The Bentway unveils monumental new public art, brings back Polar Bear Skate and extends winter season on Toronto’s iconic figure-eight Skate Trail
November 5, 2026
The Bentway is giving Torontonians more reasons than ever to get outside and beat the winter blues this season. Opening December 12, the city’s iconic 220-metre figure-eight Skate Trail will offer an expanded season of winter recreation, cultural experiences and community celebrations, alongside a monumental new public art installation, Àdìrẹ on Ice, by Nigerian-Canadian artist and designer Odudu Umoessien – all beneath the Gardiner Expressway.
Winter Skating
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The Skate Trail is open! Lace up and take a spin on The Bentway’s iconic 220m figure-eight loop beneath the Gardiner. Skate beneath the city lights, experience Àdìrẹ on Ice, and check out our lineup of winter programs and events.
Polar Bear Skate
The Bentway’s boldest winter tradition is back! On December 27, brave skaters will strip down to their skivvies and take a chilly lap around the Skate Trail. Join the Polar Bear Skate to bid farewell to 2026, cheer on the brave, and help support neighbours in need through our annual clothing drive.
Àdìrẹ on Ice
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This winter, The Bentway Skate Trail becomes a canvas for Àdìrẹ on Ice, a monumental public artwork by Toronto artist and designer Odudu Umoessien. Inspired by Yoruba textile traditions, the installation brings vibrant sculptural forms, light and projection together, transforming the trail into an immersive celebration of pattern, movement, heritage, and collective joy.
Àdìrẹ on Ice: Artist Tour
See Àdìrẹ on Ice through the artist’s eyes. Join Odudu Umoessien for a guided tour of his Transform the Trail installation, exploring the West African textile traditions, sculptural forms, light and movement that bring the Skate Trail to life. Get a closer look at the ideas behind this year’s winter transformation.
Àdìrẹ on Ice: Guided Community Skate
Join us for an evening of playful movement inspired by the patterns and forms of Odudu Umoessien’s Transform the Trail installation. Follow projected patterns, move with others, and explore how a familiar winter activity can bring people together.
Àdìrẹ on Ice: Stitch-Resist Indigo Dye Workshop
Take a closer look at the patterns, stories and traditions behind Àdìrẹ on Ice. Begin with a guided viewing of Odudu Umoessien’s Transform the Trail installation, then head indoors for a hands-on textile workshop exploring Yoruba àdìrẹ traditions, pattern-making, and discover the ways textiles can carry memory and meaning.
Skate Sharpening
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays from from 5:15pm - 7:45pm
Keep your edges sharp this winter. Bring your skates to The Bentway for on-site skate sharpening and get them ready for more laps around the trail.
Bentway After School
Tuesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Two 5-week sessions: Jan 5-Feb 2, Feb 9-Mar 3
This winter, young urbanists hit the ice and explore their city in a whole new way! This winter cohort of Bentway After School combines ice skating on our iconic figure-eight Skate Trail with creative activities that explore urban design, city building, and placemaking.
Winter Skating Opening Weekend
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The Skate Trail is back! Join us December 12–13 for the first skate of the season, with live DJs, warm drinks, winter food, and a first look at Àdìrẹ on Ice, this year’s Transform the Trail installation by Odudu Umoessien. Opening weekend skating runs noon–9pm.
Ice Skating Lessons
Wednesdays, January 6 - February 24, 2027.
New to skating or ready to build your confidence on the ice? Join our weekly beginner skating lessons on The Bentway’s iconic figure-eight Skate Trail. Led by experienced local instructors, these welcoming sessions will help you learn the basics, find your balance, and get more comfortable on the ice.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays
Thursdays, January 7 - February 25, 2027.
Make Thursday your skate night! Thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, skate rentals are free every Thursday evening from January 7–February 25. Bring your friends, lace up on site, and take a spin beneath the Gardiner without worrying about bringing your own skates.
DJ Skate Nights
Fridays, January 8 - February 26, 2027.
Friday night is skate night! Join us under the Gardiner for weekly live DJ sets, good music, cozy drinks, local food trucks and a trail transformed. Grab your friends and settle into the weekend with some groovy skating at The Bentway.
Skate & Create
Saturdays, January 9 - February 27, 2027.
Why choose between making art and hitting the ice? Skate & Create brings the two together with a drop-in art workshop and a spin around The Bentway’s 220m figure-eight Skate Trail. Warm up indoors with hands-on making led by local artists, then head back outside for more skating and winter fun.
Family Day and Valentine’s Day Weekend
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Make a long weekend of it at The Bentway! Celebrate Family Day and Valentine’s Day with skating, pop-up performances, warm treats, and plenty of time outside beneath the Gardiner. Take a spin through Àdìrẹ on Ice, this year’s Transform the Trail installation, and make a winter outing of it with friends, family or someone special.
Winter Skating Closing Weekend
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One last spin! Join us February 27–28 to close out the winter season on the Skate Trail with a weekend of skating, live DJ sets, winter refreshments, and pop-up performances.