The Little Paper

2 December

Holiday Train

87 Ethel Ave, adjacent to Rona
www8.cpr.ca
6:30-7pm; Free
Enjoy the arrival of the brightly decorated trains and watch entertainers perform a live holiday concert. Donate money and nonperishable food for the local food bank. Entertainers on this train include Tracy Brown, Melanie Doane and Wide Mouth Mason.

2-5 December

Christmas Pageant

Kingsway-Lambton United Church
85 The Kingsway
416-234-8224
www.kingswaylambton.ca
7:15-8:30pm; Free (tickets needed for seating)
Free-will offering during show.

4-6 December

First Light

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Midland
705-526-7838
www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca
5:30-9pm; $5/person w/non-perishable food donation
Experience Midland’s famous heritage site amidst the magical glow of over 2,000 candles. Lots of “hands-on” activities and 17th-century crafts for little folks and adults alike. Enjoy a taste of history at Sainte-Marie’s Cookhouse with goodies from Christmas past and the sweet seasonal music of area talent repertoires.

5 December

Carols in the Tavern

Montgomery’s Inn
4709 Dundas St W
416-394-8113
7:30pm; $20/person, Pre-register
Join costumed staff from the Inn at Burnhamthorpe and Dundas West for a carol sing and the Islington Village BIA Tree Lighting (5:30pm). Afterward, proceed to the Inn (10min walk) for a costumed read of A Christ-mas Carol at 6:30pm. After the reading, sing some 19th-century carols. Savoury treats and mulled cider too.

6 December

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk

Sunnybrook Park
www.santashuffle.com
10am; $20/Individual, $50/Family
The Santa Shuffle 5K Fun Run & 1K Elf Walk is held across North America each year to raise funds for the Salvation Army to assist people in need. Check website for details on the Toronto shuffle.

Christmas in the Park

Kew Gardens Park
Lee & Queen St E, The Beaches
www.beacheslions.com
Starts 5:30pm, Turkey draw 7pm;
Celebrate the season with the big tree lighting, caroling led by Beach Idol finalists and visits by Santa and Mrs Claus.

Christmas Village

146 Crescent Rd, Moordale House
416-922-3714
www.mooredale.org
9am-1pm; Suggested admission: new
unwrapped toy for the Chum City
Christmas Wish Foundation
Soli and Rob Joy Holiday Sing-a-Long, Festive foods and beverages, crafts with Santa’s elves, decorate your own gingerbread, photos with Santa, face painting, bake sale, silent auction, wreaths and more.

Polar Bear Fair

Humber Arboretum
205 Humber College Blvd
416-675-5009
www.humberarboretum.on.ca
10am-3pm; $5/passport
Activities include: chickadee feeding, nature walks, story reading, camouflage, Marshmallow roasting, face painting and more!

Tinars for Tots: Holiday Bonanza

Gladstone Hotel Ballroom
1214 Queen St W
www.pagesbooks.ca
10am (doors 9:30am); Free
An engaging This is not a Reading Series Event designed to amuse and amaze wriggly tots from 2-8yrs. Award-winning playwright and novelist Claudia Dey hosts TINARS For Tots’ Holiday Bonanza. Zack Wells will share his tale of a pig that needs a name, Anything But Hank. BC artist Julie Morstad will launch her exquisite ABC Card Deck. Presented by Pages Books & Magazines, Biblioasis, PGC, Bunch and The Little Paper.

6, 15, 20 December

Holiday Gift Making Workshops for
Children (7-12yrs)

Phoenix Arts Group, 33 Harbour Sq
416-304-0647
www.handworkstudio.com
6, 20 Dec: 1-4pm, 15 Dec: 6-9pm;
$45/class, registration required

6-7 December

Home Sweet Home: The
Gingerbread Build

Habitat for Humanity Toronto Home
Building Factory
1627 Danforth Ave
416-755-7353x228
www.torontohabitat.ca
$55/first home, $50/additional home
Kick off the holiday season by helping to build a ‘home sweet home’ for a family in need by decorating your own gingerbread house at the Habitat for Humanity Toronto Gingerbread Build. Each kit includes an all-natural, pre-assembled gingerbread house, royal icing, a piping bag and oodles of candy.

