A great idea for a special festive treat for you and your family is to take in a concert, play or dance performance over the holidays and school break. The subject matter need not be related to Christmas — at any time of year, it is definitely beneficial for children to be exposed to the arts at a young age. Besides, it’s a fantastic excuse to get dressed up and hit the town! So take a seat at our Guide to Holiday Concerts and Shows in Toronto…

Young People’s Theatre (YPT): “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
When: November 20 – December 30, 2023
Ring in the holidays with YPT as they present “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”, with an ensemble cast retelling this beloved story. Reimagined for the stage and adapted as a radio broadcast, you become the live studio audience of the radio play, set in a 1940s studio!

“Chris, Mrs. – A New Holiday Musical”
When: December 5-31, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season with the World Premiere of “Chris, Mrs.”! This uplifting story is full of mischief and mistletoe, plus even some twisted ankles and tangled heartstrings. Sure to tickle your funny bone and stir your emotions, it’s bound to be a new holiday musical tradition.

Cirque du Soleil — “CRYSTAL”
When: Oshawa December 7-10, Hamilton December 14-17, 2023
This holiday season, the renowned Canadian circus troupe astounds audiences in Oshawa and Hamilton with CRYSTAL, their coolest arena show ever! CRYSTAL is a groundbreaking performance where the magic of Cirque du Soleil meets the ice. This is their first-ever on-ice show that combines ice skating, juggling and acrobatics for an unforgettable display of athletic prowess and artistic grace.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) — “Home Alone” In Concert
When:
December 7-9, 2023
There’s no need to scream… Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) brings “Home Alone” in Concert back to Roy Thomson Hall for the holiday season! This beloved family comedy about Kevin, a boy mistakenly forgotten at home at Christmas, features the delightful score by legendary composer John Williams.

Canadian Opera Company (COC): Free Concert Series
When: Continuing
COC presents their Free Concert Series, mostly taking place on weekdays at noon, in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic — Tree Lighting Ceremony Concert
When: November 25, 2023
Bloor-Yorkville toasts the festive season with the Holiday Magic festival of lights and music with the central Village of Yorkville Park, the opening ceremony features a free concert by singer Matt Dusk.

Roy Thomson Hall: Christmas With the Clemons
When: December 6, 2023
Join Pinball Clemons, one of the all-time great Toronto Argonauts, and his family to share their favourite time of the year, with musical performances that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! Proceeds support marginalized and racialized youth in the community through educational charities.

Les Voix du Coeur Choir: Christmas Concert
When: December 10, 2023
Share the joy of French Christmas carols with family and friends, performed by the Les Voix du Coeur Choir’s ensemble of 38 chorists.

Orchestra Toronto: “A Winter Festival”
When: December 10, 2023
Sure to fill you with joy, warmth, and the spirit of the season, Orchestra Toronto presents “A Winter Festival.”, perfect for audiences of all ages.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: TSO Holiday Pops 
When: December 11-13, 2023
TSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke welcomes legendary Canadian jazz vocalist Molly Johnson and the Etobicoke School of the Arts Holiday Chorus.

Roy Thomson Hall: St. Andrew’s College – “An Andrean Christmas”
When:
December 14, 2023
Join the students of St. Andrew’s College for a magical evening of entertainment and revel in the Christmas spirit as you enjoy the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pipes & Drums, featured soloists and seasonal favourites.

Toronto Children’s Chorus: “Songs of the Season”
When: December 16, 2023
Immerse yourself in delightful melodies as the Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) returns to the Roy Thomson Hall stage with “Songs of the Season”.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s “Messiah”
When: December 17-23, 2023
Dame Jane Glover leads your Toronto Symphony Orchestra, along with soloists and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, in exultant arias and joyous refrains, including the iconic “Hallelujah” Chorus.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Sullivan-Parker-Kettlewell
When: December 17, 2023
Cherish the nostalgic tunes of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at a lively jazz performance by musicians Sullivan-Parker-Kettlewell.

Roy Thomson Hall: The Tenors
When:
December 18, 2023
The international vocal group The Tenors performs operatic pop music with a festive feel in a mixture of classical and pop, including new songs and classics such as “The Prayer”, “Nessun Dorma”, “Forever Young”, and “Hallelujah.

Soulpepper Theatre: “On a Night Like This”
When:
December 20-31, 2023
Soulpepper Theatre presents the Christmas concert “On a Night Like This”, a merry mashup of classic carols and rock and pop hits.

Mirvish Productions: “SIX The Musical”
When: Continuing
Mirvish Productions rocks out with “SIX: The Musical”, where the six wives of Henry VIII turn historical heartbreak into a celebration of girl power.

TYT Theatre: “A Peter Rabbit Tale”
When: Until November 19, 2023
TYT Theatre presents “A Peter Rabbit Tale”, Beatrix Potter’s classic story which comes to life in this spirited children’s musical.

The Little Circus That Could
When: November 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 2023
The Ringmaster has lost his circus! Can you help him find it? “The Little Circus That Could” is a family-friendly interactive acrobatic comedy for all ages from the team that brought you “The Philip and Lucinda Dino-Show”.

