Great holiday shopping starts in T.O. this weekend with the winter One Of A Kind Show – the hugely popular unique gift and craft show. For theatre and performance fans, there are a number of family productions to enjoy, such as Shrek Stompin’ The Swamp and Beauty and the Beast, The Savagely Silly Family Musical. You can also catch one of the city’s tree lighting celebrations, including the dazzling Cavalcade of Lights, which features the lighting of Toronto’s Christmas tree. The holidays are officially here!
Barbie™ at the Symphony
Friday, November 26th, 7 pm & Saturday, November 27th, 1 pm, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
Every little girl will love this children’s animated classical music experience! “Barbie™ at the Symphony” is an exciting film with orchestra presentation of the best-selling Barbie™ “Princess” movies: www.sonycentre.ca
Winter Woofstock
Saturday, November 27th & Sunday, November 28th, 10 am – 7 pm, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
Because dogs get cabin fever too! Running parallel to the Christmas “One of a Kind Show “, Winter Woofstock is a chance to celebrate our canine friends. Bring the family, and the family dog(s), to this fun and bark-filled event: www.winterwoofstock.com
This Is Silly! Author Event at Indigo
Saturday, November 27th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Indigo Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Join us as award-winning illustrator and toy designer Gary Taxali signs his new book This is Silly! and shows off his new collection of retro toys: www.chapters.indigo.ca/storeevents
Winter Magic Kidzfest
Saturday, November 27th – Sunday, November 28th, 11 am – 5 pm, Yonge-Dundas Square, 40 Dundas Street West, Toronto
It’s a weekend of free fun for families at Yonge-Dundas Square! The 4th annual Kidzfest event, part of Winter Magic, gives families the chance to enjoy Toronto with youth focused entertainment, rides and activities. Nintendo’s popular Pikachu, Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, and the Polka Dot Door will all make appearances: www.wintermagic.ca
Shrek Stompin’ The Swamp
November 27th – January 2nd, showtimes 10:30 am / 11:30 am / 12:30 pm / 2 pm / 3 pm, Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Join Shrek for some interactive musical fun! Shrek and Fiona’s anniversary is coming and Shrek has forgotten. Can Donkey and Frankie the Funky Fairy Party Planner save the day? Bring your family and friends to see these favourite characters and enjoy a day at the castle: www.casaloma.org/Seasonal
KidSpark: Storytime
Friday, November 26th, 3 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Enter a world of imagination and wonder as Kidspark storytellers bring to life tales from around the world: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
KidSpark: Plasticine Art
Saturday, November 27th & Sunday, November 28th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Kids joining this new and exciting workshop will learn how to use plasticine in fun and creative ways. They’ll get to become artists and take their masterpieces home: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Beauty And The Beast
November 26th – January 2nd, Elgin Theatre, 182 Yonge Street, Toronto
Ross Petty Productions presents their premiere production of Beauty and the Beast, The Savagely Silly Family Musical. Don’t look for dancing candlesticks or singing clocks, they have been unceremoniously cast aside by animal pop stars as magically created by the evil Barnum von Cowell. Shy Prince Edgar enters into a Faustian deal with Barnum and inadvertently becomes the Beasty Boy of the title. Beauty is the apple of Edgar’s eye and even she cannot escape the malevolent spell of von Cowell. A fun twist on the classic tale: www.rosspetty.com
One Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale
November 25th – December 5th, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
The ever popular One Of A Kind Show is back for the holiday season! Discover beautiful Canadian-made one-of-a-kind gift ideas, and enjoy artisan demonstrations while you shop your holiday list. Eco gift-wrapping and on-site childcare available: www.oneofakindshow.com
Cavalcade Of Lights presented by Scotiabank
Saturday, November 27th, 7 pm, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
The festivities begin with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, followed by fireworks, live musical performances by Shawn Desman, Divine Brown and Sarah Slean, and a skating party: www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2010
Funday Sunday
Sunday, November 28th, 9 am – 5 pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto
There’s something for everyone at Funday Sunday! There’s a Children’s Village with games, face painting and performances by Doo Doo the Clown, Sonshine and Broccoli and Kayla, and a teenage Fun Zone with arcade games and a skateboard challenge. Ask An Expert (sponsored by Sunnybrook) will also be available, plus a shopping experience like no other in the Marketplace. All money raised will support Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO: www.fundaysunday.ca
Cavalcade Of Lights Rosedale
Saturday, November 27th, 5 pm – 6 pm, Outside the North Toronto Station LCBO, 10 Scrivener Square, Toronto
