BRIAN'S BLOG
Toronto Events – Holiday Edition
November 28, 2022
In December, Toronto becomes a mystical paradise of snow, beautiful lights, and festivities. Here is a list of some exciting events and activities this holiday season!
Canada’s Wonderland: Winterfest (Now- December 31st)
Canada’s Wonderland transforms into a magical, winter wonderland for WinterFest – an immersive holiday experience for the whole family. This event features ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, more than a dozen live shows and holiday entertainment, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park, including two 50-foot Christmas trees on International Street.
Join us at this one-of-a-kind holiday event in Vaughan, just outside of Toronto, and make special memories with family and friends. Explore the larger-than-life themed areas, enjoy festive food, shop seasonal merchandise, and so much more.
Window Wonderland (Now- January 1st)
Toronto’s award-winning immersive urban art walk, Window Wonderland, returns to the Junction for its third consecutive year. From November 25 to January 1, 2023, Window Wonderland, presented by Isaan Der Authentic Thai Kitchen, will transform the Junction into a FREE, magical outdoor gallery featuring 20 unique augmented reality (AR) installations. Window Wonderland will also showcase four animated wall murals, two of which are new to the Junction and have been designed by local and international artists.
The first of its kind for the City of Toronto, Window Wonderland is presented in collaboration with Artivive, an internationally-renowned AR app that is changing how art is created and consumed. Providing access to over 200,000 international artists, Artivive allows artists to create new dimensions with a digital layer, opening a new world of possibilities. Visitors at Window Wonderland can simply point their smartphones at the artwork on the windows and wall murals, and voila – watch the artist’s creation come to life!
Holiday Fair In the Square (December 2nd-23rd)
Holiday Fair in the Square is returning to the heart of downtown Toronto! This year, the Fair will be working in association with the City of Toronto’s Cavalcade of Lights to transform Nathan Phillips Square into a magical winter wonderland!
Combining the charm and elegance of a Christmas market with the excitement of a thriving winter carnival and light show, Holiday Fair in the Square is a holiday tradition you don’t want to miss.
Festive Nights (December 3rd, 10th and 17th)
Experience the warmhearted festivities of the season, including live entertainment and samples of scrumptious holiday treats. Cozy up to a roaring fire as you enjoy a traditional holiday tale, take part in our enchanting Yuletide Ball, and create old-fashioned handmade ornaments to take home and deck your halls with.
Grab a piping hot chocolate and enjoy a whimsical puppet show, take part in the joy of Victorian parlour games, and try your hand at old-fashioned candle dipping.
No matter if you’ve been naughty or nice, stop by Santa’s cottage and meet Kris Kringle himself.
Festival of Carols (December 6th-7th)
Celebrate this holiday season with Toronto’s beloved tradition — Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s annual celebration of music: Festival of Carols. This year, the TMChoir is bringing back the much-anticipated sing-along portion of the concert with pieces such as Joy to the World, Silent Night, and O Come All Ye Faithful. Under the direction of Maestro Jean-Sébastien Vallée, both the TMChoir and TMSingers bring this program to life, and are joined by guest artist Isabelle Demers on the organ.
This year’s program also features a brand-new commission from composer-in-residence Dr. Shireen Abu-Khader: Heartbeat. She writes, “The starting point for composing this carol stemmed from asking the question, “Why do all beautiful Christmas carols, that the world knows, not match the soundscape of the actual birth of Christ – Bethlehem?” The piece itself uses Byzantine chant and Greek melodies familiar to the composer, along with newly composed melodies focussing on the welcoming of children and the emotions of motherhood.
Elf In Concert (December 9th-10th)
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, and raised among Santa’s elves. This holiday season Buddy travels to New York—with a live symphony orchestra! Experience John Debney conducting his wonderful score as the full film plays on the big screen.
The Nutcracker (December 10th-31st)
Squabbling siblings Marie and Misha are attending a Christmas party at their country estate when their mysterious Uncle Nikolai arrives, bearing gifts. These include a beautiful nutcracker doll for Marie, who takes it to the nursery that night. Then the magic begins. The clock strikes twelve, the Christmas tree grows to enormous proportions and Marie and Misha journey to the icy realm of the Snow Queen and golden palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy where they must learn to get along.
The Kensington Market Winter Solstice (December 21st)
The Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival started in 1988 and was originally named the Kensington Market Festival of Lights. The event was initiated by Ida Carnivali, artistic director of the Kensington Carnival Arts Society. Ida’s artistic vision for the festival were influenced by the Commedia Dell Arte, clown, street performance, large scale community-based and professional theatrical productions in the neighbourhood and various other outdoor environments.
December is one of the busiest times of the year and this holiday season is no different. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to catch some amazing concert performers such as Mariah Carey, The 1975 and the Barenaked Ladies.
Try A Delicious New Restaurant
Restaurant openings are coming at us fast throughout Toronto. If you are looking for a new spot to escape the cold or a place to celebrate the holidays with family look nor further than these new spots in the city.
Bundle up under some warm blankets and enjoy the latest in tv and movies with Netflix this holiday season.