Christmas around the World Festival

City Hall Rotunda
100 Queen St W
416-368-8743
www.cfactoronto.com
12-5pm; Free admission
The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto brings together more than 15 different ethnic communities displays of their Christmas traditions, in Art & Crafts and food + 15 ethnically diverse dressed Christmas Trees! Traditional ornaments, handicrafts, artwork and tapestries from around the world will also be available for purchase, each designed with Christmas in mind.

7 December

Christmas Open House

Scarborough Historical Museum
1007 Brimley Road, N of Lawrence in
Thomson Memorial Park
416-338-8807
12-4pm; pwyc; Tour the festively decorated McCowan Log House & Cornell House & enjoy the aroma of traditional Christmas baking.

Holiday Trunk Show

the workroom, 1340 Queen St W
416-534-5305
www.theworkroom.ca
12am-5pm; Free; The show features handmade goods from local vendors.

Under a Winter Star
The Gladstone Hotel, Queen & Dufferin

www.girlfishmusic.com
2:30-3:30pm; adult/$10, child/$5
Celebrate Christmas, Winter, Hannukkah and Solistice songs for the holiday season with Leah Salomaa.

Riverdale Share 17th Annual
Community Concert

The Music Hall
147 Danforth Ave
www.riverdaleshare.com
3pm; $15/ticket
Established Canadian performers and entertainment personalities join forces with local talent and school choirs under one roof to create a truly magical afternoon. This year’s line up includes Luba Goy, Jian Ghomeshi, The Bad Dog
Theatre Company, The Centre of Gravity Circus and Chinese Lions.

The Gospel Christmas Project

Distillery District
416-866-8666
www.youngcentre.ca
2pm, 8pm; $20-$45/Ticket
Uplifting and inspiring Andrew Craig’s critically acclaimed Gospel Christmas Project was one of the most talked-about and celebrated holiday productions of 2007. Reimagined as contemporary Gospel masterpieces, experience over 20 of the world’s favourite Christmas carols like you have never heard them before.

9-10 December

A Very Merry Pops

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St
416-593-4828
www.tso.ca
8pm &* 2pm (*10 Dec only); $28-
$99/ticket
Ring in the season with a Christmas concert of traditional favourites and timeless classics! Including Silver Bells, White Christmas, and Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride – plus, a rousing sing-along with a 200-voice choir that is bound to put you in a “sleigh bells and mistletoe” mood!

12 December

A Celtic Christmas

Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St W
416-394-8113
8pm; $20/person; Pre-register
Sandy MacIntyre & “Steeped in Tradition” present an evening of toe tapping Celtic Christmas music. Enjoy a glass of mulled cider and a special Christmas treat.

12-14 December

Little Red Riding Hood Meets the
Three Little Pigs

The Assembly Hall
1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr
(Kipling Ave & Lake Shore Blvd W)
416-231-3131
www.feastoffoolstheatre.com
12 Dec: 11am, 13, 14 Dec: 2pm;
$18/adults, $11/10yrs-

12-14, 19-24 December

The Christmas Story

Church of the Holy Trinity
10 Trinity Square, West Side of
Toronto Eaton Centre
416-598-4521
www.holytrinitytoronto.org
4:30pm: 13, 14, 20, 21-24 Dec;
7:30pm: 12, 13, 19, 20 Dec, doors
open 30 min before performances;
Suggested Donation: $15/adult,
$5/child, call, or reserve online
Professional musicians and a volun teer cast present this charming hour-long nativity pageant in one of Toronto’s architectural treasures – a 157-year old church. A great Christmas show for families. Go online to reserve a spot.

13 December

Holiday In-House Show

Conservatory of Dance Plus
45 Bellwoods Ave
416-716-7416
www.conservatoryofdanceplusinc.com
10:30am-12:30pm;
Refreshments served

The Queen’s Necklace & Other
Enchantments: An Evening of
Storytelling

Montgomery’s Inn
4709 Dundas St W
416-394-8113
7:30-9:30pm; $20/person, Pre-register
A cosy night of stories by the fire. Enjoy a complimentary seasonal treat and glass of hot mulled cider.

Cookerydoo Child’s Gingerbread
House Cookshop (5-12yrs)

Swansea Townhall
95 Lavinia Ave
10:30am-12pm; $35/house
Decorate a miniature gingerbread house for the holidays. Dough-making and piece-cutting will be demonstrated. Decorations are supplied but feel free to bring extra favourite candies.

