Category Archives: Christmas

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

360. The 36th Annual Christmas Treats Walk

December 26, 2011

You may have had a delicious Christmas dinner yesterday, but what about the animals at the Toronto Zoo? It’s time for them to have some of their favourite treats at the Annual Christmas Treats Walk!

Christmas Treats Walk

Each Boxing Day the animals get some of their favourite seasonal food, and keeper talks take on a festive tone so you can learn while the animals snack! Admission is half price, but be sure to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank. This is an outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. For more information, go to www.torontozoo.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto business, Toronto events, Toronto food

359. Go out for Christmas Dinner

December 25, 2011

So you couldn’t find that box of Stovetop stuffing and decided to can the whole homemade-Christmas dinner thing. Don’t settle for cold pizza or a package of instant mashed potatoes; give yourself the gift of a great Christmas dinner at one of these five establishments that are open for dinner today:

1. Fran’s Restaurant: 210 Victoria Street

So you’ve had too much, uh, Christmas cheer, and you need a greasy meal to soak it all up. Head to Fran’s – they’re open 24/7, 365 days a year. Not only will you get a great diner meal, you’ll also get some old-style hospitality without being guilted into doing the dishes.

2. Fairmont Royal York Hotel: 100 Front St. W.

If you really want to treat yourself today (and why not? It is Christmas!), head to the Fairmont Royal York where you can be served a holiday meal that even your Great-Aunt Mildred won’t stick her nose up at. Seatings are at 3:30pm, 3:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm and 8pm. Call the festive desk at 416-860-5050 to inquire about the different meals.

3. Vaticano Trattoria: 25 Bellair Street

Craving an Italian meal? (You don’t have to have turkey on Christmas!) Head over to Vaticano Trattoria, where they’re open 365 days a year for both lunch and dinner. Today you can get traditional Italian meals from noon to 2am, so put away that box of mac and cheese and give yourself the gift of some real, delicious, Italian cooking this Christmas!

4. Dhaba: 309 King Street West

Bite into some butter chicken for your Christmas dinner! Dhaba serves up dinner tonight from 5pm until 10:30pm, and this unbeatable selection of delicious Indian food could become a tradition for your holiday meal! Conveniently located downtown, Dhaba is a great option for condo-dwellers who can’t be bothered with all of the fuss of a big Christmas dinner in a 600-square foot space.

5. Chinatown

Several restaurants are open on Christmas day in Chinatown; a few include Bright Pearl Seafood (346 Spadina Ave, open from 9am until 11am), E-Pan Chinese Cuisine (369 Spadina Ave, open from noon until midnight), and Xam Yu (339 Spadina Ave, open from 11:30am until 1am).

Christmas Dinner

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

358. Visit the Trail of Lights at Downsview Park

December 24, 2011

Christmas is tomorrow, and if you’ve been good and finished all of your Christmas shopping (we’ve certainly suggested enough opportunities for you to cross everyone off of your Christmas list!) you’ll have the chance to relax (unless you are busy defrosting a turkey, putting cookies in the oven, or hunting for that box of Stovetop stuffing you were sure you had leftover from Thanksgiving). Why not begin a family tradition and head to the Trail of Lights at Downsview Park? The Park has been transformed by LED light displays, and though it was started as a pedestrian-only trail, it is now mostly a drive-through tour, which is perfect if you’re not into getting bundled up, but definitely want to take in some festive fun.

Trail of Lights at Downsview Park

For more information about the Trail of Lights at Downsview Park, go to http://www.downsviewpark.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto music

354. Christmas Holiday Pops

December 20, 2011

Hear all your favourite holiday tunes tonight at the first of three performances of Christmas Holiday Pops at Roy Thomson Hall! Featuring the Canadian Brass, you’ll hear classics such as Ding Dong Merrily on High, Go Tell It on the Mountain and Christmas Time is Here, as well as a bit of Dixieland jazz.

