Here is our round-up of fun things to do in Toronto this December

November 13th to January 5th – Explore the The Distillery Winter Village

Canada’s most magical outdoor holiday shopping and dining experience, The Distillery Winter Village, returns to Toronto just in time for the holiday season, providing a perfect holiday experience for all guests.

The Distillery Winter Village provides the perfect holiday affair where friends and family gather to take in the timeless romance and nostalgia of the holidays, stroll the cobblestone streets under the canopy lights, enjoy delicious food and drink, and shop one-of-a-kind shops, vendor cabins, outdoor holiday markets, restaurants and cafes, and unique holiday attractions for everyone.

Unique attractions at the Winter Village this year include

• A massive centerpiece Christmas Tree designed by Christian Dior Parfums – what holiday dreams are made of and makes the perfect photo backdrop for the season. Standing 55 feet tall and 25 feet wide, our silver fir tree is the pride of Drysdale Farm from Mono Township (near Orangeville), chosen as the most prized tree on the farm.

• Winter Village Cabins and Dining

• Holiday Photo Walls and Opportunities – for instragrammable pictures

• Christmas Carol Sing-a-longs by the Candy Cane Carolers

• Holiday Shopping

• Santa and his elves

• Live entertainment and more!

Visitors can enjoy the holiday scenery and take in the timeless romance of the holidays, celebrate with family and friends, and enjoy specially curated vendor cabins full of seasonal items and gifts, plus delicious, must-try foods.

Where: The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St, Toronto

When: November 13th to January 5th

• November 13th (Tree Lighting Ceremony)

• Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Friday to Saturday, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Admission: Tickets are required on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 4:00 pm and between December 12th – 31st after 4:00 pm. Grab your tickets here.

November 19th to January 12th, 2025 – Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical! MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL provides a world of splendor and romance, eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment in Toronto.

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, MOULIN ROUGE! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

Where: CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St, Toronto

When: November 19th to January 12th, Select Times

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $89. Grab your tickets here

(Musical)

November 23rd to December 31st – Bloor Holiday Magic

The Bloor-YorkVille BIA celebrates the return of the holiday season by illuminating the neighborhood with a one-of-a-kind display of festive lighting. Continuing with annual traditions, visitors and residents of Bloor-Yorkville can look forward to shopping, dining, and taking in the neighborhood’s art and cultural attractions surrounded by the holiday lighting along tree-lined streets.

Try the uniquely designed Urban Campfire Benches along Bloor Street West (between Church Street and Avenue Road) to further celebrate the neighborhood. The benches are permanent fixtures along Bloor Street, with 60 benches resembling campfires that light up when used. The benches will be lit in holiday colors, bringing a piece of the great outdoors to bustling Bloor Street.

Come out and enjoy the lights and the neighborhood through to December 31st.

Where: Bloor-Yorkville BIA

When: November 23rd to December 31st

Admission: Free

November 28th to February 2nd, 2025 – Union Winter – presented by TD

Union Winter – presented by TD, Toronto’s best indoor winter experience, returns this festive season from November 28th to February 2nd, 2025, at Union Station, providing live performances, daily giveaways, extensive food vendors, brand activations, amazing options for holiday shopping, and the highly anticipated indoor roller-skating rink – Roller Express!

Where: Union Station, TD West Carriageway

When: November 28th to February 2nd, 2025,

• Sunday – Friday, 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
• Saturday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Admission: Free

November 29th to January 31st – Window Wonderland

Window Wonderland, Toronto’s award-winning outdoor art exhibition, is back to the Junction from November 29th, 2024, to January 31st, 2025, transforming the neighborhood into a must-see holiday attraction – an outdoor gallery filled with 20 augmented reality (AR) window installations and ten murals by both local and international artists.

Where: The Junction BIA

When: November 29th to January 31st

Admission: Free

November 30th to January 7th – Cavalcade of Lights

Celebrate holiday magic in Toronto during the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square.

Inspired by the luminous festivals and cultural festivities from around the globe, enjoy a host of holiday traditions centered on light, lanterns, and fire woven into mesmerizing new lighting installations.

