Massive holiday ice skating trail returning to Toronto this month

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Published December 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Grab your skates, because a cherished holiday event is returning to Toronto. The Bentway Skate Trail is returning for its eighth season this month. For those who may not be skate savvy, the trail is over 200 meters long and cascades throughout The Bentway — a public arts space under the Gardiner — in the shape of a frozen figure eight. To celebrate its launch, for three days only in the lead up to the holidays kicking off in full swing, The Bentway will be running free ice skate rentals, complete with warm drinks and hot taffy, on Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. “We can’t wait to welcome you back under the Gardiner for some Bentway winter magic,” read The Bentway’s official Instagram post welcoming the trail’s return. The trail’s normal season is set to run from its launch day this month, all the way to mid-February, and while skate rentals are a special occasion, the trail will remain free to the public during the entire winter season in Toronto. As for additional special events, for those feeling cheeky (quite literally) on Dec. 28, the Polar Bear Skate returns, where, “Strip down to your skivvies and take a fearless lap around the trail to bid farewell to 2025.” The event, which has now become a staple of The Bentway Skate Trail, is a major charity drive, with all proceeds going towards New Circles Community Services. The Bentway Skate Trail is set to open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Grab your skates, because a cherished holiday event is returning to Toronto.

The Bentway Skate Trail is returning for its eighth season this month.

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For those who may not be skate-savvy, the trail is over 200 meters long, and each winter, it cascades throughout The Bentway  — a public arts space under the Gardiner — in the shape of a frozen figure eight.

To celebrate its launch, The Bentway will be running free ice skate rentals, complete with warm drinks and hot taffy, on Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23.

“We can’t wait to welcome you back under the Gardiner for some Bentway winter magic,” read The Bentway’s official Instagram post welcoming the trail’s return.

 

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The trail’s normal season is set to run from its launch day this month to mid-February.

While skate rentals are just a special occasion for their launch, the trail will remain free to the public during the entire winter season in Toronto.

Regarding additional special events, for those feeling cheeky (quite literally) on Dec. 28, the Polar Bear Skate returns, where guests can “Strip down to your skivvies and take a fearless lap around the trail to bid farewell to 2025.”

The event, now a staple of The Bentway Skate Trail, is also a major charity drive, with all proceeds going towards New Circles Community Services.

The Bentway Skate Trail is set to open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 20.