576. New Year’s Traditions in Multicultural Toronto – 2015-2016.

Many of our cultural groups are bringing in the new year with very expensive gala parties. Among the cheaper or free celebrations are:

December 31. New Year’s Eve.
10pm to Midnight. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. Performances, countdown and fireworks. Free. Pay for food. http://bit.ly/1Oj5SKx

11:15pm – 11:45pm. New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing Ceremony, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West. The ringing of the bells 108 times expresses thanks to Amida Buddha for the past year. Traditionally, 108 signifies the number of human passions or defilements which each of us is said to possess; such as jealousy, greed, sarcasm, envy. . Organized by the Toronto Buddhist Church. Free. Japanese. http://bit.ly/1ScsCBK

9am to midnight. New Year Nembutsu. Prayers for Peace and Happiness. Tao Sangha Toronto Healing Centre, 375 Jane Street. By donation. Soba and tea. Japanese. http://bit.ly/1mgEW7B

8–10pm. An evening of chanting, meditation, candlelight, and burning of defilements to usher a new year. Open to all. $10 donation. Zen Buddhist Temple, 86 Vaughan Road. 416-658-0137. http//bit.ly/1ZpTgsS

8:30pm to 12.30am. Annual New Year’s Eve Dance! English Country Dancing. St. Barnabas Church Hall, 361 Danforth Avenue. 416-769-2166. $15-$20. Live callers and music. Chester subway station. http://bit.ly/1ZpTYq8

8:30pm. New Year’s Eve Dance Party and Potluck. Ontario Folk Dance Association, 13620 Weston Road, King City. $5. Multicultural. http://bit.ly/1J5aqbk

New Years Eve at the Irish Club of Mississauga 4120 Ridgeway Dr. Music by Cliff Richard and the Shadows and Guests. Only $56.00 includes dinner. For this and other Irish events in Toronto, contact: moleary2001@rogers.com

New Year’s Levees: Please note these are not on traditional dates or at traditional places.

January 9. 2-3:30pm. New Year’s Skating Party with Mayor John Tory and Toronto City Councillors. Free family skate. Featuring a family-friendly DJ and hot beverages. Albert Campbell Square, 150 Borough Dr. Scarborough. This city-wide event takes place in Scarborough and will move to another location in 2017. Families from across the city are invited to come skate with the Members of Council to the sounds of a family-friendly DJ as they celebrate the New Year. http://bit.ly/1R26x85

January 1. Lieutenant-Governor’s Levee will be in Kingston, Ontario on January 1. http://bit.ly/1RM9U4Q

January 3. 2-4pm. Mayor’s New Year’s Levee. Meet and greet will take place from 2 – 3:15 p.m. Civic Centre – 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga. Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Members of Council . Free skating. http://bit.ly/1Pmy3LR

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R.  May peace prevail in 2016.