be joined by Peter Anthony, Eman El-Husseini, Sean Emeny, Mark Heath, Darryl Orr, Keith Pedro and Nick Beaton.
