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
Dogs, drones, and word of mouth: How police narrowed in on Luigi Mangione
After UnitedHealthcare's CEO was gunned down on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and scuba divers.
'Governor Justin Trudeau': Trump appears to mock PM in social media post
Amid a looming tariff threat, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump appears to be mocking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to him as 'Governor Justin Trudeau' in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday.
'I never got the impression he would self-destruct:' Friends of suspect in fatal CEO shooting left in shock
Months before police identified Luigi Mangione as the man they suspect gunned down a top health insurance CEO and then seemingly vanished from Midtown Manhattan, another disappearing act worried his friends and family.
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
'Serial fraud artist': Crown wants 8-year jail term for fake nurse who treated nearly 1K B.C. patients
B.C. Crown prosecutors are calling for an eight-year prison term for a woman who illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across the province while impersonating a real nurse.
Taxpayer-funded Eras Tour tickets returned by federal minister
While tens of thousands of fans packed Vancouver's BC Place for the last shows of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, a federal cabinet minister wasn't one of them.
'I was just trying to help her': Ontario woman loses $14,000 to taxi scam
An Ontario woman thought she was helping another woman pay for their taxi ride, but instead she was defrauded of $14,000.
opinion Are extended warranties ever worth buying?
It seems extended warranties are offered for almost every small electronics purchase. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains the benefits and drawbacks of extended warranties, and highlights which ones can be useful, and even necessary.
How U.S. tariffs could affect Canada's agriculture industry and consumer prices
As Donald Trump's inauguration looms, Canada's agriculture industry is waiting with bated breath to see whether the sweeping tariffs he's threatened will come to pass.