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 the Best Holiday Concerts and Shows in Toronto…
Featured Holiday Concerts and Shows
Young People’s Theatre (YPT): “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
When: November 12 — December 30, 2024
Get your golden ticket to see the Young People’s Theatre (YPT) production of “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — there’s no sweeter way to spend the holidays! Based on the classic novel by Roald Dahl, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, this childhood favourite comes to life on stage with whimsy, charm and catchy tunes.
TO Live: “Frozen” in Concert
When: November 29-30, 2024
Journey into Arendelle, an enchanted town in the fjords, as TO Live and Glatz Concerts present Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen” in Concert! Led by conductor Evan Mitchell, this concert brings to life composer Christophe Beck’s majestic Grammy-nominated score of this Disney favourite, perfectly synchronized with the film.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO): “Elf In Concert”
When: December 5-8, 2024
This holiday season, revel in the holiday spirit and celebrate with your family and friends as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) performs the entire score of “Elf in Concert” live-to-picture with a live symphony orchestra at the majestic Roy Thomson Hall, for five performances only.
Canadian Stage: “The Wizard of Oz: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical”
When: December 6, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Families can share a night of larger-than-life theatrical fun together as Canadian Stage presents the holiday pantomime extravaganza, “The Wizard of Oz: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical”! Book a Family Pack of at least two Regular and two Child tickets and save up to $90 on tickets with the FAMILYFUN promo code.
TO Live & Cirque du Soleil: “‘Twas The Night Before…”
When: December 12, 2024 — January 3, 2025
Celebrate the holidays with TO Live and Cirque du Soleil as they present “‘Twas the Night Before…”, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” by Clement Clarke Moore.
Holiday Music Concerts
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.
Music & Truffles KIDS 2024/2025 Season
When: Continuing
Give your children their first taste of classical music with Music & Truffles KIDS, one-hour classical music concerts designed for young people ages 6-11 and their parents, grandparents, and friends.
Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic — Tree Lighting Ceremony Concert
When: November 23 — December 31, 2024; Official tree lighting ceremony: November 23, 5:00-7:00pm
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 Rêve.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker – Land of Sweets
When: November 27-30, 2024
The TSO and the the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra take a journey to the Land of Sweets in Act II of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, where the beloved ballet classic comes alive with perennial favourites such as “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Flowers”.
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: “Festival of Carols”
When: December 3-4, 2024
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir invites you to celebrate the joy of the holiday season with “Festival of Carols”, an annual tradition that brings together the warmth of cherished carols, stunning choral arrangements, and the grandeur of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.
Christmas With the Clemons
When: December 4, 2024
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.
Canadian Stage: “The Wizard of Oz – A Holiday Musical Panto for All”
When: December 6, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Canadian Stage revives the tradition of the holiday pantomime extravaganza with “The Wizard of Oz: A Holiday Musical Panto for All” for the enjoyment of Toronto audiences of all ages.
Christmas with Molly Johnson
When: December 7, 2024
Spend “Christmas with Molly Johnson” when this legendary Canadian singer performs a concert of holiday music with her trio, along with members of the St. Thomas’s Anglican Church choir, including a fabulous children’s choir singing back-up.
Orchestra Toronto: “Timeless Traditions”
When: December 8, 2024
Sure to fill you with joy, warmth, and the spirit of the season, Orchestra Toronto presents their winter holiday concert entitled “Timeless Traditions”.
The Christmas Story at the Church of the Holy Trinity
When: December 7-22, 2024
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.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops
When: December 10-12, 2024
With Conductor Jeff Tyzik welcoming vocalist Denzal Sinclaire and the Etobicoke School of the Arts Holiday Chorus, your holidays will be merry and bright with this symphonic stocking stuffed with seasonal splendour.
St. Andrew’s College: “An Andrean Christmas”
When: December 13, 2024
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.
St. Michael’s Choir School: “Gloria!”
When: December 14, 2024
A Toronto holiday tradition, St. Michael’s Choir School presents a magical blend of secular and sacred choral repertoire to usher in this Christmas season, including Vivaldi’s Gloria, Carol of the Bells, and The Star Carol.
Christmas with the Salvation Army, with Jordan Smith
When: December 14, 2024
The Salvation Army presents a wondrous holiday concert that will uplift your spirit, featuring guest soloist Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of NBC’s The Voice.
Toronto Children’s Chorus: “Songs of the Season”
When: December 15, 2024
Immerse yourself in the delightful melodies of the season as the Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) returns to the Roy Thomson Hall stage with their annual Christmas concert with “Songs of the Season”.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
When: December 17-22, 2024
Jean-Sébastien Vallée leads your Toronto Symphony Orchestra, along with soloists and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, in exultant arias and joyous refrains, including the iconic “Hallelujah” Chorus.