Festive Family Day: Create your
own Song and Holiday Card!

The Royal Conservatory
273 Bloor St W
416-408-2824 x606
10am; $100/family
Create a unique family card to print out or email to loved ones! In this one-day workshop, families will work with
a musician from the RCM to compose a holiday song, which they’ll then record on a CD! Work with a multimedia artist to design a unique family holiday card to email or mail. Use digital cameras and software to create a unique message and gift.

13-14 December

Chanukah Jam

City Playhouse, Thornhill
Tickets: 905-882-SHOW
10:30am, 1pm, 3:30pm;
t’s the most star-studded Chanukah concert ‘in history!’ Performances by Judy & David (as themselves and as) special guest stars: Chanah Montanahm Chai School Musical, Moses with special guests, Great Big Red Sea and Bagel The Dog,

14 December

Emmanuel Howard Park United

Children’s Christmas Pageant
Emmanuel Howard-Park United
Church, 214 Wright Ave
416-536-1755
www.ehpchurch.org
Sun: 10:30am;
Dufferin Grove Craft Fair
Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St
www.dufferinpark.ca
Check website for details

Chanukah Hootenanny

Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave
416-924-6211x154
www.nadaljcc.ca
11am-2pm;
Play spin the dreidel’, enjoy songs and candles. A wonderful time for adults and children alike, but a special treat for the kids!

Family Day: Navidad Sunday

Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen’s Park
416-586-8080
www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
1-4pm; Free, w/admission,
$12/adults, Free/12yrs-
Family activities celebrate the holiday season and Mexico’s Virgin of Guadalupe festival. Kids will love making their own toys and playing with clay and paper. Dance to Mexican music and enjoy free refreshments.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Toronto Botanical Gardens
77 Lawrence Ave E
416-397-1340
www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca
1-3pm; $12-15/person
Celebrate the beginning of winter in the forest and learn what the animals are doing during the holidays. Make decorations for the trees and warm up indoors with some hot chocolate and a wonderful winter story!

Cookerydoo Cookshop: Sugarplums

and Candy Treats (3-6yrs)
Swansea Townhall, 95 Lavinia Ave
416-532-2222
www.cookerydoo.com
12-1pm; $25;
Get in the Christmas spirit and bake some traditional desserts including gingerbread.

The Snowman

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St
416-593-4828
www.tso.ca
3pm; $18-$58/adults, $15, $30/5-
12yrs;
Enjoy the classic, animated film The Snowman, accompanied live by the TSO. After intermission, comedienne Mary Lou Fallis leads you in a rousing sing-along that includes a very special version of The 12 Days of Christmas.

Home for the Holidays

Museums of Mississauga
905-615-4860
1-4pm
Bradley Museum
1620 Orr Road

Benares Historic House

1507 Clarkson Road North
www.museumsofmississauga.com
www.clarkson1808celebration.ca
At Bradley Museum, you can visit Santa & Mrs. Claus in the log cabin, enjoy cooking and dulcimer music in 1830s tea room in the Anchorage. Make historic crafts and experience the Clarkson Village: 200 Years of History exhibit. At Benares Historic House, listen to carol singing by the Player Piano, take a horse and wagon ride, sample historic cooking and take a tour of the restored early 20th century home.

Markus (3-8yrs)

Solar Stage Children’s Theatre
416-368-8031
11am, 2pm showings; $13/ticket
Markus, the Treehouse TV performer and popular singer/musician, is back for another fun and interactive show. He will be performing songs from his many award-winning CD’s that parents and children can sing and dance to together.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Markham Theatre for the Performing
Arts
905-305-7469
www.markham.ca
11am, 2pm; $18/ticket
Dufflebag Theatre presents their hilarious adaptation of Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer - starring members of the audience! Everyone gets to join in the fun this holiday season.

RYC Carols: Randolph Young

Company Celebrates the Season
736 Bathurst St
416-872-1111
www.randolphacademy.com
7pm; $25/ticket
A great way to start the holiday season! Host and performer Patricia Zentilli (CanStage’s Little Shop of Horrors)
joins the Randolph Young Company, in a festive evening of song. Helping to create a magical evening filled with spirit and cheer for the whole family will be luminaries from Toronto’s vibrant musical theatre scene.

