toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | December 9, 2010
Now that we have some snow on the ground in T.O., it’s beginning to look a lot (more) like Christmas! The festive festivities continue, with holiday-themed theatre, old-thyme traditions, tree lightings and candlelit tours, and holiday baking workshops for the whole family. For those looking for something a little less seasonal, this weekend also showcases a French book fair, a performance of The Bear ©, and a fun and freaky bug workshop at the Ontario Science Centre.
Miracle On Mercer St.
Sunday, December 12th – Sunday, January 2nd, 1 pm matinees, 51 Mercer Street, Toronto
The Second City’s Miracle on Mercer St. is a delightful holiday treat for the whole family. Adorable puppets and their human friends re-visit all your favourite holiday tales. This funny and magical show will put a smile on faces of parents and kids alike! Recommended for ages five and up: www.secondcity.com
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
Saturday, December 11th – Sunday, December 12th, 12 pm – 4 pm, The Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Take the family on a leisurely horse drawn wagon ride throughout the festive streets of Shops at Don Mills! Enjoy the sights of the urban village or arrive in style at one of your favourite stores. Enjoy stress free holiday shopping in the crisp open air at Shops at Don Mills. Available on a first come first service basis: www.shopsatdonmills.ca
Salon du Livre de Toronto French Book Fair
Wednesday, December 8th – Saturday, December 11th, 9 am – 8 pm, Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto
Publishers from across Canada and abroad will be showcasing their books, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, magazines and book-related merchandise at this annual event: www.salondulivredetoronto.org
Mini-Stocking Decorating
Saturdays, December 11th & December 18th, 11 am – 4 pm, Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto
As part of our Family Fun event, kids will love personalizing and decorating their very own mini stocking, perfect for the holiday tree! Drop-in: www.batashoemuseum.ca
Santa Stories
Sunday, December 12th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
Gather in the Mackenzie’s cozy family room and listen to Christmas tales from the Victorian era, while enjoying hot cider and cookies in the historic kitchen. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/mackenzie.htm
The Bear ©
Sunday, December 12th, 3 pm – 4 pm, Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto
Celebrate a family Christmas with The Bear©, a delightful animated film from the creators of The Snowman©, and accompanied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, this is the story of young Tilly, who accidentally drops her beloved teddy into the polar bear pit at the zoo, thus beginning a magical friendship with bear-size complications! During intermission the Avenue Road Arts School with be hosting free art activities. For kids ages five to 12: www.tso.ca
KidSpark: A Bug’s World
Saturday, December 11th & Sunday, December 12th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Come for a visit and explore the world of bugs! Learn about bugs from Ontario and how they help us, and create your own bug to take home. Ages four to eight: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Santa Visits Riverside & Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 11th, 3 pm – 7 pm, Mustard Seed, 791 Queen Street East, Toronto
Santa is taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the Queen/Broadview neighbourhood! Enjoy caroling, Santa’s visit, a tree lighting service, music and dance performances, hot chocolate and other treats, and gifts for the kids! Bring a pair or two of socks in support of Mustard Seed’s Sock Drive to help those in need: www.riversidedistrictbia.com
Winter Solstice Festival
Saturday, December 11th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Whole Child School, 151 Hiawatha Road, Toronto
This magical event features craft making, a puppet show, storytelling, a silent auction, and home made organic food and baked goods. The event is perfect for the whole family: www.wholechildschool.ca
Holiday Workshops For Families
Saturday, December 11th, workshop times vary, Harbourfront Centre 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto
Candy Making for Families: 10 am – 12 pm. Spend some quality time with your little ones by making tasty holiday treats destined to become family favourites. For kids ages 5+.
Holiday Baking: 1 pm – 4 pm. During this one-day baking extravaganza, you’ll make sensational holiday treats to give to family, friends or simply to enjoy all to yourself!
Holiday Card-Making: 10 am – 12 pm. Add personal pizzazz to your holiday cards this year! This one-day workshop will give you the know-how to create cards that are sure to leave lasting impressions on friends and loved ones. Using a wide array of materials and techniques, the creative spirit is sure to ‘envelope’ you: www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Farther Afield:
Winter Wonderland Family Skate
Saturday, December 11th, 1 pm – 2:30 pm, Elvis Stojko Arena, 350 16th Avenue, Richmond Hill
Start your winter season off right! Come in from the cold and chill out at the Winter Wonderland Family Skate. While you skate, you can sync up your skating skills to the music of the season. Regular admission applies: www.richmondhill.ca
Home For The Holidays At The Museums Of Mississauga
Sunday, December 12th, 12 pm – 4 pm, Bradley Museum (1620 Orr Road) & Benares Historic House (1507 Clarkson Road North), Mississauga
Visit the Bradley Museum for photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus in the Log Cabin, and enjoy the tea room, or crafts and cooking to traditional music. There’s also fun for the whole family at the Benares Historic House, with horse and wagon rides, traditional carol singing by the player piano, and a visit to pick up a treat in the gift shop: www.mississauga.ca
Candlelight Tours Of Historic Ireland House
Thursday, December 9th (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm) & Friday, December 10th (5 pm – 10 pm), Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington
Ireland House Museum will take patrons back in time to when Christmas lights were candles and holiday meals were made by the open fire. Enjoy a guided tour of this historic property illuminated by candlelight and accompanied by a concert of live holiday music. In this ambient setting, make a heirloom holiday craft and enjoy delicious refreshments: www.museumsofburlington.com
Motus O Dance Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Friday, December 10th (7 pm), Saturday, December 11th (2 pm & 7 pm), Sunday, December 12th (2 pm), Nineteen On The Park, Lebovic Centre For Arts & Entertainment, 19 Civic Avenue, Stouffville
MOTUS O dance theatre brings to the stage this classic story of greed, hope and redemption. Weaving together dance and theatre, families will follow Mr. Scrooge as he visits his past, and future. A thoughtful and fun filled performance for the whole family: www.nineteenonthepark.ca
A Candlelight Christmas
Saturday, December 11th, 6:30 pm, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue, Gormely
Join the costumed staff on this enchanting evening tour! Explore the development of Christmas traditions in the Pioneer Log Cabin and Victorian Farmhouse. The kids will enjoy warming up with hot apple cider and baking after a horse-drawn wagon ride. Advance ticket purchase is required: www.townofws.com
Christmas In The Village
Sunday, December 12th, 12 pm – 3:30 pm, Pickering Museum Village, 3km east of Brock Road on Hwy #7, Pickering
See how Christmas was celebrated in the ‘Days of Yore! Visit the museum village as it springs to life with the preparations for holiday celebrations. Includes Scottish Hogmanay, Welsh traditions, Victorian English Christmas celebrations, and Squire Jonathan’s Christmas Ball: www.cityofpickering.com
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!
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Just happened to come across your page. Makes me miss Christmas.