Christmas is a wonderful time to create lasting memories with the family through a variety of festive activities. Decorating the Christmas tree together is a cherished tradition for many, as families come together to hang ornaments, and string lights, and add personal touches that make the tree uniquely theirs. Baking holiday treats, like cookies and gingerbread houses, is another favourite activity, allowing family members of all ages to get creative in the kitchen while enjoying the sweet aromas that fill the home. These moments of shared laughter and teamwork set the tone for a joyful holiday season.
Outdoor activities also offer great opportunities for family bonding during Christmas. A visit to a local Christmas market can be a magical experience, with twinkling lights, festive music, and an array of holiday goodies to explore. Ice skating at a nearby rink or going for a walk to see neighbourhood holiday light displays are simple yet memorable ways to embrace the winter season together. For those looking for more adventure, a day spent sledding or building snowmen in the backyard adds a fun, active element to the holiday festivities, ensuring that everyone in the family feels the warmth and joy of Christmas.
December 1, 2024
A Seasonal Celebration
Flato Markham Theatre, Markham
flatomarkhamtheatre.ca/Online/default.asp
Get in the holiday spirit with MCB’s annual Christmas and Hanukkah celebration. From The Nutcracker Suite to Rudolph, we will have something for everyone including sing along and maybe a visit from Santa!
December 6, 2024
Enchanted Wonders
Georgian Theatre, Barrie
tprocob.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/EnchantedWonders
“Enchanted Wonders” is a unique family-friendly show that brings together four of Canada’s most in-demand magicians in a spectacular display of imagination come to life.
December 10, 2024 | 7 pm
Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village with Chris McKhool and Friends
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines
www.bit.ly/holidays-of-the-global-village
Celebrate the songs of the holidays heard around the world and take a glimpse into the different cultures, customs, celebrations and festivities that make up the multicultural mosaic of Canada.
December 21, 2024
RHCPA Presents The RHPO’s The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
rhpo.ca
Enjoy an interactive sing-a-long experience of one of the most iconic Hollywood films of all time.
December 24, 2024 | 2 pm & 7 pm
The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines
lovestc.ca/event/the-music-of-a-charlie-brown-christmas-2
Enjoy the songs of the holidays with the classic soundtrack of this cherished family favourite.
December 2024 – January 2025
HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR
Casa Loma, Toronto
casaloma.ca/project/holiday-lights-tour-2
This December experience the magic of the season at Casa Loma and wander through a dazzling lighting display in the gardens and tunnels.
December 2024 – January 2025
CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE
Casa Loma, Toronto
casaloma.ca/project/christmas-at-the-castle
Casa Loma is hosting a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family. Guests will be surrounded by holiday magic throughout the castle which will be resplendent with holiday décor. As always kids are invited to visit Santa in his castle workshop, participate in festive arts
and crafts.
December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 – 23, 2024
Santa at The Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto
events.trca.ca/event/santa-at-the-village-4?instance_id=20241207120000
Spend a fun-filled festive time with Santa and his helpers at Black Creek Pioneer Village! Step into a winter wonderland filled with holiday cheer during Santa at the Village, complete with a visit from the jolly old elf himself.
December 7, 14, 21, 2024
Festive Nights at the Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto
events.trca.ca/event/family-christmas-weekends-4?instance_id=20241207180000
Enjoy a frosty frolic through the Village and take part in a heartwarming and picture-perfect exploration of the joys of the season. Take part in warmhearted festivities. Be delighted by the talents and melodies of live entertainment while sampling scrumptious holiday treats – from mouthwatering roasted chestnuts to delectable gingerbread cookies.
December 8, 2024 | 10 am – 12:30 pm
ELF CLUB: A CHILDREN’S COOKING WORKSHOP
Dundurn Castle, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/elf-club-childrens-cooking-workshop
Join the Elf Club and help make cookies for the season. This fun children’s cooking workshop includes a boiled pudding demonstration and hands-on cookie-making in the historic kitchen.