Canadian Brass

Christmas Holiday Pops starts tonight at 8pm. If you can’t make it to this evening’s performances, you can catch the Canadian Brass at Roy Thomson Hall tomorrow at 2pm and 8pm. For more information and to purchase tickets for this holiday event, go to www.tso.ca.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

351. Christmas by Lamplight

December 17, 2011

Ready for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration by lamplight? Tonight Black Creek Pioneer Village hosts an evening of ballroom dancing, old-fashioned taffy pulls, chestnuts roasting over an open fire” and more. Make your evening complete by selecting the traditional dinner option, and you’ll have a “Christmas by Lamplight” to remember!

Christmas by Lamplight

Christmas by Lamplight is a pre-ticketed event. Visit Black Creek’s website for details on how you can be part of the holiday festivities!

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto music

350. Toronto’s “Favourite” Messiah

December 16, 2011

Dubbed “Toronto’s Favourite Messiah,” it simply wouldn’t be the holidays without taking in a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra! Featuring the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer of Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, this Messiah will be unforgettable.

Toronto's "Favourite" Messiah

The performance gets underway at 8pm at Roy Thomson Hall; to purchase tickets, go to www.tso.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

347. The Nutcracker

December 13, 2011

If you only ever see one ballet in your life, it will likely be The Nutcracker. Honour a Toronto tradition and see the National Ballet of Canada’s performance of this wildly popular ballet this Christmas season! Described as “at once cheeringly traditional yet freshly attuned to the rhythms and accents of the contemporary,” this version of The Nutcracker highlights beautiful choreography and childhood whimsy while “re-shaping…the narrative…into new thematic territory.” The ballet follows siblings Misha and Marie as they experience the marvelous and extraordinary world of childhood fantasy while preparing to enter the new and different world of adolescence.

The Nutcracker

Described as “a splendid spectacle” by the Toronto Star, you will not want to miss The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre this Christmas season! For show times, ticket prices and availability, go to the National Ballet of Canada’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, West Queen West

345. City of Craft

December 11, 2011

So despite all of the places, shows, and opportunities we have given you to get your Christmas shopping done, you have yet to start. Tsk, tsk. This is the last time we’ll feature a Christmas shopping event before the big day, so get on top of your Christmas list with City of Craft! Open today from 11am until 5pm, City of Craft is hosted by The Theatre Centre at 1087 Queen Street. For a $2 admission fee you’ll get access to homemade goodies, gifts, and an assortment of lovely and unique items for sale, handmade by the 50 vendors accepted to sell their wares at the Show.

City of Craft

Today is the last day of City of Craft, so don’t delay – get your Christmas shopping started (and finished!) today!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

344. Family Workshop Series: Family Baking Workshop

December 10, 2011

Teach the kids how to bake the old fashioned way – using a wood-burning stove at Black Creek Pioneer Village! You’ll follow Christmas recipes loved by the pioneers, and of course, you’ll have the opportunity to take home some of the tasty treats you create!

Family Baking Workshop

Pre-registration is required for the Family Baking Workshop; go to www.blackcreek.ca for more information.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Distillery District, Toronto, Toronto events

339. Toronto Christmas Market

December 5, 2011

Celebrate the traditional sights, scents, and sounds of Christmas at the Toronto Christmas Market! Taking place in the Distillery District, this event captures all of the charm of a European Christmas Market, complete with family friendly entertainment, a ferris wheel, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo, Santa and his roaming elves, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, and the opportunity to purchase unique and locally crafted gifts.

Toronto Christmas Market

In addition to plenty of activities and fantastic shopping opportunities, the Toronto Christmas Market is an excellent time to discover the Distillery District when it is at its most beautifully. A forty foot Christmas tree compete with 18,000 lights and ornaments stands at the centre of it all, while the whole district is transformed by lights and seasonal décor.

The Toronto Christmas Market continues until December 18th. For more information, visit www.torontochristmasmarket.com.