Toronto residents and visitors are invited to welcome 2026 with a vibrant, free New Year’s Eve celebration along the city’s waterfront, featuring live music, dance, pop-up performances and a dazzling midnight fireworks display.
At midnight on Wednesday, December 31, the City of Toronto will present a 10-minute fireworks show launched from Toronto’s inner harbour. Synchronized to music and visible across the central waterfront, the display will light up the skyline as one of the most exciting countdown moments in Canada.
Residents and visitors can catch the show from designated viewing areas:
Pedestrians are encouraged to arrive by public transit and use York Street, Jarvis Street, Spadina Avenue and Bay Street to access any of the waterfront viewing areas.
New Year’s Eve programming
Beginning at 10 p.m., the waterfront will transform into a lively outdoor celebration with Canadian music, participatory dance sessions, roaming performers, family-friendly activities and festive pop-up surprises.
Anchored at Harbourfront Centre, the main stage will feature an energetic musical lineup hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow, Makayla Couture and Jessica Smith, Weather Anchor and Reporter, CTV News Toronto and CP24.
This year’s headliner, Lu Kala, brings a fiery-voiced sound to the stage, with opening sets by cootie catcher, offering playful indie-electronic vibes, and Kalisway, known for electrifying, feel-good tracks that blend classic groove with modern edge. KIMIWVN’s DJ set will follow the midnight countdown and keep the celebration going until 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with a dance party.
Across the waterfront, visitors can take in high-energy DJ sets, pop-up performances and moments of celebration. At Sherbourne Common, the Dance Together Festival will host participatory dance sessions, inviting audiences to join in and move into the new year together. Families can enjoy films projected onto the east side of the Canada Malting Silos viewable from Toronto Music Garden throughout the evening.
Harbourfront Centre’s Winterfest will further animate the festivities with DJ Skate Night featuring DJ Smartiez, immersive light displays, curated food offerings in Community Square, a giant Winter Maze and live performances presented throughout the campus
For those celebrating from home, the live broadcast will feature performances and a real-time countdown to midnight on the City’s CultureTO YouTube channel. ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be available.
Travel and road closures
Riding public transit is strongly recommended for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Free service is available on the TTC, GO Transit and UP Express from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026. All customers should tap at fare kiosks as usual but will not be charged during the free service period.
Learn more about what to expect when taking public transit:
To help prevent overcrowding at Union Station following the fireworks, starting at midnight, all TTC customers will be redirected to the east side exterior entrance. Accessible entry will be maintained through the Brookfield place entrance inside the station. Queue lines on Bay Street will be separated for TTC and GO customers and customers are encouraged to follow signage and staff directions to ensure they are in the correct line.
TTC riders are encouraged to also consider using nearby stations, such as King, Queen, St. Andrew and Osgoode, to avoid crowds at Union Station.
The following road closures are in effect on New Year’s Eve:
Additional road closures may be added at any time if deemed necessary by Toronto Police Service. More information on road closures is available on the City’s website.
Additional reminders
The City is grateful for the generous support of New Year’s Eve sponsor Waterfront BIA and media partners CP24, NOW Toronto and Toronto Star.
Quotes:
“New Year’s Eve is a time for all of us to come together and enjoy the excitement of the season. Toronto’s waterfront will be full of music, movement, and community as we ring in 2026 together. Whether you’re dancing outdoors, watching the fireworks with friends and family, or tuning in from home, I invite everyone to take part in this joyful celebration of our city. As we go into 2026, we continue to focus on building a caring, safe, and affordable city that delivers for you.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“Toronto shines brightest when we come together. This year’s New Year’s Eve celebration brings incredible local talent, family-friendly fun and a spectacular fireworks display that captures the spirit of our city. I’m excited to welcome residents and visitors to our waterfront for an unforgettable night.”
– Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York)
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.