November 12 – December 18, 2024
’Tis The Season Art Exhibition
Assembly Hall, Etobicoke
www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/exhibits-events/?id=YBRMu5qsCiZVhvLaP4wKUA
Created by students from local schools, the works in this exhibition speak to the seasonal changes from autumn to winter, like snowfalls and long periods of darkness, and the cultural traditions they help shape.
November 23, 2024 – January 7, 2025
RBG Express
Hendrie Park, Burlington
www.rbg.ca/events/rbg-express
Don’t miss a ride on the RBG Express during your day visit in the Gardens.
November 30 – December 22, 2024
Christmas at the Farm
13682 Heart Lake Road, Inglewood
https://downeysfarm.com/downeys-farm-market-santa.htm
Santa Claus and his Elves will be visiting Downey’s Farm once again this year. This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately to be outside.
December 19 – 22, 2024
Winter Blooms | Circus
Toronto Botanical Garden
torontobotanicalgarden.ca/enjoy/events-at-the-garden
A one-of-a-kind immersive holiday experience at the Garden. This captivating high-flying circus show brought to life by Toronto’s top aerial artists from Artists’ Play Dance and Circus Arts Performances will take place indoors with general admission seating. Suitable for all ages.
National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker
Ballet Jörgen Canada Presents: The Nutcracker
Click the link to view details.
National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker
Click the link to view details.
November 13, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Deck the Halls – New Musical!
Famous PEOPLE Players, Toronto
www.famouspeopleplayers.com/shows
A wonderous enchanting musical that will excite everyone, no matter what the age!
November 12 – December 30, 2024
Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – TYA CANADIAN PREMIERE
Young People’s Theatre, Toronto
www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/shows-tickets/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory
Recommended for Ages 6+ | Gr. 1+
Grab your golden ticket and join Charlie Bucket on this delectable adventure into Willy Wonka’s world-famous chocolate factory! A world of pure imagination awaits as Charlie, Grandpa Joe and four golden ticket-winners embark on a journey brimming with chocolate rivers and cocoa-loving Oompa Loompas.
November 28 – December 1, 2024
Disney’s Newsies Jr.
Lester B. Pearson, Brampton
Presented by Brampton Music Theatre Youth Troupe
bit.ly/46nDoAj
Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies Jr. features a Tony Award winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.
December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025
The Wizard of Oz: A Holiday Musical Panto for All (World Premiere)
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre
www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/wizard-of-oz
The beloved Toronto holiday tradition returns! Following in the illustrious footsteps of Ross Petty’s iconic 25-year tradition, Canadian Stage proudly steps up to lead the next chapter of larger-than-life holiday pantomimes for the enjoyment of Toronto audiences of all ages.
December 6 – 8, 12 – 15, 19 – 21, 2024
THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
Scarborough Village Theatre, Toronto
theatrescarborough.com/scarborough-theatre-guild/productions/the-emperors-new-clothes
This pantomime is the age-old story of the emperor who gets taken in by a fraudster who sells him a set of clothes that can “only be seen by those who are of high worth and intelligence”. Add in a hero who has a change of heart in order to win the girl of his dreams, a villain and his two imbecilic side-kicks, and of course, the pantomime horse and all the makings are there for a fun time. Cheer the hero, boo the villain, HAVE FUN!
December 6 – 15, 2024
Beauty & The Beast: A Christmas Pantomime
Drury Lane Theatre, Burlington
www.drurylane.ca/shows
Beauty and the Beast is the story of a handsome but arrogant Prince who falls foul to an Enchantress whose spell dooms him to spend his life hiding in his castle in the guise of a grotesque Beast.
December 12 – 29, 2024
ALLIGATOR PIE – A SOULPEPPER HOLIDAY SHOW!
Baillie Theatre, Toronto
www.soulpepper.ca/performances/alligator-pie
This beloved Soulpepper favourite returns just in time for the holidays! Alligator Pie brings the celebrated children’s poems of Dennis Lee to vibrant theatrical life.
December 20 – 28, 2024
Freezing: A Holiday Pantomime
AEG Liebherr Auditorium, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
www.oakvillecentre.ca/whats-on/upcoming-events/botg-freezing
For the past 10 years, the BurlOak Theatre Group has entertained sold-out crowds of all ages with a twist on a traditional Pantomime. Pantomime (informally known as a panto), is a type of musical comedy stage production, designed for family entertainment.
