Union Station opens outdoor ice rink for holiday season

Skaters can now lace up and enjoy the view of the CN Tower at Union Station’s ice rink for the holiday season.
Union Winter, presented by TD Bank, kicked off today providing a festive experience for Torontonians and visitors at the country’s busiest transit hub.
Visitors can enjoy special performances, holiday shopping and dining inside the station, and free skating at the ice rink outside the station’s doors.
Toronto Mayor John Tory was on hand for the opening and said the holiday event will help attract more visitors as the city is still recovering from the pandemic.
“This is a big part of our post-COVID recovery to get people to come downtown to engage in activities here. Union Winter is an exciting opportunity for Torontonians to get down here, to do more than just come to work here. To come for a skate,” Tory said at Union Station Monday.
Canadian Olympian Gabrielle Daleman also performed on the rink today in celebration of it officially opening.
Gabrielle Daleman performing at Union Station's outdoor ice rink.
The rink will be open until Jan. 29, 2023 during the following hours:
- Sundays to Wednesdays: 11AM –7PM
- Thursdays to Saturdays: 11AM – 9PM
However, the rink will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26.
Skaters can register in advance online to secure a time slot or simply walk-in, which is available on a limited basis.
In addition, free skate rentals will be available throughout the season, along with free skating lessons once a week on Tuesdays.
For those who like to skate to some tunes, Union Winter will have a DJ performing live rink-side on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December and January.
Special musical performances will also be held inside Union Station throughout December, including on Dec. 13 when Canadian singer Shawn Desman will perform.
Over the weekend, the City of Toronto started to open its public outdoor skating rinks for the winter season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is going on with Bill C-11, the government's online streaming legislation?
The Liberals have spent years trying to pass online streaming legislation and now the current iteration, known as Bill C-11, is closer than ever to passing. With a potential parliamentary showdown ahead, here's what you need to know about how the contentious Broadcasting Act bill got to this stage.

What should Canada be doing about climate change? 25 recommendations
The national Net-Zero Advisory Body released 25 recommendations Friday for how Canada can adjust its climate plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 — a goal that the country is not on track to reach right now, according to the report.
Canadian government posts $3.6 billion deficit between April and November
The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $3.6 billion in the first eight months of the fiscal year.
Bear on Mars? NASA satellite snaps a strange formation
What looks like a giant teddy bear’s face peering into space from the surface of Mars is actually a satellite image of some craters and a circular fracture, scientists say.
Mandatory minimum penalty for firing gun at house unconstitutional: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a mandatory minimum sentence of four years for firing a gun at a house is unconstitutional.
Zellers rolling out food trucks for Canadians 'craving a taste of nostalgia'
Though you won't be able to sit on the old, cracked pleather benches and take in the thick smell of gravy and fries, while the gentle sound of clanging dishes provides the soundtrack for your lunch, Zellers plans to roll out food trucks for those 'craving a taste of nostalgia.'
Pierre Poilievre tells Tory caucus cities are turning into 'crime zones'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doubled down on his belief that "everything feels broken" Friday, as he laced into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for suggesting otherwise.
Thousands of Maritimers still without power after Thursday storm
Thursday’s wet and windy storm has knocked out power to thousands of people in the Maritimes, most of which are in Nova Scotia.
RCMP warn of potential weekend highway delays near Coutts, Alta. during protest convoy
Freedom rally supporters are expected to congregate near the southern Alberta border town of Coutts on Saturday and RCMP officials say motorists in the area should expect to face highway delays.