The Little Paper

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THURSDAY

7th Annual New Years Eve Family Countdown

Toronto Zoo
Hwy 401 & Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough
416-392-5900
www.torontozoo.com
6-9pm
$10/adult, $6/4-12yrs, Free/3yrs & under, Advance ticket purchase recommended
Join some true party animals this New Year’s Eve at the Toronto Zoo! This family-fun event starts 2010 off right with lots of entertainment including Max & Ruby and African Drumming by Njacko Backo. Meet a keeper at the special animal visits in the African-Rainforest and Indo-Malaya pavillions. Don’t miss the kid’s Countdown at 9pm.

Brampton’s New Year’s Eve Party

Gage Park
Main & Queen, Brampton
905-874-2315
www.brampton.ca
From 7pm
Enjoy live entertainment, open-air ice-skating, two displays of fireworks, marshmallow roasting over open-air fire pits, children’s stage and more.

Citytv’s New Year’s Eve bash

Nathan Phillips Square
100 Queen St E
416-519-7400x8380
www.citytv.com
8-12:15pm
Free
Citytv's annual New Year's Eve celebration at Nathan Phillips Square. Celebrate in style with an open-air concert featuring some of Canada's hottest musical talent. Hosted by Citytv personalities. Check website for details.
Skating Rinks
www.cityrinks.ca
All rink pads are open for skating during regular hours 9am-10pm. In most cases staff are not scheduled and the buildings are closed as of 8pm. Notable among the exceptions are Dufferin Grove where with its’ lovely little clubhouse is open until 12pm complete with wood burning stove and affordable snacks. See website for info, a few neighbourhood rinks even have an early countdown for the kids.

FRIDAY

Casa Loma's - Storybook Magic

Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace
416-923-1171
www.casaloma.org
Daily: 9:30am-5pm, last admission 4pm
$18/adults, $10.50/4-13yrs
Watch your favourite Storybook classics such as Aladdin and Jack and the Bean Stalk come to life with a magic show of spectacular illusions and enjoy a storytelling of Peter Pan.
Cinderella in Muddy York: Gala Show & Party

Tarragon Theatre Extra Space

401 Logan Ave, Suite 219
416-469-3555
www.puppetmongers.com
2pm
$30/person
The classic fairy tale is relocated to Toronto of 1834, delighting young and old with the transplanted yarn woven with wit, magic, and charm.

New Year’s Levee

City Hall
www.toronto.ca
The major usually hosts a Levee to celebrate the start of another year and to provide an opportunity for the public and public officials to exchange greetings, check website for details.

Polar Bear Dip 2010

Sunnyside Park
www.torontopolarbear.com
11:30am registration, dip is at 12noon
Think Lake Ontario is cold in the summer? Try a winter dip. This annual plunge raises money for habitat for humanity. Those fearless enough to brave the waters must collect at least $20 in pledges. Spectators are welcome to shiver vicariously at the sidelines.

SATURDAY

Family Night Out: Countess Maritza

St Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Toronto Operetta Theatre
27 Front St E
416-366-7723
www.torontooperetta.com
8pm
Purchase an adult single ticket at the price level of your choice and get a 50% discount on two tickets in the same section for children and youths up to 16 yrs.
Countess Maritza is a glorious operetta that rivals The Merry Widow and turns heads the world over with its mix of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (5-11yrs)

Walmer Centre
188 Lowther Ave
416-499-0403
www.LionWW.com
11am, 2pm, 4:30pm
$13/door, discount if you buy online
An affordable family holiday treat. A live stage show based on the classic children's tale, featuring talking beavers, fauns, eight-foot tall lions and witches.

SATURDAY, SUNDAY

A Victorian Toronto Christmas

Mackenzie House
82 Bond St
416-392-6915
www.toronto.ca/holidays
12-5pm
$5.71/Adults, $3.33/Children
Take a festive step back in time to the mid Victorian era and discover how families celebrated Christmas. Enjoy mulled cider and a biscuit in the warmth of the old kitchen.

Allan Gardens Conservatory Christmas Flower Show

Allan Gardens Conservatory
South side of Carlton St Btwn Jarvis & Sherbourne
416-392-7288
www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca
10am-5pm
Free
Spectacular floral displays in the beautiful Allan Gardens setting.

Cinderella

Solar Stage Children’s Theatre
The Madison Centre, 4950 Yonge St
416-368-8031
www.solarstage.on.ca
10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm
$14/ticket
In this musical interactive version of the Grimm fairy tale, Cinderella, who is treated unfairly by her selfish stepsisters, responds with patience and kindness toward all, trusting that the future will bring her a change of fortune. A holiday favourite!

Colborne Lodge Christmas in the Park

Colborne Lodge
Colborne Lodge Dr, High Park
416-392-6916
www.toronto.ca/holidays
12-4pm
$5.71/Adults, $3.33/Children
Tour the home of the founders of High Park decorated in Victorian style for the season. Learn festive traditions from mid-19th century Toronto. Enjoy a warm beverage and a traditional treat.
Kids’ Krafts

Mackenzie House

82 Bond St
416-392-6915
www.toronto.ca/holidays
12-4pm
Regular admission applies
Bring the family to visit the last home of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, then enjoy some time with your youngsters, printing in the recreated printshop and doing an historically-based activity.

ROM for the Holidays

Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
416 -586-8000
www.rom.on.ca
10am-8:30pm
$22/adult, $15/child, * half price admission after 4:30pm
Go wild for the ROM’s animal-themed holiday activities. Create a winter animal mask, dress up as your favourite animal and enjoy live animal presentations.
Snowed In: Holiday Animation Workshops and Screenings

National Film Board Mediatheque

150 John St
416-973-3012
www.nfb.ca/mediatheque
12pm workshop, Film Screening: 2pm
$5/child (incl screening), $2/child (screening only), reservations recommended
Be a filmmaker for a day! Guided by experienced NFB facilitators and using professional tools, create your very own animated film. A unique, creative and hands-on experience for the whole family. 2 Jan: Snow Animals (finger painting on cels), 3 Jan: Snow Plow (3D Clay animation). Follow your workshop with a snow-themed short movie screening at 2pm.

Winter Holidays at the Science Center

Ontario Science Center
770 Don Mills Rd
416-696-1000
www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
10am-5pm
$18/adult, $11/4-12yrs
Lots of great new exhibit areas to explore, exciting special programs and cool daily science demonstrations.

SUNDAY

Family Skate Sundays

Christie Pits Rink
779 Crawford St
416-392-7687
www.cityrinks.ca
Sunday afternoons are family friendly: sip hot chocolate over the campfire 1-3pm, pleasure skating from 1-5pm.
Open Clay Studio
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art
111 Queen’s Park
416-586-8080
www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
1-3pm
$10/adults, $5/12yrs-, $5 extra for glaze & firing
A great way to try your hand at working with clay. The studio is equipped with nine wheels for throwing as well as tools for hand building. A professional ceramist is on-hand to answer questions and give you guidance with your clay project. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes prior to each session. First come, first served.