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
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today.

Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
Quake deaths pass 6,200 as Turkiye, Syria seek survivors
Search teams and emergency aid from around the world poured into Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug, sometimes with their bare hands, through the remains of buildings flattened by a powerful earthquake. The death toll soared above 6,200 and was still expected to rise.
National shortage of veterinarians puts pressure on clinics, pet owners
Canada’s yearslong shortage of veterinarians was exacerbated during the pandemic, as more people welcomed pets into their homes to add joy and companionship during lockdowns. Now, concerns around quickly accessing medical care for animals is more urgent than ever, says one vet.
Why wasn't the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down over Canada?
Critics say the U.S. and Canada had ample time to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it drifted across North America. The alleged surveillance device initially approached North America near Alaska's Aleutian Islands on Jan 28. According to officials, it crossed into Canadian airspace on Jan. 30, travelling above the Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan before re-entering the U.S. on Jan 31.
U.K. police officer, exposed as serial rapist, jailed for life
A former London police officer was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.
Astronomers locate potentially habitable exoplanet 31 light years away
Astronomers have discovered a rocky exoplanet about a few dozen light years away from Earth with conditions that could make it habitable.
Nova Scotia man finds possible historic Killick anchor on beach
John Benoit of West Jeddore, N.S., says he has been beachcombing for over 50 years, but his most recent discovery -- a Killick anchor -- is by far his most memorable.