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.  

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: 

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. 

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.

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