1. Holiday on ice
What’s a Toronto Christmas without a visit to a rink? Starting Nov. 29, you can skate among the vibrant lights of the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square. Or you can try more modern rinks like Hangar Skate, at the former Downsview Airport grounds from Dec. 19 to Feb. 16. If roller-skating is more your speed, you can lace up at Union Station, where the level below the Great Hall is transformed into a free indoor roller rink until Jan. 18.
2. Concerts by candlelight
Candlelight Concerts — performances at unique venues illuminated by hundreds of electric candles — are what Pinterest dreams are made of, and there are so many to choose from this season. For some multi-denominational fun, the tentative program for the concerts on Dec. 19 and 20 at the Evergreen Brickworks include “Ma’oz Tzur,” “O Holy Night” and music from “The Nutcracker” ballet. For fans of the Peanuts gang, jazz pianist and composer Thompson Egbo-Egbo‘s quartet will play the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 27. Throughout December, at other locations, there will also be tributes to such Canadian icons as Leonard Cohen, Drake, The Weeknd and Céline Dion.
3. A ballet spectacle
The National Ballet of Canada’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” promises the spectacle of computer-automated sets, colourful costumes, sumptuous props and dancing animals — including bears, mice, unicorns and a high-kicking cart horse — but the quality of the ballet itself is key. Choreographer James Kudelka says he has set “a high standard of dancing” for its 150 performers, nearly 100 of them children. “And yet it also demands character detail to bring the story to life.” — Michael Crabb
4. Choirs! Choirs! Choirs!
For those whose preferred instrument is the human voice, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Toronto Children’s Chorus have you covered. The Mendelssohn Choir’s Festival of Carols will fill the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (1585 Yonge St.) with jubilant traditional song from Dec. 2 to 4. On Dec. 14, the cheery voices of the Toronto Children’s Chorus will bring the sounds of classic holiday films like “Elf,” “Home Alone” and “Frozen” to Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St.).
5. ‘Robin Hood’ panto
A year after Canadian Stage relaunched Toronto’s holiday panto tradition, taking the reins from theatre impresario Ross Petty, the company has returned to the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge St.) this season with “Robin Hood.” Matt Murray’s musical adaptation has everything you’d expect from a classic panto: song, dance, deliciously evil villains — plus moments to cheer and jeer. Rising star Julia Pulo, who starred as Dorothy in last year’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” is back to play this latest production’s title character, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. She’s joined by a company of Toronto stage favourites, including Damien Atkins and Eddie Glen. — Joshua Chong
6. All that jazz
Get ready to jump and jive! Jazz singer Donovan Locke and the Toronto All-Star Big Band will be performing at Mississauga’s Maja Prentice Theatre (3650 Dixie Rd.) on Dec. 11, offering selections from the golden era of swing as well as retro renditions of seasonal songs. Poodle skirts optional.
7. Symphonic sounds
This season, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall is treating attendees to a wide range of performances. There’s the festive Holiday Pops shows covering all the Christmas classics, the live accompaniment to “Home Alone,” and Handel’s “Messiah,” which blends the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with the orchestra for a transcendently festive evening.
8. Light up the square
From Nov. 29 to Jan. 7, visitors can soak up the Cavalcade of Lights, the dazzling visual display at Nathan Phillips Square, where City Hall is transformed into a luminescent winter wonderland. Several art installations — including Shilpa Gupta’s “We Change Each Other,” which was displayed at this year’s Nuit Blanche — will accompany the lights for the duration.
9. ROM with a view
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 4, the Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park) will be offering a slew of activities to keep the little ones busy during the holiday break, including shark workshops, lantern making and puppet shows.
10. Krampus party
Whether the number 13 is a sign of luck or peril depends on whom you’re speaking to. So the 13th annual Krampus Ball, a costume party celebrating the half-goat/half-demon, is either a Christmas normie’s worst nightmare or an alt kid’s dream. Those 19 and over: don your spookiest, creature-feature getup and come down to the Opera House (735 Queen St. E.) on Dec. 6 for what promises to be a holiday rave like no other.
11. A holiday home
All year round, the Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.) offers attendees a peek into the life and times of Toronto from the turn of the 20th century to the 1930s. During the holidays, the historic Austin house is transformed into a Jazz Age holiday home straight out of a 1920s catalogue. The best part? The timed tours are free.
12. Christmas castle
For “Bridgerton” fans, or just those wanting to celebrate the holidays like a royal, historic Casa Loma (1 Austin Terr.) will be bringing the Christmas spirit with lights — lots of lights — and activities and performances for the whole family. From Dec. 6 to Jan. 3, guests can marvel at the 20-foot-tall tree and the aerialist in the Great Hall before taking in the magic and knight performances. With Santa and his elves set up right inside the castle, kids can also tell the big man what they want for Christmas.