This glittering winter showcase will feature live performances and the grand illumination of Toronto’s official Christmas tree on November 30th at 6:40 pm.

Glide into the holiday spirit with nightly ice skating and marvel at the enchanting light installations adorning Nathan Phillips Square.

Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto

When: November 30th to January 7th, 

• Opening Night (November 30th, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)

Admission: Free

December 1st – Three Sisters Indigenous Holiday Market

Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market hosts their Holiday Market at the Cecil Community Centre Centre in Toronto, featuring products from Indigenous Vendors

Where: Cecil Community Centre, Toronto

When: December 1st, 12:00 – 5:00 pm

Admission: Free

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 to 8th – Check out the beautiful Fleurs de Villes NOËL Bloor-Yorkville

Globally renowned flower show Fleurs de Villes returns to Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood from December 4th to 8th.

Where: Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto

When: December 4th to 8th, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Christmas Floral Trail)

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.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall

When: December 4th, 7:00 pm

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

December 5th to 22nd – Worthy Circa 4X4

Worth Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Toronto, brings back its annual popular and exciting 4×4 Open Call Show following its success last year from December 5th to 22nd at the 830 Dundas St. W. Artists will get to showcase their artwork at the Gallery 4″x4″ or 6″x6″, on any medium (panel, canvas, framed, etc.) in a space that welcomes and displays the very best modern contemporary street art in the city.

Where: 830 Dundas St. W., Toronto

When: December 5th – 22nd

• Opening Night (December 5th, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
• Tuesday to Friday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Saturday to Sunday, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Admission: Free

December 5th to January 4th – Explore a majestic Castle at the Holiday Lights Tour

Celebrate the holiday magic at Casa Loma, where Toronto’s majestic castle transforms into a Winter Wonderland, day and night! By day, explore the enchanting Christmas at the Castle experience, featuring captivating magic shows, daring aerialists, lively jousting, and festive songs filling the grand halls. By night, revel in the dazzling Holiday Lights Tour with mesmerizing performances by the Fire Guy, acrobats, cheerful carolers, and more. And don’t miss the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in this holiday extravaganza!

Where: Casaloma, Toronto

When: December 5th to January 4th, Select Dates and Times

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $45. Grab your tickets here

(Christmas Show)

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. Buddy travels to New York with a live symphony orchestra this holiday season! 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

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 7th to 22nd – 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 6th to 23rd – Holiday Fair in the Square

Holiday Fair in the Square brings its merry-ment to the cosmopolitan Mel Lastman Square in Toronto just in time for the holiday season from December 6th to 23rd, 2024.

This merry, festive event brings people and communities together to bask in the holiday spirit. Attendees can find all types of handcrafted goods and one-of-a-kind gifts to shop and purchase, enjoy music and performances, and participate in many fun activities.

This merry fair show will feature

• An Artisan Marketplace showcasing over 65 artisans selling unique creations
• Tasty Festive Fare – a section where you can find the very best seasonal snacks and delicious cuisine from some of Toronto’s finest food trucks and gourmet merchants
• Polar Point Bar for the best holiday drinks
• Santa’s Village – The Big Guy’s section for photos
• Holiday Midway- Dazzling display of holiday lights
• Lots of entertainment, photo-ops, rides, games, and activities for everyone

Donations will be collected during the merry event to support Epilepsy Toronto.

Where: Mel Lastman Square, Toronto

When: December 6th to 23rd,

• Tuesday to Thursday, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Friday and Saturday, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Sunday, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free

December 6th to 8th – The LeslieVille Christmas Market

The 11th Annual Leslieville Christmas Pop-up Market provides a complete weekend of shopping, fun, and holiday cheer in Leslieville. Experience the magic of the Leslieville Christmas Pop-Up Market, where over 50 Canadian artisans and independent businesses will showcase their unique, handmade goods. Highlights of this event include