The holiday season in Rosedale will officially begin with the lighting of the spectacular 50-foot blue ‘Tree of Lights’. The fun starts with a bonfire, live music, face painting, holiday treats, hot chocolate, and a raffle. Santa Claus will also join the fun to hand out candy canes to kids, big and small. The tree will be lit by Juno award-winning singer/songwriter Andy Kim, and children’s author Carolyn Robinson will read from her new book, Moxie’s First Birthday. Bring two sets of old incandescent lights and trade them for a new set of energy-efficient LED lights, courtesy of Toronto Hydro: www.rosedalemainstreet.ca/events
Celebrate: Holidays of the Global Village’ with Chris McKhool
Saturday, November 27th, 1 pm, Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Bring the family to this interactive musical journey celebrating holidays, customs and festivities enjoyed in North America. Children will learn traditional and original songs encouraging them to share diversity with neighbours and friends. Hailed as a “Children’s musical star” (National Post) and “Canada’s greatest eco-troubadour for young people” (Mississauga Living Arts Centre), Chris McKhool is one of Canada’s greatest musicians for young audiences. This is a fundraising event for Daily Bread Food Bank and ArtsCan Circle: www.smallworldmusic.com
Jake’s Gigantic Give
Saturday, November 27th – Sunday, November 28th, 10 am – 4 pm, Jake’s Weekend Warehouse, 150 Lesmill Road, Toronto
The Giving Store adventure is an experience for everyone! Jake’s Gigantic Give is an unprecedented and unique holiday adventure, where children return to the true meaning of the holidays, celebrating with family and feeling the awesome power of giving: www.jacobsladder.ca
Wreath Making Workshop
Saturday, November 27th, 2 pm, Colborne Lodge, Colborne Lodge Drive (south end of High Park), Toronto
Make a Christmas wreath with the kids! This two-hour workshop is a great way to start the season, while enjoying the cozy historic ambience of Colborne Lodge’s 19th-century kitchen. A tour of the decorated parts of the house and light refreshments are included. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. For adults and children ages seven to 10: www.toronto.ca/museums
Gingerbread House Workshop
Sunday, November 28th & Saturday, December 4th, 11 am / 1 pm / 3 pm, Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke
Join Master Baker Monika Paradi at this hands-on workshop for kids of all ages. The challenge will be not to eat the house as you build it! Each gingerbread house is $20 plus H.S.T, and pre-registration is required: www.toronto.ca/museums
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 26th, 7:10 pm – 8:30 pm, Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Road, Toronto
This celebrated Tree Lighting tradition will kick off the spirit of the season with exciting activities and attractions for the whole family. Santa Claus will also be dropping by with a few of his reindeer, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the magic: www.shopsatdonmills.ca
Movie Night – High Park Family Fun Place
Friday, November 26th, 7 pm – 9 pm, 2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Bring the family for some singing and dancing with a showing of High School Musical 3! Movie is free with playground admission: www.hpfamilyfunplace.ca
Farther Afield:
Art & Soul Holiday Food Drive Kick-Off
Saturday, November 27th, 10 am – 6 pm, Markville Shopping Centre, 5000 Highway 7 East, Markham
Join the holiday food drive kick-off with a group-painting event! Food collection boxes and canvases will be painted by local artists and guests, and then distributed to Markham Public Library locations for food donations. After the food drive, all canvases will be auctioned off, with proceeds going towards the Markham Food Bank: www.paintlounge.ca
Give Green At Santa’s Festival Of Giving
Sunday, November 28th, 10 am – 1 pm, Erin Mills Town Centre, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga
Santa needs your help to give back this holiday season at Santa’s Festival of Giving at Erin Mills Town Centre. Give Green and create green holiday decorations with Santa’s elves. Make tree ornaments and holiday garlands from natural and recycled materials to deck the halls of the Heart House Hospice. This is a pay-what-you-can event, with donations going to Heart House Hospice: www.erinmills.ca
30th Annual Victorian Tea
Friday, November 26th, 11:30 am / 1 pm / 2:30 pm sittings (must be reserved), Whitchurch-Stoufville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue, Vandorf
Start your celebration of the festive season with a traditional tea service, and enjoy light sandwiches, festive cookies and traditional trifle and plum pudding. Shop for heritage crafts, and toys and jewellery in the Museum Gift Shop: www.townofws.com
Tea With Tinkerbell
Friday, November 26th, 6 pm – 8 pm, Creative Indoor Playground Ajax, 539 Westney Road South, Ajax
Tinker Bell is stopping by for some tea, treats and games, so bring the whole family to participate in some fairy fun! Price includes juice and light refreshments. Please pre-register for this event: www.creativeplay.ca
Junie B. Jones
Saturday, November 27th, 11 am, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Based on Barbara Park’s best-selling children’s book series, Junie B. Jones is a colourful, hilarious musical brought to you by Theatreworks USA, producers of last year’s incredible hit The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Join Junie and her friends as they navigate the worlds of new friends, new glasses, kickball tournaments, and the First Grade: www.rhcentre.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!