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It’s the first weekend of December, Toronto.
Which means you need to get outside and check out all of the fun and festive events happening throughout the city.
From skating at Nathan Phillips Square during Fair in the Square to checking out the One of a Kind Show, here are your top events for today, Saturday, December 1.
Aurora Winter Festival
@aurorafestto_/Instagram
What: For the first time ever, Aurora Winter Festival will transform Toronto’s Ontario Place into a hidden village with enchanting elements inspired by the North Pole including magical characters, captivating light displays, endless fun, games and activities.
When: Now until December 30
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: Ontario Place, East Island
Price: $19.99 for general admission
Body Shop Portrait Pawty
What: The Body Shop invites you and your furry friend to join it for a portrait pawty this weekend. The Body Shop is celebrating reaching its goal of 8 million signatures on its Forever Against Animal Testing campaign and it’s inviting dog owners to bring their pets in to have it photographed with the one and only Santa Paws.
When: Now until December 2
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: The Body Shop, 2366 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Price: Free!
One of a Kind Winter Show
What: This year’s winter show is back and bigger than ever, featuring thoughtfully made items from hundreds of artisans including thousands of festive foodie treats, home décor, artsy offerings and everything else you’ll need to get your festive shopping done. In addition to shopping, attendees can unleash their creative side at the One of a Kind Creative Lounge where you’ll find various art and DIY related workshops.
When: Now until December 2
Time: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm; extended hours on November 29, 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Encare Centre Exhibition Place
Tickets: $13 for adults
Waterloo Central Railway Polar Express
What: All aboard! This holiday season, you’re invited to embark on a magical holiday journey as you take a ride on the Polar Express. Operated by the Waterloo Central Railway, as soon as you step on board, you’ll be whisked away to the sounds of the beloved film’s motion soundtrack. Passengers can then sit back and relax as they enjoy freshly prepared hot cocoa and holiday treats as they are read the classic holiday story.
When: Now until December 22
Time: Select times available, check the website for details
Where: Waterloo Central Railway Train Museum Platform, 50 Isabella Street
Price: Available online from $49.99 per person
Toronto Christmas Market
Courtesy Toronto Christmas Market
What: Always festive, always fun, always filling, you can count on the Toronto Christmas Market for your food and drink fix. Whether you’re craving savoury sausage, sweet sugar cookies or warming mulled wine, there’s something here to satisfy you.
When: Now until December 23 (closed Mondays)
Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 12 pm to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Distillery Historic District
Price: $6 admission fee on weekends only
Cinesphere Fall Film Series
What: Toronto’s Cinesphere theatre at Ontario Place will be screening several iconic films over the next few months as part of its fall and winter programming. The Cinesphere will screen a number of iconic films including Ghostbusters, Alien, Aliens, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Blade Runner 2049 in IMAX, The Fifth Element and Die Hard.
When: Screenings running till December 23
Time: Showtimes vary by day
Where: Cinesphere at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
Price: $15 for adults
Miracle on Queen Street
What: This Christmas-themed bar is popping up on Queen Street West is officially open. Bring your Grinchiest-friend along… this spot’s sure to get everyone in the holiday mood with their elaborate decor and seasonal cocktails.
When: Now until December 26
Time: Monday to Friday, 5 pm to 2 am; Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm to 2 am
Where: 251 Queen Street West
Price: Pay for what you order
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
What: Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville will be transformed into a winter wonderland this holiday season. The annual event will illuminate the neighbourhood this December, creating a unique destination for patrons of the neighbourhood to shop, dine and take in the area’s art and culture while surrounded by festive lighting.
When: Now until December 31
Time: After sunset
Where: Bloor-Yorkville Village
Price: Free to attend
Spiders: Fear & Fascination
Robert Whyte/Rom.on.ca
What: This summer, the ROM welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The exhibit explores the hunting, burrowing, and weaving world of these eight-legged creatures and will feature more than 400 live and preserved spiders, cutting-edge interactive experiences, and new scientific discoveries.
When: Now until January 2019
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults
Happy Place Toronto
What: Happy Place is an interactive, 20,000-sq-ft immersive exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, and it’s on a mission to spread happiness here in Toronto and around the world.
