Busy evening expected on Toronto waterfront as city hosts New Year's Eve celebration
Thousands of people are expected to make their way to Toronto’s Harbourfront area Saturday night as the city hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration.
The official festivities, which will include two, 15-minute synchronized fireworks displays, will run from 11:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
While the high-altitude displays can be seen from anywhere that has views of Toronto’s inner harbour, some of the best places to enjoy the shows include Ireland Park, the Toronto Music Garden, HTO Park, HTO Park West, Harbourfront Centre grounds, Harbour Square Park, Sugar Beach Park, and Water’s Edge Promenade. All of these suggested locations are fully accessible.
Toronto police are urging revelers to plan ahead and do their part to ensure the event is safely enjoyed by everyone.
They are reminding people to dress for the weather and plan their ride by either having a designated driver, using public transit, or hiring a ride-share service.
People with young children are also being advised to have a plan in place in case they get separated from them.
Motorists are asked to be patient and factor in a lot of extra time to travel around the downtown area as there will be large crowds and busy streets, police said. The best option is to leave the car at home as a number of road closures will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.
They include the eastbound lanes of Queens Quay West, between Bathurst and Yonge streets, and the eastbound lanes of Queens Quay East, between Yonge and Lower Sherbourne streets. If needed, police may also close and/or divert cross streets south of Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Several ramps on the Gardiner Expressway will also be off limits starting at 11:30 p.m. tonight until 1 a.m. Sunday. They include the eastbound off ramps at Spadina Avenue and York/Bay streets, and the westbound off ramps at Lakeshore Boulevard/Spadina Avenue and Yonge Street.
Police said drivers can also expect other diversions in the downtown core area with the TTC and Metrolinx’s input.
The latest road closure information will be posted on Toronto Police Operations’ Twitter account at @TPSOperations.
Those unable to attend tonight’s event in person can tune in to an accompanying livestream set to a soundtrack of Canadian and international music artists on the city’s CultureTO YouTube channel.
People should note that the city’s New Year’s Eve event will not be based at Nathan Phillips Square this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think
He killed a high-profile CEO on a sidewalk in America’s largest city, where thousands of surveillance cameras monitor millions of people every day.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
Man arrested after 16-hour standoff with Barrie police seeks to be released from custody
The 43-year-old man taken to hospital in distress following a 16-hour armed standoff with Barrie police last month is seeking bail.
Facing the holidays without family ties or the romantic partner of your dreams? Here's how to make this season fulfilling
While the holiday season is often a time rich with cheer love and family connections, it can also be a painful reminder of what once was.
Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation
Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm.
Quebec City bus driver arrested for drunk-driving after collision
A Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC) bus driver has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after being involved in a collision in Quebec City late Friday evening.