Mirvish Productions: “To Kill A Mockingbird”
When: November 21-27, 2023
Mirvish Productions presents “To Kill A Mockingbird”, a play adaptation of the classic book, written by the Oscar-winning author Aaron Sorkin.

Wychwood Theatre: “Fireside Munsch”
When: November 25-26, 2023
Wychwood Theatre welcomes back M. John Kennedy for more storytelling hijinks with his one-man show “Fireside Munsch”.

TYT Theatre: “Rapunzel, the Family Friendly Musical”
When: December 2, 2023 – January 7, 2024
TYT Theatre brings “Rapunzel, the Family Friendly Musical” back for the holiday season. In this magical experience for the whole family, Rapunzel has all the fun of a classic pantomime but with a modern twist!

TO Live & Bravo Academy: “Matilda Jr.”
When: December 9-19, 2023
TO Live & the Bravo Academy Intermediate Troupe present the musical “Matilda Jr.” at the Meridian Arts Centre’s Studio Theatre in North York.

The Christmas Story at the Church of the Holy Trinity
When: December 9-24, 2023
A Toronto tradition since 1938, this nativity story is told through a series of narrated scenes, linked by beautiful organ music and carols, and featuring more than 50 volunteers.

Mirvish Productions: “42nd Street”
When: December 9, 2023 – January 21, 2024
Mirvish Productions presents “42nd Street”, the timeless and inspiring showbiz fairy tale combines breathtaking tap dance routines, backstage intrigue, classic romance and delightful comedy.

Soulpepper Theatre: “Bad Hats’ Alice in Wonderland”
When: December 12, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Soulpepper Theatre and Bad Hats Theatre returns with their contemporary spin on “Alice in Wonderland” in a musical retelling of the classic tale.

Mirvish Productions: “Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of)
When: December 14, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Mirvish Productions presents “Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of), a unique musical comedy version of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!”
When: December 16, 2023 – January 14, 2024
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!” is a comedic musical production that is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party, featuring a script by Mo Willems, creator of the best-selling “Pigeon” picture books.

TO Live: “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody by Dan and Jeff” 
When: December 21, 2023 – January 14, 2024
TO Live presents “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience—A Parody by Dan and Jeff”, perfect for wizard fans aged six to the very-old-indeed age of Dumbledore.

Slava’s Snowshow
When: December 22-31, 2023
This timeless theatrical poetic spectacle has enchanted audiences across the globe since 1993, giving everyone an excuse to celebrate life in a foolish way!

Puppetmongers Theatre :”Foolish Tales for Foolish Times”
When: December 26-30, 2023
Puppetmongers Theatre Presents “Foolish Tales for Foolish Times”, their latest winter holiday show combining four different classic tales.

Aga Khan Museum: Duende Flamenco Festival
When: November 16-19, 2023
Explore the multi-disciplinary nature of flamenco as Aga Khan Museum presents the annual Duende Flamenco Festival, which celebrates its fiery world with film screenings, music, and live performances.

Toronto International Dance Festival
When: November 19 & 26, 2023
The Toronto International Dance Festival unites all cultures through free dance performances by artists from various backgrounds.

National Ballet of Canada: “The Nutcracker”
When:
December 8-30, 2023
The National Ballet of Canada’s production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination, with non-stop dancing plus magnificent sets and costumes.

Toronto Botanical Garden: Wonders of Winterland – Dance+Circus at the Garden
When: December 8-10, 2023
Toronto Botanical Garden presents Wonders of Winterland: Dance+Circus at the Garden, an immersive winter, high-flying dance, circus and garden experience, complete with aerial silks, straps, trapeze, dance, and acrobatics.

TO Live: Toronto International Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
When: December 23, 2023
TO Live presents the Toronto International Ballet Theatre’s production of the classic ballet “The Nutcracker”, twirling into the holiday season with an unforgettable performance of dance, music, and enchantment.

The Rec Room: Mystery & Magic with Beyond Mental Borders
When: November 19, 2023
Mind-readers Beyond Mental Borders are back with a night of exciting, live Mystery & Magic entertainment at The Rec Room.

Mirvish Productions: “The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays”
When: November 28 – December 3, 2023
Mirvish Productions hosts The Illusionists for their festive “Magic of the Holidays” show, packed with magic, mentalism, escapes, and more.

TIFF Bell Lightbox: Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music
When: December 14-17, 2023
TIFF Bell Lightbox brings back the Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music musical event with a screening of the classic film, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, complete with subtitles to help you sing along.

TO Live: Disney in Concert – “The Muppet Christmas Carol”
When: December 15-16, 2023
Enjoy the Muppets’ retelling of the Dickens classic holiday tale, with the entire classic film and score performed at the same time!

TO Live: Champions Of Magic
When: December 27-30, 2023
Be amazed by the Champions of Magic in a live show with impossible illusions and spectacular special effects.

Wychwood Theatre: BenTastic Family Magic Show
When: December 28-29, 2023
Join BenTastic at the Wychwood Theatre where this family-friendly magician puts on an action-packed, interactive magic show with lots of laughter, amazing tricks and plenty of audience participation.

Find a sleigh-full of Christmas Events on our website here!