14, 28 December

High Park Walking Tour

Benches across from Grenadier Cafe
416-392-7485
www.highpark.org
10:30am-12pm; Donations welcome
Each tour lasts 1.5 hours and may go on wooded trails, so please remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. 14 Dec: Winter Wildlife, 28 Dec: Holiday Hike & Brunch

16 December

Carolling in the Park

Glen Stewart Ravine, Glen Manor
Drive, S of the bridge, N of Queen St
416-694-0617
7:30-8:30pm;
Crowds sing carols and contemporary songs with the Salvation Army Band and the Kew Beach United Church choir (song sheets provided). Hot apple cider and hot chocolate keep everyone warm and toasty. During the sing-along a
collection is taken for the Salvation Army. In the event of inclementweather, the Caroling will be held in Kew Beach United Church.

16-17, 19-21 December

Handel’s Messiah presented by the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St
416-593-4828
www.tso.ca
8pm nightly except 21 Dec 3pm; $35-
$99/ticket
Rejoice! Rejoice! MESSIAH continues to capture the hearts of millions of music lovers, young and old. For some it’s a family tradition, for others it’s the opportunity to hear the 264-year-old masterpiece for the first time.

18-21 December

23rd Annual Production of Nutcracker presented by Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement

Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Ave
Tickets: 416-532-8705
www.piaboumanschool.org
18 Dec: 7:30pm, 19 Dec: 7:30pm, 20
Dec: 1:30pm & 7:30pm, 21 Dec:
1:30pm; $20-$35/adults, $15-
$30/children, call or email nuttick-
ets@hotmail.com to book
This production by students of the Pia Bouman School is a must-see performance for lovers of the traditional
story of the Nutcracker. The show is newly choreographed each year and features more than 90 performers.
FREE ADMISSION
Donations or non-perishable food items collected for Compass Food Bank

Home for the Holidays

Sun, Dec. 14, 1-4 pm
Bradley Museum
1620 Orr Road
Benares Historic House
1507 Clarkson Road North
www.museumsofmississauga.com
www.clarkson1808celebration.ca
905-615-4860
This seasonal tale gives the audience a peek into Clara’s dream journey where she saves her Nutcracker from the evil Mouse King and becomes a heroine in the magical world of the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy.

19 December

The S.P.A.C.E. Christmas Show

Calvary Church, 740 Pape Ave
416-850-1677
www.the-SPACE.ca
6:30pm; Free
A celebration of Christmas for the whole family! Singing, dancing, and acting, plus Christmas caroling and yummy treats. No charge, but please bring a donation for Out Of The Cold - warm mittens, socks, or toiletries.

19, 20 December

Wintersong
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront

416 973 4000
$18-$28; 19 Dec: 8pm, 20 Dec: 2pm
Wintersong draws upon the worldís rich winter solstice traditions, all echoing the motifs of light and life reborn from darkness, for its endless inspiration. Featuring the world premiere of Sun Stand Still and the return of Unquiet Dreams, this much-loved two-day performance celebrates renewal and return. Favourites by Carol Anderson and Kim Frank,
along with musicians Kirk Elliott, Rebecca Campbell and Ben Grossman complement this spellbinding tapestry of holiday dance.

19-21, 27-28 December

Chicken Licken (4yrs+)

Cow Over Moon Children’s Theatre
1350 Burnhamthorpe Rd E
905-510-8210
www.cowovermoon.ca
19 Dec: 11am, 20, 27 Dec: 11am,
1pm, 21, 28 Dec: 1pm; $12/adults,
$8/children;
Have you heard !?! The sky is falling! Join Chicken Licken and friends as they uncover the truth this holiday season.

19-23 December

Village Lantern Tours
Markham Museum

Hwy 48 in Markham, N of Hwy 7
905-294-4576
6:30-8pm; regular admission applies
Start your evening with a wagon ride through the beautifully-lit 25-acre site while you learn about the lives of Markham’s first settlers. Create seasonal crafts in a log cabin including lantern-making and dipping candles. Sip a cup of hot chocolate while tour ing the various exhibits or skate on the outdoor skating rinks (weather permitting).

