The holiday fun continues in T.O. this weekend: Take to the stage for the classic Dr. Seuss tale, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, lace up for the inaugural skate at Evergreen Brickworks skating trail, or become an elf for a day and create a gingerbread house at the beautiful Casa Loma. So why not take a break from the present wrapping and holiday baking and enjoy the city’s festivities with the family?
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Saturday, December 17th – Thursday, December 30th, showtimes vary, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small”, decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos. Celebrate the holidays with this heart-warming Broadway Musical: www.sonycentre.ca
Good Green Fun Holiday Pop Up Shop
Friday, December 17th, 11 am – 8 pm & Saturday, December 18th, 10 am – 6 pm, 1390 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Come this weekend to find that perfect eco friendly gift – ideal for last minute shopping! Enjoy hot apple cider and treats while you browse, let the kids loose in a play area with toys to try out, and find wonderful gifts for everyone on your list: www.littlefootprintstoys.com
Earth Rangers: Bring Back The World
Saturday, December 18th, 10:30 am – 2 pm, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
The Earth Rangers’ new Bring Back the Wild show, featuring their most dynamic Animal Ambassadors, including Cosmo the ring-tailed lemur and Sammy the African serval cat. With video sequences produced in high definition, the multimedia presentation features some of the world’s most beautiful habitats while exploring the diversity of life on earth. The show’s powerful message about human impact on animal habitat will captivate audiences and motivate guests to take immediate action at bringbackthewild.com: www.earthrangers.com
Live Reindeer In The Town Square
Saturday, December 18th – Sunday, December 19th, 12 pm – 4 pm, The Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Straight from the North Pole, Santa’s reindeer will be making an exclusive appearance at Shops at Don Mills! Come out and see a few of these magical creatures before they fly back to work: www.shopsatdonmills.ca
KidSpark: Storytime
Saturday, December 18th – Sunday, December 19th, 11:30 am & 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Enter a world of imagination and wonder as storytellers bring tales from around the world to life: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
KidSpark: Backyard Birdwatching
Friday, December 17th, 1 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
KidSpark has a great view of woodlands and wetlands and the kids will have fun experiencing the art of bird watching. Little ones will learn all about the animals that live in and around the Centre’s backyard wetlands. Ages three to eight: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Nutcracker presented by Pia Bouman School for Ballet
Thursday, December 16th – Sunday, December 19th, showtimes vary, Lismer Hall, Humberside Collegiate Institute, 280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto
Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement invites families to be a part of its 25th annual performance of Nutcracker. With more than 100 dancers and guest performers, this unique production is the only Nutcracker where the cast and audience mingle to create the opening scene. Bouman’s Nutcracker is newly choreographed each season. Proceeds from the production support the not-for-profit school’s Bursary Fund and programs: www.piaboumanschool.org
Magic Snow Shows
Friday, November 19th – Friday, December 24th, nightly at 7 pm, Centre Court, Toronto Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge Street, Toronto
Experience the wonder of Canada’s first indoor snow shows (excluding Sundays). A perfect way to stay warm while enjoying a beautiful snowfall: www.torontoeatoncentre.com
Winter Solstice Festival & Skating Trail Inauguration
Saturday, December 18th, 4 pm – 10 pm, Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Bring the family for an inaugural skate in the gardens, sit down for a hot and hearty bowl of soup or sip cocoa, listen to some live music, and walk through the winter wonderland: ebw.evergreen.ca
Elves In The Workshop
Saturday, December 18th, various times available, Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Bring your little elf to Casa Loma and join the annual seasonal workshop-hosted by Marnie Lippa from Parties Made Simple. You and your little one will enjoy creating a decorated gingerbread house to hang on your family tree. Pre-registration required. Recommended for ages two to eight: www.casaloma.org
PUPPETMONGERS Present Tea At The Palace
Saturday, December 18th – Saturday, January 1st, 2 pm, Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Avenue, Toronto
A medieval Russian peasant is shocked when he is dragged to the Tzar’s court, charged with treason simply for making tea. Meanwhile, the Tzar has become smitten with a clever girl beneath his social rank when she arrives at court with her mother and a neighbour to settle a dispute. With exuberant folk music, magical pop-up scenery and a fascinating array of puppets (ranging from six inches to six feet!) The whole family will love this magical holiday tradition. Recommended for ages five to 12: www.tarragontheatre.com
Snow White
December 18th – January 9th (see website for date information), 10:30 am / 12:30 pm / 3:30 pm, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
Enjoy Solar Stages adaptation of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Come and see how Snow White escapes the wicked queen’s plot. With tuneful songs, spirited dancing, and interactive fun, this will be a great show for the holiday season. Ages three to 10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Farther Afield:
Santa’s Amazing Vacation
Saturdays, November 27th – December 30th, 12:30 pm Buffet Lunch & 1 pm showtime, Stage West, 5400 Dixie Road, Mississauga
On a pre-Christmas vacation, Santa is enjoying himself so much he decides to cancel Christmas. Can Santa’s elves convince him to drop the snorkel and return to the North Pole, or will the children of the world be left out in the cold? A fun musical play with lots of audience participation and holiday fun: www.stagewest.com
Big Toy Give At Santa’s Festival Of Giving
Sunday, December 19th, 10 am – 1 pm, Erin Mills Town Centre, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga
Calling all Elves-In-Training! Santa and his crew need help getting presents ready for kids in need. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to Santa’s Workshop and help the elves make a beautiful card to go with it. Santa will come by with his big red bag and pack your gift inside so he can deliver it. Santa just might have a little treat for you, too: www.erinmills.ca
Olde Fashioned Christmas On The Farm
December 1st – 24th, 10 am – 7 pm, Knox Christmas Farm, 6325 Enfield Road, Hampton
Weekends on the farm are so exciting with horse-drawn sleigh rides through the countryside, pony rides, and the beautiful Holiday memories Boutique. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be hosting families back at the 1850 log cabin on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19th. Each hour, four families will be taken on a wagon ride to the Claus Cabin (Santa’s little hide-a-way) to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and tell them all about their Christmas lists! Only 50 families can visit per day, so email info@knoxpumpkinfarm.com for reservation details: www.knoxpumpkinfarm.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!