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 weather is certainly getting chilly, but we’re still waiting for the white stuff to arrive here in T.O.! With school winding down and the holidays nearly here, you may be looking to get out and enjoy the city with the family…without visiting yet another shopping centre. Take in any number of holiday productions (Joseph, Puppets, and Sleeping Beauty, oh my!) and concerts, shop local artisans at St. Lawrence Market, go back in time with traditional holiday festivities at one of T.O.’s historic museums or sites, or lace up the skates and head to Evergreen Brick Works for an outdoor active family afternoon. And if you’re looking for ongoing holiday fun happening in the city, check out our happy holiday guide.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Tuesday, December 13th – Friday, December 30th, see site for showtimes, The Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Avenue, Toronto
This production is a lively, comic and colourful musical journey through the Biblical story of young Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers after his father favours him with a gorgeous coloured cloak. Joseph’s gift of prophecy saves him from an uncertain fate and helps him rescue Egypt from famine. A family-friendly favourite, JOSEPH combines a high-energy mix of music and dancing – everything from country to calypso to rock ‘n’ roll – in a series of memorable musical numbers: www.lowerossingtontheatre.com
St. Lawrence Market Holiday Event
Thursday, December 15th – Friday, December 23rd, see site for events and times, St. Lawrence Market – North Building, 93 Front Street East (Lower Jarvis Street and Front Street East), Toronto
Take a trip to the historic St. Lawrence Market to see the wares from over 20 artisans, who will be showcasing their authentic, handmade goods. A great way to stock up on holiday gifts with a personal touch, without stepping foot in a shopping mall: www.stlawrencemarket.com
City Hope’s Silver City Gala
Friday, December 16th, 7 pm – 9 pm, St. Andrews United Church, 117 Bloor Street East, Toronto
City Hope Charity is celebrating its 5th year within the St Jamestown community of Toronto. Joining in the celebration of their social work are the Honourable Hugh Segal and the Honourable Art Eggleton, who will discuss their report on poverty, housing and homelessness. The event is to support the free services that City Hope provides within the community to low-income and new immigrant families: www.cityhope.ca
You’d Better Watch Out!
Friday, December 16th, 8 pm – 10 pm, Etobicoke Collegiate Auditorium, 86 Montgomery Road (Royal York Road and Bloor Street), Toronto
Maestro John Edward Liddle and the musicians of the Etobicoke Community Concert Band present this innovative mix of yuletide favorites, festive holiday songs, and sacred and secular music. As a special honour, distinguished journalist and speaker Hana Gartner will read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with musical accompaniment! Coffee and refreshments will be available in the lobby: www.eccb.ca
A Leahy Family Christmas
Saturday, December 17th, 7 pm, Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
The eight brothers and sisters of Leahy invite you to join them for their special Christmas show, filled with step-dancing, fiddle-playing songs. Enjoy this Christmas concert featuring sacred hymns and slow airs, to fiery Celtic tunes and best-loved carols: www.sonycentre.ca
City Carol Sing
Saturday, December 17th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church 1585 Yonge Street, Toronto
In collaboration with CityTV, this holiday concert features the High Park Choirs of Toronto, the Larkin Singers, the Viva Arts Brass, and the choirs of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church and Christ Church Deer Park. Admission is free, with donations being accepted for the Churches-on-the-Hill Food Bank: sites.google.com/site/9sparrowsarts
Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 17th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Historic Zion Schoolhouse, 1091 Finch Avenue East, North York
Go back to school, waaaaay back, by exploring Zion’s 1910 schoolroom. Get to know this wonderful educational resource right here in our community! Try out turn-of-the-century school activities, like writing on a slate or participating in a spelling bee, and enjoy hot chocolate and biscuits while singing carols around the schoolroom piano: www.toronto.ca
Holidays In The Village
Saturday, December 17th, 10 am – 4 pm, St Clair Avenue West between Christie Street & Winona Avenue, Toronto
Join us as the merchants of Hillcrest Village bring some holiday cheer to the neigbourhood. Enjoy a holiday display competition, singing carolers, special offers and discounts, holiday themed menu items, activities for kids, and much more! Keep an eye out for the Carolers, who will be roaming the street, as well as special activity stations at different businesses: www.holidaysinthevillage.ca
Joy To The World
Saturday, December 17th, 8 pm – 9 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm), Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Avenue ( St. Clair West Avenue and Yonge Street), Toronto
The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestras is pleased to announce the second concert of its 2011-2012 season, Joy to the World. This year’s holiday program features traditional Christmas songs, including Carol of the Bells and Greensleeves, plus Christmas carols, excerpts of Handel’s Messiah and the Academic Festival Overture by Brahms. A traditional night of Christmas music: www.gtpo.ca
Sci-Fi Used Book Sale
Saturday, December 17th, 10 am – 3 pm, Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College Street, Toronto
Book sale prices will double in January, so get them while they’re still cheap! Peruse hundreds of books, including science, speculative, sword, sorcery, and scary Fiction), and lots of unstamped editions. All titles from $0.50 – $1 – cash only: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca
