Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
The City is gearing up for the holiday season, so if you’re looking for lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, or unique gift shopping venues, this is a great weekend for you! You and the family can also take in non-holiday themed activities, like the Whole Life Expo, fun and creative sessions at the Ontario Science Centre, or a free winter cycling safety workshop. And for ongoing shows to get that holiday shopping taken care of, visit our featured arts and crafts shows page.
Whole Life Expo 2011
Friday, November 25th (4pm – 9pm), Saturday, November 26th (11am – 8pm), Sunday, November 27th (10am – 6pm), Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto
Now in its 25th year, the Whole Life Expo is Canada’s largest showcase of natural health, alternative medicine, and eco-friendly lifestyles. The weekend event attracts thousands of natural health experts, practitioners of alternative medicine and freethinking individuals who come together for three days of food, lectures, books, art, medicine and more : www.wholelifeexpo.ca
Sprouting Lecture With Sproutman Steve Meyerowitz
Friday, November 25th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Toronto Grace Church, 41 Britain Street, Toronto
Join Steve Meyerowitz, Sproutman®, in this rare opportunity to get expert advice, solve problems and learn how to get beautiful salad greens in your Freshlife or other sprouter! Get the secrets for growing great greens with less effort all year round. Each session is 1.5 hours and includes live slides, video and Q & A with Sproutman®. There will also be items for sale, such as sprouters, dehydrators, and seeds. Presented by Upayana Naturals: www.upayanaturals.com
Winter Artfest 2011
Saturday, November 26th – Sunday, November 27th, 10 am – 4 pm, Neilson Park Creative Centre, 56 Neilson Drive, Dundas Street West and Hwy 427, Etobicoke
Come to Neilson Park Creative Centre for their annual art and craft event! Artists and artisans will be showing and selling their wares. There will be live music, refreshments, kids’ activities, art demos and much more! Great opportunity to find unique, original gift items for the holidays! : www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
Chris McKhool ‘Celebrate! Holidays Of The Global Village’
Saturday, November 26th, 1 pm, Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor Street West (at Spadina), Toronto
‘Celebrate! Holidays of The Global Village’ is an interactive and playful musical journey into the myriad of holidays, customs and festivities enjoyed in the North-American Fall and Winter seasons. Children will learn traditional and original songs encouraging them to share our diversity with neighbours and friends. Featuring JUNO Nominee and three time Parent’s Choice Award Winner, Chris McKhool: www.fiddlefire.com
Make Your Own Pasta Models
Saturday, November 26th, 1 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Come be inspired by some of Leonardo da Vinci’s creations. Kids will become pasta artists and create their very own model made completely from pasta noodles! Don’t worry, no food is being wasted – The Science Centre made sure all the pasta is past its due-date for consumption: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Santa In The Junction
Saturday, November 26th, 10 am – 4 pm, Pacific Street & Dundas Street West, Toronto
Santa is visiting the Junction neighbourhood! The whole family will enjoy the 14 live performance windows featuring 100 young dancers from the Creative Children’s Dance Centre, visits with Santa, hot roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers, the Junction Children’s Choir, The Acts of Sweetness Cookie Truck, a 30′x80′ ball hockey rink, Santa’s workshop, Mrs. Santa’s Story Time, and a whole lot more: www.thejunctionbia.com
Sustainable Book, Bake And Toy Fair
Saturday, November 26th, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, St. Thomas’ Anglican Church Hall, 383 Huron Street, Toronto
Bring your reusable bags and pick up gently used items to complete your holiday shopping list! This fair will have high quality, gently used toys from Melissa & Doug, LEGO, Alex, Vtech, WOW, Lamaze, LeapFrog, Parents’ Choice Winner’s Toys, games, puzzles, books, and DVDs, plus a delicious bake sale. This is a fundraiser for Jenna (Lucas) Morrison’s trust fund. All proceeds will go to support Jenna’s family: www.huronplayschool.com
The 2nd Annual Wandering Winter Craft Show
Saturday, November 26th, 11 am – 5 pm, The Church of the Holy Trinity – Eaton Centre 10 Trinity Square, Yonge and Dundas, Toronto
The Wandering Winter Craft Show is back this holiday season with two show dates and locations in downtown Toronto: The Church of the Holy Trinity (November 26th) and the Gladstone Hotel (December 10th – 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto). With over 40 local artists showcasing their unique handmade wares, everything from preserves to jewellery to textiles, there’s sure to be something for everyone’s holiday shopping list. Brought to you by Shop Cats – a Toronto-based craft event company: www.shopcats.ca
Calvacade Of Lights
Saturday, November 26th, 7 pm, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
A spectacular 45-year Toronto tradition presented by Scotiabank returns to Nathan Phillips Square! The night will feature the lighting of the City of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, fireworks and live musical performances by award-winning artists Jarvis Church, Kellylee Evans, JRDN, rising star Justin Hines and singer Victoria Duffield. The concert will be hosted by CityTV’s very own Kevin Frankish and Flow 93.5′s Jeni, and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 8 pm, followed by a skating party sponsored by Timothy’s World Coffee on the Nathan Phillips Square rink. Meet champion figure skater and sports icon Jamie Salé at the Burt’s Bees tent for autographs and pictures: www.toronto.ca
Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 26th, 2 pm – 5 pm, German International School Toronto, 585 Cranbrooke Avenue, Toronto
