NORTH AMERICA TORONTO · CANADA

Nathan Phillips Square

Free public art and City Hall views; the reflecting pool becomes a seasonal skating rink.

What to expect

Nathan Phillips Square is the broad plaza in front of Toronto City Hall. Its Freedom Arches frame the reflecting pool, which becomes an outdoor skating rink in winter, while the three-metre TORONTO Sign and Henry Moore’s The Archer are popular meeting points. The open plaza is a civic event space, so stages, ceremonies and seasonal installations can change the route or temporarily limit access.

Free public square

Before you go

Entry and costs

The public square and outdoor public art are free. Drop-in skating is free when the rink is open; skate rental, food and ticketed or permitted events are separate.

Visitor notes

The City lists the rink as a November–March attraction, but outdoor rink operations typically start in late November and depend on weather and maintenance; check the live rink status before going to skate. For the 2026–27 season, Cavalcade of Lights is scheduled for 28 November 2026–7 January 2027. Check the Square’s current event calendar because event setups can change access.

Opening hours

Date-specific hours are not available for this place. Check the official page for the day you plan to visit.

Good for

City Hall architecturePublic artWinter skating

Official sourceCity of Toronto — Nathan Phillips Square

Checked 1 November 2026. Hours, entry rules and access can change; check this page again before you visit.

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