13. Winter solstice
Welcome the longest night of the year at the Winter Solstice Festival in Kensington Market on Dec. 21. At this all-ages event, attendees can gawk at roaming puppets and stilt walkers and catch live music and theatrical performances, while fire artists bathe the area in an amber glow.
14. A Very Alaska Christmas Show
“Hieeee!” The extraterrestrial phenomenon from Glamtron is coming to Toronto. The legendary Alaska, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season 2, will be putting on an all-ages show at the Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave.) on Dec. 11.
15. Charlie Brown’s town
It’s a live performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown! From Dec. 6 to 7 at Meridian Hall (1 Front St. E.), the classic Charles M. Schulz characters come to life, accompanied by the TO Live Orchestra performing Vince Guaraldi Trio’s iconic score.
16. Happy Kwanzaa!
Delight in African and Caribbean cultural celebrations happening around the city. Storytelling and traditional music and dance can be found at the African Canadian Heritage Association (WoodGreen Community Services, 2206 Eglinton Ave. E.) and the Clarington Library, Museums & Archives (163 Church St., Bowmanville) on Dec. 13.
17. Mall wonder
The CF Eaton Centre showcases live musical performances through Dec. 21, allowing shoppers who are frantically checking items off their holiday lists to slow down and savour the season.
18. The Andy Kim Christmas
Pop singer Andy Kim, recently inducted in the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame, brings his annual holiday show to Massey Hall (178 Victoria St.) on Dec. 3. His guests will include Sloan; Kevin Drew and Rachel McLean; Bif Naked; and Mary Margaret O’Hara. Proceeds will benefit CAMH’s Gifts of Light program. — Doug Brod
19. Village people
Has the holiday hustle and bustle of the big city got you down? Ever wish you could return to a simpler time? Festive Nights at The Village at Black Creek (1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.) is the place for you. On Dec. 6, 13 and 20, among the lantern-lit recreation of 19th-century Ontario, relax your city-slicker heart as you nibble on holiday treats and bask in the live music. Take your kids and stop by Santa’s cottage to chat with St. Nick.
20. Brick by brick
Every day from Dec. 4 to 24, at Legoland Discovery Centre in Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.), kids and kids at heart can build new holiday memories. Among the many activities, guests are invited to put together a Lego heart that will be later donated to children in need. The 10-foot-tall Lego trees make the perfect backdrop for family holiday cards. And on weekends, kids can meet “Gingy” the Gingerbread character.
21. Serena Ryder’s Merry Myths
Clap your hands and stomp your feet, Toronto’s Serena Ryder is coming to Markham’s Flato Markham Theatre (171 Town Centre Blvd.) on Dec. 13. Her Merry Myths concert explores how folks the world over celebrate the season. Expect a blend of the veteran performer’s folky melodies and holiday classics.
22. Tim Burton Emo Christmas
For the gloomy goth 19 and older, Dec. 13’s Tim Burton Emo Christmas at the Dopamine Lounge (2415 Yonge St.) will offer all-night alternative fun. Themed drinks will include the Edward Slizzard-Hands and, of course, Beetlejuice, and guests are encouraged to dress as their favourite characters from the likes of “Wednesday,” “The Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
23. Holiday markets
If Toronto knows anything, it’s how to put on a holiday market. The classic choice, the Distillery Winter Village has everything you need: holiday photo ops, artisans, vendors, hot chocolate and a massive Christmas tree. Among the many other markets are the indoor One of a Kind Christmas Show at Enercare Center at Exhibition Place (Nov. 27 to Dec. 7), Dec. 7’s Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Pop Up (1087 Queen St. W.) and Winter Fest at the Harbourfront Centre (Nov. 28 to Dec. 21).
24. Hannukah at Mel Lastman Square
On Dec. 15, head down to Mel Lastman Square for the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario’s annual public menorah lighting, which includes a concert featuring guitarist and singer Barak Grossberg.
25. Christmas Movies at the Revue
Starting Dec. 4, the Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave.) will be getting into the holiday spirit by screening no fewer than 15 Christmas-themed movies — 16, if you count “Die Hard,” which you shouldn’t. Seemingly every genre is represented: horror (“Black Christmas,” “Don’t Open Till Christmas,” the new remake of “Silent Night, Deadly Night”), raunchy comedy (“A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas,” “The Night Before,” “Bad Santa”), kitsch (“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”) and bona fide classics (“A Christmas Story,” “Home Alone” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”). Check revuecinema.ca for dates and times. — Doug Brod