What would the Christmas season be without the perfect festive decorations? Find everything to make your home even more beautiful for this special time – wreaths, decorations, and homemade cookies and cakes. The little ones will love the Kid’s Christmas Shop, and a visit to the elves’ cave where they can listen to a storyteller: www.gistonline.ca
Cycling In Fall And Winter
Saturday, November 26th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Lillian Smith Library, 239 College Street, Toronto
Visit the library for this informative and interactive workshop to learn how to ride a bicycle safely in cold, rain, and snow. You’ll gain knowledge on dressing for the weather, snow tires for bicycles, safe riding techniques, maintenance, bringing your bicycle on transit systems, your rights and responsibilities, and community and legal resources. There will be hands-on demonstrations, audio and video displays, and Q&A. Please register in advance as space is limited (in person at 2nd floor Information Desk, by phone to Kristin at 416.588.6288 x229 or Stanley at 647.404.8857, or by email to cycling@culturelink.ca): www.torontopubliclibrary.ca
Free Intro To Reiki Class, The Healing Team
Saturday, November 26th, 3 pm, The World’s Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward Street, Toronto
Presented by The Healing Team. Donations will be accepted to Indigo’s Love of Reading Fund. Reiki is a method of hands-on healing that benefits both emotional and physical problems. Stephanie Norwich has been offering Reiki treatments for 16 years and teaching Reiki for eight years. For more information contact 416.531.8061 or 647.669.0497, or thehealingteam@gmail.com: www.thehealingteam.org
Kidzfest
Saturday, November 26th, 11 am – 5 pm, Yonge Dundas Square, Toronto
It’s a day of free fun for families at Yonge Dundas Square! The 5th annual Kidzfest event, part of Winter Magic, allows children and their parents to enjoy the heart of the city through youth-focused and educational entertainment, rides, activities and more. This year’s lineup includes appearances by Dora and Diego, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Erik and Mumble from Happy Feet Two, and a special performance by Pinkalicious! Get all Winter Magic details at your fingertips by downloading the free Winter Magic app : www.wintermagic.ca
Holiday Brunch
Sunday, November 27th, Seatings: 10:30 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
This Holiday Brunch is served in the stately elegance of Toronto’s famous castle and is an event to remember! The Conservatory and Library are spectacular settings for the meal, after which you can enjoy a self-guided tour of the Castle. Full payment is required upon booking (credit card or cash payment), and is non-refundable 10 days prior to date of the brunch. Call 416.923.1171 ext. 202 or 213 for reservations: www.casaloma.org
Annual Art Auction And Live Entertainment
Sunday, November 27th, 2 pm – 5 pm, Balmy Beach Club, 1 Beech Avenue, Toronto
This annual Art Auction features original artwork by local artists at great prices, plus a Silent Auction (variety of items including baked goods, gift certificates, etc.), and live entertainment. With auctioneer Michael Prue, MPP Beaches-East York: www.childrenathealthrisk.com
Peek-A-Boo Science
Sunday, November 27th, 11:30 am, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Bring the little ones to sing, create, and play in this workshop designed with the youngest KidSpark visitors in mind! Ages 3 and under: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Steven Page And Friends – Live & Unleashed
Monday, November 28th, Concert: 8:00 pm – 9:45 pm, Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto
For the grownups! The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has teamed up with and all Canadian cast of talented performers to save animals at risk. Hosted by Comedian Colin Mochrie and Actress Debra McGrath, the evening will entertain and enlighten through the encouraging story of a neglected dog named Rocky that was rescued by the OSPCA (www.rockysrescue.ca). Come out and support animal welfare with friends and music: www.liveandunleashed.ca
Science On The Go
Monday, November 28th, 11:30 am, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Get your brain in motion this fall! Join in for “Science On The Go”, a series of fun, hands-on activities being offered throughout KidSpark. Topics vary daily, so whether it’s science experiments, cool art projects, or a live-animal encounter, it’s exciting science fun! Check the schedule at the KidSpark main entrance for more information: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Shop Sustainable Event: Eco Friendly Marketplace & Clothing Swap
Tuesday, November 29th, 5 pm – 9 pm, CSI Annex – Main floor, 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is hosting Shop Sustainable, a pre-holiday event that aims to help consumers reduce their fashion footprint. The event will feature a high-end clothing swap presented by Toronto-based Swapsity.ca (http://www.swapsity.ca/landing), a brief talk from Toronto’s own Barter Babe, toxic free makeup demonstrations courtesy of Green Beauty, and a few fashion and beauty vendors selling new eco-friendly products: www.fashiontakesaction.com
Farther Afield:
P.A. Day Skate! Richmond Hill
Saturday, November 25th, Elvis Stojko Arena (11 am – 1 pm), 350 Sixteenth Avenue & Tom Graham Arena (2 pm – 4 pm), 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
It’s a P.A. Day, so why not put the skates on and take to the rink for only a ‘toonie’! Grab your skates, slip on your mittens and meet up with your friends to take part in this November P.A. Day Skate: www.richmondhill.ca
Sounds Of The Season
Saturday, November 26th, 2 pm – 9 pm, University of Toronto Scarborough, AC223-Academic Resource Centre 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough
Fill your ears with music as the VPA Music Students end their semester with a free public concert. Performances by the Concert Choir and the Strings Ensemble (2 pm – 4pm), and the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Community & Alumni Band (7 pm – 9 pm) : www.aeplive.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!