Choir!Choir!Choir!: “Un-Silent Night” An EPIC Holiday Sing-Along (Massey Hall)
When: December 21-22, 2024
Bring the whole family to Massey Hall for a joy-filled sing-along of fun holiday classics, hits and revivals. There’s an evening performance and also an afternoon family matinée.
Attila Glatz Concert Productions and Canadian Opera Company Orchestra: BRAVISSIMO! New Year’s at the Opera
When: December 31, 2024
Spend New Year’s Eve enjoying operatic arias and duets including Carmen, Turandot, Marriage of Figaro, sure to delight both new and seasoned opera-lovers alike.
Holiday Theatre Shows
Mirvish Productions: “The Lion King”
When: Continuing
Mirvish Productions presents the triumphant return of Disney’s The Lion King to the Princess of Wales Theatre, where this landmark musical event brings a story filled with hope and adventure to life.
One Four One Collective & The Assembly Theatre: “Patty Picker” by Evan Bawtinheimer
When: November 13-21, 2024
One Four One Collective in association with The Assembly Theatre presents the 2024 Toronto Kids Fringe smash hit “Patty Picker” by Evan Bawtinheimer, about a 16-year-old girl who has a secret: Patty picks her nose!
Mirvish Productions: O Christmas Tea – A British Comedy
When: November 21-24, 2024
Grab your teacups because this holiday season, Mirvish Productions presents “O Christmas Tea – A British Comedy”, the perfect Christmas show for fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss!
T.Y.T. Theatre: “The Snow Queen”
When: November 22, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Get spirited away by the T.Y.T. Theatre production of “The Snow Queen”, a new musical adaptation of the fantastical coming-of-age adventure by Hans Christian Andersen, which inspired the hit Disney movie ‘Frozen’.
Soulpepper Theatre: “Alligator Pie”
When: December 11-29, 2024
Soulpepper Theatre presents “Alligator Pie”, a family classic that returns just in time for the holidays, bringing to life the celebrated children’s poems of Dennis Lee.
Wychwood Theatre: “A Merry Munsch-mas”
When: December 14-15, 2024
Wychwood Theatre presents “A Merry Munsch-mas”, featuring four of Robert Munsch’s wonderful stories performed as one wacky play.
Wychwood Theatre: “Adventure of the Little Rooster”
When: December 27, 2024 — January 5, 2025
Dazzle and delight at “Adventures of the Little Rooster” at the Wychwood Theatre, a new feather of a tale from the team that performed “The Little Circus that Could” and “The Philip & Lucinda Dino-Show”.
Holiday Dance Shows
The National Ballet of Canada: “Silent Screen / Body of Work / Rhapsody”
When: November 9-16, 2024
The National Ballet of Canada presents “Silent Screen / Body of Work / Rhapsody”, a triple bill of dance pieces that showcases the breadth of their vast repertoire with acclaimed works that honour the legacy and future of dance.
Aga Khan Museum: Duende Flamenco Festival
When: November 14-17, 2024
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.
The National Ballet of Canada: “Giselle”
When: November 20-24, 2024
The National Ballet of Canada presents “Giselle”, one of classical ballet’s most breathtaking works, set in a haunting world of love, betrayal and forgiveness.
Native Earth Performing Arts: Weesageechak Begins to Dance
When: November 21 — December 1, 2024
Native Earth Performing Arts presents Weesageechak Begins to Dance, an annual development festival of Indigenous work, which brings creators from across Turtle Island together to showcase their art.
National Ballet of Canada: “The Nutcracker”
When: December 6-31, 2024
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.
TO Live: Toronto International Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
When: December 21-22, 2024
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.
Roy Thomson Hall: The Princess Bride – An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
When: November 29, 2024
Roy Thomson Hall presents a screening of “The Princess Bride”, along with a moderated discussion with Westley himself, Cary Elwes, for a behind-the-scenes look of this classic film, revealing never-before shared secrets and tales of *inconceivable* antics!
Toronto Botanical Garden: Winter Blooms Circus at the Garden
When: December 20-22, 2024
Toronto Botanical Garden presents Winter Blooms Circus at the Garden, an immersive winter, high-flying dance, circus and garden experience, complete with aerial silks, straps, trapeze, dance, and acrobatics.
Westfall’s World: 12 Tricks of Christmas
When: December 21-22, 2024
Westfall’s World presents “12 Tricks of Christmas” live at the Wychwood Theatre, a super amazing festive interactive live magic show from under the beautiful Christmas tree.
Find a sleigh-full of Christmas Events on our website here!
