This month, get ready for winter fairs, unique exhibitions, and dazzling performances based on some of your favourite shows and stories. November is packed full with fun indoor events to keep you sheltered from the cold.
Here are our top picks for family events this November in Toronto and the GTA. See more on our Toronto events calendar, updated daily.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Join the celebration of agricultural, local food, and equestrian competitions. This is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Bring the family to learn, shop, compete, and eat.
November 3–12
Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto
$27.50 adults, $20 seniors, $16 youth
Wall-to-Wall Percussion
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents a family-friendly concert created especially for kids ages 5–12 that spotlights the percussion section. Percussionist Vern Griffiths performs orchestral classics by Tchaikovsky and Bizet using everyday household items. Arrive 30 minutes before the show for pre-concert entertainment by Rhythm Works.
November 4
Roy Thompson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., Toronto
$18–$29
Curious George and the Golden Meatball
The mischievous monkey and his friend with the yellow hat are here to sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-packed musical. What’s even better than a birthday? All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day! At least, George thinks so. He’s been waiting all year and now his friend, Chef Pisghetti, is helping George enter meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome.
Every weekend through November; two showtimes each day
Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave., Toronto
$40–$50
Warm the Sole Sock Drive
Socks are the least donated and most needed item of clothing; it’s one of the first items people ask for when seeking assistance. Visitors to the Bata Shoe Museum are encouraged to bring a new pair of unworn socks, so they can be handed out to those in need all through the month of November. Kids will also get the chance to make fun sock-themed crafts!
November 1–30
Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Free with museum admission; free museum admission on Saturdays and Sundays with a donation
Beauty and the Beast
A tale as old as time comes to the stage this winter at Young People’s Theatre. It’s a story of hope and despite appearances, Belle and the Beast are not what everyone assumes them to be. Their true selves have the chance to be revealed, if they can find each other in time. Tickets often sell out, so do buy in advance!
November 6–December 31
Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E., Toronto
$15–$49; buy tickets online
The BabyTime Show
If you’re looking for all things prenatal to preschool, this event is where you’ll want to head! There will be over 200 exhibitors, Q&A sessions from pregnancy and parenting experts, an appearance from all your favourite PAW Patrol characters, a song and dance with Bob the Builder, and much more. Enter here before November 8 to win tickets to the show!
Nov. 10–12
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front St. W., Toronto
$17 adults, $10 grandparents, free for ages 12 and under
The Gem Expo
This is the premier show for beads, gems and gemstones, jewelry, minerals, copper and sterling silver findings, and more. There will also be handmade jewellery from talented artisans. Plus, the event supports a local charity through a silent auction.
November 10–12
Hyatt Regency Toronto, 370 King St. W., Toronto
$6/day or $12 for all three days, free for kids 12 and under
Remembrance Day at Fort York
Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place throughout the city on November 11. The somber ceremonies can be a hard sell for young kids, but Fort York’s service at Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery on Garrison Common are some of the more visually interesting, led by period uniformed military staff. You can visit the fort’s historic buildings afterward, take a guided tour, and watch military drills.
November 11
Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto
$14 adults, $10 seniors, $8 ages 13–18, $6 ages 6–12, free for age 5 and under
Will’s Jams Live Multimedia Show
Based on the popular television show Will’s Jams, which aired on CBC kids, this interactive concert will play many of the fan-favourite songs from the series. If you come early, kids will get the chance to have a meet and greet with Will Street and CBC Kids TV host, Janaye Day.
November 12
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave., Toronto
$15
Tile Painting: Scenic Sgraffito
The special exhibition happening at the Gardiner Museum, Steven Heinemann: Culture and Nature, is now open and has inspired the museum to hold a family Sunday series throughout the exhibition. Explore the influence of nature and time on his work, and then create your own work of art in the studio. Parents and kids will have the opportunity to decorate tiles with their own nature-inspired designs.
November 12
Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto
Free with museum admission; museum admission is free for ages 18 and under
Toronto Christmas Market
Get one-of-a-kind gifts from vendors and at the local shops in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, visit Santa’s House with the kids, take a ride on the merry-go-round, and see performances by carolers and Santa’s elves at the annual Toronto Christmas Market, a fantastic holiday tradition for the photo ops alone!
November 16–December 23
Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St., Toronto
Free weekdays, $6 weekends and Fri. after 5 pm; free for ages 2 and under
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic
Holiday Magic is where the holiday season kicks off with an annual community concert in support of the Canadian Foundation for Aids Research (CANFAR). It starts at 5 pm with the official Flick the Switch lighting ceremony and an exciting special performance by Keshia Chanté. There will also be a performance by The Rosedale Day School Choir.
November 18
115 Cumberland St., Toronto
Free
Illuminite
Come out to see the magical evening show and annual tree-lighting ceremony at Yonge-Dundas Square. It will include live music, dance, aerialists, and more.
November 18
Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E., Toronto
Free
Family Christmas Weekends
The annual Victorian Christmas experience at Black Creek Pioneer Village begins in mid-November, with traditional foods, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa’s Cottage, and all-around Victorian holiday charm.
Weekends, November 18–December 23
Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy., North York
Admission $15 adults, $12 students and seniors, $11 ages 5–14, free ages 4 and under
Toronto Santa Claus Parade
Santa Claus is coming to town! He’ll be making his way down Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue for the annual Toronto Santa Claus Parade in mid-November. The parade starts at 12:30, but arrive extra-early to get a good spot to see all the action.
November 19
Bloor St. W, Spadina Ave., and Front St. E., Toronto (from Christie Pits Park to St. Lawrence Market)
Free
Elf the Musical
This is the tale of Buddy, a young orphan who accidentally crawls into Santa’s bag of presents and is taken back to the North Pole. Buddy is unaware that he’s human until his large size and poor toy-making skills cause him to face the truth. Along with Santa’s permission, Buddy heads off to New York City to find his father and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
November 21–26
Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., Toronto
$56–$139
One Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale
This is the best place to find unique, handcrafted items by makers from all across Canada. This year will feature over 800 artisans, with 122 new exhibitors participating. This destination shopping has a proud focus on local handmade, homegrown talent and the opportunity to meet the makers.
November 23–December 3
Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes Blvd., Toronto
$15 adults, $7.50 seniors and youth, free for ages 12 and under
Swedish Christmas Fair
God Jul to you! Celebrate the season, Swedish-style, at the Harbourfront Centre with arts and crafts for kids, the traditional children’s Lucia Pageant, and a Swedish market and Swedish Cafe.
November 25–26
Harboufront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., Toronto
Free
Kidzfest
Come out to Yonge-Dundas Square for an all-day kids’ festival, with meet-and-greets with PAW Patrol and PJ Masks characters; on-stage magic shows, science shows, and Beauty and the Beast performances; along with arts and crafts, bouncy castle, and sweet treats.
November 25
Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E., Toronto
Free
