There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Toronto each year. The main ones are listed below:
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) Monday preceding May 25 : Victoria Day (national holiday)A national holiday celebrated in honour of England's Queen Victoria, originally established as a way of recognizing Canada's ties with the British Empire. A variety of events are held on this day in Toronto and across Canada: military parades, exhibitions, guided tours, etc.
July 1 : Canada Day (national holiday)This celebration marks the day in 1867 that Canada was officially declared a dominion, or self-governing nation. Events include official ceremonies, parades, free concerts and fireworks.
First Monday in September : Labour Day (national holiday) Second Monday in October: Thanksgiving (national holiday)Originally a Christian religious observance, for many years Thanksgiving has been a secular holiday in Canada, as it is in the United States, celebrated by Canadians of all faiths. Families come together to prepare and enjoy a large feast at home. The meal typically includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce as well as various side dishes and ends with an assortment of pies (pumpkin, pecan and apple).
Mid-November : Santa Claus Parade (local event)A Toronto tradition since 1905. Inaugurated by the Eaton's department store with a single float, it now includes over 25 bands and more than 2,000 costumed participants, applauded by throngs of enthusiastic spectators.
December 25 : Christmas (national holiday) December 26: Boxing Day (national holiday)On Boxing Day and during the entire week following Christmas, stores clear out their leftover inventories by running sales. A chance to grab some great deals!
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7/19 | -1/30 | 61/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
| February | -6/21 | 0/32 | 55/2.2 | Not the best period to go |
| March | -2/28 | 5/41 | 54/2.1 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 4/39 | 11/52 | 68/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 10/50 | 18/64 | 82/3.2 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 15/59 | 24/75 | 71/2.8 | Good period to go
|
| July | 18/64 | 27/81 | 64/2.5 | Good period to go
|
| August | 18/64 | 27/79 | 81/3.2 | Good period to go
|
| September | 13/55 | 21/70 | 85/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 7/45 | 14/57 | 64/2.5 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 2/36 | 7/45 | 84/3.3 | Good period to go
|
| December | -3/27 | 2/36 | 61/2.4 | Good period to go
|
The Toronto Pearson International Airport is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) north-west of the city centre.
Toronto offers many convenient options for getting to every part of the city: by car, public transport, bicycle, taxi and on foot. Simply choose the one that suits your needs!
Renting a car is the best way to explore the area around Toronto (the city is not very far from the border with the United States). Highways 2, 401 and 407 and Queen Elizabeth Way connect Toronto with nearby cities. To travel to the United States, the closest international crossings are those in Windsor, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls.
Toronto's public transport system is among the most extensive and efficient in North America. Getting around the city is very simple. Each day, about 2 million people use public transport in Toronto.
Fares:
Taxis are not difficult to find in Toronto because several taxi companies operate throughout the city. Fares are regulated and tipping (15 to 20% of the fare) is required. You can hail taxis in the street or dial 416-TAXICAB, which gives access to all companies operating taxis in Toronto.
Toronto has many cycling paths. You have two options for obtaining a bike, either by using Bike Share Toronto, the public bike-sharing network (800 bicycles and 80 stations in central Toronto, starting from CAD 7 for a 1-day pass), or by renting a bike from one of the 100 bike shops in the city. Be sure to pick up the Toronto Cycling Map, which shows bike lanes, shared roadways, signed bicycle routes and multi-use trails.
Walking is a very pleasant way to visit Toronto, ideal for exploring the city's architecture, its many parks and other features. In colder weather, you can stroll along the PATH, Toronto's underground pedestrian walkway linking 28 kilometres (18 miles) of shopping, services and entertainment.
Upon your arrival in Toronto, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Ontario Travel Information CentreOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The currency used in Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
1 € = 1,53 $
1 $ = 0,65 €
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Toronto counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Canada, though the following vaccines are recommended:
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Tap water is safe to drink in Toronto.
Citizens of the European Union need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to Canada. However, acceptable travel documents and identification must also be presented at the border.
Neither visas nor Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) are required for U.S. citizens.
For foreign nationals from other countries, see the information on the Citizen and Immigration Canada website:
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Canada, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Tipping
In Canada, tipping is expected and is sometimes included in the bill. Before leaving a gratuity, check to be sure that it has not already been included. For waiting staff and taxi drivers, you should tip between 15 and 20% of the bill before tax. Tip hotel porters CAD 2 per large bag. In a bar, you can leave at least CAD 1 for a drink.
