Get in the holiday spirit with these fun and festive events happening now through Christmas! These are some of our favourite ways to delight the kids during the holiday season.
Visit the Toronto Christmas Market
For an experience that oozes old-world Christmas charm, the Distillery District’s Toronto Christmas Market can’t be beat. With cobblestone streets lined with charming little kiosks, the historic brick buildings twinkling with lights, and the live music and other performances, plus Santa’s House—it’s an experience that will grow the heart of any Grinch at least one size this season!
November 20–December 20, 2015Ride the Santa Train
For kids who are fans of The Polar Express, the York-Durham Railway Santa Train may be the next best thing. During the one-hour trip, enjoy onboard entertainment, goodies, and personal visits by Santa to each child.
Select dates November 21–December 13Celebrate in Victorian Style
There’s something about historic Christmas celebrations—especially in the Victorian era—with their mulled cider and horse-drawn carriages, that get us feeling extra Christmas-y. At Black Creek Pioneer Village, experience traditional Christmas carolling, music, food, and more with Christmas by Lamplight.
Victorian Christmas at Mackenzie House includes old-world traditions and Santa letter-writing for kids. Dundurn National Historic Site in Hamilton has a Victorian Christmas and Christmas-evening tours, plus a New Year’s Celebration.
December 12–January 3See The Nutcracker
If you take your kids to see one ballet, The Nutcracker should probably be it. A popular choice for its stunning scenery and elaborate costumes, dramatic music and choreography, plus toys that come to life, it’s the perfect way to introduce children to ballet.
Toronto productions this year include those by the Moscow Classical Ballet Company in Brampton (Dec. 10) and Mississauga (Dec. 13); the Victoria Ballet Company in Richmond Hill (Dec. 18–20), the Toronto International Ballet Theatre downtown (Dec. 19), and the National Ballet of Canada (Dec. 12–Jan. 13).
December 10–January 13See A Christmas Carol
If a play is more your thing, A Christmas Carol is the quintessential Christmas tale. And for kids (and parents) who may be a bit caught up in the gift-getting aspect of the holiday, the story is a fitting reminder that Christmas is about something more.
Several productions are taking stages in Toronto, including those by the Humber River Shakespeare Company (Dec. 5–20) and Soulpepper Theatre (Dec. 3–Jan. 3).
December 3–January 3Make DIY Decorations and Cookies
Many local museums, public spaces, and private venues are hosting workshops for kids and adults on DIY gingerbread, tree decorations, and more.
A few of our favourites this year: City of Toronto Historic Sites workshops, including a Gingerbread Make and Bake at Fort York, seasonal crafts at Gibson House Museum, and New Year’s Eve noisemaker DIY at Mackenzie House.
Evergreen Brick Works has events for kids and adults throughout December as part of its Evergreen Winter Village. Fun options for all ages are the DIY Holiday Décor Workshop (Dec. 12) and Holiday Baking with Local Ingredients (Dec. 13).
Through December; individual dates varyGet Your Santa Photo Op
You could take your child to any mall in the GTA for his or her annual photo with Santa, but none of them beats Sherway Gardens’ The Santa Experience: a 30-minute Santa show with 20-minute private photo session that sells out every year.
If you miss it, Santa will also make appearances at Eaton Centre and other malls, and he’ll be at his little house at the Toronto Christmas Market Tuesday through Sunday until December 20.
See our favourite places to meet Santa this year.
Through December 24; individual dates varyCheck our Toronto Events listings holidays for even more Christmas events, updated daily.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- Toronto Fun With Kids December 2015
- How To Teach Kids Gratitude at Christmas
- Gift Ideas for Kids with Too Many Toys
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