November 1 – 5, 2024
CRAFT SCENTED CANDLES
Yummi Candles, Toronto
www.yummicandles.ca/pages/scented-candle-workshop
Expert chandlers will guide you in creating your own scented candles by choosing up to eight fragrances from their specially selected fragrance catalogue and learning how to expertly combine them with their proprietary blend of plant-based waxes and wicks.
November 12, 2024
LEARN TO SEW WITH FELT: CHRISTMAS EDITION
Ed’s Mercantile, 605 Bloor St. W., Toronto
www.eventbrite.ca/e/learn-to-sew-with-felt-christmas-edition-tickets-946435462947?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
All supplies are included in this fun and informative workshop. You’ll learn hand-sewing techniques and embroidery skills to create pretty ornaments with wool felt. Felt is a lovely textile to create with…..it’s durable, soft and can be used to create anything you can imagine. Once your project is complete you’ll have all the skills necessary to sew anything you like using wool felt!
November 29, 2024 | 7 – 9:30 pm
PUDDING CLUB COOKING WORKSHOP
Dundurn Castle, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/pudding-club-cooking-workshop
Be a part of a unique and entertaining evening exploring the world of puddings at Dundurn Castle. Their cooks will guide you through a hands-on preparation of a delicious pudding recipe in their historic kitchen, a tour of the home decorated for the season and finally, the reason you came… dessert!
December 6, 12, 15, 19, 21, & 29, 2024
PERFECT PARISIAN MACARONS
12 Sousa Mendes St, Toronto
www.ledolci.com/products/perfect-parisian-macarons-1
In this master class, instructed by one of our talented chefs you will work in groups to execute a Parisian macaron recipe. One of our chefs will prepare buttercream for you with which to fill your macarons, then comes the super fun assembling part. What a great way to spend a day! The best part is, that you will bring home delicate delicious macarons that YOU will have made.
December 8, 2024 | 10 am – 12:30 pm
ELF CLUB: A CHILDREN’S COOKING WORKSHOP
Dundurn Castle, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/elf-club-childrens-cooking-workshop
This fun children’s cooking workshop includes a boiled pudding demonstration and hands-on cookie-making in the historic kitchen. Then you’ll tour the historic house and taste some plum pudding before packing up your cookies for home.
December 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2024
CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE MAKING WORKSHOP
430 York Blvd., Hamilton
chocolatetales.ca/in-person-workshops/hamilton
Expert chocolatiers will guide you through the art of chocolate making, teaching you the techniques to create your own delectable chocolates. Christmas Chocolate Making Workshop is sure to delight your taste buds and spread holiday cheer.
December 14, 2024 |10:30 am – 12 pm
CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE DECORATING CLASS
Toronto Public Library, Leaside Branch
bit.ly/christmas-sugar-cookie-decorating-class
Rabbit Lake Baking Company class will cover the basics of sugar cookies, do some piping pracƟ ce with Royal Icing, talk about how to strategize the best ways to decorate sugar cookies, and cover the general concepts around dough and icing. This class is for the beginner cookier or for the person who is just curious about what cookie decorating is all about! If you have limited experience with sugar cookies, found yourself frustrated with royal icing, or if you’re trying to have fun with family or friends, this is the class for you! We’ll be decorating a set of 6 Christmas-fun-themed cookies – snag your tickets mistletoe-day or end up on Santa’s naughty list “Clause”.
December 15, 2024
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS WORKSHOP
Erskine Presbyterian Church, Hamilton
erskine.ca/events/christmas-craft-workshop-2024
This workshop offers a festive hands-on experience where participants create holiday decorations, ornaments, and gifts.
December 21, 2024 | 9 and 11:30 am
KIDS CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP
Watering Can Flower Market, 18 James St., St. Catharines
thewateringcan.ca/product/kids-christmas-workshop-2
Child(ren) will immerse themselves in the magic of the season as they craft their very own winter wonderland scape, a masterpiece they will be eager to display with pride.
