Now until Dec. 21
Print Sale
Open Studio, 401 Richmond St. W., Suite 104
Need to finish up your holiday shopping? Head to Open Studio to pick up a piece or two from the city’s foremost printmaking centre. There’s a perfect print for every esthetic, from sharp geometrics to dreamy swathes of paint.
Now until Dec. 24
Holiday Movies
The Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
The Revue has an eclectic seasonal slate with a movie for every craving, whether you’re in the mood for something dark (“Batman Returns,” “Silent Night, Deadly Night” “Scrooged”), a crime caper (“Reindeer Games,” “Enemy of the State,” “Violent Night”) or family fare (“It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story”). Hit a free/PWYC screening of “Jingle All the Way” or the “Love Actually” fundraiser to donate to a worthy cause. Check revuecinema.ca for showtimes.
Now until Jan. 19
Holiday High Tea
Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W.
Indulge in a few festive treats — including turkey-dinner-themed finger sandwiches and iced-gingerbread scones, plus peppermint meringues, mini fruitcakes, eggnog fudge and frozen hot chocolate — before taking a stroll through the museum. Be sure to check out exhibitions featuring Lucy Qinnuayuak, Pacita Abad and Jinny Yu before they leave in 2025; their colourful pieces are the perfect antidote to the winter blues.
Dec. 14 to Dec. 26
Candlelight Concerts
Various venues
You’ve been getting Facebook ads for them every day for years now, so why don’t you just give in already? The Candlelight Concert series is especially cosy this time of year, given that the musicians play seasonal faves from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other holiday soundtracks, along with classic carols. Go to feverup.com for details.
Dec. 14 to Dec. 15
Winter Solstice Tea
Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W.
Visit this 19th-century inn to learn about the winter solstice and explore Indigenous perspectives on the winter months and the new year, while tucking into sweet and savoury bannock and drinking bottomless pots of cedar tea.
Dec. 14
Habibi Nights: Holiday Edition
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W.
Work off any seasonal stress on the dance floor at the holiday edition of the popular Middle Eastern party, Habibi Nights. One of the city’s most joyful — and inclusive — events features the usual great tunes along with some festive live performances.
An Evening of Haunted Holiday Stories
The Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E.
Back in the Victorian era, sharing spooky stories was, in fact, a Christmas tradition. Listen in as Haunted Walk of Toronto storytellers share strange holiday tales. Spring for a VIP ticket to join a paranormal investigation after the show! Go to foxtheatre.ca for more info.
Dec. 17 to Dec. 22
Messiah
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.
Almost 300 years later, Handel’s “Messiah” still reigns supreme as the mightiest holiday music. Relish this timeless piece with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s masterful rendition. For tickets, go to tso.ca.
Dec. 19 to Dec. 20
It Sees You When You’re Sleeping
Eldritch Theatre’s Haunted Red Sandcastle, 922 Queen St. E.
Mix up your holiday plans with something a little less wholesome: this horror play, written and performed by Phil Rickaby, lets you eye-roll at the Elf on the Shelf craze as you enjoy short break from 100 per cent earnest holiday cheer for an hour. Go to eldritchtheatre.ca for tickets.
Dec. 20 to Dec. 21
Yalda Night
Jokers Theatre and Comedy Club, 115 York Blvd., Unit 9
Make the longest and darkest nights of the year a little brighter with a Yalda celebration, featuring a lively Persian band and a packed dance floor. Even better? There will also be delicious treats available! Tickets are available at jokers.ca.
Dec. 20
Roasted Chestnuts IX
Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle
The members of the Queer Songbook Orchestra bring their considerable pipes to both music and storytelling in this annual all-ages fundraiser celebrating chosen family and queer community. Expect lots of festive fun.
A Very TWiNZ Christmas
The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W.
Hosted by Ocean La’Vodka Giovanni and Ella Mayo, this wild holiday drag show features both live singing and lip-synching, along with fierce piano accompaniment. It’s budget-friendly, too, with four levels of PWYC pricing. For details, go to dice.fm.
Dec. 21 to Dec. 22
The Nutcracker
Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
Every holiday season needs some kind of “Nutcracker” content. Get your annual fix with the Toronto International Ballet Theatre’s version, which features both international guest stars and up-and-coming dancers from right here in the GTA. Go to torontoballet.ca for tickets.
Westfall’s World: The Twelve Tricks of Christmas
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave.
The holiday season is filled with magic — in this case, quite literally. Magician Chris Westfall puts on an engaging show guaranteed to delight both youngsters and the young at heart.
Dec. 26
Menorah Madness
Comedy Bar West, 945 Bloor St. W.
Jewish comedians Brandon Zakkai, Matt Render, Brooklyn Mike, Jaime Glassman, Ronen Geisler, Mozie Elmaleh and Max Guttmann bring the funny to night two of Hannukah. More info comedybar.ca.
Dec. 27
Kwanzaa Celebration
Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Rd.
There’s a wealth of wonders to enjoy during Kwanzaa. Delight in the joys of this holiday with African drumming, dancing and storytelling; a candlelighting ceremony; and a stroll through the food and craft market.
Dec. 30
Frost Fairies of High Park
High Park
Fairy folklore isn’t just for the sunnier months. Take this afternoon stroll through High Park to learn about magical woodland creatures like dryads, wood nymphs, and gnomes — and spot how they help craft a winter wonderland. For more details, go to highparknaturecentre.com.
Dec. 31
The Big Lebowski: The Dude’s New Year
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W.
Don your bathrobe and sunglasses and pour yourself a White Russian and join other devotees of the 1998 cult Coen brothers comedy. Usher in 2025 with good vibes by bringing a cash or non-perishable food donation for Spadina-Fort York Community Care.
Tranzac New Year’s Eve
Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave.
The welcoming Annex space is the perfect spot to spend your New Year’s Eve; this year, performers include Sandro Perri and Joseph Shabason, plus beats from Punjabi Ambient Squad. Burdock Brewery is doing a taps takeover, too.
New Year’s Eve Comedy
Comedy Bar West, 945 Bloor St. W.
It was a tough year for many, so why not ring in the new one with a laugh or two? Comedy Bar has a packed lineup: Goodbye 2024, the 8 p.m. show features local fave Bria Hiebert, or, if you want a rowdier party, get a ticket for the NYE instalment of DRUNK at 10 p.m. Go to comedybar.ca for tickets.
