Toronto ringing in 2025 with 10-minute waterfront firework spectacle

Toronto is ringing in 2025 with a waterfront firework display and a series of pop-up performances. Here's what you need to know about celebrating New Year's Eve downtown.  

Fireworks 

The city's 10-minute fireworks show will start at midnight and can be viewed anywhere with a view of Toronto's inner harbour, according to a news release earlier this month. 

Fireworks will be synchronized to an "all-Canadian soundtrack," said Rachel Fender, programming supervisor for city cultural events. 

She said the show will go on even if it snows or rains.

Around 250,000 people have attended the display at the waterfront in previous years. If you're planning to stay home, you can watch a livestream of the display on Youtube. 

The city has seven designated viewing areas for the display: 

• Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W. 

• Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Drive.  

• Sugar Beach Park, 11 Dockside Drive. 

• HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W. 

• HTO Park West, 375 Queens Quay W. 

• Harbour Square Park, 25 Queens Quay W. 

• Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.

There will be no fireworks at City Hall or Nathan Phillips Square. 

Residents need a permit to set off fireworks on private property. More information about requesting a permit is on the city's website. 

Pop-up performances 

Before the fireworks begin, you can catch pop-up performances across the waterfront, starting at 10 p.m. 

These include DJ sets at Bathurst Quay Common, as well as a public dance session at Sherbourne Common. 

The city is also projecting short films from the National Film Board of Canada on the east side of the Canada Malting Silos, which will be visible from the Toronto Music Garden. 

Mayor Olivia Chow will lead the city's countdown to 2025 with drag performer Sanjina DaBish Queen, starting at 11:45 p.m. 

The countdown will be livestreamed on the city's CultureTO YouTube channel.

Public transit 

The city is advising people to use public transit to get around Toronto on New Year's Eve. 

Free service will be available on the TTC, GO Transit and UP Express from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 8 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

The TTC will run until 3 a.m., with the last trains leaving Union Station around 2:30 a.m., the city said. 

Overnight buses and streetcar service will continue until 8 a.m. 

Riders are encouraged to consider using stations other than Union Station to prevent overcrowding after the fireworks display. 

Starting at midnight, people entering Union Station will be redirected to the east side exterior entrance, located at Brookfield Place, said TTC spokesperson Stuart Green. 

There will be accessible entry on Bay Street and through the Bay Promenade inside the station.

TTC staff will be in the area directing pedestrians, Green said. 

GO Transit will be running additional trips throughout New Year's Eve on its Lakeshore East and West Lines, arriving and departing regularly at Union Station. 

It is also adding late night trips to the following lines: 

• Milton line: Last train leaving Union Station at 2:55 a.m. 
• Barrie line: Last train leaving Union Station at 3:45 a.m. 
• Stouffville line: Last train leaving Union Station at 4:12 a.m. 
• Richmond Hill line: The 6:45 p.m. train departing Union Station will be cancelled and replaced by a train leaving at 1:15 a.m.

Road closures 

• Eastbound traffic on Queens Quay W. from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

• Bay Street from Front Street to Queens Quay W. from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

• York Street from Front Street to Queens Quay W. from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

More road closures may be added by Toronto police, the city said. 

Other NYE events in Mississauga, Markham 

If you're looking for a fireworks show outside of the downtown core, Mississauga will host a display at Celebration Square. 

Before fireworks start at midnight, attendees can enjoy live music and food trucks. The square's outdoor ice rink will also be open until 11 p.m., weather dependent.

People are encouraged to carpool, walk or take MiWay, which will be free from 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

The City of Markham is also holding live music and a midnight fireworks display at Origin Square. The countdown to 2025 will be led by the city's official town crier. 

CBC will celebrate with Canada Live! Countdown 2025, counting down to the new year all night long across six time zones. 

CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault and co-host of The National Ian Hanomansing will welcome familiar faces and surprise guests as Canada celebrates from coast to coast. 

The show kicks off at 8 p.m. on CBC News Network and 9 p.m. local time on CBC TV. It  will also be streaming on CBC News and CBC Gem.