19-28 December

Disney on Ice-Disneyland
Adventures

Rogers Centre, Blue Jays Way
416-870-8000, www.ticketmaster.ca
www.rogerscentre.com; $15-$90
Relive favourite Disney memories when Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles meet Mickey, Minnie, and other beloved Disney characters as they experience famed Disneyland attractions like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Audiences will swing to the beat with Baloo, fly like a space ranger thorugh Space Mountain with Buzz Lightyear and
spin wildly through the Mad Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

20-21 December

Canadian Ballet Theatre’s The
Nutcracker

Winter Garden Theatre
189 Yonge St
Ticketmaster: 416.872.5555
www.ticketmaster.ca
20 Dec: 2:30pm, 7pm, 21 Dec:
1:30pm; $60-$70
One of the most time-honoured holiday traditions, The Nutcracker is receiving the royal Russian treatment!
This year, audiences have the rare opportunity to see a classic production performed by one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets, the Canadian Ballet Theatre (CBT). Canadian Ballet Theatre trains the ballet stars of tomorrow while presenting international stars of today!

21 December

Tafelmusik-Sing-Along Messiah

Massey Hall
178 Victoria St
416-872-4255
www.masseyhall.com
2pm; $22-$29.50
Let your voice ring out! Join 2700 enthusiastic choristers as “Maestro Handel” himself conducts his beloved Messiah. Fun for the whole family!

20th Annual Kensington Market
Festival of Lights

Kensington Market, corner of Oxford
& Augusta, 6pm sharp
416-598-3729
Presented by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, take a glowing journey through the narrow streets to ignite the longest, darkest night. Encounter surprise theatrics from rooftops and storefronts, and revel in a fiery solstice send-off at Bellevue Square Park. Join Olivia Chow and a cavalcade of costumed characters, giant puppets, stiltwalkers, and fire-
breathers in a lantern-lit carnival parade in Toronto’s legendary market.

Santa Stories

Mackenzie House
82 Bond St
416-392-6915
2-2:45pm; $8/Adults, $5/Children
Gather in the Mackenzie’s cosy family room, listen to Christmas tales from the Victorian era, enjoy mulled cider and cookies in the kitchen. A tour of the house is included.Grunsky and Splash ‘n Boots.

21, 23 December

Christmas Trimmings Workshops

Colborne Lodge
416-392-6916
clodge@toronto.ca
Colborne Lodge Dr, High Park
Sun, Tue: 10-11:30am; $14.28
Get a few errands done when you drop off the kids to make traditional Christmas ornaments. (7-12yrs)

23 December

Franklin’s Family Christmas Concert

The Music Hall
147 Danforth Ave
416-870-8000
www.danforthmusichall.ca
7pm; Christmas is here, but Franklin is having trouble finding his Christmas spirit. “Where are all the presents?” he wonders. So Franklin’s woodland friends help him out by planning a party! Complete with a dancing snowman, a wacky gingerbread cookie, and a trio of playful elves. (3yrs+)

24 December

Candelight Christmas Eve Service with Guest Ken Whiteley

Emmanuel Howard-Park United Church
214 Wright Ave
416-536-1755
www.ehpchurch.org
6:30pm;
Ken has been called a “playing encyclopedia” for his depth and range of styles, covering everything from blues and gospel to children’s music. Enjoy carols with him at this special candlelit service.

26 December

33rd Annual Christmas Treats Walk

Toronto Zoo
Hwy 401 & Meadowvale Rd
416-392-5900
www.torontozoo.com
Front Entrance 10am; half price
admission all day
Siberian Tigers and Reindeer and other animals receive their seasonal goodies. Strolling Carollers, free hot chocolate following the walk (while quantities last). Please bring a non-perishable item for the food bank.

28 December

A Christmas Carol (6yrs+)

Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts
905-305-7469
www.markham.ca
2pm; $30-41/Adult, $26-37/child
Motus O Dance Theatre presents the classic story of Scrooge using dance and theatre.

29-30 December

The Nutcracker (6yrs+)

Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts
905-305-7469
www.markham.ca
Mon: 7:30pm, Tue: 2pm; $33-
44/Adult, $29-40/child
Ballet Jörgen Canada’s The Nutcracker returns to fill the holiday season with magic! Beautiful choreography, exhilarating costumes and sets... a holiday classic.