Happy December! We’re officially at the tail end of the year, and many of us are wrapping up work projects, squeezing in long-delayed appointments, and, most importantly, spending time with the people we love.
I was lucky to have visitors from out of town recently, and we had a great time exploring the Yonge North York district. I hope this list helps you find a little fun with family and friends this holiday season and gives you a reason to get outside and explore our area. 

Catch a Flick at Cineplex Cinemas at Empress Walk
Ride the longest escalator in Toronto up to the top floor and settle in for a movie. Arrive a little early to play some arcade games and browse the snacks or merch before the show. There are plenty of family-friendly films out right now, and you can even upgrade the experience with IMAX, 3D, or DBOX for select movies. Honestly, is there anything more relaxing and fun than watching a movie together?

Billiards Fun with Friends
Play a few rounds of pool upstairs at YK Billiards near Yonge and Finch. Our group originally planned on karaoke but ended up choosing billiards instead, and we’re so glad we did. It was actually my first time playing, and I had such a good time. There are plenty of rooms and tables, and the rate was fair at $25/hr. Everything was super straightforward, and we ended up staying for a couple of hours without even realizing it.

Go Crazy for Karaoke
We skipped karaoke this time, but it’s such a popular activity in Yonge North York. Spots like Shout Karaoke have been around for years, and every bar we passed was either packed or putting people on a waitlist. Next time, I would definitely call ahead. It’s a fun evening or weekend activity, with drinks, snacks, and a chance to sing your heart out with your favourite people.

Skating at Mel Lastman Square
One of my favourite winter activities is skating, especially when the weather is nice. I love when Mel Lastman Square opens in our neighbourhood because it’s a chance to get outside, see neighbours, skate around, and enjoy a hot chocolate afterwards. This year, you can rent skates and helmets, and they even offered gloves and hats for sale—super convenient on the chilly morning we first stepped onto the ice. The rink operates from 10 AM to 10 PM on weekdays, and the rental booth opens on Thursdays from 4 PM to 10 PM and Fridays through Sundays from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Game Cafes in the Area
If you’re looking for indoor activities and want to stay off the ice, I definitely recommend checking out one of the game cafes in the area, such as Corner Cafe in North York. You can play all kinds of board games and card games while enjoying coffee, boba, chicken and waffles, and more. The best part is that you can spend hours there—challenging friends to a strategy game, teaching your kids a new card game, or just relaxing with a snack while watching others play. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making it perfect for family outings, catching up with friends, or even a fun date.

There’s So Many Ways to Enjoy December
I hope this list inspires you to explore all the fun activities our neighbourhood has to offer. As my last blog post of the year, thank you for reading and staying connected to my Yonge North York stories. I hope they’ve helped you discover what makes this neighbourhood so special. These wonderful local businesses are a big part of what makes our community so special, and there’s truly no shortage of things to do! I’m excited to see what 2026 brings to Yonge North York and wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!

Cineplex Cinemas | 5095 Yonge St. | cineplex.com
YK Billiards | 5582 Yonge St.
Shout Karaoke | 5600 Yonge St.
Mel Lastman Sq. | 5100 Yonge St. | mlsquare.ca
Corner Cafe North York | 5193 Yonge St. | acornercafe.ca