happy holidays
Filed Under Events, Places | November 30, 2010
With all the craziness the holidays bring to our schedules (think parties, shopping, baking, then more shopping) it can be hard to squeeze everything in. Luckily, Toronto has plenty of festive events going on throughout the season for the whole family to enjoy. Victorian-era Christmas seems to be a popular theme, and kids will get in the spirit by writing letters to Santa with old-fashioned ink and enjoy period-style toys, games and treats. There’s also all day, every day skating, cruising with Santa and plenty of lights and decorations sparkling throughout the city. Happy Holidays!
A Victorian Toronto Christmas
November 23rd – January 2nd, Tuesday – Friday 12 pm – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm, Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
This festive season take a step back in time to Victorian Toronto and experience the magic of a traditional Christmas. Escape from the hustle and bustle while you enjoy mulled cider and a biscuit in the warmth of the historic kitchen. Discover the story of how families celebrated Christmas in 19th-century Toronto as you tour the Mackenzie home that is all dressed in greenery for the holidays: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/mackenzie.htm
Christmas In The Park
November 27th – January 2nd, 12 pm – 4 pm (Closed Monday), Colborne Lodge, Colborne Lodge Drive, south end of High Park, Toronto
Discover the magic of Christmas in the winter wonderland surroundings of High Park and enjoy a tour of Colborne Lodge, the picturesque home of the founders of High Park, which is decorated for a Victorian Christmas. You will discover festive traditions, decorations and foods enjoyed during the 19th-century in Toronto. Toast the season with a glass of hot mulled cider and special holiday treats: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/colborne-lodge.htm
Spadina Museum
November 30th – January 2nd, Tuesday – Friday 12 pm – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm (Closed Monday), 285 Spadina Road, Toronto
Explore a 1920s Christmas! Everything from the decorations to the holiday activities are re-created based on the memories of the Austin family grandchildren. Try out period games and reproduction toys, and enjoy holiday treats made from original recipes in the newly restored kitchen: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/spadina.htm
Todmorden Mills Museum
Sundays, December 5th & 12th & 19th (see website for other dates and times), 12 pm – 4 pm, 67 Pottery Road, Toronto
Discover the simple pleasures and décor of a Regency-era Christmas at Todmorden Mills. The early 19th-century historic homes are decorated traditionally for the season with real evergreen garlands as well as the “kissing bough” hanging in the Helliwell parlour, complete with apples, candles and mistletoe. Sample period festive desserts such as “Whim-Wham” and “Hedgehog Tipsy Cake.” Families can make Regency-style Christmas decorations to take home: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/todmorden.htm
Winterfest On Toronto’s Waterfront
December 4th – 18th, check site for event times, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
This festive fest includes indoor and outdoor family-friendly activities, such as a dog show, free photos with Santa, yummy holiday treats, skating on the Natrel™ Rink, and the Santa Cruise! Tickets for the Santa Cruise are $10 per person and children under six ride for free: http://www.waterfrontbia.com
Downsview Park Trail Of Lights
November 26th – January 2nd, 6 pm – 11 pm (Pedestrian only Wednesdays & Drive through Thursday – Sunday), Downsview Park (Sheppard Avenue West/John Drury Drive), Toronto
One of Canada’s largest holiday light shows! Two-storey arches and animated displays will mesmerize the family and bring out the holiday spirit in everyone: www.downsviewpark.ca
The Natrel™ Rink
Starting November 20th, open daily 10 am – 9 pm, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
The perfect place to skate off those holiday treats, right in the heart of the city! Along with public skating, The Natrel™ Rink hosts a variety of fall and winter programming including Learn to Skate and HarbourKIDS. The rink has an indoor change room and hot food and beverages for that after skating appetite: www.harbourfrontcentre.com/skating
Sweet Treats at the Gingerbread Cookie Factory
Weekends, November 26th – December 19th, Friday & Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm, Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Toronto
A popular holiday tradition, the Volunteers of Trillium Health Centre’s 19th Annual Gingerbread Cookie Factory returns! The Gingerbread Cookie Factory is located at the north end of Sherway Square. Cookies are $4 each or three for $10. All proceeds support Trillium Health Centre: www.sherwaygardens.ca
Write A Letter To Santa Claus
November 23rd – December 24th, Tuesday-Friday 12 pm – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm, Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
One of the best traditions of the holidays is writing to Santa to share Christmas wish lists. Kids can select either a card or specially printed Christmas stationery to write a personal message to Santa. They even get to use old-fashioned pen and ink! Then the wish card is dropped in the magic post box for mailing: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/mackenzie.htm
Hudson’s Bay Holiday Display Windows
November 9th – early January, Hudson’s Bay Company, Queen Street, 176 Yonge Street, Toronto
Bring the kids to the Bay at Queen & Yonge for a different kind of window-shopping! The Bay has been creating window works of art for the holidays since 1914. This year there are five specially designed windows, showcasing a Victorian era Christmas story. Enjoy the animated and creative window dressings, and then hit the shops to tackle that shopping list: www.hbc.com
The Nutcracker
December 11th – January 2nd, visit site for ticket information, The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, Toronto
The Nutcracker is back! James Kudelka’s breathtaking version of the perennial classic, The Nutcracker is one of Toronto’s favourite Christmas holiday traditions. A vibrant and enchanting way to spend a snowy afternoon with the family: www.national.ballet.ca
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[...] Santa is making many stops in town this weekend, but kids may be even more excited that Caillou is coming to the big city! There’s also seasonal shopping markets, gingerbread house decorating, children’s opera and theatre performances, tree lightings, traditional activities and holiday baking, and even outdoor nature events, which are best enjoyed with hot apple cider. Toronto is bursting with holiday fun this weekend! And if you’re looking for even more to do, don’t forget our ongoing holiday happenings. [...]
[...] with holiday family gatherings, there are still a few fun things to enjoy in T.O. (find our list of ongoing holiday activities here). Kids will love watching their favourite Disney characters skate, jump and twirl on ice, and [...]