The Christmas Line Up
Saturday, December 17th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Driftwood Community & Recreation Centre, 4401 Jane Street ( Jane Street and Finch Avenue West), Toronto
The Christmas Line Up is a fun holiday and activity day for children and families to participate in Christmas festivities. There will be face painting, gingerbread house building, prizes and gifts. Even a visit from Santa himself: www.thechristmaslineup.com
Winter Festival At Evergreen Brick Works
Saturday, December 17th, Noon – 6 pm, see site for event times, Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Lace up and help launch the winter season with the opening of Evergreen Brick Work’s family-friendly outdoor skating rink, groove to some hot tunes, and chill by the warm fire. Plus, join a cooking workshop and learn how to make delicious hot and spicy winter treats. A great fun-filled winter afternoon for the whole family: ebw.evergreen.ca
An 1812 Winter
December 17th – December 31st, Weekdays 10 am – 4 pm & weekends, 10 am – 5 pm, Fort York, 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
Enjoy a visit to Fort York this festive season and discover how troops coped with the Canadian winter in 1812. Military posts in Canada were considered the coldest, harshest posts in the British Empire. The Army went to great lengths to equip and train its troops to function effectively in the cold, and relied on the expertise of aboriginals and fur traders to provide specialized training. An 1812 Winter tour will take you on a journey into the past. Sample some baking from the 1826 Officers’ Mess kitchen and soak up the warmth of a crackling wood fire: www.toronto.ca
Decorate A Tree – Bird Brained Family Fun
Saturday, December 17th, 10 am – Noon, High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside Drive, Toronto
Come with your family and decorate a tree for the birds! Make edible garlands and pine cone bird feeders, hand feed chickadees, and go on a winter bird hike. Please pre-register by emailing naturecentre@highpark.org, or by calling 416-392-1748 ext. 2: www.highparknaturecentre.com
Kids Winter Gateway
Saturday, December 17th, 9:30 am – 4 pm, Humber Arboretum, 205 Humber College Boulevard, Toronto
Still have a lot of holiday shopping to do? Looking for a way to get it done…without the kids? Bring them to the Centre for Urban Ecology for a day filled with fun and winter activities! Pre-Registration is required, and lunch will be provided: www.humberarboretum.on.ca
Sleeping Beauty
December 17th – January 15th, see site for show times and dates, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
Our musical version of the Charles Perrault classic will enthrall you with its beautiful music and wonderful performances. Will Sleeping Beauty escape the Evil Queen’s spell? Visit us to share in presentation of this timeless tale. With tuneful songs, spirited dancing, and interactive fun, this will be a great show for the holiday season. Ages 3-10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Puppetmongers Presents Bed & Breakfast
Saturday, December 17th – January 1st, see site for shows, Tarragon Theatre, 30 Brigman Avenue, Toronto
Puppetmongers is pleased to present the entertaining and charming play Bed & Breakfast. Wildly inventive puppetry brings to life a whimsical new version of The Princess and the Pea, in which clever servants conspire against their bumbling employers in the service of true love, while the hero and heroine dodge hilarious disaster along the road to happily-ever-after. Created and performed by the award-winning brother-sister team of Ann and David Powell, this magical tale of love and humanity is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family, aged 5 and up: www.puppetmongers.com
Science On The Go
Sunday, December 17th, 1 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Get your brains in motion this fall! Join for “Science On The Go” – a series of fun, hands-on activities being offered throughout KidSpark. Topics vary daily, so whether science experiments, cool art projects, or a live-animal encounter, it’s always exciting science fun: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Paint Your Own Mona Lisa
Sunday, December 18th, 1 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Bring out your inner da Vinci as you attempt to master the art of portrait painting. Paint your own Mona Lisa or attempt a self-portrait: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Animation Workshop For Adults
Sunday, December 18th, 10 am- 5 pm, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John Street, Toronto
Get animated with us for a full day in this monthly comprehensive workshop for adults! December’s workshop will explores classical hands-on animation techniques. Call 416-973-3012 to register, as capacity is limited: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca
Farther Afield:
Winter Wonderland Skate
Saturday, December 17th, 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm, Elgin Barrow Arena, 43 Church Street South, Richmond Hill
It’s beginning to at least feel a lot like winter! So what better way to start off the winter season than to come in from the cold and chill out with a Winter Wonderland Skate! While you skate, you can sync up your skating skills to the music of the season: www.richmondhill.ca
Cinderella
December 14th – 18th & December 27th – 31st, see site for show times, The Meeting House
2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville
Looking for something fun, new and exciting to do this holiday season that the entire family will enjoy? Hilarity, singing and dancing are all part of this re-imagining of the classic rags-to-riches fairytale, Cinderella. With lots of opportunity for audience participation, holiday entertainment will never be the same again: www.pantomine.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!