2024 Best Holiday Shows and Concerts in Toronto this Holiday Season

November 27th to 30th – Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra starts the holiday season with its sensational rendition of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets.

Attendees will be journeyed to the Land of Sweets in Act II of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The music of the beloved ballet classic comes to life with familiar favorites, including “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Flowers.” Adding to the festivity, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra joins side by side for a thrilling performance of Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall

When: November 27th to 30th,

• November 27th, 8:00 pm

• November 28th, 8:00 pm

• November 30th, 8:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $96. Grab your tickets here.

November 29th and 30th – Disney in Concert: Frozen

TO Live and Glatz Concerts present Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen in Concert to Toronto audiences this holiday season, with composer Christophe Beck’s Grammy-nominated score performed live to the film.

The film and its multi-platinum soundtrack feature eight songs written by Academy Award®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, including the Oscar® and Grammy®-winning song “Let It Go” performed by Idina Menzel. 

Come create unforgettable memories for the whole family at Disney’s ‘Frozen’ in concert with a live orchestra!

Synopsis

Fearless optimist Princess Anna sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

Where: Meridian Hall

When:

• November 29th, 7:00 pm

• November 30th, 2:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $54. Grab your tickets here

December 3rd and 4th – Festival of Carols

Juno and Grammy-nominated choir, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, rings into the holiday season with its beloved annual celebration of music: the Festival of Carols.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the beloved Festival of Carols! Under the direction of Maestro Jean-Sébastien Vallée, this dazzling performance is bound to fill your heart and make your spirits soar as you sing along to classics like “Silent Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

Attendees will experience a sparkling evening of music bound to warm hearts and uplift spirits this holiday season for all ages.

Where: Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St., Toronto

When: December 3rd and 4th, 7:30 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $47. Grab your tickets here

December 4th – Christmas with the Clemons

Michael “Pinball” Clemons & Diane Lee Clemons invite you to their annual Christmas concert, Christmas with the Clemons, in support of the Pinball Clemons Foundation**

The evening showcases holiday cheer, with special guests sprinkling memorable Christmas stories between musical and artistic performances.

The Alpay Family presents

The Clemons family invites you to join them for a magical evening of music and holiday cheer for Christmas with the Clemons! This heartwarming concert showcases the Clemons’ favorite time of year with a stunning array of musical and artistic performances that will fill you and your loved ones with Christmas. From timeless carols to soulful renditions of holiday classics, the event promises an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Not only will you enjoy an evening of joyful celebration – all proceeds from the concert will go toward empowering marginalized and racialized youth in our community, by offering them the gift of education and the opportunity to build brighter futures.

Join us in spreading joy, love, and hope this holiday season while impacting young lives. Whether you’re attending with friends, family, or on your own, Christmas with the Clemons is the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall

When: December 4th, 7:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $112. Grab your tickets here.

December 6th to 31st – The Nutcracker by The National Ballet of Canada

One of Toronto’s most cherished holiday productions, The Nutcracker, returns this holiday season to captivate audiences with dazzling dances, scores, magnificent sets and costumes, and choreography.

Synopsis

Squabbling siblings Marie and Misha are attending a Christmas party at their country home 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 embark on a fabulous journey that teaches them to get along.

This narrative tale of family and adventure is a must-see for the whole family.

Where: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, Toronto

When: December 6th to 31st, Select Times

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $88. Grab your tickets here

December 5th to 8th – Elf in Concert

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents the fun and merry Elf in Concert this holiday season at the Roy Thomson Hall

Synopsis

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’s excellent score as the full film plays on the big screen.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

When: December 5th to 8th

• December 5th, 7:30 pm

• December 6th, 7:30 pm

• December 7th, 2:00 pm

• December 7th, 7:30 pm

• December 8th, 2:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $55. Grab your tickets here

Various Dates in December – The Christmas Story by The Church of the Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity hosts an epic Christmas performance telling the Nativity story – The Birth of Christ

Where: 10 Trinity Square, Toronto

When:

• December 7th, 4:30 pm

• December 8th, 4:30 pm

• December 14th, 4:30 pm (ASL)

• December 15th, 4:30 pm

• December 20th, 7:00 pm

• December 21st, 4:30 pm

• December 22nd, 4:30 pm

Admission: Admission by donations. You can make donations here

December 8th – Timeless Traditions by Orchestra Toronto

Orchestra Toronto provides a scintillating two-hour performance with Timeless Traditions as attendees step into the enchanting embrace of the holiday season, an afternoon of pure magic and joy that will captivate audiences of all ages.

Join an epic holiday celebration that honors the timeless traditions of yesteryears, where families gather, laughter fills the air, and hearts are aglow with the spirit of the season. Experience the magic of holiday classics, immerse yourself in the joyous melodies of the festive season, and create cherished memories that will be treasured for generations to come.

