Beth Macdonell has a preview of what Toronto has planned for New Year\u2019s celebrations in the city. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what to know about New Year\u2019s Eve (NYE) in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. There will be fireworks shows, DJ dance parties, and major road closures. <\/p>\n
Fireworks<\/p>\n
The City of Toronto will host a 10-minute fireworks show along the harbourfront. <\/p>\n
There are seven designated viewing areas:<\/p>\n
Pedestrians are advised to take public transport and use York, Jarvis, Bay streets, or Spadina Avenue to access the waterfront viewing areas. <\/p>\n
Brampton<\/a> and Mississauga<\/a> will also host its own minutes-long fireworks shows. In Brampton, revellers can go to Garden Square while those in Mississauga can head to Celebration Square. <\/p>\n Music to ring in 2026<\/p>\n The city said that its celebrations will be \u201canchored\u201d at the Harbourfront Centre<\/a> with a music concert hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow, along with drag queen Makalya Coutre<\/a> and CP24\u2019s Jessica Smith<\/a>, beginning at 10 p.m.<\/p>\n Headlining the show will be Lu Kala<\/a>, with opening sets from Cootie Catcher<\/a> and Kalisway<\/a>. DJ KIMIWVN<\/a> will take over after midnight to keep the show going until 1 a.m. <\/p>\n Also at the Harbourfront will be DJ Skate Night, with DJ Smartiez<\/a>, light displays, a winter maze, other live performances, and \u201ccurated food offerings in Community Square,\u201d the city said in a press release.<\/a> <\/p>\n Beyond the Harbourfront Centre, there will be shows at Sherbourne Common, Toronto Music Garden, and the CultureTO YouTube channel<\/a> will be broadcasting the event. The waterfront will have \u201croaming performers, family-friendly activities and festive pop-up surprises,\u201d the city said.<\/p>\n Then, outside of Toronto, Alessia Cara will headline the end of year celebration at Brampton<\/a>. After her performance, Cara will be inducted to the Arts Walk of Fame. <\/p>\n Mississauga\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve party kicks off with a K-Pop dance party with musicians like CMAGIC5, Alex Kade and Say Now taking the stage later in the night.<\/p>\n Transit and road closures<\/p>\n Toronto says that public transit is \u201cstrongly recommended\u201d for NYE partygoers. TTC and GO service will be free from 7 p.m. on Wednesday to 8 a.m. on Thursday.<\/a> UP Express will be be free on NYE but will only run until 3:45 a.m. The city advised customers to tap at kiosks but said that no one will be charged. <\/p>\n In order to \u201cprevent overcrowding,\u201d at Union Station customers will be directed to the east exterior entrance after midnight. <\/p>\n \u201cCustomers entering Union will only be allowed to access TTC through Bay Street entrance, customers may be asked to line up before entering station, staff and volunteers will be on hand,\u201d Aderonke Akande, the director of arts and culture services at the City of Toronto said at a press event. <\/p>\n An exception will be made for those with accessibility concerns who will have access through Brookfield place. <\/p>\n \u201cQueue lines on Bay Street will be separated for TTC and GO customers and customers are encouraged to follow signage and staff directions to ensure they are in the correct line,\u201d the city said. They added that TTC riders are advised to consider using King<\/a>, Queen<\/a>, St. Andrew<\/a> or Osgoode<\/a> stations as alternatives to Union<\/a>. <\/p>\n The city is planning on closing certain roads on NYE, and says that they may make additional closures if Toronto police deem it necessary.<\/p>\n Eastbound traffic on Queens Quay West<\/a> from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.Bay Street from Front Street<\/a> to Queens Quay West<\/a> from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026. York Street from Front Street<\/a> to Queens Quay West<\/a> from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026. <\/p>\n There will also be road closures in Brampton<\/a> and Mississauga<\/a> on Wednesday night around the areas the end of year celebrations are taking place. <\/p>\n