Since 2004 Toronto's WinterCity Festival has provided free, discounted and decadent entertainment and eats in the midst of the winter months. There are three aspects of the 14-day festival - the WOW! Series, the Warm Up Series, and Winterlicious - and between them there should be something to please just about every taste.
In 2009, the WinterCity Festival is again sponsored by RBC and will take place from January 30th to February 12th.
The WOW! Series
As it does for so many other events in Toronto, during WinterCity Nathan Phillips Square serves as a sort of base camp. Every weekend afternoon and evening there's free entertainment in the square, including skating parties, evening concerts and spectacular performances by international groups. Head inside the RBC WinterCity Lodge for daytime crafts and family entertainment and evening comedy. You can also head into the City Hall Rotunda to watch film screenings provided by the NFB and to view and contribute to the "Soft City" exhibit - a plush, miniature version of Toronto.
The Warm Up Series
During the fourteen days of WinterCity many of Toronto's attractions and arts companies provide special programming for both adults and kids, while also offering deals on admission. To take advantage of the discounts, be sure to visit the City of Toronto's official WinterCity Festival site and print off all the coupons you'll need.
Winterlicious
What's a celebration without food? Winterlicious is best known as the time when numerous fine dining restaurants have special prix fixe menus available, allowing tourists and Torontonian's alike to sample their fare for a reduced price. But there's even more to Winterlicious, with cooking demonstrations and other culinary events taking place at a variety of locations. This is the part of WinterCity that does involve some spending and some planning ahead, so look into the Winterlicious events early.
