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It’s finally the weekend 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 a concert, here are your top events for today, Saturday, December 9.
Enjoy!
See also
- IKEA hosting Swedish-style Christmas buffets across Canada this month
- This incredible light festival is just 3 hours from Toronto (PHOTOS)
- 27 family-friendly Christmas events to check out in Toronto
Toronto Christmas Market
What: Rediscover the magic of Christmas at the Toronto Christmas Market. Here you’ll find an assortment of artisan vendors, an Instagram-worthy Christmas tree, live music, incredible Christmas decorations and so much more. Admission is free during the week.
When: Now until December 23
Where: The Distillery District
Fair in the Square
What: This massive holiday market and winter carnival located outside Toronto City Hall kicked off on December 1 and runs until the day before Christmas Eve. Look forward to holiday shopping, an ice bar, and plenty of festive foods including a two-handed festive feast dubbed Deep Fried Christmas, plus Beavertails, poutine, fudge, and more.
When: Now until December 23
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
Polar Express
What: 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, passengers will be whisked away to the sounds of the beloved film’s motion soundtrack, enjoy freshly prepared hot cocoa and holiday treats and they will also receive a very special visit from Santa, and each child will be given their first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell.
When: Now until December 23. Select times available, check the website for details.
Where: Waterloo Central Railway Train Museum Platform, 50 Isabella Street
Bat Out of Hell Musical
What: Bat Out of Hell is a rock musical that tells the epic tale of love, rebellion, and rock n’ roll. This incredible performance will feature an award-winning cast that will definitely bring the audience to their feet.
When: Now until December 24
Where: Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria Street
Voices: Artists on Art
What: Voices: artists on art is inspired by and builds on a 1967 exhibition hosted by the National Gallery in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square and opens a door into 51 studios of artists currently working across Canada.
When: Now until December 24
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
A Christmas Carol
What: The beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, is taking the stage at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre this evening. Ross Petty Productions will be putting on their unique take of the story this holiday season. Cyrus Lane will make his Petty Panto debut as everyone’s favourite Christmas curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge.
When: Now until December 30
Where: Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street
Party Today, Panic Tomorrow
What: Second City’s latest talent-packed mainstage show is now on. Faced with our culture of bad news and political exhaustion, the show encourages the audience to “settle in and get ready for us to spin, sing and laugh away your troubles.”
When: Now until December 31
Where: Second City Mainstage Theatre, 51 Mercer Street
Yorkville Village Holiday Magic
What: Toronto’s Yorkville Village lights up each holiday season with its annual Holiday Magic event. If you’re shopping in the area, we highly recommend checking out the beautifully lit Christmas tree and taking in the incredible glittering light displays and festive decorations that line the streets.
When: Now until December 31
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland Street
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: Now until December 31
Where: Wellington Park, 50 Bonnie Drive, Simcoe
Evergreen Winter Village
What: Roast s’mores over the open campfire and enjoy warm beverages from the Sipping Container while shopping or playing street curling at this Winter Village. Hungry for more? Look forward to a rotating line-up of food trucks serving up comfort foods ranging from crêpes to gourmet grilled cheese, and more.
When: Weekends in December and weekdays from December 26 to 29, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls
What: The annual Winter Festival of Lights stretches over 8 kilometers in Niagara and will run through to the end of January. Attracting over 1 million visitors annually, this incredible spectacle is Canada’s largest lights festival. Just imagine a breathtaking, colourful scene with millions of sparkling lights and animated displays that extends to Dufferin Islands. And yes, it’s completely free to attend!
When: Now until the end of January
Where: Niagara Falls
12 Trees: Let There Be Light
What: Now in its 27th year, 12 Trees is a beloved holiday tradition in Toronto that features unique installations from Canada’s leading designers and artists where they will have the chance to re-imagine the traditional Christmas tree.
When: Now until January 7
Where: Gardiner Museum, 11 Queen’s Park
Music from People City
What: This fall, Toronto’s most iconic musical assets will be on display, as Myseum of Toronto, (a nonprofit museum dedicated to all things Toronto) presents Music from People City – a professionally curated event series that invites locals, visitors and travellers to experience the city’s world-class music scenes, sounds and stories firsthand.
When: Now until January 12
Where: Venues throughout the city
Christian Dior Exhibit at the ROM
What: Come explore the brilliance behind Christian Dior’s dramatic designs that revived the Paris haute couture industry following the Second World War at the ROM’s latest exhibit Christian Dior which officially begins this Saturday.
When: Now until March 18
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Winter at Ontario Place
What: Ontario Place will be welcoming a new festival this December: Winter at Ontario Place. The new festival will feature various winter-themed activities including the Winter Light Exhibition, skating on the new synthetic skating rink and film screenings at the newly re-opened Cinesphere.
When: Now until March 30
Where: Ontario Place
Long Winter
What: Long Winter is officially back and is a monthly arts and music event filled with incredible talent. The event is pay what you can, so any kind of donation is greatly appreciated to support the talent!
When: December 9, 7 pm to 2 am
Where: Polish Combatants Hall, 206 Beverley Street
I Heart BEER Holiday Festival
What: I Heart Beer Festivals is introducing a holiday edition that promises to be an “epic holiday extravaganza” complete with ugly sweaters and tipsy caroling to make this a hoppy holiday to remember.
When: December 9, 3 pm to 9 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Building, 160 Princes Boulevard, Toronto
Red Christmas TFC Cup Viewing Party
What: Come and watch the TFC play from a 20-foot big screen while hearing the roar from BMO Field (you’ll feel like you’re basically at the game). While you prepare yourself for the match, get your photo taken with the Eastern Conference Championship Trophy, Supporters Shield & Voyageurs Cup. Guests can also pick up free Budweiser x TFC sweaters (while supplies last), and free hot chocolate and coffee courtesy of Tim Horton’s. TFC alum Danny Dichio will be in attendance.
When: December 9, 2 pm until the big WIN
Where: At the corner of East Liberty Street and Atlantic Avenue
An Evening with Kenny vs Spenny
What: Kenny and Spenny a.k.a. Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice continue where they left off on their hit television series, competing for victory in insane challenges that see the best friends try to humiliate one another live on stage.
When: December 9, 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes’ Boulevard
iHeartRadio Canada Jingle Ball
What: The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball will be returning to Toronto this month and will be bringing a star-studded lineup of performers. The first round of performs have been revealed, which includes the Backstreet Boys (who will hopefully be singing a few of their holiday hits), as well as Cardi B, Fergie, Fifth Harmony, Kelly Clarkson, Noah Cyrus, and more.
When: December 9
Where: Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay Street
The National
What: American indie rock band The National – who have been known for their dark and somber (yet danceable) sounds – hits the Sony Centre on December 8 for a performance that will give you anything but the warm and fuzzy holiday feels.
When: December 9
Where: Sony Centre
Cardi B
What: American Hip-hop artist Cardi B burst on the scene earlier this year in a pretty big way. In September, she became the first female rapper to have a solo no. 1 in the US since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.
When: December 9, 10 pm
Where: Rebel
Allan Rayman
What: Canadian rising star Allan Rayman hits Toronto for two shows. Last month, the buzzed-about artist released his latest five-song EP, Courtney.
When: December 9, 7 pm
Where: Pheonix Concert Hall
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