• Opportunity to Meet Santa! He’ll be on-site daily to hear your Christmas wishes and spread joy.
• A Complimentary Hot Chocolate Deluxe Bar to keep you warm while you shop and mingle.
• A Holiday Dog Costume Contest: Dress your furry friend in their best festive attire for a chance to win a $150 gift card!
• The chance to win the Christmas Morning Prize Pack is valued at $250 – the ultimate holiday surprise.
• Holiday Workshops: Get into the festive spirit with our fun, hands-on workshops for all ages.
• Delicious holiday-themed food and drink samples from local vendors.
• Epic 90’s sounds while you shop

Where: 388 Carlaw Ave, Toronto

When:

• December 6th, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• December 7th, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
• December 8th, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Admission: Free

December 7th – Escape Lounge 4.0: Après-Ski Party by BaeScapes

BaeScapes, an experience curator in the Greater Toronto Area, presents Escape Lounge 4.0: Après-Ski Party – an après-ski-themed party and networking event for entrepreneurs, small business owners, content creators/influencers at the Lavender Creek Loft on December 7th.

Where: Lavender Creek Loft, York

When: December 7th

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $39. Grab your tickets here (Use promo code EFOSA10 to get a 10% discount)

December 7th – BAM! Holiday Art Market

The BAM! Holiday Art Market hosts their Holiday Market on a cozy night under the market lights at the Wychwood Barns. Guests will shop for unique gift items for someone special while supporting local artists, makers, and creatives.

Where: 601 Christie St., Toronto

When:

• December 7th, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free

December 7th – Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail Celebration

The Downtown Yonge BIA hosts their 5th Annual Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail Celebration at College Park.

Come celebrate the winter season in style at the Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail Celebration! Dust off your skates or borrow a pair on us with free skate lending (while supplies last), and glide through the ice trail while enjoying live music, fun train rides, festive photo opportunities, cozy fire pits, and delicious s’mores-making stations. With fun games and activities for all ages, it’s the perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Where: College Park, 420 Yonge Street, Toronto

When: December 14th, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Admission: Free.

December 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th – Good Friends Market

Good Friends Market hosts a vintage market in Toronto featuring vendors and artisans selling all kinds of vintage stuff.

Where: 952 Queen Street, Toronto

When: December 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Admission: Free

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 9th and 10th – Maker Bean Holiday Maker Market!

The Maker Bean Cafe hosts its two-day holiday market featuring local artisans and small businesses in Toronto.

There will be a food drive for local Oasis Dufferin from Nov 27-Dec 15th, with a chance to win a raffle basket with items generously donated by the vendors!

Where: 1052 Bloor Street West (East of Dufferin)

When:

• December 9th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• December 10th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: Free

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 12th to January 3rd – Cirque Du Soleil Twas The Night Before at

Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas Classic in ‘Twas The Night Before…, a family show perfect for the Holiday season in Toronto

Based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas“ by Clement Clarke Moore, ‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show.

Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters – and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. The show was conceived and is directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater.

Where: Meridian Hall – Toronto

When: December 12th to January 3rd, Select Times

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $73. Grab your tickets here

December 13th to 15th – Holiday Market by the Toronto Botanical Gardens

The Toronto Botanical Garden hosts its annual holiday market featuring over 60 local vendors. Attendees can explore and shop from a wide selection of holiday home décor, nature-based gifts, local artists, fresh seasonal twigs and greens, and over 40 varieties of amaryllis from the Garden Shop.

There will be live music, food, and an outdoor campfire to keep people warm.

Where: Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto

When:

• Friday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
• Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Admission: Free

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 14th – Russell Peters: RELAX World Tour

Canadian and world-renowned stand-up comedian, Russell Peters performs in Toronto this holiday season

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

When: December 14th, 8:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $108. Grab your tickets here

December 14th and 15th – One Love Festive Market

One Love Festive Market runs at the Fort Historic Site, featuring local artisans, food vendors, and kid’s events.

Where: Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Rd, Toronto

When: December 14th and 15th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: Free

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

December 30th – Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tickets at Scotiabank Arena

American rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at the Scotiabank Arena this December

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

When: December 30th, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $91. Grab your tickets here