Join us as we embark on a journey filled with the spirit of camaraderie, the beauty of tradition, and the boundless magic of the holiday season. Let us celebrate the joy of love, laughter, and timeless traditions.

Where: The George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St., Toronto

When: December 8th, 3:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $13. Grab your tickets here

December 10th to 12th – TSO Holiday Pops

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents its annual festive concert, TSO Holiday Pops, at the Roy Thomson Hall

Led by Jeff Tyzik and featuring the smooth vocals of Toronto’s own Denzal Sinclaire, this festive concert will surely get you into the holiday spirit faster than you can say, “Fa la!” Gather the whole family for a celebration of the season with an upbeat, jazzy twist!

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

When: December 10th to 12th

• December 10th, 8:00 pm

• December 11th, 2:00 pm

• December 11th, 8:00 pm

• December 12th, 8:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $62. Grab your tickets here

December 11th – Good Lovelies Christmas Concert

Presented by Massey Hall, Good Lovelies’ annual Christmas tour arrives in Toronto this December, bringing classic holiday songs, timeless winter selections, and original Good Lovelies material to the stage.

About Good Lovelies

Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough, and Susan Passmore are a trio of songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, and gorgeous harmonizers known for their nostalgic sound during the holidays that crosses between folk-roots, old-time swing, soul, and bluegrass.

Accompanying them onstage, as always, will be their Merry Men, featuring some of Canada’s finest musicians – Robbie Grunwald, Steve Zsirai, and Mark Mariash.

This year, the band will also weave in selections from their 2024 Juno-nominated album, We Will Never Be The Same. Combined with their usual banter, the show is a guaranteed good time for the whole family.

Good Lovelies first united in 2006 for a one-off performance and have since compiled a catalog of studio albums, E.P.s, a live album, and Christmas collections. They have toured extensively across Canada, the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and Australia and have earned a JUNO Award, a SOCAN #1 Single, and four Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Where: Massey Hall, Toronto

When: December 11th, 7:30 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $62. Grab your tickets here

December 14th – Christmas with The Salvation Army

The Salvation presents its beautiful and merry concert of the holiday season, Christmas, with The Salvation Army featuring. Season 9 winner of NBC’s The Voice, Jordan Smith

Attendees will experience the wonders of the Christmas With The Salvation Army holiday season at the iconic Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. This event promises to be a beautiful celebration of the season.

Under the artistic direction of the Music and Arts Ministries team, Christmas With The Salvation Army will also feature the Canadian Staff Band, Canadian Staff Songsters, NEON, organist Ian Sadler, and the Festival Chorus.

Gather with friends and family to celebrate the Christmas season’s joy, love, and hope. Secure your tickets and make Christmas With The Salvation Army at Roy Thomson Hall a cherished part of your holiday tradition.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

When: December 14th, 7:30 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $62. Grab your tickets here

December 14th – GLORIA!

St Michael’s Choir will host its spectacular and magical Christmas concert, GLORIA! at the Massey Hall during the Holiday Season

GLORIA! is a magical blend of secular and sacred choral repertoire to usher in this Christmas season. A Toronto holiday tradition, this is the Choir School’s 59th annual Christmas concert, packed with exceptional works, including Vivaldi’s Gloria, Carol of the Bells, and The Star Carol. With close to 300 voices and five choirs of students and alumni taking the stage, this year’s program will surely be one of the best yet!

St. Michael’s Choir School graduates are some of Canada’s most celebrated professional and amateur musicians. Both alumni and current students are known for music of the highest caliber.

Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street, Toronto

When: December 14th, 7:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $48. Grab your tickets here

December 21st – Choir! Choir! Choir!

Massey hosts the joyous Choir! Choir! Choir!, a Family Matinee of “Un-Silent Night” at Massey Hall

Bring the whole family for this joy-filled sing-along of EPIC Holiday Hits!

Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street, Toronto

When: December 21st, 2:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $57. Grab your tickets here

December 21st and 22nd – The Nutcracker by The Toronto International Ballet Theatre

Toronto International Ballet Theatre proudly presents The Nutcracker, offering a captivating rendition of the beloved holiday classic, unlike North America’s traditional versions.

Follow Clara on a magical journey with her Nutcracker Prince as they navigate enchanted forests and the dazzling Land of Sweets. This performance beautifully captures the themes of innocence, wonder, and the discovery of young love, creating a mesmerizing and emotionally rich experience.

Featuring internationally acclaimed ballet stars alongside talented local dancers, the performance comes to life in the intimate Bluma Appel Theatre. Every detail of the choreography and storytelling is enhanced, drawing the audience deeper into Clara’s dreamlike world.

Perfect for families, ballet enthusiasts, and newcomers alike, this unforgettable production offers a heartwarming and magical take on a timeless holiday tradition.

Where: Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St E, Toronto

When: December 21st to 22nd,

• December 21st, 2:00 pm

• December 21st, 7:00 pm

• December 22nd, 2:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $50. Grab your tickets here