When: Now until January 1
Time: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 8 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Price: From $32
Light Up the Beach
What: Now in its 11th year, Light Up the Beach features more than 80,000 twinkling lights along the Toronto Beaches boardwalk to support The Michael Garron Hospital Foundation. The light display is truly a sight to see and a holiday tradition that every Torontonian should enjoy.
When: Now until mid-February
Time: 7 pm
Where: At the foot of Leuty Avenue, The Beach
Price: Free to visit
Winter at Ontario Place
What: Following last year’s successful inaugural winter program, Ontario Place will once again come alive this winter season. Running from now to March 17, the West Island of Ontario Place will be home to the Winter Light Exhibition, free public skating on a synthetic rink and community bonfires. This year, visitors can also look forward to a series of DJ nights at the iconic waterfront venue and bring a range of beloved films to Cinesphere.
When: Now until March 17
Time: 6 pm to 12 am
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Price: Free to attend
A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle
Courtesy of Casa Loma
What: Toronto’s iconic castle is being transformed into a magical winter wonderland this month and will feature a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family.
Daily: December 1 to January 6, 9:30 am to 5 pm
Nightly: December 17 to December 23, 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Price: From $22.15 to $32.49
Brickworks Cider House Yoga and Beer Sampling
What: Is there a more chill combo than yoga and beer? Not that we can think of. Stretch your legs on over to this event to deep-breathe away the stress of the holiday season.
When: December 1
Time: 10 am to 11 am
Where: Brickworks Cider House – 709 Queen Street East
Price: $20
December Really Really Free Market
What: You read the event name correctly, everything is free. No money. No swapping.
If you do bring items to share, bring them before 3 pm and make sure they are clean and in working condition. During the Market, there is a limit to the number of items you can take, which is one large shopping bag per person (two bags for families of three or more people).
When: December 1
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Campbell Park, 225 Campbell Avenue
Price: Everything is FREE
Free Taiwanese Fried Chicken at Monga
What: To celebrate the grand opening of their new space, Monga will be offering their first 100 pieces of fried chicken for free. Once those first 100 pieces are gone, you’ll be able to buy one fried chicken combo and get a free pound of wings for the rest of the weekend.
When: December 1
Time: Noon
Where: 5 Northtown Way
Price: FREE
Old Town Cavalcade of Lights
Shutterstock
What: Festive lights, hot beverages, and live entertainment and holiday songs, what more could you want? Bring an unwrapped new toy for 51 division’s annual holiday toy drive and help cram a cruiser.
When: December 1
Time: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Berczy Park, 35 Wellington Park
Price: Free to attend
Holiday Fair in the Square
What: Holiday Fair in the Square, in support of Epilepsy Toronto, is back and bigger than ever and the fair will be running from December 1 to 23 at Nathan Phillips Square. Now in its third year, Holiday Fair includes an open-air artisan village. There will be over 50 talented vendors selling gifts and special treats, just in time for you to cross off your list.
When: December 1 to 23, closed Mondays
Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 4 pm to 9 pm; Friday to Sunday, 12 pm to 10 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
Price: No cover
Evergreen Winter Village
What: Glide around the free skating rink, shop local vendors at the holiday market, and feast on festive foods during your visit. Hungry for more? The food vendors will change week to week, featuring appearances from Chocosol Traders, Get Your Own Taters, The Arepa Republic, Fully Loaded TO, The Food Dudes, and many more.
When: December 1 to 31 (open every weekend)
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (10 am to 3 pm on December 24)
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Entry is free
Simcoe Christmas Panorama
What: Although this is a bit of a trek from Toronto, it’s perfect for those wanting to go on a festive road trip. Each year, Simcoe puts on an incredible light display called Christmas Panorama that features over 60 dazzling light displays. The spectacle shimmers with thousands of lights transforming the downtown parks into a winter wonderland, attracting visitors from across the province and the US.
When: December 1 to January 6
Time: 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Wellington Park, 50 Bonnie Drive, Simcoe
Admission: Free
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